Archive for News
Reserve Your Nissan Leaf Tomorrow May 15th – A 100% Pure Electric Vehicle
Posted by: | CommentsNissan will open up reservations for the Leaf, their flagship pure electric vehicle (Read the News Release) tomorrow May 15th. The Leaf will be delivered to select markets in December with an increasing distribution in the Spring of 2011 and a full rollout in 2012. The specifications for the Leaf include: Zero tailpipe emissions, 100% electric motor (this is not a hybrid), an 80kW AC Motor with speeds up to 90 mph and a range of 100 miles. This is not a concept car. It seats 5 passengers and has 5 doors. To learn more about the Leaf, go to NissanUSA.com.
Innovation through Competition: The 100 mpg X Prize
Posted by: | CommentsWant to win $10 million? That’s exactly what those competing in the Progressive Insurance are aiming to do. The competition is designed to help inspire innovative thinkers to create 100 MPG (miles per gallon) super-efficient vehicles. Think it is just automakers participating…think again. The competition includes not only automakers but also automotive start-ups, university teams, inventors, and a team with high school students. The vehicles are using a wide variety of technologies: E85, Hydrogen, Electric, Biodiesel, steam, and even good old fashion gasoline. To learn more about the Progressive X PRIZE, go to ProgressiveAutoXPrize.org and check out the video below.
Save Money by Spending Money on Car Maintenance – April is National Car Care Month!
Posted by: | CommentsSave money by spending money…can this be true? Yes, if you maintain your vehicle. According to the Car Care Council executive director Rich White, “Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line, either in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value.” (See press release.)
During vehicle inspections, 8 out of 10 vehicles failed at least one check. That means 80% of vehicles on the road need a replacement part or service. This could mean, that it is likely, that your vehicle needs:
Additional Fluids – Oil, coolant, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc.
New Replacement Parts – Windshield wipers, belts, hoses, air filter, PCV valve, tires, lights, etc.
Check out vehicle inspection lane statistics HERE. Take time now to get your vehicle in tip-top shape for summer. To find a car inspection event in your area, click HERE.
Toyota’s Brake Override System – How it Works
Posted by: | CommentsAs the sudden unintended acceleration still haunts Toyota, they will begin installing brake override systems in many of their current and previous year models. Toyota said that “The brake override system is not an integral part of the recall remedy, but is instead being added as an extra measure of confidence for Toyota owners” (see Press Release).
So how does it work?
According to Toyota, their brake override system “automatically reduce(s) engine power when the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.”
The brake override system will work when:
1. The throttle opening is greater than 1/3
2. Vehicle speed is above 5 mph
3. Brakes are applied firmly
To learn more about Toyota’s Brake Override System, click on the image below.
A new muscle car era for Gen Y’ers? 2011 Ford Mustang: High Horsepower and High MPGs
Posted by: | CommentsThe 2011 Ford Mustang EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Fuel Economy MPG (Miles Per Gallon) are in:
- Ford Mustang 3.7 liter V-6 … 300+ HP (Horsepower) and 31 mpg on the highway with an automatic transmission
- Ford Mustang GT 5.0 liter V-8 … 412 HP and 26 mpg on the highway with a 6 speed manual transmission
I am not only impressed with the GT, but look at the “regular” mustang…300 HP out of their V-6! Read Ford’s Press Release. Are we in a new muscle car era? Let’s compare the 2011 Mustang specs to the classic 1969 Mustang.
1969 Mustang 250 c.i. (4.1 liter) I-6 1V Carburetor … 155 HP
1969 Mustang 302 c.i. (5.0 liter) V-8 2V Carburetor … 220 HP
1969 Mustand 428 c.i. (7.0 liter) Cobra Jet 4V Carburetor … 335 HP
See all specifications at TheAutoChannel.com
With about half the engine size (3.7 liter) the 2011 Mustang V-6 is encroaching on the HP of the massive 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet. Technology is amazing!
With its proclaimed “Americas Best Warranty“, “Hyundai Assurance“, high quality cars, and a major competitor (Toyota) in public perception nightmare ; Hyundai overtakes Toyota and Honda as the #1 automaker in owner loyalty according to KBB.com.
Hyundai is a Korean company, but with facilities in Alabama (manufacturing), California (proving grounds), Michigan (engineering), half the cars they sell in the U.S. are made in the U.S. They have over 5,000 direct U.S. employees and an additional 20,000 at dealerships. They also embrace diversity…this is how Hyundai puts it “WE’RE NOT ALL THE SAME, BUT WE’RE ALL EQUAL“.
Law Enforcement Vehicle Race Heating Up: Ford, Chrysler, GM, and Carbon Motors
Posted by: | CommentsLaw enforcement agencies have plenty to choose from when looking for a new vehicle.
2012 Ford Police Interceptor – The new Ford Taurus-based model will replace the popular Ford Crown Victoria. See the newly released specifications for the Ford Police Interceptor HERE.
2010 Dodge Charger Police – The Charger is gaining popularity as the Ford Crown Victoria-based car is being phased out. Check out the Dodge Charger Police Specs HERE.
2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) – The all new rear wheel drive model. Read about the PPV specifications HERE.
And then you have a specialized vehicle manufacturer, Carbon Motors. Expected to be released in 2012, the E7 is a purpose-built vehicle platform build exclusively for law enforcement. With its diesel engine and expected life of 250,000 miles it may be a player in the law enforcement market. Check out the specifications at www.CarbonMotors.com.
In a presentation in Paris on March 1st, Richard Newell the Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, indicated that by 2035 new light duty vehicle efficiency is projected to reach 40 mpg (miles per gallon). In addition, flex fueled vehicles, mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and full hybrids will account for the majority of alternative fueled vehicles sold.
See the presentation below…look specifically at slides 10 and 11.

Energy Information Agency: 2035 - The U.S. Energy Outlook including Alternative Fueled Vehicle Projections
I was disappointed to see (or I guess not to see) that a very small percentage of new vehicles would be 100% pure electric. With any projection, I guess time will tell. Either way, alternative fueled vehicles will play a role in meeting the new CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards for 2016. The new standards require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016. See Whitehouse.gov article on these standards.
GMC released the specifications today of the new 2011 Sierra Denali HD. What I like about this press release is that it highlights “Competitive Facts” focusing right in on how Sierra matches up with the Dodge Ram and Ford F-Series and Super Duty. In this Press Release, General Motors highlights the towing capability, payload capacity, new independent front suspension system, and my favorite…an exhaust brake on the Duramax diesel. This is what I would like to highlight.
The exhaust brake, which can be turned on or off by the driver, uses the turbocharger and engine compression to generate backpressure…thereby slowing the vehicle without applying the brakes. For those that have tried to keep a steady speed with cruise going down hills with a load, this is a really neat feature. It is integrated with the cruise and accounts for vehicle load and road grade. This will certainly help in prolonging brake life on downhill grades.
NBC Today Show – The Runaway Toyota Prius
Posted by: | CommentsThe NBC Today Show reported on a story regarding a runaway Toyota Prius in California. This report, along with numerous others, really questions whether Toyota has figured out its “Sudden Unintended Acceleration” issues. After recalling 8 million+ vehicles for floor mat entrapment and sticky accelerator pedals (by fixing it with shims), have Toyota engineers really diagnosed the problem correctly? It is true that the floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals are probably an issue, but are they the only issue? Is the vehicle electronic throttle control system to blame? Many customers are still experiencing issues even after their vehicle has been “fixed” by the recall. Toyota, in congressional hearings, was confident that the vehicle electronic throttle control system is not to blame. What a nightmare for Toyota, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and especially for Toyota owners.
Watch the Today Show video
UPDATE:
As reports flourish about this driver’s credibility (see this USA Today Article), Toyota released a video clarifying that hybrid models have a brake override system. Watch below.
Toyota Under Fire – Listen to the Hearings Live
Posted by: | CommentsToyota is in the hot seat today in Washington, D.C. Who is at the hearing? David Strickland, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ray LaHood, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, several members of congress, consumer groups, and family members impacted by runaway accelerators. You can listen live on C-SPAN. Click on the image below.
Pretty Cool (and Practical): OnStar Mobile Application for the Chevrolet Volt
Posted by: | CommentsGeneral Motors is looking ahead…to its anticipated launch of the Chevrolet Volt later this year. To appease the tech junkie, OnStar has created an app for the Volt so the owner can access real time data. Most importantly, owners will be able to manage their car charging controls remotely. Want to start charging the Volt during off-peak hours? No problem, this app is for that. Want to warm the interior in the morning using your home’s electricity? No problem, this app is for that. Are you sitting in your cubical and want to make sure you have enough battery life to get home? Sure, this app is for that. Did you forget to plug in your Volt? No problem, the app will send you an email or text message to remind you. Did you go to the mall and forget to lock your Volt? No problem, use the app to lock your doors from anywhere. This app currently works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, Droid by Motorola, and BlackBerry. To learn more, check out the video below.
Yesterday Toyota announced another recall (read the press release) of approximately 133,000 Prius (2010) and 14,500 Lexus HS 250h (2010) vehicles to update the ABS software. In the same recall notice Toyota said that they will also inspect another model, the 2010 Camry, for a power steering hose that may be contacting a front brake tube which could lead to a brake fluid leak. Toyota realizes that owners of Toyota vehicles are becoming increasingly anxious about their vehicle quality. In addition to the recall, Toyota posted frequently asked questions about this latest recall, most likely in a hope to sooth consumers.
It is not a secret that Toyota has hurt its public image. Consumers know that and Toyota knows that. For decades Toyota has been a name synonymous with quality – but recent events (millions of vehicles being recalled with a speculation that Toyota drug its feet in alerting owners) has shuddered (at least temporarily) its reputation. The president and heir of the company, Akio Toyoda, wrote an opt-ed piece today in the Washington Post reassuring consumers that Toyota is “taking responsibility for our mistakes, learning from them and acting immediately to address the concerns of consumers and independent government regulators”. Read the complete article.
The major news story recently is focused on how Toyota will address the nightmare of millions of their vehicles being recalled for accelerator issues. Concerned Toyota owners want to know what needs to be done to put their worries at ease. Apparently, a small shim will fix most vehicles (Toyota is betting its reputation on it). Autoblog, an online leader in covering the auto industry, published a slide show illustrating the fix at a Toyota dealer. You can see the process here.
To address the pedal entrapment issue on some vehicles (a separate recall), according to Autoblog, technicians will use a template with a reciprocating saw to reshape the pedal. Read the complete article.
Is this the best fix? Toyota hopes so. If I was a Toyota owner I would like a new gas pedal assembly instead of a modified one.
Why Ford is Succeeding – The New American Road
Posted by: | CommentsAs the only U.S. major automaker not to take bailout money last year, Ford is emerging once again as the auto company others are striving to become. To highlight the Ford story over the last few years, a new 50 minute video was published titled “The New American Road”. This film is inspiring for those of us that still have a belief that Detroit can make quality, fuel efficient, technologically advanced automobiles.
Here is Ford’s description of the video:
“This is the story of Ford – the man – the company – and, importantly, a band of revolutionaries that are “betting it all” – defying all the odds – and in doing so, are re-establishing American automotive leadership, and reinventing the world’s automobiles for the 21st Century.”
It is a great video. You can watch it below.












