Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

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Google speeds ahead, launches car insurance business

Google has confirmed a longstanding rumor. It has entered the car insurance business with the launch of Google Compare for Auto Insurance. The comparison-shopping sites allow consumers to compare rates from different insurance providers. If a consumer searches Google for “car insurance the comparison of rates will appear. The new service will debut initially for California residents only. But Google said other states will soon be added to the service. According to USA Today, Consumers who enter in this search query will see a small, gray questionnaire appear, asking for their zip code, and other information about their vehicle. If they choose to fill that out, Google will return a comparison unit listing insurance premiums, provided by its insurance advertiser

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Range Anxiety? No need to worry

Not too many years ago, the term range anxiety might pertain to a golfer who’s nervous on a driving range or rancher uncertain about spending time on an open range. But with an increasing number of auto manufacturers offering electric options, range anxiety is a major reason why car buyers have been wary of switching from gas-powered vehicles. It’s the fear of running out of power and stuck miles from the nearest charging station. According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association, the industry trade organization in Arlington, Va., 71 percent of respondents said range anxiety is a concern when considering purchasing an electric vehicle. And it’s warranted. With more than a dozen mainstream manufacturers offering electric-only vehicles,

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Elio sputters again, production now in 2016?

The future of Elio Motors and its founder’s vision for a gas-thrifty, inexpensive three-wheel vehicle has taken another detour. And this time, even a diehard believer in the product is uncertain of its future According to KSLA, a television station in Shreveport, La., where the pending car’s manufacturing plant is located, Paul Elio says the company is $240 million short of the funding necessary to begin production. Elio believes the company can now begin production in the first half of 2016. But he could not predict a date. The television station has an interview with Eddie Chavez, a retired General Motors employee who spoke with Elio and then expressed his combined disappointed and remaining hope with the television station. The

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Cheapest 2015 Car in the United States? Smart ForTwo

The Smart ForTwo is the cheapest new 2015 car sold in the United States, just edging out the Nissan Versa and leading the only four new vehicles in the country this year priced at less than $15,000. The Smart ForTwo has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of of $14,020, about $300 less the Nissan Versa, the cheapest new car available in 2014. The vehicle’s manufacturer says of the Smart ForTwo Pure Coupe: “The pure coupe is everything you need and nothing you don’t — it’s smart in its purest form. You get the best of both worlds: 5-speed smart shift transmission with automatic mode (for fun), hill start assist, and it’s packed with lots of safety features such as eight

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GM ready to jolt Tesla with new Bolt

Pull over, Tesla. The Chevrolet Bolt wants to pass. At least General Motors hopes that’s the case with its all-electric Bolt concept car debuting at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Bolt, the sibling of the Chevrolet Volt, has a 200-mile range as a pure electric car, according to GM, and it ould be available to the public in 2017. The Volt is “an extended-range electric,” meaning it also has a backup gas engine. The second-generation 2016 Volt will also be shown at the North American International Auto Show. According to a report last week in the Wall Street Journal, the Bolt will be priced in the $30,000 to $35,000 range after incentives, including a $7,500 federal

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Elio Motors’ woes continue with hometown doubts

Even some of the hometown crowd in Louisiana is beginning to doubt the future of the much-touted and much-maligned Elio. According to a report on the website of KSLA, a television station in Shreveport, La., where the Elio manufacturing plant is located, at least one former proponent of the three-wheel vehicle is now skeptical. Elio Motors initially announced in early 2013 it would build their 3-wheeled cars in Shreveport. Local government officials approved a massive allocation of funds to support the project. But delays, not progress, have been the norm. The company was expected to start production in summer of 2014. Now, the production start date has been pushed to the end of 2015. According to the station’s report, 38,177

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Air bags woes prompt expanded Honda recall

Seven months after it began as a regional issue, pressure by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has expanded a current regional Honda recall nationally because of faulty driver’s side airbags. According to the NHTSA, the air bags, made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp., can explode with too much force. As a result: metal shrapnel be can forced into the passenger compartment. The Honda recall list was posted on the NHTSA ate last month. It includes: 2001 – 2007 Honda Accord; 2001 – 2005 Honda Civic; 2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V; 2003 – 2011 Honda Element; 2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey; 2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot; 2006 – Honda Ridgeline; 2003 – 2006 Acura MDX; 2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL;

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Michael Schumacher paralyzed, can’t speak, friend says

Philippe Streiff, a former race car driver who has been paralyzed for 25 years following a 1989 crash, said his friend Michael Schumacher is in the same situation and is unable to speak. Schumacher, the legendary Formula One driver, is at home recovering from a head injury suffered in a skiing fall last December in France. Streiff, speaking recently on a French radio station, said: “He (Schumacher) is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult.” According to a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper in England, Schumacher’s family is still confident about the former champion’s future. But the family is providing any new details about his condition. According to the Mirror, Schumacher spokesperson, Sabine Kehm, said: “Streiff’s comments

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2016 Madza lineup set for livestream debut

Mazda North American will livestream its product reveals, including the much-touted, all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 compact crossover utility vehicle, on YouTube ad Ustream, the night before the vehicles’ debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The offsite event at 8 p.m. PST Tuesday (Nov. 18) will also include refreshed versions of the 2016 Mazda6 midsize sedan, the 2016 CX-5 crossover and the 2016 MX-5. All of the new Mazda vehicles – with the addition of Mazda3, Mazda5 and CX-9 – will be on display throughout the run of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.   Additionally, Mazda will show the just-debuted Global MX-5 Cup racing version of the MX-5 as well as other special racing and one-off project vehicles. The

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Toyota names hydrogen car Mirai, debuts in 2016

Toyota has announced its new fuel cell vehicle will be called the Mirai, and the Japanese manufacturer is hopeful the hydrogen-powered vehicle will live up to the translation of its name — “future.” Toyota President Akio Toyoda revealed the car’s name in conjunction with the company CEO Jim Lentz announcing the expansion of Toyota fuel cell infrastructure investment to five-state in the Northeastern corridor. The Mirai, according to Toyota, will travel as far as 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, refuel in less than five minutes and emit only water vapor. Lentz announced a new commitment to drive the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in five northeastern U.S. states. To support Mirai’s introduction to the region in

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Buying A Car? Save Money With A Ford Focus

When you’re looking for a reliable car to run errands in the city with impressive gas mileage and power to perform long distance road trips, consider a Ford Focus. The reliable compact is an ideal starter car. Unveiled for the North American market in 1999, the three generations of the Ford Focus have all proven strong buying choices. As a result, CAR Magazine in the United Kingdom included the Focus in its selection of the 50 Greatest Cars of the Past 50 years. And what better testament to a car than if a Pope chooses to ride in one like Pope Francis (affectionately known as the “Cool Pope”)? The Ford Focus has had further honors: In 2012, it was the

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Chrysler recalls 907,000 vehicles, dubious record set

With nearly 907,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SUVs recalls announced October 16, a dubious record has been set with more than 52 million vehicles recalled to date this year. The latest recall involves with faulty alternators and heated power mirror wiring that can short and cause fires. The recalls push the total number of recalls so far this year 544, short of the 684 mark set in 2008. The largest of the new recalls covers nearly 470,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees, Chrysler 300s, and Dodge Chargers, Challengers and Durangos from the 2011 through 2014 model years. The alternators can fail, causing the 3.6-liter V6 engines to stall unexpectedly. The problem also can cause the electrical system to fail, as well as

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Honda Fit, Nissan Versa among top cheap cars

The Tata Nano was all the rage a few years ago when it was introduced in India as a new car for about $2,500. In the past year, the Elio, a three-wheel concept vehicle with a price of $6,800, has gotten a lot of attention as the first of several pending forward-thinking cheap cars for the masses in the United States. Since neither car is available in this country, two of the most popularity vehicles in the crowd entry level segment are the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa Note. And a cheap new car in the United States means a starting price of about $15,000 for a base model, sometimes a little more, sometimes slightly less. That’s about half

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2015 Chevrolet Corvette under scrutiny, recall next?

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette, the iconic vehicle often dubbed through the years as “America’s Sports Car,” is having difficulty. Although it hasn’t been recalled, General Motors has issued two stop-sale orders because of the difficulties with the driver’s airbag and in other instances, the parking brake cables. “General Motors has told Chevrolet dealers to stop delivery of approximately 2,000 2015 Corvettes to fix the driver’s airbag. GM has also temporarily stopped shipment of the cars from the plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the automaker said in a statement. “Separately, another 800 Corvettes — most of them at dealerships — are on hold because they may have been built with only one of the rear parking brake cables fully seated and

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Jay Leno in driver’s seat of new network auto show

Jay Leno will be returning to television with a primetime show on CNBC, and it will be centered around his passion for automobiles, according to several celebrity and television news websites. Leno, 64, stopped hosting the “Tonight Show” in February. Industry reports say Leno was contacted by several networks, including CNN, A&E and the History Channel to host a program about cars. Leno wanted to remain in the NBC “family.” Leno has a strong relationship with CNBC president Mark Hoffman. It broadcast a “Jay’s Garage” special in September called “Jay’s Garage: The Ultimate Car Week.” Leno is among the world’s most prominent car and motorcycle collectors. Reports vary, but Leno apparently owns nearly 900 vehicles (769 automobiles and 117 motorcycles).

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GM tough year continues, now 30 million recalls in 2014

General Motors has had a tough year. With its latest recall of Pontiac G8, Chevrolet Carprice and Cadillac models, GM has now recalled about 30 million cars in 2014. The latest recall includes about 60,000 vehicles. On certain Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Caprice models, the vehicles “may experience unintended key rotation from the ‘Run’ to ‘ACC’ position if the driver’s knee interacts with the ignition key,” according to GM. The recalled Cadillacs have fuel pump issues, repairable at dealers. The Caprice model is a police vehicle. No injuries or fatalities have been reported from the latest recall. GM reported one crash. Despite the high profile of the ignition switch recall earlier this year which has been tied to at least

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