Automotive News

Proper vehicle maintenance prevents catastrophe

Whether you are purchasing a new car or investing in a used vehicle through a reliable source such as HertzRent2Buy the key to its longevity lies in how well it’s maintained. Furthermore, effective maintenance also helps car owners achieve a significant level of safety when on the road and otherwise. Here are a few areas that demand regular checks in a vehicle: Regular Pollution Check It is important to regularly check on the emissions your vehicle is releasing. Internal combustion engines when not working efficiently emit more pollution. By regularly checking your engine and other related care parts, you not only ensure the health of your car but you’re also doing your part to conserving the environment. Tire Servicing Your

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Elio Motors markets fleet sales but still no cars

Elio Motors, the fledgling three-wheel vehicle company, continues to market itself with new ideas. The latest is a fleet sales division to capitalize on what the company describes as increasing interest from businesses, rental car companies and municipalities. Although the launch of the reported $6,800 car touted with a predicted 84 mpg has been delayed and funding isn’t established, Elio has announced Brendan Carey, Vice President of Fleet Sales, a former ADESA (KAR Auctions) employee who joined Elio Motors in 2013, with head the new division, The fleet division, Elio reports, will provide significant cost-savings to companies and government entities that have fleets for rentals, deliveries, service calls, and other travel-related needs. With the average price a new vehicle in

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5

The redesigned 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5, the fourth generation of the best-selling sports car in history, will debut simultaneously at three international events. In addition to debuts in Spain and Japan, the 25th anniversary of the Mazda Miata, will be unveiled Sept. 3 at an exclusive event in Monterey, California. The new Mazda Miata MX-5 debuted initially at this year’s New York International Auto Show in the form of an exposed SKYACTIV-CHASSIS. “We’re excited to make this official, to announce that the newest member of the MX-5 Miata family will be arriving soon,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “Along with our colleagues around the world, we continue to celebrate the MX-5’s 25th anniversary and

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GM spiralling, recalls another 7.55 million cars

General Motors is further scrambling in its massive safety issue, this time announcing new safety recalls in the United States involving another 7.55 million vehicles from the 1997 to 2014 model years. According to the Wall Street Journal, GM reported it’s aware of seven crashes, eight injuries and three fatalities in the latest round of recalled vehicles. The fatalities occurred in older model full-size sedans being recalled for inadvertent ignition key rotation. The latest round of recalls may increase GM’s financial cost to $1.2 billion in second quarter of this year in repairs. The tally included a previously disclosed $700 million charge for recalls already announced.   This year, GM has also detailed plans to recall more than 20 million

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Buying new and used cars: 11 buyer mistakes

There may be as many theories on the best way to buy a car as there are manufacturers. Edmunds.com is often praised for its detailed car reviews, but it also has a comprehensive section of service-oriented content — including tips for buying new and used cars. A recent article, titled “11 mistakes car shoppers make,” covers exactly what the title suggests. It’s a list of new and used car-buying “musts” — monthly payments to trade-in appraisals. Here’s what Edmunds.com editors wrote about monthly payments for new and used cars: “Many buyers go in with a set amount they’d like to pay every month, and are happy to share that figure with the salesperson.” “When you do that, you’re not actually

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2015 Audi A3: Handsome, quick, sporty

The new 2015 Audi A3 compact sedan is innovative and attractive, and it’s ideal for driving on tight city roads. It’s also reminiscent of Audi’s 1994 A4. With Audi’s trademark single frame grille and pearl white LED headlights, the A3 is an anticipated addition in the A-segment. Compared to 1 Series and B-segment models, A3 sedan’s wheelbase doesn’t look visually cramped. The result: a handsome exterior, low roof line and wide rear pillars. It’s as attractive as the Mercedes A- and B-classes, with the right tinge of sportiness. The Audi A3 Sedan is a car for Gen Y. The interiors are exquisite and elaborate. The furnishings are well-fitted with a finesse that can put its rivals to shame. The engineering

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Toyota unveils Fuel Cell Vehicle in Colorado

Seventeen years after the Toyota Prius became the first mass-produced hybrid car, Toyota is leading automotive innovation again. Its zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric car will makes it North American debut June 27 at the Aspen Idea Festival. With previous exterior details of the car, currently named the FCV, announced recently in Japan, the North American unveiling is the precursor to the car’s mainstream release. Interior features, along with the vehicle’s name, volume, and full specifications will be released later. Toyota has also announced the FCV will go on sale in the Japan domestic market before April 2015. It will debut in the summer 2015 in Europe and in California. The sedan will be priced in the Japan domestic market

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Rare Maserati gets rare drive at Laguna Seca

The last Maserati Tipo 151, one of only three made, will be driven by Derek Hill in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 14-17 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Maserati is this year’s featured marque and will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the motorsports gathering. Derek Hill is the son of former world titlist Phil Hill. Entered by Fratelli Auriana Racing from the collection of Lawrence Auriana, the Tipo 151 has been fully restored. Since its restoration, chassis 151.006 has competed in three successive Goodwood Revivals and last year in the 2013 Le Mans Legend. This will be the car’s first visit to Monterey and the challenging 2.238-mile road course.   The Tipo 151 will complement Maserati’s centennial display and

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Chevy Cruze, Ford Fiesta top U.S. fuel efficiency

Car and Driver has taken a unique look at the cars available in the United States with the best fuel economy. The publication has determined the Chevy Cruze and Ford Fiesta lead the top-10 most fuel efficient list. It’s take EPA’s list, removed the electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrids because “they generally cost more and aren’t fun to drive.” What’s left are the gas and diesel cars the editors not only like to drive but would recommend to family and friends. The No. 1 fuel-efficient car in the country, according the Car and Driver, is the Chevrolet Cruze, at 46 mpg gallon in highway driving. Here’s what the publication’s editor wrote about the Cruze: “Perched all alone at the

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Meet Dale Earnhardt Jr., win a Camaro with eBay

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has as loyal a fan base as any driver in any racing discipline. But just like enthusiasts in many other sports, following favorite athletes in the auto racing is mostly done from a distance. Earnhardt Jr., and eBay Motors have joined to change that for one fortunate fan. A website for the global company, eBay Garage, is presenting a giveaway sweepstakes. The winner will be awarded a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro and receive a trip to to meet Earnhardt Jr., at his car dealership in Tallahassee, Florida. The contest, however, requires more than just completing an entry form. Participants are required to log-in to eBay Garage, add a vehicle profile, add additional images for additional entrants and share

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Recall madness: Honda, Nissan, Mazda . . . airbags

Honda, Nissan and Mazda combined are recalling about 1.3 million cars in North America and more than 3 million globally for faulty airbags manufactured by the Takata Corp. Honda is recalling 1.02 million Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Element models manufactured between April 2000 and October 2002. Nissan is recalling 228,00 vehicles. Mazda is recalling about 15,000 of the RX-8 and Mazda6. Takata airbags were last involved in a recall in 2013 when Japanese automakers recalled 3.4 million vehicles worldwide because of faulty airbags. In early June (2014), Toyota recalled 844,277 with similar problems. The exact cause of the airbag issue has not been determined. One theory is that defective inflators can explode when deployed because of the propellent’s sensitivity to

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Aston Martin nirvana? New festival for James Bond cars

Aston Martin and James Bond are nearly synonymous. The Monterey Peninsula wants to be part of the lore, too. And it will likely make a keen impression when the North American Aston Martin Festival debuts Aug. 30-31 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The festival will be open to all owners, racers, and enthusiasts. And if will offer the opportunity to see road and race cars in close action while also enjoying live entertainment and a gala dinner. The festival concept has been designed to attract a wide and international audience including current and historic Aston Martin owners, Aston Martin dealer partners, owner and enthusiast clubs, as well as sponsors and corporate partners. TRG-AMR will showcase the current

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2015 Mazda6: Good option to costly foreign sedans

Mazda continues its strong emphasis on sporty cars with The 2015 Mazda6. It’s a roomy, sporty mid-sized sedan with a fun-to-drive personality and sparkling fuel economy. No wonder its sales are escalating in the highly competitive mid-size car market, which includes the formidable Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The 2015 Mazda6 is mostly a carry-over from the fairly recently redesigned Mazda6 with updates to select features and packaging options. Mazda doesn’t promote this model as a BMW or Mercedes fighter, but rather as a sporty, roomy, economical family car. For one thing, it has front-wheel drive, instead of the rear-drive traditionally found with high-performance foreign sedans. Yet, my rakish-looking Mazda6 Grand Touring model, complete with bright dual exhaust outlets, drove

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Jerry Seinfeld back in cars getting coffee on Crackle

“Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” the contagiously funny show about nothing and everything all at once, has started its fourth season. The show has some changes, but it’s as if Jerry Seinfeld never missed a comedic beat during the show’s hiatus. The season opener features Seinfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker driving in her 1976 Ford Country Squire station wagon to Manhattan. The premise of the show is Seinfeld’s obsession with coffee and cars. It’s the most popular show on the Crackle network. There’s new static footage in Season Four, and the season opener begins with a clever exchange of why Seinfeld hates the car and why Parker is enamored with it. She likes the immense windows and space; He says

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GM nailed again, this time $10 billion lawsuit

As if the recall of 20 million cars and a new CEO isn’t enough turmoil, GM is now being sued for $10 billion. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, details GM hurt its customers by concealing defects. The result: devaluation of many late-model vehicles by about $500 to $2,600 in resale value. The news agency, Reuters reported the plaintiff is Anna Andrews, a California resident and GM customer. Andrews is seeking class-action status for people who owned or leased GM vehicles sold between the company’s bankruptcy and April 1, 2014 It’s the first legal claim that GM owes customers some compensation for damaging its brand and reputation — a total exceeding $10 billion, to be paid to

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Tracy Morgan improves, sense of humor back

Tracy Morgan, the actor and comedian who suffered multiple injuries June 7 in a New Jersey highway crash that killed one of his friends, has been upgraded to fair condition. “His personality is certainly starting to come back as well,” Lewis Kay, Morgan’s spokesperson, said. Morgan, 45, the former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star suffered broken ribs and a broken leg on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash killed comedian James McNair and seriously injured two others. Prosecutors say Walmart driver Kevin Roper’s truck hit Morgan’s limo. Roper has pleaded not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges. A criminal complaint alleges Roper hadn’t slept for more than 24 hours before the accident when he

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