April 2016

Mitsubishi says U.S. vehicles not impacted by fuel data irregularities

(April 29, 2016) CYPRESS, Calif. — Mitsubishi Motors North has announced that vehicles sold in the United States are not impacted by the fuel consumption testing data irregularities that occurred in Japan. Mitsubishi Motors in Tokyo recently announced irregularities dating back to the early '90s concerning falsified fuel consumption testing data.

Consumer Watchdog says steering wheels must be required in robot cars

(April 28, 2016) STANFORD, Calif. — Consumer Watchdog has called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require a steering wheel, brake and accelerator so a human driver can take control of a self-driving robot car when safety demands it in the guidelines it is developing on automated vehicle technology.

April new-car volume to be highest in history, Kelley predicts

(April 28, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to increase 4 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.51 million units in April, resulting in an estimated 17.5 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.  April sales could report the highest April volume ever, surpassing the previous record of 1.5 million units in April 2005.

"Following a disappointing March, we expect sales to get back on track in April with SAAR in the mid-17 million range," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. 

Edmunds finds that EV, hybrid loyalty falls to all-time low

(April 27, 2016) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Only 27.5 percent of all hybrid and electric vehicle trade-ins in 2016 have been applied to the purchase of another hybrid or EV, according to a new analysis from car shopping destination Edmunds.com. The rate is a precipitous drop from the 38.5 percent of hybrid and EV trade-ins in 2015, and the findings reinforce a trend first identified last year by Edmunds that owners of alt-fuel vehicles are returning to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles in greater numbers than ever before.

AAA's Green Car of the Year is Tesla Model S 70D

(April 26, 2016) ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2015 Tesla Model S 70D was named the AAA Green Car of the Year, the motor club has announced. The Tesla is featured with 80 other green vehicles in the 2016 AAA Green Car Guide, a comprehensive report published annually by the largest member of the AAA federation — the Automobile Club of Southern California and its Automotive Research Center.

AAA’s top three green vehicles are all electrics — Tesla Model S,  BMW i3 and Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium.

AAA survey: More than one-third will take family vacation this year

(April 21, 2016) ORLANDO, Fla. — As families across the country eagerly await the end of school and the beginning of summer, millions of Americans are making plans to travel with loved ones this year. According to a recent AAA survey, more than one-third of Americans (35 percent) are planning to take a family vacation of 50 miles or more away from home involving two or more immediate family members in the next 12 months.

Kelley Blue Book names 10 favorite fuel sippers for Earth Day 2016

(April 20, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — With Earth Day approaching, the experts at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com compiled a helpful list of 40+ MPG Cars of 2016, then narrowed it down to a wide-ranging list of 10 favorites, including some all-electric cars, hybrids and even a new-for-2016 hydrogen-powered model.

Make an impact this Earth Day and recycle your vehicle's old battery

(April 19, 2016) MILWAUKEE — To help consumers find a nearby facility to recycle used vehicle, boat, motorcycle or lawn/garden batteries, Johnson Controls, the world's largest manufacturer and recycler of vehicle batteries, is encouraging consumers to visit its website.

Land Rover Defender thefts up 75% in UK; tracking devices suggested

(April 19, 2016) LONDON — New statistics from NFU Mutual reveal that thefts of the recently discontinued Land Rover Defenders have increased by a staggering 75 percent, as gangs of thieves target rural areas to swipe vehicles.  The Defender ceased production in January, which has led to a significant rise in demand for the car and its parts. 

It's that time of year: The new Rand McNally Road Atlas is here

(April 18, 2016) SKOKIE, Ill. — With summer gas prices projected to remain lower than in years past, Rand McNally today released the 93rd edition of its best-selling Road Atlas. Rand McNally also released updates to its Road Atlas iOS app.

Rand McNally offers a variety of printed Road Atlases in addition to its classic 11 x 15 ½" oversized book, including one with large scale maps for easier readability and several in smaller trim sizes for packing into tighter spaces.