Automotive News

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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Could pending NHTSA rule mean Elio Motors is doomed?

Elio Motors has faced many obstacles, financing to missed deadlines. But it could now be faced with its toughest adversary — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Elio has touted is three-wheeled, two-seat car and its projected 84 mpg for a few years. But if the NHTSA prevails, the futuristic-looking vehicle won’t be able to be classified as a motorcycle and thus will not circumvent the stricter safety and efficiency regulations that govern cars. As such, Elio would face increased costs and could further delay the expect the first production the vehicle until 2017 — if not indefinitely. Elio Motors had to rely on a “crowdfunding” project last year to help raise the $230 million needed to start production

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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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President Obama, Jerry Seinfeld to cruise White House

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, the car, coffee and comedy show that gave the television network Crackle its first prominent show, will have its highest profile guest to begin its seventh season, President Obama. The season debut, taped in early December at the White House, will feature host Jerry Seinfeld picking up President Obama at The White House in a 1963 Corvette Stingray Split Window Coupe. According to several media outlets, the Seinfeld and President Obama will drive loops around the famed resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President Obama to Appear on Dec. 30 In previous episodes of the limited run series, Seinfeld picks up a comedian at a residence in a unique car. The duo drives to a coffee

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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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2016 Honda Odyssey: Best minivan gets better

It’s hard to believe the Honda Odyssey is well into adulthood. The 2016 Honda Odyssey marks the 23rd year of the top-selling minivan. The 2016 Honda Odyssey features a 3.5-liter, 24-valve engine with 248 horsepower. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating in three rows for seven adults. The interior and exterior designs are sleek, modern and ultimately non-minivan-like. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I last drove the Honda Odyssey two years ago when the 2014 model featured a makeover and made an already top-rated minivan more popular. The 2016 edition is unchanged from 2015, which remained much the same as the 2014 edition. 2016 Honda Odyssey Has A

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Barn Find: Old cars and three guys on the road

Chances are every vintage car enthusiast has had the same dream. You’re driving along a country road and notice the door open on an old barn. You catch a glimpse of an old car, perhaps sprouting weeds or rust or both. It’s a Barn Find. You stop and talk with owner and he’s willing to sell the Studebaker or the Porsche or the Volkswagen camper or the old Dodge pick-up or maybe even the Rolls-Royce or Bugatti. That’s the premise of the intriguing coffeetable-sized book, Barn Find Road Trip. Author and photographer Tom Cotter, collector friend Brian Barr and photographer Michael Alan Ross embarked on a 14-day trek through several states in a 1939 Ford Woody. They uncovered more than

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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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2016 Ford Escape: Versatile SUV remains pack leader

Now in its fourth year since a redesign, the 2016 Ford Escape continues the traditions of carmaker’s heavy presence in the sport utility segment. The Escape is the smallest of the manufacturer’s five SUVs, it’s now 17 years old and it’s well positioned in its highly competitive segment. The 2016 Ford Escape offers little new from its predecessors with the exception of an easier-to use, touchscreen interface and some additional chrome trim. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The compact crossover SUV market is among the most competitive in the auto industry. Stalwarts include: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Forester. All have loyal buyers and are worthy choices. The Escape, particularly since its

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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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