Editorial archive

June 2012

Electric cars merely a green illusion, environmentalist asserts in new book

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(June 11, 2012) BERKELEY, Calif. — Eviornmental activist Ozzie Zehner puts forth a rather radical premise in a new book just released by the University of Nebraska Press, "Green Illusions."

Zehner, a University of California - Berkeley visiting scholar, maintains that hybrid and electric cars are neither clean nor green. Green Illusions claims numerous hidden side effects of new hybrid and electric cars, such as the Tesla, Leaf, Fisker Karma, and Prius. The analysis considers mining impacts, toxins, energy use, suburban sprawl and carbon footprints of production.

NHTSA urges parents to 'Look Before You Lock'

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(June 7, 2012) Heatstroke is the top non-crash, vehicle-related cause of death among children under the age of 14, and with the hot summer season just under way, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has mounted a national campaign urging parents and child care workers to think: "Where's baby? Look before you lock."

Drivers accept 'connected' cars, analysis finds

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(June 6, 2012) WASHINGTON — An overwhelming majority of drivers who have experienced technology that allows vehicles to communicate with each other have a highly favorable opinion of its safety benefits, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Together, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Research and Innovation Technology Administration (RITA) have been working with the auto industry, state and federal partners to research the effectiveness and feasibility of connected vehicle technology that enables vehicles to "talk" to one another with Wi-Fi-like technology that could help prevent crashes altogether.

15 best family cars — Edmunds and Parents Magazine choose

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(June 6, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com have revealed their list of the Best Family Cars for 2012. For the fifth consecutive year, car experts from both organizations scrutinized hundreds of vehicles focusing on safety and reliability as top priorities.

Each car was also judged on performance, interior, exterior and family-friendly features. Every car on the list is equipped with antilock brakes, electronic stability control and a minimum of six air bags.

America needs inflation — for tires

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(June 4, 2012) WASHINGTON — The verdict is in: America needs inflation — for tires.

A survey by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), the national trade association for tire manufacturers, show only about one in six vehicles have four properly inflated tires and only 15 percent of drivers know how to properly check tire pressure. Under inflated tires are a safety risk, waste gasoline and cause tires to wear out faster.

Ford, Hyundai show long-term improvement in perceived quality

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(June 4, 20012) SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Ford and Hyundai have had the highest level of improvement in perception of quality among all automakers during the last 5 years according to ALG. Since 2008, Ford's perception of quality has improved nearly 37%, while Hyundai's perception of quality has increased by 25% during that time period.

Vehicle incentives edge up in May; trend seen

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(June 1, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Auto manufacturers upped incentives in May, just one month after spending hit its lowest level in almost seven years, reports Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. According to Edmunds.com's True Cost of Incentives (TCI), the auto industry spent $2,135 per vehicle this month, up 3.9 percent from April, and up 0.6 percent from May 2011.