July 2011

Higher fuel economy standards expected to Increase diesel choices in U.S.

(July 31, 2011) WASHINGTON (PRNewswire-USNewswire/) — The new fuel economy standards for automobile and light trucks proposed Friday by the Obama administration are expected to expand the opportunity for more  clean diesel cars, light trucks and SUVs in the U.S., according to Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

Group says new fuel standards will lead to $65 billion in lost revenue

(July 30, 2011) WASHINGTON (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — A July 29 Obama Administration proposal to increase fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks to an average 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) between 2017 and 2025 would result in the loss of more than $65 billion in federal funding for state and local highway, bridge and transit improvements, an analysis by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) shows. 

Toyota makes big gains, but still off 20 percent from 2010, Edmunds reports

(July 29, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Toyota appears to be well on its way toward recovery following its new car sales and inventory struggles over the past few months, according to Edmunds.com's July 2011 U.S. automotive sales forecast.

With 134,480 light vehicle sales in July, the Japanese automaker will make a strong month-over-month gain, up 21.2 percent over June — exceeded only by Nissan, which is expected to make a remarkable 27.8 percent month-over-month gain.

Vehicle costs expected to rise with higher mpg standards

(July 28, 2011) After weeks of discussions between automakers, federal and state officials, a fuel economy target for 2025 may soon be finalized. The Detroit News reports that no less than five major automakers, including Ford, GM, the Chrysler Group as well as Honda, and Hyundai, are expected to support the proposed 54.5-mpg fuel economy standard for 2025. This comes after automakers shot down the initial 56.2-mpg proposal, which required large yearly fuel economy gains across both cars and trucks.

TrueCar forecasts July vehicle sales will be down from June

(July 28, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — TrueCar.com forecast today that July light vehicle sales will be down from June and import automakers sales will rise and domestics decline.

BMW, Dodge win three segment awards each in J.D. Power APPEAL Study

(July 28, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — As the auto industry battles through another difficult year, vehicle manufacturers are fighting to win customers by offering the most appealing vehicles in history, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released on Wednesday.

Honda, Ford shine in True Cost to Own awards

(July 27, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Honda won five categories in the 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own Awards, given by Edmunds.com. The awards name the 2011 model year cars and trucks in 23 categories that offer the lowest True Cost to Own (TCO), which is the projected ownership cost over a five-year period.

Most car thefts happen on the weekend, UK study finds

(July 27, 2011) CARDIFF, Wales (PRNewswire) — elephant.co.uk has revealed that although for most of the working population, the weekend is a period of rest, the same cannot be said for car thieves, as new research shows that they're at their most active over the weekend.

The research, carried out by car insurance specialist elephant.co.uk, shows the day of the week most cars are stolen is a Saturday while the day most items are taken from cars is a Sunday.

It's the law: Keep right except to pass

(July 26, 2011) SEATTLE (PRNewswire) — A recent poll helps explain a phenomenon that vexes many Washington drivers: why it seems that our highways are clogged with "left-lane campers," the people who drive continuously in the passing lane of multilane roadways, obstructing traffic.

Putting to rest the myth that size doesn’t matter

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(July 25, 2011) All my life I've tried to convince myself that size doesn't matter. I never quite believed the claim, but clung to the hope of it the way a shipwrecked sailor clings to an errant piece of flotsam.

But there is no question that in the world of vehicles, size very much matters. This is particularly true when attempting to shoehorn into a small parking space or you are called upon to transport your kid's soccer team to its next humiliating defeat.