GM is saying that they are going to make it a high priority to decide if they are going to bring the Chevrolet Beat mini car to the market in the U.S. by 2012. This car came in first place in an online voting poll by 1.8 million consumers around the world on three of GMs mini-car concepts.

GM is altering the product plans that they had planned for the next decade, reacting to the lack of demand for vehicles that use a lot of gas. The upcoming generation of GMs mini cars, which the Beat is based on, will debut in years to come and will have the capability to get 40mpg.

In the first part of this year U.S. sales for GM declined 16%, and the carmaker is scrambling to meet the demand for its small, fuel-efficient vehicles.

GM is just one of the automakers planning to enter a mini-car into their lineup. Smart cars are the only minis on the market that are serious at this point, but their sales far exceeded their expectations.

With fuel prices exceeding $4 per gallon, consumers are protecting their wallets by demanding fuel-efficient cars and purchasing new car warranties. People are feeling the pinch in all aspects of their lives.

More motorists are deciding to switch to hybrid cars for better fuel-efficiency, however, just like any car; hybrids need common maintenance and occasional repairs.  A regular mechanic can do work that is routine, yet you will need hybrid-certified mechanics for jobs that are more extensive.

According to a Toyota service director in Tampa, hybrid work at the dealership has been small.  There are some vehicles with issues, but for the most part repairs are the result of accidents.  The most costly repair on hybrids is for battery replacement.  In a vehicle that isn’t covered by an auto warranty, you will pay approximately $3,000 just on the part.

The best thing to do is to find a technician to repair your car before you really need it.  This way you won’t have to make last minute decisions.  Also, make sure that the technician is certified in hybrid repair.

Finally, most new car warranties for hybrids cover 100,000 miles or 8-10 years.  Make sure you know if your auto warranty requires that you get service from a specific repair shop.

A recent survey by Consumer Reports Nat’l Research Center shows that drivers in America are feeling the pain of high gas prices and it’s having an affect on their lifestyles and car purchasing decisions.  In fact, people are opting to hold onto their current vehicles and purchase used car warranties.

Consumers say that they aren’t doing as much vacationing, driving, and entertainment spending.  Also evident, is that people are struggling with the cost of health care and food prices.  Who should be blamed for these hard times?  The survey revealed that 77% of people blame the federal government for not being able to carry out an energy policy that is effective, and 75% blame oil companies, as well as foreign producers of oil.

The price of gas has risen dramatically this year, going from $2.96 per gallon in Feb. 2008 to $4.08 in June, which is an increase of 38%.  That quick change has caused the price of transportation, heating oil and food to go up also.  Consumers are feeling the financial burden on many fronts with no sign of relief.  The result of this is that 45% of people aren’t putting as much money into their savings accounts, approximately one quarter aren’t spending as much on healthcare or food, and 17% are charging more on credit cards.

The rising fuel costs are having a poor effect on consumers’ lifestyles.  People are holding onto their current cars and purchasing an auto warranty instead of buying new vehicles.  Essentially, people are just trying to weather the storm.

Some consumers are apprehensive about purchasing a used car for fear that they will end up with a lemon.  However, purchasing a pre-owned vehicle in Philadelphia is about to become safer thanks to a new lemon law.

When this bill becomes a law, cars purchased in Philadelphia must be road-worthy.  If they aren’t, they can be returned for a full refund within three days.  This law, along with used car warranties, will give drivers peace of mind when purchasing a used car.

So, what does this mean for the used car buyer?  If you take your car in for an inspection by a licensed mechanic you can take the car back within 72 hours after the purchase if the car fails to pass the emission or safety inspection.  The vehicle can also be returned if information by the seller wasn’t disclosed, such as a defect with the structure.

Consumers are thrilled with the new lemon law because this means they won’t get stuck with a piece of junk.  With the addition of an auto warranty, motorists can finally have peace of mind when purchasing a used car.

Ford Motor Co. is getting on-board the popular small car and crossover markets with a Focus coupe that has been redesigned and the seven seat Flex.

Ford representatives showed the two vehicles in Memphis yesterday.  The marketing manager claimed that fuel-efficiency is the main factor driving the market right now.  However, motorists won’t compromise functionality, and the Flex accomplishes fuel-efficiency and function.

The 2009 Ford Flex has been on the market for two weeks.  It has the length of an SUV, while remaining low to the ground.  This vehicle gets 24 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.

The all-new Ford Focus has a sportier exterior.  The vehicle has wheels that are larger, with a spoiler and new designs in the front and rear.  Also, it gets 35 mpg on the highway and has an impressive auto warranty.

Ford is getting on board the small car and crossover craze with the introduction of the all-new Focus and the Flex.  Consumers are protecting their wallets by purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles and new car warranties.

You may think that you have to spend a fortune to get a reliable vehicle, but that isn’t the case. There are hundreds of used car models that are reputable and reliable, and the price is right.

Because cars are being made more reliable these days, people are finding pre-owned cars to be an appealing option. And, the biggest perk to buying used is that you reduce the depreciation impact. Also, with used cars, insurance rates are less expensive, as are used car warranties.

According to Consumer Reports, certain vehicles have demonstrated good performance and excellent reliability for several years now. Their list has models from Honda, Buick, BMW, Mazda, Infiniti, Lexus, Porsche, Nissan, Volvo, Subaru, Pontiac, Acura, and Toyota.

Unfortunately, other vehicles have demonstrated several years of poor reliability, according to Consumer Reports. Included in this list are models by Pontiac, VW, Kia, Dodge, Oldsmobile, Jeep, GMC, Land Rover, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler.

A used car can be a great investment if you do your homework and choose a model known for its reliability. Also, purchase an auto warranty to give you peace of mind.

Fuel prices aren’t the only thing rising these days, prices of used hybrids and small, fuel-efficient cars have gone up a great deal in the last six months.  This is sparked by the shortage of popular, new vehicles that are fuel-efficient. Cars that were practically ignored last year are now being sold at a premium, due to high gas prices.

The used vehicle on the market today that is the most fuel-efficient is the 2007 version of the Toyota Prius hybrid.  Because of capped production, the 2008 Prius is hard to find, so people are turning to the used models.  On average, people paid $1,900 more in June for a 2007 Prius, than they paid in January of this year.  In other words, in six months, the price increased 9%.

Used hybrids aren’t the only cars seeing a price increase, the 2007 Mini Cooper prices have risen dramatically.  Customers paid on average, $2,300 more for a 2007 Mini in June than they did in January.  That amounts to a price increase of 12%.

Pre-Owned vehicles have a typical depreciation of 14-16% in a year, so a car that retains or increases its value is out of the ordinary.  The 2007 Prius and Mini have experienced this due to the high demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.  In addition, people are purchasing used car warranties to eliminate unnecessary repair costs down the road.

When shopping for a vehicle your family you should consider several things.  Most important are safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency.  Also, motorists should consider how much a vehicle will cost to own, not just the initial price.  For example, costs of maintenance, new car warranties, and insurance should be factored in.

Believe it or not, it doesn’t have to be a difficult process to find the right car for your family.  The key is to put in research time before showing up at the dealership, so you know what your options are.  Parents need to evaluate how the car will be used, the amount of cargo space that they will use, and how their requirements might change in the future.

Generally, parents should find a vehicle that offers versatility and space.  Families need cargo space, windows that children can see out with ease, and easy access, in order to be comfortable.  You don’t want rear seats that are too low because that means that children won’t be able to look out the windows.

Luckily, there are numerous good options for family vehicles.  Small families have the option of purchasing four door sedans, or crossovers, whereas larger families would prefer a minivan or SUV.  Determine your needs in advance to ensure that you make the right choice.  Also, do your homework to save money on the sticker price and an auto warranty.

Safety is one of the biggest considerations when purchasing a new vehicle, but it’s difficult to make an assessment on your own.  There are many factors to consider when looking at the overall safety of a car.  Here are a few of the most important safety issues.

First of all, you want to consider crash protection in a car.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs crash tests on vehicles from different directions to rate a car’s ability to withstand a collision.  You can access the results of these tests at www.hwysafety.org.

Next, take into account vehicle compatibility.  Taller vehicles have bumpers that are quite a bit higher than a passenger car’s.  This is dangerous for cars because taller bumpers hit cars above the crumple zone and often inflict great damage on cars.

Rollover resistance should also be a factor in the safety of a new car.  SUVs are three times more likely to rollover, according to NHSTA.  Rollover ratings are provided at www.safercar.gov.

These are a few of the many safety considerations when buying a new car.  Consumers should do their research on such things as safety issues, car prices, and new car warranties before going to the dealership.  It’s best to be prepared so that you can make good decisions.

With the high gas prices and poor economy, drivers are feeling the pinch.  And while you don’t have control over costs, such as gas prices, maintenance, and an auto warranty, you do have the power to maintain your vehicle’s value by making it last longer.  Your choice is to buy a new vehicle every few years, or to maintain your current one.  Here are some tips to keep your old gem running great.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your car is to get regular oil changes and have your oil filter replaced regularly.  In addition, don’t forget about your air filter.  Changing this will allow your vehicle to breathe easier and help your engine last longer.

Don’t forget about your vehicle’s cooling system.  Keep coolant levels as recommended by your owner’s manual to avoid an engine melt down.  You wouldn’t think that a simple act such as this would save you from major repairs, but neglecting to do this will have you using your auto warranty more than you would like to.

The least expensive maintenance tip is to make sure your tires are inflated to the proper levels. However, the benefits of this are immense.  You will get better fuel-efficiency, have your tires last longer and have a safer vehicle.

Find a mechanic that you trust and use him for all of your car service.  This way he can get familiar with your car and know your car from the inside out.

If you want to avoid purchasing a new car right now, follow these service tips to keep your current car running like a champ.  And, make sure you purchase used car warranties so you don’t have unnecessary repair costs down the road.