The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recently announced that it will be requiring all passenger cars in the future to be equipped with standard stability control.  This is to be implemented by 2012.

Several car manufacturers have already put stability control in their cars, and others have upcoming plans to make it available.

Electronic stability control will reduce a car’s speed automatically by applying brake power to the wheels.  This will avoid skidding and loss of vehicle control.

Mercedes-Benz has installed this in their vehicles since 1995.  Mercedes cars that had ESC had 14 percent less crashes than cars without this technology.

There are other car brands that have implemented ESC.  These include Cadillac, BMW, and Audi.  Ford Motor Co. has announced that they will have this feature standard on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles by late 2009.

Consumers are increasingly concerned with vehicle safety.  Although some of the latest technological advances can be costly, motorists are willing to pay for their safety.  In addition, drivers are purchasing new car warranties to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs on this new technology.

Most people find minivans appealing because they have the ability to carry cargo and people in different combinations.  You can configure them for a variety of needs.  They are offered with climate control in dual zones and have DVD systems in the rear.  These features make the minivan popular with different buyers, especially families.

Minivans have tons of interior room, offering plenty of head and legroom.  Recent models have sliding doors on either side of the vehicle.  This makes for quick and easy access.  Also, many models offer the feature of a button or switch to open the doors.

Minivans come equipped with seating for up to eight people.  Models for seven passengers have captain’s chairs instead of a bench.  The Honda Odyssey has a removable seat in the center for seating flexibility.

Minivans are a great option for people who need flexibility for people and cargo space.  They offer many features that make for a convenient, comfortable vehicle.  Like with any vehicle purchase, it is wise to purchase new car warranties to protect your investment.

These days there are many different places to purchase a used vehicle.  You can search the Internet from your own home, go to a car dealer, or go through a private owner.  Each of these is a good option if you do your homework.

If you want to car shop from the convenience of your home, you can search used-car websites.  You will be asked to fill in your price range, the make and model you want, and a zip code.  A list of cars will be displayed in your area with the seller’s information.  You can even place a classified ad if you would like to sell your old vehicle.

Independent pre-owned car dealers usually handle all car makes.  You can find anything from an almost new vehicle to a junker.  It is a good sign if a dealer has been around for a long time and has a good reputation.  One bonus to purchasing at a dealer is that they can arrange financing for you, as well as an auto warranty.

Typically, you will get the best price from a private owner.  They just want to get rid of their current vehicle and they don’t have to cover the overhead like a business does.  However, a private owner might not be aware of mechanical problems that a dealership would recognize.

Used cars are a great option for any buyer.  The important thing is that consumers do their homework about car prices, used car warranties, and auto loans.  This way you can make a wise purchase.

Carmakers around the world are realizing that consumers are looking for ecologically friendly vehicles.  There are many new car models that provide fuel-efficiency, yet look great.  Here are some of the latest.

The VW Golf TDI Hybrid provides low emissions with longer legs.  This is a compact hatchback that is popular in Europe.  It utilizes a high-tech engine that is diesel and an auto start-stop.  In addition, it has a DSG gearbox that has 7 speeds, as well as an electric motor.  This car gets 69 mpg.

The Audi TT TDI is proof that a great looking sports car doesn’t have to be a gas-guzzler.  This car can sprint from 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds flat with its 170 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.  This car has the power of a sports car with the fuel-efficiency of a compact car.

People are realizing that fuel-efficient cars are a necessity with gas prices nearing $4 per gallon.  Consumers are protecting their wallets with eco friendly vehicles and new car warranties.

According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, there is a great amount of interest in hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles.  In fact, less than 25% of people asked revealed that they would only consider purchasing a car powered by gasoline.

However, there are some misconceptions.  Motorists who purchased a hybrid car expected that they would get a fuel-economy improvement of approximately 28 mpg if compared to a gas-powered vehicle that was similar.  However, in reality, people who bought hybrids only gained an improvement of 9 mpg.  People who bought diesels were similarly disappointed with a 12-mpg improvement, when they actually expected to improve 21 mpg.

A big challenge for vehicles with alternative powertrains is the unrealistic fuel-saving expectations that consumers place on them.  Especially with hybrids, the actual fuel performance of the car doesn’t usually live up to the EPA estimate.  Consumers need to educate themselves about such things as the benefits of technology, maintenance and new car warranties.  Being able to manage consumers’ expectations and lowering the cost of alternative power vehicles will help these cars gain acceptance.

Car dealers have haggled with their customers for years.  This practice has allowed salesmen to con buyers into buying cars and new car warranties, using all kinds of negotiating strategies.  But car dealers have paid for it by being known as untrustworthy.

Some dealers are changing their ways by dumping haggling.  The eighth largest chain of dealers in America, Lithia Automotive Group, announced that they are going to make all 108 of their stores haggle-free within three years.

Toyota’s Scion has implemented a policy for no negotiation from its onset four years ago.  This has prompted dealers who sell Toyota vehicles to apply the one-price approach.

And all over the country, independent dealers who carry various brands of domestic and foreign vehicles are teaching their employees to sell cars like the rest of the retail world.  In other words, cars come with a price tag and a smile from the salesperson.

This no-haggle method will make buying a more pleasant experience for consumers.  Now that people can look up a car’s base price online, they don’t have patience for haggling.  In addition, people are able to compare the prices of new car warranties online.

The shift from traditional SUV’s was noticeable in 2007.  People were more focused on crossovers.  The high gas prices are most likely responsible for this change. People want to put their money towards an auto warranty and maintenance, not fuel. While most car sales were noticeably down in the U.S, the Honda CR-V experienced a 29% increase in sales from a year ago.  It’s no surprise that it is listed as the most popular SUV, according to MSN Autos.

The Honda CR-V is at the top of the list.  It’s sales in 2007 were over 219,000, and it was the tenth best selling automobile.  It has a 2.4-liter, 166 hp incline four engine.  It is pretty fuel-efficient at 20-mpg city and 27mpg highway.

Next on the list is the Toyota RAV4.  It is available in a base model, Limited, or Sport trim.  It can be purchased with a 3.5-liter V6, or four-cylinder engine.  The sticker price is $21,000 for a 2008 version.

Number three is the GMC Acadia.  This vehicle is GMC’s first attempt at a crossover, and they succeeded.  It is available in front wheel drive, and all wheel.  The Acadia has a 3.6-liter V6.

It appears that the trend for crossovers will continue.  People are concerned with fuel prices and don’t want to buy gas-guzzlers.  Instead, drivers are putting their money towards new car warranties.

Would you ever think that a convertible could receive the same safety ratings as its counterpart sedan?  Well it has happened with Saab vehicles.

The Saab 9-3 two door convertible, years 2006 and 2007, that has a fabric retractable roof received the same ratings for side, rear and frontal crash tests as its counterpart with a steel roof.  In fact, it was also named a “Top Safety Pick”.

The crash tests that were performed were the first ever done on convertibles.  They were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t even done tests on the convertibles that the IIHS did, so these scores are the very first indications of the safety of convertibles.

The 2007 version of the Saab 9-3 sedan has a suggested retail of $26,250, and the Saab 9-3 convertible goes for $37,495.  General Motors Corporation is the owner of Saab based out of Sweden.  Saab has had a longstanding reputation for safe vehicles.

No matter how high a car is rated it is important to purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen problems.  Used car warranties will save you money down the road when your car needs repair.  After all, no vehicle is without faults.

Expect some bright lights in the city this summer when the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum edition comes to town. The most recent version of the SUV is lavish and well equipped. It will prove to be the first mainstream automobile featuring LED headlights.

Light emitting diode technology (LED) has several advantages to the conventional auto lights. First of all, LED bulbs last much longer. In fact, they may survive the vehicle’s life. This cuts out the hassle of owners having to replace bulbs. LED lights are also brighter and look clean. The lighting tends to be intense, but it is a daylight color that is natural looking.

LED lights are becoming much more common, but until now they were only used in tail lamps, brake lamps and the interior.

Several European makers that are high-end have used LED headlamps. However, they have only put them in low volume models. With the Platinum series, Cadillac is hoping to sell up to 10,000 Escalades that will feature the new LED headlights.

Consumers have made the Escalade popular in the past, and are awaiting the new version. With the addition of new car warranties, motorists can rest assured that this popular SUV is a wise purchase.

Last week California’s Air Resources Board withdrew its stringent mandates for vehicles with zero-emissions, in favor of hybrids that are charged with main electricity.

California is the biggest and most important vehicle market in the world. In fact, over 2 million vehicles are purchased in the state every year. Consequently, the most new car warranties and auto loans are also sold there. Its pollution stance has had an influence on countries all over the world. For the last 18 years, the board has required GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and VW to up production and sales of zero-emissions cars.

Car manufacturers have tried to fight the rules, which are, and have been tough. They were developed originally to put out 25,000 zero-emissions vehicles between 2012 and 2014, however the board realized that this is an impractical goal. Now, carmakers have been offered a 70% cut in the original figure, with a new requirement to produce 7,500 zero-emissions cars.

In exchange, manufacturers must produce 58,000 hybrids that are plug-in in that same period of time. If they do this, they must in addition produce 25,000 zero-emission cars between 2015 and 2017.