(January 18, 2012) DETROIT, Mich. (Jan. 17, 2012) — At a public hearing Jan. 17 on proposed fuel economy rules for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light-duty trucks, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) urged federal agencies to properly consider the rising consumer cost of new vehicles, citing a NADA study to be released next month that predicts the cost of a new vehicle could go up by as much as $5,000.

(January 17, 2012) FARMINGTON HILLS — Despite concerns over distracted drivers on American roads, a majority of U.S.-based consumers do not feel there should be a ban on the use of hands-free communications devices while driving, according to the December 2011 Morpace Omnibus.

In late 2011 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended a ban be put in place on hands-free communication devices that are not completely built-in to a vehicle, to help reduce the number of serious automotive accidents.

(January 18, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com reported today that Toyota redeemed its No. 1 spot for brand loyalty on kbb.com for fourth quarter 2011. Toyota last appeared in the top position in the third quarter of 2010. For the fourth quarter of 2011, Toyota's brand shopping loyalty was at 50.6 percent, a 2.7 percentage point jump from the third quarter, with Hyundai close behind at 50.2 percent.

(January 17, 2012) WASHINGTON — Recent public attention to distracted driving will likely spur additional legislative activity as states convene their 2012 sessions, according to AAA. Laws that ban texting while driving and that improve teen driver safety again top AAA's nationwide legislative agenda to improve highway safety. 

(January 17, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com today reported that buyers in the market for a used car should purchase sooner rather than later, as Kelley Blue Book anticipates used-car values to increase 3 to 5 percent in the first quarter of 2012, with gains continuing into the second quarter.

Values have been flat through the first two weeks of January; although, a handful of segments have started to increase earlier than originally anticipated. 

(January 16, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Imagine that you are out on a date and have a casual glass of wine with dinner. As you get into your car, you face the humiliation and embarrassment of having to blow into a tube connected to your car's ignition system just to get the car started.

The subsequent explanation can't be anything that remotely resembles a pleasant conversation you wish to have on a date. Welcome to the relatively new world of breathalyzers or ignition interlock devices (IID's) installed in certain vehicles, which have been mandated by many states and local jursidictions.

(January 15, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Dodge Charger has won the 2012 Breakthrough Technology Award. Edmunds.com issues the award each year to a vehicle that sets the standard for intuitive, practical and affordable automotive technology that enhances safety and convenience for drivers and passengers.

(January 14, 2012) Nissan Americas product planning chief, Pierre Loing was struck by the changing face of the Detroit auto show. Loing says it’s a “new type of American Dream.”

Smaller engines, smaller vehicles, less fuel consumption, global platforms. These were the trends noted by Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan Americas, during his walk around the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

(January 14, 2012) DETROIT — The Automotive News has picked the hits and misses from the Detroit auto show. And the industry trade publication found that design, not recovery from the economic downturn, was the hot topic.

The Detroit auto show was not the kind of gloom-fest that has marked several international auto shows in the past three years. Cobo Center was crammed with introductions — including the ogle-worthy Acura NSX and the Aston-like Ford Fusion — that brought fun and fantasy back into the old building.