James Raia

Articles by James Raia

Toxic cars sold in Japan seven months after nuclear meltdown

Seven months after the nuclear meltdown in Japan that occurred in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, vehicles contaminated by the radiation in the area have received new registrations and license plates and sold as used cars. Vehicles from the area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which suffered a series of meltdowns March 11, were scheduled to be destroyed. But dealers have been selling them, according to the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Dealers have traditionally bought used vehicles in Japan and exported them to Russia and Southeast Asia, according to the Telegraph. In June, Russian police turned back a half-dozen used cars from Japan after finding they were contaminated with radioactove isotopes. Authorities in South America, Australia and

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Hyundai lands three models on Forbes' best used cars list

Hyundai has three vehicles among the best value used cars available in the U.S. market, according to a new report on Forbes.com. The Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Sonata all made the list among the 11 best 2008 cars selected. According to Forbes, the supply of used cars has diminished in recent years because car owners are keeping cars longer for economic reasons. Forbes also reports the average price of a 1-to-3 year-old used car has increased from about $15,000 in 2008 to about $23,000 in 2011. As one example, Forbes wrote about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra: "While the previous generation Elantra compact sedan isn’t as expressively styled as the current model, it performs well in most respects and

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Cars 2 driving across global boundaries, now online in China

Cars 2, the popular animated movie with myriad American movie stars, including Owne Wilson and Michael Caine, providing voiceover roles, now has a mainland China counterparts in the debut of the film online via the website, Tuduo.com. The availability of Cars 2 online, which began Oct. 24 and is between Tudou Holdings Limited and The Walt Disney Company, marks the first time that a full-length film from Disney's Pixar Animation Studios has been made available through an online video website in Mainland China. Cars 2 is available for on-demand viewing on Tudou's website for a fee. Viewers can choose among Mandarin, Cantonese or English language versions. Chinese actors and actresses provided the voiceovers. The release of Cars 2 through Tudou's

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Mitsubishi pummels Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius, gets 126 mpge

Amid all the promotion and hype of the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and other mass-marketed hybrid and/or electric vehichles, the car with the best gas mileage in the United States is the unheralded Mitsubishi i. A comprehensive review of the Mitsubishi i, with debuted in Japan as the i-MiEV, is posted on the online edition of Motortrend. The i-MiEV was initiated in Europe in 2010 and now it's available in the United States. Yet, despite its lofty mileage status, the Mitsubishi i has yet to built a substantial buying appeal. One reason, accpording to the Motortrend site, is the question of whether or not "United States' consumers are ready for "a small, underpowered and range-limited EV?" But for pure economic

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National Enquirer: Danica Patrick quits after Dan Wheldon death

The National Enquirer doesn't often report on sports unless, of course, it involves sex, drugs, rock & roll, or a tragedy is involved. So considering the source, the publication of scandal is reporting that Danica Patrick has quit auto racing. Patrick is quitting (she recently ended her IndyCar racing career to compete full time on the NASCAR circuit), according to the publication, in the aftermath of the death of Dan Wheldon. Wheldon died Oct. 16 in a 15-car crash during the early stages of the IndyCar race series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Enquirer reports on its web site that Patrick told friends, "I will never race again." Patrick, competing in her last IndyCar race, was in the field

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Toyota Camry, 2012: More car, lower prices for most models

Toyota is spending a reported $150 million to market its seventh generation Camry, the newest version of the best-selling car in the United States for the past nine years. The marketing campaign includes 30-second spots in the current World Series, with the new commercial continuing through the 2012 Super Bowl. But what current television commercial, which details the "reinvention" of the Camry, doesn't detail is the new price structure for the Camry, including a unique concept. In many instances, the 2012 Camry versus the 2011 Camry is more car for less money. The 2012 Camry is offered in four model grades: entry-level L, LE, XLE and SE grades. The XLE and SE are available with four-cylinder or V6 engines. The

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Manny Pacquiao adds to car fleet, buys new Ferrari 458

Like many famous athletes, Manny Pacquiao is fond of cars. The Filipino boxing star recently purchased a new $225,000 Ferrari 458 Italia. The Italian-made Ferrari has  a 570-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 engine and can achieve 0-60 mph speed in 3.4 seconds Pacquiao, 32, who will fight Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, owns or is often escorted in numerous cars, including a Cadillac Escalade and several other sport utility vehicles. Pacquiao also has a Porsche Cayenne, Mitsubishi Pajero, Lincoln Navigator, Honda CR-and a Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition and a Toyota Landcruiser given to the boxer by a dealership last year. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years,

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Toyota, Honda pace top-10 best gas mileage car list

The 2012 Mitsubishi i, sometimes described as a jellybean, tops the list of the 10 cars with the best gas mileage currently available in the United States. Honda and Toyota each have two cars on the list. The website www.greencarreports compiled the list, which features 2012 and 2011 models and cars rated by MPG (miles per gallon) and MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). The website describes the leader of the list as "Mitsubishi's powered jellybean, the 'i' electric car. The looks might not be to all tastes but with an average of 112 MPGe, it currently ranks top on the EPA's leaderboard of fuel efficiency." Here's the list: 2012 Mitsubishi i, 112 MPGe 2011 Nissan Leaf, 99 MPG 2012 Chevrolet

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Scion xB, 2011: Still looks like a box, but no longer so square

It doesn't seem like a decade ago when the new trend of odd-looking sport utility vehicles and sport wagons first became common place in the United States. The Honda Element debuted in 2002 and two years later, its unusual appearance was further stretched with another "box on wheels," the Scion xB. Now in its second edition and refreshed for 2011, the Scion xB still gets "box-shaped" references and its share of stares. Made by Toyota for the North American market, the 5-door compact hatchback is marketed toward youth buyers. The 2011 model became available in March 2010 with a fresh of the edition that debuted in 2007. The changes include two new available colors, revised front and rear bumpers, new

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Toyota Camry, 2012: Reinventing the wheel in 30 seconds

The 2012 Toyota Camry is now in the beginning stages of its heavy marketing campaign, as witnessed by several commercials, including the 30-second ad featured below, broadcast during the World Series. Toyota is reportedly spending $175 million to promote the 2012 Camry. In this instance, the commercial is creative, compelling and humorous. In 30 seconds, the viewer sees the "magic" in the construction of the Camry and the same wonderment of creating the appropriately sized dog for the guy driving the car. It's clever, for sure, although some critics, say Toyota's new slogan, "It's Ready. Are You?" is too close to a new Boy Scouts promotion Regardless, the commercial for the 2012 Toyota Camry "works" on several levels. To receive

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World Series, 2011: Patriotism, Chevys and Ray Charles

Chevrolet will celebrate its 100th birthday November 3, and what better time to promote the occasion than two weeks early during the World Series. During the opening game between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals and throughout the World Series, viewers on FOX will see "Then and Now.' The one-minute spot features Ray Charles' singing a live version of America the Beautiful. The voiceover at the end of the commercial is handled by long-time actor-spokesman Tim Allen. Footage shows vintages photos from Chevy's archives, fans, employees and Flickr. The "Chevy Runs Deep" tagline is included, and following a shortened rendition of Ray Charles singing America The Beautiful, Allen concludes the commercial with the words: "For the first 100 years

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Audi TT RS, 2012: New coupe a sports car racehorse

Those who can't afford a really hot sports car such as a Porsche 911 Carrera S should check out the 2012 Audi TT RS, which brings Audi's much anticipated hot rod RS nameplate back to America. The racy looking new Audi TT RS is a breathtaking new high-performance addition to Audi’s accomplished TT line. While docile on public roads, I found the TT RS acted like a thoroughbred on the challenging Witzig Raceway track during a media preview of the car that began near Hartford, Conn. The high-quality TT RS is an exclusive model at the top of the TT line because Audi spokespersons said at the preview that only approximately 1,000 TT RS models will annually be sent to

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Asbestos health risks abound for car owners, mechanics

Automobiles are beneficial, but car exhaust releases harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, which accelerates global climate change. In addition to harming the environment, car exhaust has many toxins harmful to health, again including carbon monoxide that can lead to asphyxiation in an enclosed area. Car exhaust also contains high levels of benzene, which has been proven to be carcinogenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a known carcinogenic that also lead to birth defects. Although it’s common knowledge car exhaust contains hazardous toxins, car parts also contain hazardous toxins. Car interiors, for example, are toxic. Bromine, a flame retardant used to make many of the interior plastic parts, also contributes thyroid trouble, memory and learning disabilities, reproductive issues and behavioral problems.

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2012 Fiat 500 gets rare tiny car bravado, top IIHS safety pick

After modifications to improve driver's seat protection in frontal and rear crashes, the 2012 Fiat 500 has received a rare designation for a subcompact car — Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The designation applies only to Fiats built after July 2011, and the minicar joins the 2011 Ford Fiesta among the few small cars to receive the top safety classification. According to the IIHS, the award requires a car to earn the highest ratings–known simply as "good" — in front, side, rear, and rollover tests. Top honorees also must include a standard electronic stability control system, now a Federal requirement. The front crashworthiness evaluation uses a 40-mph offset crash, while the side evaluation slams

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World Series, 2011: Audi, BMW, GM, Nissan will have TV ads

Audi, Nissan, BMW and Chevrolet will help comprise a large presence for the car industry during the World Series on Fox when the 107th edition of the Fall Classic between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers begins Oct. 18 in St. Louis. According to a report on the website www.broadcastingcable.com, World Series commercial spots sold out for about $500,000 per per spot, up from last year about $50,000 per spot. "Led by several categories, especially cars, MLB postseason has been solid for us. We're pacing well ahead of last year," Neil Mulcahy, executive VP for sports sales at Fox, told the website. Fox Sports said its top categories during the World Series will include cars, financials/insurance, movies, pharmaceutics, packaged

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Audi A7, 2012: Stylish luxury sedan collecting praise (video)

The 2012 Audi A7 has received nearly universal praise for its slick exterior design, handsome, well-dsigned interior and superior performance. The upscale sedan or sporting utility vehicle was selected as 2011 Car of the Year by Esquire Magazine and it's likely a front runner for similar honors in 2012 by niche automobile publications and car websites. Here's what a few car reviewers are commenting about the 2012 Audi A7: "Delightful — that sums up the A7 in a word. It has a cabin that’s the epitome of sophisticated comfort and the sort of ride demanded of a large, luxurious car. However, head out of town, ramp up the tone of the drive and look out — it carves a corner

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