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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Jaguar enticing younger buyers with 2017 F-Pace SUV

The automotive industry’s sport utility vehicle segment continues to contradict the move toward more efficient vehicles, particularly with new legislation on the horizon requiring better gas mileage. Jaguar has never manufactured a compact SUV, but it’s now joining the movement as more buyers are opting for the versatility of the style. Like other high-end manufacturers, Jaguar, and its new F-Pace are now part of a recent sub-set, which not too many years ago, was an automotive oxymoron — luxury SUV. The F-Pace, combined with its second updated vehicle, the Jaguar XE, defines the British carmaker’s objective toward a younger audience.

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Car title loans an option for auto consumers

When banks and credit car companies aren’t a viable choice for financing the purchase of a vehicle, there’s another lending option — Car title loans. Simply defined, a car title loan is a short-term loan in which the borrower’s car title is used as collateral. The borrower must be the lien holder (i.e. own the car outright). Loans are usually for less than 30 days. If the loan is not repaid, the lender can take ownership of the car and sell it to recoup the loan amount. A good-quality short-term loan comes with an affordable monthly payment and shows a

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2016 Lexus IS200: New luxury sedan gives BMW pause

The 2016 Lexus IS200 is a new vehicle, replacing the IS 250 as the upscale brand’s entry level luxury sedan. It features three models, including a more fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbo-charged engine with 241 horsepower. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly driver test drive was the Lexus IS200t with the F Sport Package. Lexus is known for its generous list of standard features, among other qualities. The new IS lineup in no exception. Standard equipment across the line includes: 17-inch wheels (18-inchers on the IS 350), xenon headlights, LED running lights/foglights/taillights, heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, keyless entry and

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2016 Lexus GS-F Review – Tech and Software

Lexus is manufacturing only 2,000 units of the 2016 Lexus GS-F. It’s a luxury sports sedan for a niche market. Still, I was curious about its the software and technology. Is it it any different from the standard Lexus Enform suite of apps? How does it stack up for ease of use and phone integration? Taking the vehicle through the proverbial tracks, I video’d the different features and processes to give a better picture of how it all works. Sure, the vehicle is fast, turns quickly, has some sort of horse powering the engine. But what about Bluetooth and navigation?

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Takata airbag recall explodes, 70 million cars now at risk

The seemingly never-ending safety concerns of the automotive industry have been further complicated by the vastly expanded airbag recall involving parts made by Takata. At risk, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are now as many as nearly 70 million vehicles from nearly every major and some niche manufacturers. The expansion primarily affects passenger-side inflators not covered by previous recalls. It will also cover inflators in vehicles made by Jaguar-Land Rover, Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive for the first time. Fourteen other auto companies, including American Honda, Ford, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, General Motors, Nissan and Fiat-Chrysler already are affected

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Recall madness: Nissan, GM, Ford, millions of fixes for all

The auto industry is on pace for another banner year, for all the wrong reasons — recalls. After dubious yearly records of 50.99 recalls in 2014 and 51.22 million recalls in 2015, recent recalls by Nissan, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, among other automakers, are rapidly boosting this year’s totals. Nissan recently announced the biggest of the latest recalls worldwide. It’s recalling 3.53 million vehicles equipped with passenger-side airbags may not work properly because vehicle sensors may malfunction. The recall includes the 2013-2017 Nissan Altima, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Sentra, Rogue, NV200, NV Taxi, Infiniti JX35/QX60, and Q50. It also includes

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