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NHTSA proposes automatic emergency braking on all new cars

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(June 1, 2023) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled a proposal to require that all new passenger vehicles have automatic emergency braking (AEB) capable of braking to fully avoid a crash with another vehicle at up to 50 mph. Vehicles must also be able to stop for pedestrians from speeds up to 37 mph, and the pedestrian detection must work in dark conditions.

2023 Kia Niro EV



INDIANAPOLIS — I like traveling to California. I enjoy the warm weather, cool architectural vibe, surfing the waves, and of course, imbibing all of the latest electric cars. When I’m tired from a day in the sun, I grab dinner on a restaurant patio before cruising the Pacific Coast Highway with windows and sunroof open. If I lived there, I’d drive the 2023 Kia Niro EV. Even back home in Indiana, it would serve my active family well.

2023 BMW 760i



INDIANAPOLIS — It seems about every 20 years, BMW gets radical with the 7-Series.  Remember back a couple of decades to the 2003 model that debuted the iDrive infotainment system and “Bangle butt” raised trunklid, named for former BMW design chief, Chris Bangle.  Eventually, though, BMW’s competitors copied the car’s controls and rump.  As BMW configures the 7-Series for an electric future, it gives a radical makeover that nods to the past and future in the 2023 760i xDrive.
 

2023 BMW M2



MIAMI — BMW’s M2 sports coupe moves aggressively into its second generation with the 2023 BMW M2 Coupe offering the joy of a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and lots of technological features to satisfy 21st Century customers. Oh, sure, an 8-speed double-clutch transmission is available, but to experience all that the 2023 BMW M2 Coupe has to offer in the way of driving fun you need to stick with the stick.

Vehicle of the Week

2023 Volkswagen Golf R — Long live the internal combustion engine


MotowayAmerica.com

By Jim Meachen
MotorwayAmerica.com Editor

(May 28, 2023) While the Golf GTI is Volkswagen's long-running hot hatch, the Golf R is the brand's over-the-top hotter version equipped with a 315-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an all-wheel-drive system that can distribute power in a number of different ways. The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R is a four-door hatchback and may be the last of a dying breed.

Here's the Thing

J.D. Power forecasts surge in May automotive sales



(May 30, 2023) Total new-vehicle sales for May, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,337,700 units, a 15.6% increase from May 2022, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. May has 25 selling days, one more than May 2022. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 20.4% from 2022.

Half of all passenger vehicle deaths are unbuckled occupants



NHTSA kicks off Click It or Ticket
campaign to reduce traffic fatalities


(May 27, 2023) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is kicking off its annual Click It or Ticket campaign to encourage drivers and passengers to buckle up, reminding everyone that seat belts save lives. State and local law enforcement agencies nationwide are working together during a heightened enforcement period from May 22 through June 4 to protect drivers and passengers from the risks associated with riding in a vehicle unbelted.

Gas prices creep higher ahead of Memorial Day



(May 26, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The seasonal surge in gasoline demand leading into the long holiday weekend resulted in the national average for a gallon of gas rising four cents since last week to $3.57. AAA forecasts that Memorial Day road trips will be up 6% over last year, with more than 37 million Americans driving to their destinations.

Inside the Industry

Honda engine plant in Ohio produces 30-millionth engine



(June 1, 2023)  ANNA, Ohio — Honda is celebrating production of the 30 millionth engine built by associates at the company’s Anna Engine Plant in Ohio with the production of the newly refined 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, which is part of the two-motor hybrid-electric system that powers Honda Accord and CR-V hybrid-electric models. The Anna plant, Honda’s largest engine plant in the world, is now preparing to retool to add production of the casings for the battery modules that will power Honda and Acura EVs made in Ohio.

Toyota ramps up commitment to electrification



(June 1, 2023) PLANO, Texas — Advancing its commitment to vehicle electrification and building where it sells, Toyota will assemble an all-new, three-row, battery electric SUV at Toyota Kentucky starting in 2025. The company’s first U.S.-assembled BEV will be powered by batteries from Toyota North Carolina. The new battery plant, which is currently under construction, will receive an additional $2.1 billion investment to support the company’s drive toward carbon neutrality.

Ford expands Mobile Service capacity with Escape vehicles



(May 31, 2023) DEARBORN, Mich. — With increased demand for remote services, Ford has announced it’s expanding its Mobile Service program to now include Escape SUVs, allowing customers at its smaller-volume dealers more convenient options for vehicle service. Ford is planning to have nearly 1,000 Escape SUVs to be used as Mobile Service vehicles by year’s end, giving smaller-volume dealers a more affordable way to deliver Mobile Service and larger dealers a way to supplement their existing fleets. 

Abandoned Car of the Week

Bullet hole in disturbing place on this Buick



We hope nobody was sitting in the driver's seat when a bullet apparently went through the windshield of this used-up 1952 Buick discovered in an Arizona salvage yard. Buick was the fourth highest-selling nameplate in 1952 trailing only Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)