Tesla woes continue with production shortfall

Tesla has had its second disappointment in a week. The luxury electric carmaker has fallen short of shipment targets for the second straight quarter, raising further questions of the manufacturer’s ability to meet production demands of its pending Model 3. The carmaker said it shipped 14,370 cars in the second quarter. It missed its target of 17,000. The shortcoming also put Tesla’s claim of delivering 80,000-90,000 cars this year in jeopardy. Further, the announced delivery date of late November 2016 for the affordable Model 3 has now also been questioned. About 400,000 wannabe be buyers of the new vehicle have

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2016 Lexus NX 300h: Luxurious, efficient, pricey

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Now it its second model year, the 2016 Lexus NX 300h continues from its debut last year without major changes. The luxury compact crossover is rare in its segment. Its only competition is the Audi Q5 hybrid. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A gasoline-electric hybrid, the 2016 Lexus NX 300h features a 2.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder gasoline engine matched with two electric motors supplied with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The marriage produces 194 horsepower. Like all Lexus vehicles throughout the high-end lineup, the Lexus NX has a substantial standard technology and safety equipment list equaled by a similarly sized list

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Auto Insurance required, but types, benefits vary

A vehicle is a valuable asset and if you own one, it is legally mandatory in the UAE to get it insured. Your vehicle’s insurance is a safety net. Your car can get stolen or be involved in an accident. It can be damaged in several other ways. But with a good insurance plan for your vehicle, you are guaranteed partial or complete financial coverage, with the bonus of peace of mind. After all, even the most skilled drivers can sometimes cause accidents. With so many insurance policies available nowadays, it can be confusing to choose the right one. Before

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Elio debuts test vehicle, but no production car date set

The long and circuitous journey Elio Motors has taken to introduce a high-mileage, three-wheel vehicle, has reached another level with the announced completion of its first E-Series test vehicle. The company, which has touted the $6,800 vehicle for several years and collected deposits from thousands of wannabe buyers, said test vehicle debut is a big step for the launch of the vehicle. The first E-Series vehicle, according to Elio, continues to development of final vehicle. The test vehicle will be “put through a battery of tests that will help refine and finalize the overall design prior to final production.” Elio

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Stop driving older Honda, Acura models

If you own an older Honda or Acura, the government is urging you to stop driving it because its Takata airbags have a 50 percent chance of exploding in a crash. The warning applies to about 313,000 models of the Honda Accord (2001-2002), Honda Civic (2001-2002) Honda CR-V (2002-2003), Honda Odyssey (2003), Honda Pilot (2003), Acura TL (2002-2003) and Acura CL (2003). Takata inflators that can explode in a crash have been linked to 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries in the United States. Auto safety regulators said eight of those deaths occurred in Honda and Acura vehicles subject

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VW scam settled, entitled owners can find the money

With the announcement of the VW settlement in its diesel scandal that emerged in September 2015, owners of the affected vehicles now can focus on their choices of compensation and one key question: Where do the owners of the nearly 500,000 vehicles in the United States eligible for a settlement start? According to details of the settlement announced June 28, here’s a list of what vehicles are included and what owners should do: Eligible vehicles: Volkswagen, Beetle, Beetle Convertible 2013-2015, Golf 2-Door 2010-2013, Golf 4-Door 2010-2015, Golf SportWagen 2015, Jetta 2009-2015, Jetta SportWagen 2009-2014, Passat 2012-2015; Audi – A3 2010-2013,

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Commentary: Tesla Model 3 could mean hybrids matter

The recent announcement of the high-performance Tesla Model 3, the all-electric, 200-mile range, reasonably priced sports car sedan attracted the consumers like no other recent new vehicle. If Telsa can meet the demand of 400,000 wannabe buyers who each deposited $1,000 to get the new model 3, the car industry could change. That’s if the Tesla delivers the vehicles in 2017, as promised. The car industry will finally have an alternative vehicle that’s infiltrated mainstream with a car that doesn’t have the look and stigma of the Toyota Prius. Tesla Model 3: Game Changer? Most major car manufacturers offer at

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2016 Lincoln MKX: Luxury defined, tech overload

The redesigned 2016 Lincoln MKX fits ideally into a new, expanding automotive segment — vehicles hampered by technology overload. The sport utility vehicle has a detection systems so sensitive, it just doesn’t know when to shut up. It’s all for safety, of course. But while cornering after ignition or advancing in reverse, warning sounds abruptly blast when the vehicle is seemingly within a block of animals, curbs, trees, buildings, parked cars or passersby. It’s the same on the open road. Maneuver to change lanes and you get an ear full even if the situation seems safe. Detection systems help prevent

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VW diesel scam $10 billion settlement pending

After months of negotiating and legal maneuvering, owners of overtly polluting VW diesel cars will receive as much as  $7,000 in a settlement levied upon Volkswagen AG. It’s more than 10 times the amount the manufacturer originally offered owners of its vehicles that emit up to 40 times the amounts smog-forming nitrogen oxides. The embattled carmaker has also agreed to to fund a grant program to offset air pollution. It’ part of a $10 billion settlement being negotiated for submission to a federal judge next week. Volkswagen will provide cash payments worth between $1,000 and $7,000, depending on the vehicle’s

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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Top rival for Honda, Toyota

As the smaller of the two Hyundai Santa Fe offerings, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is the five-passenger version of the Santa Fe that several years ago replaced the now-defunct Veracruz. The Santa Fe Sport is classified as a small crossover sport utility vehicle, but each year since its debut it seems to get bigger and worthy of a medium-sized designation. Although not a new generation, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has refreshed styling inside and outside as well numerous updates: a height adjustment for the power passenger seat, a larger five-inch standard display and an available seven-inch

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2016 Honda Civic: Is new model best car on the road?

Now in its mid-40s, the Honda Civic remains one of most popular vehicles in the automobile industry. For 2016, the Civic has been redesigned inside and outside and is available as a coupe or sedan and in 10 trims, five in each model. The redesign further moves the Civic away from its once stodgy reputation as drivable box with four wheels. The 2016 model has a sharp-edged appearance, a sloping roofline and a overall European style that resembles the appearance of appreciably higher-priced vehicles. It’s no longer just a fall-back car for buyers seeking basic transportation at a value price.

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Car loans reach new high, monthly average now $503

Car buyers in the United States are increasingly seeking more expensive cars, assuming larger car loans to the buy vehicles and are taking a longer time to pay for their purchases. The result of the trend, according to the credit company Experian, are the biggest numbers the automotive industry has experienced. Car loans reach new high Consider the car loan statistics for the first quarter of 2016 from data compiled from millions of auto loans: The average auto loan in the United States is now $30,032. It’s the first time the amount borrowed to buy a new care surpassed $30,000.

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Pick-up trucks honored with postage stamps

The U.S. Postal Service is honoring a U.S. automotive icon — the pick-up truck. The stamps will celebrate four models: the 1938 International Harvester D-2, the 1948 Ford F-1, the 1953 Chevrolet and the 1965 Ford F-100. The stamps were crated by artist Chris Lyons of Pittsford, NY, used Adobe Illustrator Art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, Virginia, designed the stamps. Pickup trucks date to the early 1900s, when automobiles first became popular in the United States. They made personally hauling cargo, which once was the job of horse-drawn wagons, easier than ever. By the early 1900s, several manufacturers first

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2016 Lexus RC F: Luxury sports car rules the road

Now in its second model year, the 2016 Lexus RC F is the third vehicle in the Toyota luxury brand’s performance-oriented lineup, and it has plenty to show for itself. The Lexus RC F has aggressive styling, 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips and a carbon-fiber roof panel. The engine is a naturally aspirated 467-horsepower 5.0-liter V8. It has Brembo brakes, more aggressive suspension tuning and is rear-wheel drive. While marketed as a four-passenger coupe, the rear seats, like on many sports cars, are best served by children or petite adults. With the driver’s seat adjusted for anyone, 5-foot-9 or taller,

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2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T: efficient family sedan defined

Redesigned last year, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata has only a few minor changes from 2015, and it remains an increasingly popular family sedan in one of the most competitive segments in the automotive industry. New standard items for 2016, include: A seven-inch touchscreen except on the top-line range-Limited 2.0T (which continues to have an 8-inch screen). Both systems feature smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A rearview camera and automatic headlights are now also standard on all trims. An automatic emergency braking system debuts on the Limited 2.0T and the full lineup has had its suspension tweaked for

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Safe multi-tasking is a myth; texting while driving unsafe

Despite more severe fines and increased gruesome accidents, some drivers still believe they can safely text while driving. The reality however, as most insurance and towing service companies will attest, is that safe multi-tasking is a myth. Your eyes and attention are either on the road, or they aren’t. And when they aren’t, people get hurt. Despite evidence supporting the dangers of texting and driving, the Washington Post reports 49 percent of adults admit to texting and driving. Reasons are common refrains: “Only look away for a second,” “Years of experience behind a wheel and skill in knowing what to

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