Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

Super Bowl commercials: Kia offers Las Vegas, bikinis, Gabba Gabba dolls in its new 2011 Sorento ad

Kia is advertising the 2011 Sorento with an innovative Super Bowl ad geared toward kids and their parents and featuring Yo Gabba Gabba figures. The ad features the creatures fantasizing in different situations, like partying in Las Vegas and hanging out in a hot tub bikini-clad young woman with a come-on look on her face. But by the end of the commercial, the creatures are relegated to their original locale, in the backseat of a new Sorento waiting for its driver to leave the driveway of their suburban neighborhood. The idea is clever and the music is cool.   Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of

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Super Bowl commercials: 2010 Hyundai Tucson without gimmicks

Hyundai is among nearly a dozen auto-related companies that will advertise during Super Bowl KLIV. Its 2010 Tucson is getting strong reviews, and with this 30-second commercial, the Korean carmaker takes a classy approach. It doesn’t specifically poke fun at any other manufacturer. Rather it touts the technological virtues of the new Tucson and simply asks the question why other manufacturer’s don’t already offer than same? The commercial is straight-forward, devoid of overt flash, talking animals and anything risking being cute. It just gets the job done Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of

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Prius recall imminent for troubled Toyota, Lexus hybrid next?

Toyota is preparing to recall 270,000 Prius hybrid vehicles in the United States and Japan with brake problems, and the world’s largest automaker has also begun an investigation for similar problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid. Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said Toyota had not yet decided whether to recall the Prius. But several Japanese media outlets, including business newspaper Nihon Keizai and television network NHK reports the 2010 Prius recall is imminent. The new Prius hybrid went on sale in Japan and the United States in May 2009. More than 170,000 of the new Prius models have been sold in Japan, with around 103,000 sold in the U.S. since May. Toyota, reeling from massive global recalls of 4.5 million vehicles

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Toyota Prius brake issues prompt U.S. Transportation Dept. investigation

Toyota Motor Corp., troubles have heightened. The U.S. Transportation Department has begun an investigation into brake problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius after the Japanese automaker acknowledged design issues with the country’s best-selling gas-electric hybrid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told The Associated Press it has received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports of crashes. The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over uneven road surfaces, potholes or bumps. The Japanese government has ordered Toyota to investigate brake problems. The automaker said it had corrected problems with the antilock brake system in Prius models sold since late last month, including those shipped overseas. The flaw requires a software programming change to

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2011 Ford Explorer: Revamped SUV plans helps manufacturer create 1,200 jobs in Chicago

Providing another key example of the rebounding automotive industry, Ford Motor Company will create 1,200 jobs in its Chicago, Ill., plant to help facilitate the production later this year of the revamped 2011 Ford Explorer. “Tomorrow, in one day, we’re going to get 1,200 new jobs for Illinois,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn told the Associated Press. According to several news reports, Ford wants the new Explorer to become “greener.” The fuel economy of the Explorer will increase and CO2 emissions should be reduced by as much as 25 percent. The Explorer is an integral part of Ford’s lineup. But it’s no longer the sales magnet of yesteryear. During the SUV boom in 2000, the Explorer had sales of 445,000, and

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Honda Pilot, 2009: Weidel on Wheels

When Honda came out with the Pilot six years ago the Japanese automaker quickly had another hit. The Pilot became one of the forerunners in the eight-passenger midsize crossover segment. It’s a sport utility vehicle whose car-like qualities and hauling capabilities were lauded. Despite the accolades, one aspect of the Pilot got exposed – third-row seating was lacking. It wasn’t accommodating and the guess is in many Pilots the third row lay flat and it was left unused. The weakness remained, but the popularity of the Pilot grew with sales rising more to than 152,000 by 2006. But one year later, the competition caught up; Honda sold only 117,000 Pilots in 2007. Obviously, something had to be done. Have you

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BMW Recalls 200,000 Cars With Potential Air Bag Problems

The German automaker BMW AG, concerned front passenger seat airbags may not deploy, has recalled an estimated 200,000 X3 sport compacts in the United States made between 2004-2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported on its  web site that small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat and deactivate the front passenger air bags. NHTSA said the air bag warning lamp and the passenger air bag “on-off” light would remain on. The head protection system, however, would not be affected, the government said. According to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky no injuries or accidents from the reported issue have occurred. If the seat detection mat fails to sense a person is sitting in the passenger seat, it deactivates

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Subaru Debuts Redesigned 2009 Forester At Detroit Auto Show

Subaru of America, Inc., has introduced the redesigned, third-generation 2009 Forester, a crossover built on the manufacturer’s strong reputation for safety, dependability and versatility. The 2009 Subaru Forester expands that reputation. It features a bolder, more SUV-like design, and advancements in safety technology, comfort, and driving dynamics. The unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show occurred about three months before the Forester will arrive at dealerships nationwide. As with all Subaru models, the 2009 Forester comes equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The new 2009 Forester again blends positive SUV attributes, including a high seating point and interior versatility with passenger car comfort, handling and fuel efficiency. The 2009 Forester is built on an all-new platform featuring a 3.6-inch longer

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Left Side, Right Side? Where’s The Gas Cap?

It’s happened to all of us. You’re driving a rental car or a friend’s car (or your own car) and you stop for gas. As you’re getting close to the pumps you realize you don’t know on which side of the car the gas cap is located. This video, which claims to showcase a sure-fire way to determine the proper side, is a popular video on the site www.Metacafe.com. The video has attracted its share of attention. Plenty of those commenting say it’s an absolute truth; Others say it doesn’t hold its share of . . well, gas. One things for sure: It’s an entrepreneurial, fun video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7upuZSgKpA0   Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to

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Cars Have Gone To The Dogs — Especially The Honda Element

It’s nice to “reconnect” with someone you used to know 30 years ago. Gina Spadafori and I were on the staff of The Hornet, the student newspaper at California State University, Sacramento. I recently contacted her after discovering her cool web site that combines two great subjects — dogs and cars. I may have seen Gina once since college, but I’ve read her work for a long time. Gina’s had a great career in journalism, specializing in writing about pets. She co-authors the syndicated column, Pet Connection, and she has written several animal-focused books. With several other journalists, Gina  also has one of the most unique automotive-related web sites I’ve seen, DogCars.com. The site has just selected its 2007 DogCar

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