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Scion xB, xD Models Axed
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When Scion was originally launched in 2003, the automaker intended for its models to follow a “one and done” mantra, which meant each model would be canceled after a single life cycle. But that wasn’t the case due to the popularity of some of its models – namely the xB and tC. After a strong…
Ferrari Hybrid System Detailed by Patent Applications
Patent applications from Ferrari have revealed some details on a new hybrid system for its performance road cars. Ever since the FIA motorsport governing body permitted the application of a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) in Formula 1, Ferrari had intended to trickle down its latest racing technology and apply it to its line of…
Nissan Lends Leaf Vehicles To Fleet Forum For Free
In its continued effort to spread the message of the all-electric Leaf, Nissan has partnered up with Fleet Forum and is providing five vehicles for a year for free. Fleet Forum manages vehicle fleets for foreign aids and charitable organizations, such as Red Cross and the UN World Food Programme, and will take the Leaf…
2012 Ford Focus Electric Road Trip Facebook Game Released
Ford is introducing its latest social media product, the “Plug N Play in Electric City with the 2012 Focus Electric,” a Facebook-based game, ahead of the official release of the Focus Electric EV. The Facebook game gives users and four of his or her friends the opportunity to create a short virtual trip in the new…
Honda to Provide Zipcar With Latest Fuel Saving Cars
Zipcar, the nations largest car sharing service, is teaming up with Honda to provide customers with the latest in fuel saving cars and EVs. All Zipcar customers, known as Zipsters, will have access to Honda’s Insight hybrid, the new CR-V and the all electric Fit EV come this fall. The Accord plug-in hybrid will be…
New Average MPG Record set in March
Consumer preferences are taking a clear step towards efficient gas consumption according to a new study conducted by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. March saw several manufacturers set new sales records, which in turn pushed the average fuel consumption of every car sold to a record high 24.1 miles per gallon. Gas prices have been driving…
Survey: Over 60 Percent of Hybrid Buyers Don’t Buy Another One
Despite the commitment of many automakers to go green, consumers do not share the sentiment. According to a Polk study released today, almost two-thirds of U.S. hybrid buyers do not return to the market for another hybrid. The only exception in the survey is from the best-selling Toyota Prius, receiving a repurchase rate of 41…
2012 Ford Focus Recalled Over Windshield Wiper Defect
Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of 140,310 model-year 2012 Ford Focus vehicles built through Oct. 18 in the Wayne, Michigan Assembly plant over a potential windshield wiper defect. According to Ford, a seal plug on the passenger side windshield wiper motor electrical connector may be missing, causing water to fall into the motor…
Chevy Volt Production Reinstated A Week Ahead Of Schedule
The Chevrolet Volt has had its fair share of teething problems. Soon after its birth, there were reports of some vehicles spontaneously combusting. This obviously had an effect on the cars reputation, and sales fell. To save money and rid themselves of backed up inventory, General Motors decided to halt production of the Volt at…
2013 Hyundai Sante Fe World Premiere: 2012 NY Auto Show
Hyundai has unveiled its all-new 2013 Sante Fe crossover today at the New York International Auto Show, packaging enhanced convenience features as well as new technologies that help to improve efficiency. Longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, the new Sante Fe builds upon Hyundai’s form language, Fluidic Sculpture. What’s more, the third-generation Santa Fe presents…
2014 Mazda6 to Debut at 2012 Paris Motor Show
At the 2012 New York International Auto Show, Mazda has announced that the production version of the new Mazda6 will be on display at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. Today marks the North American debut of the Takeri concept car at the New York Auto Show, and it seems this is more than just…
Fuel Efficient Driving Tips: How to Drive Green
Is your car using too much gas? Price for gasoline is getting up there, and if you’re not careful enough while driving, you could be spending a lot more than you have to on fuel. There’s some good and bad news for those looking to get better mileage with each tank. First, the good: it…
Chrysler, Ford US Sales at Highest Level in Four Years
A number of analysts believe the growth in auto sales last month can be partly attributed to this year’s unseasonably mild winter, which had consumers flocking to dealers earlier than the traditional spring selling season; other factors include a plethora of new models hitting the streets as well as lower unemployment statistics and easier access...
MINI Roadster Handing Out Peep Shows On Hollywood Blvd.
To get people excited about the new, topless Roadster, MINI has opened up a live peep show on Hollywood Blvd, just a block away from the Kodak and Chinese Theatres. A tongue-in-cheek marketing campaign for 25 days, curious passersby will get to feast their eyes on some MINI action after pressing a button on the…
GM’s Fuel Efficient Model Sales At All-Time High
It wasn’t long ago when the best-selling General Motors models greedily guzzled gas, but times have changed due to a large part to rising gas prices. Now, GM’s fuel-effiicient models rule the roads and in March they have reached a milestone. Last month, GM sold more than 100,000 vehicles that achieve 30 mpg or better….
2013 Ford Fusion Start-Stop System Priced at $295
The 2013 Ford Fusion will be the first non-hybrid midsize sedan in America to have Auto Start-Stop technology when it goes on sale this fall. Those that want the fuel-saving technology will have to shell out $295 for it. The start-stop will be an option, since the American automaker is well aware that not every…
Honda Fit Production Going to Mexico in 2014
Honda has begun construction on its $800 million plant in Mexico, where the Japanese automaker will begin production of the Fit sub-compact starting in 2014. The new facility in Mexico is part of Honda’s ongoing plan to grow its operations in North America. The new Honda de Mexico plant will be in Celaya and will…
BMW i8 Spyder Concept Revealed Ahead of NY Auto Show Debut
The i8 plug-in hybrid is the product of BMW‘s best engineering and innovation in an effort to create the most advanced automobile to ever come from the Bavarian automaker. Motivated by a 170-hp electric motor driving the front wheels and a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 223-hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque at the rear, the…
Chevrolet Volt Added to Chicago Zipcar Fleet
Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, has decided to add five Chevrolet Volts to its Chicago fleet with up to 20 more EVs coming in 2012. Zipcar members are able to reserve a Chevy Volt immediately starting at just $10 per hour. The first five Volts are available at Cityfront Place Apartments and in…
Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Powers Japanese House For Six Days
While many new plug-ins boast the convenience and simplicity of recharging the car battery from a household wall socket, how many vehicles can claim to provide the opposite? Honda has installed an inverter in the trunk of one special FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, providing output power that could supply up to 8 kilowatts of…
Toyota Increases Pricing on Select Models
Toyota Motor Sales has announced MSRP increases for select Toyota and Scion models with the price jumps ranging from $150 to $270 from its previous model year to its current one. The 2012 Toyota Prius v Hybrid gets a price increase of $150 for the Two, Three, and Five trim models. The Camry L and…
Fisker Battery Supplier A123 Systems Face Financial Obstacles
Start-ups are inherently risky and while many bright-eyed visionaries initially display great potential, up to fifty percent of new enterprises run out of money. Unfortunately, Waltham-based A123 Systems Inc. are at risk of becoming a statistic. Earlier this month, Consumer Reports reported that a brand-new Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with less than 200…
Chevrolet Spark, Sonic Get GogoLink Navigation App
Despite recently released distracted driving guidelines targeting in-car navigation systems, Chevrolet announced its new GogoLink smartphone app that delivers full-function navigation to the Spark and Sonic’s MyLink infotainment system. Imagine what the NTSB thinks about this, an application on a smartphone that provides plenty of distracting pictures on the vehicle’s infotainment system. Nonetheless, the aim of the…
Volvo Shows Off The C30 Electric In Very Cold Climate
Batteries and cold climates often don’t mix well. Anyone who has tried to operate an electric device, like a camera that has been sitting in the cold, will soon find that the batteries have lost their charge. This sort of issue isn’t catastrophic with a small device, just a little inconvenient. The same can’t be…
