Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

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2017 Preview: Honda Ridgeline Longer, wider, innovative

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the pickup’s versatility, capability and comfort emphasized. Designed, developed and manufactured in America, the Ridgeline will be available to he public on a yet-to-be announced date in the first half of 2016. Honda is promoting the midsize pickup as having the “largest, most versatile cabin.” It’s touted as the “only 4-foot-wide flat bed space in the midsize pickup segment, along with payload capacity rivaling top competitors.” Powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC™ V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Honda Ridgeline will also feature the industry’s first in-bed audio system. For the first time, front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations will be available. Front-wheel

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Elio Motors counters NHTSA rule with spirited retort

Elio Motors reacted quickly to Internet reports that a pending legislation from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) could further delay the production of the highly marketed and often delayed debut of its three-wheel, 84 mpg vehicle. According to the accounts, the NHTSA has introduced a proposal to change its regulations related to three-wheeled vehicles. If enacted, Elio could face increased costs and further be delayed in its latest debut prediction of the unique-looking vehicle. Via Elio’s spokesman, Paul Elio, the company’s founder and CEO, released the following statement: “Elio Motors remains committed to engineering our vehicle to the industry’s highest safety standards. This particular rule from NHTSA was first published in 2013 and is not something new. NHTSA

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Volkswagen may buy back your dirty diesel

If you own a Volkswagen with a diesel engine affected by the recent emission scandal, the German carmaker may buy back your car. A German newspaper has reported Volkswagen Group “assumes it will have to buy back about 115,000 cars in the United States,” according to Reuters. Volkswagen officials have been working with U.S. regulators to come to an agreement about how best to fix the nearly 600,000 diesel vehicles in the U.S. discovered to illegally include software that misrepresents the emissions levels. The devices helped some of Volkswagen Group’s cars pass emissions tests in a lab but allowed the cars to pollute more heavily when driving under normal conditions. In the 2.0-liter engine diesel cars especially, models were found to

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Gas Mileage Averages Climb But New Rules Loom

It’s still a decade away, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and federal government a few years ago mandated a pending regulation. By 2025, new vehicles sold in the United States will be required to attain a combined 54.5 mpg. The automotive industry is improving, with a few surprising improved gas mileage averages in performance-oriented cars. But there are also disappointing mpg results, particularly among expensive sedans and sports cars. In one recent tally, the EPA reported new cars sold in 2013 averaged 24.1 mpg. That was more than 5 mpg more than new cars sold in 1995 averaged. Consider some improved 2015 individual totals: The most efficient versions of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger all get

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Parking in Los Angeles is a pain, but there’s relief

Major metropolitan cities can be a source of constant frustration for daily commuters and tourists. As the country’s second-largest metropolitan area after New York, Los Angeles has more than its share of transportation problems. Parking in Los Angeles is among the most troublesome issues. In addition to often futile searching, the cost of  public parking in downtown Los Angeles is prohibitive. The issue is also not likely to be resolved soon since the population of Los Angeles metro area increased by nearly 3.5 percent from 2010 to 2014, according the U.S Census Bureau. But Los Angeles, like other large and small cities around the country, is trying to provide relief. Traditional alternatives like commuter busses and well-known cab companies are

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Fiat-Chrysler woes continue with Jeep, Dodge recall

Several types of Jeep sport utility vehicles as well as a Dodge Durango model totaling 570,000 units from 2011 and 2012 have been recalled for fire risks in two campaigns linked to problems with vanity mirror wiring and a low-pressure hose. The two brands’ problems are another dubious occurrence for Fiat Chrysler. Earlier this month, the manufacturer agreed to pay another $70 million in fines for failing to report vehicle crash deaths and injuries since 2003.   The recall includes: 477,000 2011-2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation in May to determine if vehicles serviced in a prior related recall were at risk for fires. Fiat Chrysler said

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Ford recalls 318,000 new trucks and old sedans

If you own a 2016 Ford truck or a 13-year-old Ford Crown Victoria it could be among the 318,000 varying vehicles the manufacturer has recalled for a host of reasons. Headlight failure linked to 11 crashes is the reason Ford has recalled 313,000 Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis units from 2003 to 2005. The light module’s solder joints could crack and interrupt power to the headlights and thus increase the risk of crash at night. The Ford Crown Victoria was often used as a police vehicle or taxis before the automaker phased it out in 2011. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a new investigation of more than 500,000 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis cars

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Google, Ford new driving force in driverless cars?

The ever-advancing quest to be at the front of the pack in the self-driving car industry has taken another intriguing turn with the report Google and Ford are establishing a partnership. According to a report on Yahoo Autos, the two iconic companies’ partnership will be announced at the Consumer Electronic Show, scheduled January 6-9, 2016 in Las Vegas. Google has been experimenting with driverless cars for several years. Dozens of the pod-shaped vehicles are commonly seen on on public roads in Mountain View, California, and in Austin, Texas. The two cities are Google hotbeds, the former location is the technology giant’s hometown. Ford is among many carmakers, including Tesla, Volvo, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz that have been working on self-driving car

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Honda CR-V has new motto: In for the long haul

If the popularity of vehicles made by Toyota and Honda need any additional proof, look no further than the latest longevity study by bankrate.com. Six vehicles manufactured by Toyota and four made by Honda comprised the top-10 of car owners keep at least 10 years. The site’s study looked at vehicles new in 2015 and sold between January 1 2015 to July 15, 2015. Honda CR-V versatility equals its longevity The Honda CR-V, a perennial top-10 selling vehicle, earned the top mark. While just edging the Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V models purchased in 2005 are still owned by 28.6 percent of their original owners. The Toyota Prius, which has dominated the hybrid market since its debut, was second in the

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IIHS safety rankings for 2016: American cars shunned

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released its annual list of automotive safety awards. Japanese carmakers dominated the top picks while only one American vehicle received the top rating in the 2016 ratings. Among 48 vehicles that received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick Plus” rating, 23 were from Toyota, Honda and Subaru. Toyota and Honda, including their subsidiaries Scion, Lexus and Acura, were the top two automakers, overall. Volkswagen came in third with seven VW and Audi models on the list. The Chrysler 200 was the only vehicle from a domestic brand to get the top safety rating. To be a “Top Safety Pick Plus,” vehicles must get the top score in all five of the group’s crash

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Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche fetches $1.76 million

The 1964 Porsche 356 C1600 SC Cabriolet owned and used as a daily driver by rock and roll star Janis Joplin sold Dec. 10 in New York for $1.76 million at the RM Sotheby’s auction and far exceeded the expected selling price. The announced price in the auction title “Driven By Disruption” was prompted by aggressive bidding among seven collectors in the room in the New York auction house and via telephone. The sale of the wildly painted Porsche set a record amount for any Porsche 356 sold at public auction, according to Sotheby’s. Joplin’s car was expected to fetch around $400,000. Purchased from a used car lot in 1968, Joplin engaged Dave Richards, a friend and roadie with her

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2016 Car of the Year? Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda?

The Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Civic and Mazda MX-5 Miata, three longstanding vehicles with loyal followings in vastly different new and used car markets, have been named finalists for 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Honda Pilot, Nissan Titan XD and Volvo XC90 were name finalists for Truck of the Year in the recent announcement the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. The 2016 North American Car and Truck of the Year will be announced in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The finalists were chosen from short lists of 10 cars and 12 pickups and SUVs created by a jury of 53 automotive journalists. Chevrolet Has Two Cars Considered For Car of the Year The BMW 7 series, Cadillac

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Top-10 most important safety features when buying a car

If you’re considering a new or used car, style, color, economy and versatility are important. But getting the best safety features should be the top priority of your investment. Here are the top-10 car safety features to consider when buying a car. 1. Air bags. The front air bags inflate in order to prevent passengers from hitting the car’s dashboard, the windshield, as well as the steering wheel. (depends on the impact, speed as well as the hardness of the struck object). Side air bags lessen the risk for occupants to hit the objects or their door during a crash. A cars’ dash will indicate if there is an issue with the airbags, familiarize yourself with these warnings. 2. Antilock

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2016 Chevrolet Volt named Green Car of the Year

Five years after it won for the first time, the Chevrolet Volt has been named the Green Car of the Year for the second time. The 2016 edition was honored at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the 10th edition of the award presented by the Green Car Journal.The Chevrolet Volt was given the award in recognition of improvements to every aspect of the extended-range hybrid that debut in 2011. In presenting the award, judges note the Chevrolet Volt for its: “sleek and sporty design, more energy-dense batteries, new electric motors, and quicker acceleration.” The Chevrolet Volt has a more efficient 1.5-liter engine-generator that creates onboard electricity to power the Volt’s motors for a total 420 miles.The Volt beat a field of finalists

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Top-10 tips for safe winter driving

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download (610.1KB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWinter driving means different potential problems to different drivers in different parts of the country. But many commonsense practices remain universal, whether you’re driving in the snow in the Sierra Nevada or in strong winds and torrential rain in Florida. Most importantly, if you drive in winter weather, make sure to use your vehicle’s headlights — even during daylight hours. During bright day days, precipitation can add to the difficulty of seeing other vehicles on the road. It also means other drivers will have difficulty viewing your car or truck. During these situations, using headlights helps drivers see other vehicles. Be careful about using your high

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PREVIEW: 2017 Kia Cadenza gets sporty

The Kia Cadenza, the most luxurious and expensive are in the Korean carmaker’s lineup, will have a new look for 2017 with hopes of improving slumping sales. Launched in 2013, the Cadenza has attracted a niche audience among car buyer seeking an alternative to costly sporty sedans an with a great warranty. Called the K7 in South Korea, the 2017 Kia Cadenza will have a more angular and sportier design. The new edition will a more prominent in the dip in Kia’s “tiger nose” grille as well as substantially new appearance in front and rear end designs. “The next-generation Cadenza maintains the progressive, contemporary image of the current model, and the sharper more defined lines and wider, lower stance give

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