Toyota facing $1 billion fine to end safety probe

,

Toyota could pay as much as $1 billion in a pending settlement with the Justice Department that wound end a four-year probe into accusations the carmaker made misleading statements about its safety problems. The issues relate to allegations of unintended acceleration in Toyota and its upscale brand Lexus in the late 2000s. In 2009, an off-duty California Highway Patrolman and his family were killed when their borrowed Lexus careened off the highway at around 120 mph. The recording of a passenger’s last minute 911 call captured the driver’s frantic efforts to stop the vehicle. If the settlement is finalized, it

Read more

PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Genesis: More tech, more room

The newly designed 2015 Hyundai Genesis is the first year of the second generation of the premium sedan. It will debut this spring with optional all-wheel drive for the first time as well as encompass available HID headlamps, LED indicators and fog lamps. The Genesis profile is more expressive, with fluid lines and blended surfaces, with a C-pillar helping to emphasize the sporty styling. The rear of the all-new Genesis benefits from a sculptural aesthetic with jeweled, full-LED tail lamps. Total interior volume is an 123.0 cubic feet, the best in class. Hyundai interior design principles – safety, intuitiveness and

Read more

2014 Hyundai Equus: More luxury, less cost

Some people wonder if they’re paying too much for a luxury car. The Hyundai Equus provides solace. The South Korean carmaker lacks the prestigious name of rivals such as BMW and Mercedes, but there’s not much in a name these days besides snob appeal when it comes to foreign luxury sedans. The smart money thus might be tempted to bypass competitors of Hyundai’s flagship Equus sedan and save approximately $20,000 by buying the Equus and putting the money in blue-chip investments. The 2013 Equus was fine in most respects, but has been upgraded for 2014, although the rear-drive car still

Read more

God is good, but it’s no name for the Elio three-wheeler

Elio Motors is named after Paul Elio, an engineer who’s now the CEO of the company that makes the three-wheel vehicle. He has extraordinary plans for the high-mileage, low-cost machine as well as expectations for a superior safety rating. The $6,800 vehicle is scheduled for public availability in 2015. One potential issue (but a good issue to have) is what it will be called. Perhaps Elio and company insiders already know the name. And maybe some of the 11,700 interested buyers of the “autocycle” who have made deposits ranging from $100 to $1,000 to own the three three-wheel wonder, know

Read more

Three-wheel vehicles like Elio: Who makes the rules?

With all the recent news of the pending debut of Elio Motors’ three-wheeler, the rules and other considerations governing three-wheel vehicles of all types has also been rekindled. Are three-wheelers legal? How are they registered and titled? What kind of license is required to operate a three-wheeler? Who makes the rules? Do they have airbags? Can they be operated on the freeway? Last November, the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators (AAMVA), a national authority on best policy for all state DMVs and Licensing Bureaus, recommended the Elio be driven with a standard driver’s license. In that regard, The AAMVA

Read more

History of Ambulance Vehicles

,

The ambulance is among the most recognizable and unique vehicles on the road. The history of the ambulance is long and developmental, dating to 15th century when in Spain wagons were used for the transporting the wounded. The modern word ambulance derives the French word ambulant. It means “ambulant field hospital” and its first known use was in 1809. Since then, ambulance vehicles have undergone a vast transformation. Ambulances in the Civil War Prior to the 20th century, most emergency transportation was done with horse-drawn carts or wagons. During the American Civil War, these wagons were used to transport wounded

Read more

BMW drives itself better than some drivers drive BMW

BMW doesn’t have the first autonomous car prototype, but its modified 2014 M235i Coupe sure looks impressive. Several manufacturers have predicted the public will be driving driverless cars by 2020, and a few states have legalized the vehicles under certain conditions. In the meantime, BMW (and others) are showcasing their autonomous cars on tracks and doing so impressively. They corner well and pilot through cones at high speed. The BMW new ActiveAssist feature can bring a vehicle “back into line in demanding driving situations without any input from the driver”, using 360-degree radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. The German manufacturer

Read more

Elio Motors: To reserve or not? Nearly 12,000 say yes

Interest in the yet-unnamed Elio Motors’ $6,800 three-wheel vehicle, scheduled for delivery in 2015, continues to steadily increase. According the the company’s website, nearly 12,000 prospective buyers have paid deposits from $100 to $1,000 and with refundable and non-refundable options. A non-refundable reservation provides customers with an additional discount worth 50 percent of the initial deposit (a $1,000 deposit would receive an additional $500 toward the price of a vehicle at the time of purchase). Although refundable deposits can be made, more than 80 percent of customers have opted for the non-refundable reservation Overall, the reservation options are varied and

Read more

Best tips, strategies for buying a used instead of a new car

Car buyers considering a used instead of a new vehicle can save a lot of money. But buying a pre-owned car not only means a cheaper purchase price, the affiliated expenses — insurance to smaller depreciation — often equate to long-term savings. But while saving money is good, purchasers of used cars can also get peace of mind if they purchase a certified used vehicle that’s been properly inspected and also has a manufacturer’s warranty. There are fees involved, but the car’s mechanical condition is guaranteed. New cars have various warranty terms, but if the vehicle had a bumper-to-bumper warranty

Read more

Benefits of buying a new car, not a used vehicle

Purchasing a vehicle is a major expense, and often the primary consideration is whether to purchase new car or  used car. Buying a new vehicle is more expensive, of course. But there are many reasons the increased price can more beneficial than opting to buy an older model.Perhaps the two biggest benefits of purchasing a new vehicle instead of a used vehicle are the warranty and a greater selection of available cars. Considering the latter first: You still may not get the exact car of your dreams, but when buying new, more often than not the purchaser has vast choices

Read more

Massive GM recall oddity: 1.4 million cars still unfixed

The 10-year delay in the massive General Motors ignition switch recall is being investigated by Congress and the Justice Department. But the story has a second oddity. None of the cars among the five brands recalled have been repaired. The cars involved include: Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Saturn Sky and Ion and Pontiac G5 and Solstice. General Motors said it sent letters to the owners of cars from model years 2005 through 2007 involved in the problem. But owners haven’t been asked to schedule repairs because there aren’t enough parts available to fix all of the 1.4 million vehicles affected.

Read more

2014 Volkswagen Passat: Near luxury, value priced

It doesn’t seem like the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the family sedan’s 41st year in production. Maybe it’s because it’s also been known around the globe by a half-dozen other names — Dasher, Quantum, Santana, Corsar, Magotan and Carat. The sixth and current generation debuted in 2011 and was named the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year. The Passat has a unique position the auto industry. Despite its Tennessee assemblage, it’s the only European-engineered family sedan in the segment. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Offered in four models 2.5L, 1.8T, TDI and V6 models, the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is

Read more

Fact or Fiction? 3-wheel, $6,800 Elio praised, panned

Reservations for the Elio Motors‘ three-wheel, $6,800 vehicle have surpassed 11,000, according to its website, with varying levels from $100 to $1,000 as the manufacturer  continues to market the futuristic concept around the country. Paul Elio, the company owner and CEO said in recent press release the increasing interest means the public is “clamoring for the new type of transportation.” Touting the unnamed vehicle’s estimated 84 mph in highway driving and hopeful 5-star crash test safety, Elio said: “The vehicle is perfect for individual commuters looking for an inexpensive and fuel efficient mode of transportation, but who also yearn for

Read more

General Motors raises 2014 Corvette Stingray price

,

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the car often known as America’s sportswear, just got more expensive. General Motors has announced the base price of the sports car just went up by $2,000, from $51,000 to $53,000. The manufacturer has also increased the price for the Stingray convertible by $2,000. It now costs $58,000. In addition, the price of the Z51 performance option package went up by $1,200. It now costs $4,000. The Z51 package adds larger wheels, performance tires and special aerodynamic features, among other things. “The consumer demand for Stingray has far exceeded our expectations, particularly for the Z51 package,”

Read more

Will the $6,800, 84 mpg Elio change the auto industry?

Paul Elio, founder of Elio Motors, has stressed his soon-to-be manufactured three-wheel Elio priced at $6,800, will change how consumers think about their daily commutes. Speaking at the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition Legislative Breakfast in Phoenix where he lives, Elio said his company will create more than 1,500 American jobs and help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. “Our high-mileage, low-cost vehicle is causing people to rethink how we approach transportation in the United States,” Elio said. “Many consumers buy vehicles based on the premise that they need to haul their entire family around. “But, on

Read more

Scion FR-S, Ford Fiesta Coolest Cars For Under $25,000

The Scion FR-S has for the second straight year top the list of 10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000, according to editors of Kelley Blue Book. “Many of us aren’t in the position to run out and purchase a Porsche or Lamborghini, which is why we’ve crafted a list of affordable but fun cars, like two-time winner Scion FR-S,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Truly a driver’s car, the FR-S features a stylish looking exterior and modern updates on the interior.” As in previous years, for 2014 KBB.com editors

Read more