News Service

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Hurricane Sandy damage: 200,000 cars destroyed by fire, water

The devastation of Hurricane Sandy not only affected the business of numerous auto dealerships but it’s estimated about 200,000 vehicles will have to be replaced, including  15,000 new Nissan and Infiniti models and 338 Fisker Karma models. The loss of the Fisker Karma units, including 16 in a fire, while small in numbers represented nearly $35 million, since the base of the specialty car is $103,000. According to a Fisker Karma spokesperson: “Fisker engineers determined that the damage to the Karmas was the result of the cars being submerged under five to eight feet of seawater for several hours that left corrosive salt in a low‑voltage Vehicle Control Unit in one Karma.  The Vehicle Control Unit is a standard component

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2014 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series: Lightweight, powerful, no price — yet

The 2014 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series, the fifth edition of the race car-inspired lightweight speedster with a top speed of 196 mph, will go on sale in the summer of 2013. Engineered in line with the AMG Lightweight Performance strategy, the Black Series weighs 3,417 pounds, achieves a power/weight ratio of 5.49 lb/hp and negotiates the 0-60 mph standard acceleration test in 3.5 seconds via its seven-speed sports transmission.“The new SLS AMG Black Series is a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to road,” said Ola Kallenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car on both a

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Hyundai, Kia owners seek nearly $800 million in EPA gas mileage ratings fiasco

Twenty-three owners of Hyundai and Kia models are seeking $775 million in damages in a yet-to-be official class-action suit against the manufacturers who admitted less than one week ago 13 models of their cars failed to meet their advertised fuel-economy ratings as announced by the Environmental Protection Agency. But the monstrous lawsuit is only one three claim against Kia and Hyundai for inaccurate fuel-efficiency claims, according to Reuters, the international news service. Another suit has been field in Ohio earlier this week on behalf of three plaintiffs seeking a combined $5 million. One plaintiff is the owner of a 2012 Kia Rio. The remaining plaintiffs are  Canadian couple who now own a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. And last July, the Consumer

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Chrysler felled by faulty airbags, recalls nearly 920,000 Grand Cherokee, Liberty models

Chrysler is globally recalling three model years and more than 900,000 vehicles from its popular sport utility vehicle lineup, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, for faulty airbags. According to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Chrysler, 919,545 total vehicles are affected from 2002 to 2004 and will require fixing a faulty module that could cause the airbags to inadvertently deploy. If the module fails, front airbags or side curtain airbags could deploy inadvertently while the SUVs are being operated, Of the vehicles recalled, 744,822 are in the United States; 49,430 in Canada; 21,828 in Mexico; and 103,465 outside North America, according to Chrysler. The recall total  approximately involves about 50 percent Grand

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Consumer Reports tabs hatchbacks as most reliable car segment

In addition to its yearly offering of best values in different price classes and fuel efficiency, Consumer Reports’ recent lists of best and worst cars included the category of most reliable vehicle by segments. The list makes sense for car buyers not shopping by social status or brand loyalty but in more general terms — the reliability of vehicle segments. It’s not true in every instance, but in many cases the vehicles among the country’s most fuel efficient segment is the same segment that’s the most reliable — hatchbacks. And how ironic? Consumer Reports in general terms reports the more expensive the vehicle segment, the less reliable the segment. In the new Consumer Reports listing, fuel efficient hatchbacks were overwhelmingly

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TheWeeklyDriver.com joins Carmel's KRML golf show with weekly car review

KRML (1410 AM, 102.1 FM), the recently revived legendary radio station that debuted 55 years ago and was featured in the 1971 movie Play Misty For Me, will regularly feature a new review from TheWeeklyDriver.com. The reviews will be included in the “Fore in the Morning” golf talk show hosted by Ed Vyeda, a golf industry expert and former golf writer and sports columnist. The program will be broadcast 9-10 a.m. Sundays and will focus on the Monterey Peninsula’s golf scene, and will feature interviews and discussions of related topics. TheWeeklyDriver.com segment, offered by James Raia, the site’s editor and publisher, will feature a review of a new vehicle in either of the categories designated by the golf adages “drive

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President Barack Obama's limousine: A modified 2009 Cadillac called The Beast

One of the most anticipated moments of Election Day was President Barack Obama’s arrival for his acceptance speech. One television commentator said it might be shortest processional in history since the president’s motorcade traveled only a few blocks in downtown Chicago to the McCormick Center. The short travel distance nonetheless includes plenty of security vehicles, including the current presidential limousine — a 2009 Cadillac. It’s often called The Beast. According to the manufacturer, Chevrolet, the 2009 Cadillac presidential limousine is the first not to carry a specific model name. The vehicle’s exterior many current Cadillac styling themes, but does not resemble any particular production vehicle. The body is modification of the immediately previous DTS-badged Presidential limousines, but the vehicle’s chassis

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2014 Subaru Forester: Bigger, roomier, better mpg for enduring crossover

The 2014 Subaru Forester, the fourth generation of the all-wheel driver crossover that debuted in 1997, will be slightly longer, taller and wider than its predecessor and will make its North American debut at the LA Auto Show in late November. While featuring slightly bigger dimensions, the 2014 Subaru Forester will be closely related to its older siblings and will offer, according to the manufacturer: “An exceptionally roomy interior, featuring increased rear seat legroom, and an enlarged cargo area.” New features will also include for the North American market: an infotainment system with smartphone integration, navigation, rear view camera, and harman/kardon premium audio amplifier and speakers. In Japan, the new Forester’s powertrain options include a 146 horsepower, 2.0-liter flat four

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Honda Accord’s dubious honor: most stolen car in the United States

Nearly one million vehicles are stolen every year in the United States, which breaks down to one about every 33 seconds. But those two statistics, while staggering, only tell part of the story of car theft, particularly among the most popular stolen cars brands — Honda and Dodge. One reason for the massive problem of stolen vehicles is that owners make it easy for those in the car theft occupation. Consider: * 50 percent of all vehicles stolen are unlocked. * 25 percent of all vehicles stolen have a purse of wallet in plain sight. * 15 percent of all cars stolen have the key in the ignition. Also: * 33 percent of all vehicles stolen are in California and

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American Suzuki joins legion of former carmakers, files for bankruptcy

Citing poor sales, vast competition and bad exchange rates, the California-based American Suzuki Motor Corp. will end its U.S. auto business and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. While continuing its motorcycle and marine engine business units, Suzuki, which began its U.S.-based business in 1985, will making models such the Samurai, Sidekick SX-4, XL-7, Vitara, Grand Vitara and its most expensive model, the Kizashi. Suzuki Japanese parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp., is not filing for bankruptcy, the company said, while adding the American company, which has about 245 U.S. dealers, will honor customer warranties; “While the decision to discontinue new automobile sales in the U.S. was difficult to make, today’s actions were inevitable under these circumstances,” the company said in

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Volkswagen Passat TDI shines when catastrophe, fuel shortage collide

Gas shortages mean different thing to different people in the automotive industry.  In the instance of Hurricane Sandy, great gas mileage didn’t matter much since there was a limited supply of fuel available. A full tank of gas in a car or trunk with a big tank and decent mileage, of course, meant a lot more. Correspondingly, hybrid and electric vehicles are keen when gas is in short supply. But what if electricity isn’t available? That was another predicament during Hurricane Sandy and in the following week’s aftermath. More relevant in times of need, therefore, how far the gas you have will take you. In other words, the range of a tank full of gas takes priority. The Smart ForTwo

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2013 Tesla Model S claims Car of the Year honors

The Tesla Model S sport sedan, overcoming the financial troubles of its owner, long delays, pricing increases and bad press, has been named as the 2013 Automobile of the Year by Automobile magazine. “It’s the performance that won us over,” said the magazine’s editor-in-chief Jean Jennings when announcing the award. “The crazy speed builds silently and then pulls back the edges of your face. It had all of us endangering our licenses.”The magazine’s road-test editor Christopher Nelson was equally impressed. “Driving the Model S is decidedly not like piloting a Nissan Leaf or an electric Smart,” he said. One of Automobile’s contributors, Ezra Dyer arranged a race with a 560-horsepower, $89,900 BMW M5 sports sedan, seeing which vehicle could first

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Hurricane Sandy aftermath: beware of water-damaged cars for sale

Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy take wide-ranging tolls on industry — the demolishing of small corner grocery stores to halting of the stock market. And the cancellation of international sporting events like the New York City Marathon to fraud in the auto industry. According to a report on the New York Times website, the damage from Hurricane Sandy not only destroyed many vehicles and affected the daily operation of car dealerships and auxiliary automotive businesses, it prompted a need for consumer awareness. Consumer advocates are warming car buyers they need to beware of vehicles that have suffered from water damage. It’s not uncommon for sellers to dry out their cars and then try to sell them without divulge the vehicles’ histories.

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Hyundai, Kia busted by EPA for faulty mpg averages in 900,000 cars

Hyundai and Kia have inflated gas mileage averages in many vehicles in their respective lineups as much as six miles per gallon, according to an investigation conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The two Korean automakers will be forced to lower their mileage estimates for many models dating to 2010 models and and face millions in federal fines and the probably of collective anger among car owners. The most erroneous mpg average in the investigation in with Kia Soul. It’s advertised with an average 35 mpg in highway driving. In the EPA audit, the Soul averaged 29 mpg in highway driving. The Soul is currently one of Kia’s best-selling cars with an 18.1 percent sales increase this year. The

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Bugatti Veyron Super Sport takes Jay Leno for a ride

Jay Leno has favorite cars for favorite occasions, but nothing in the comedian’s famous garage full of cars got as much attention than the recent arrival of two new Bugatti Veyrons. The combined price of the two models is more than $5 million. Leno begins his discussion of the two cars, saying: “Like a lot of people, we’re huge Bugatti enthusiasts.” But looking a two Veyrons is one thing and driving a new Veyron Super Sport is another thing. After discussing the merits — carbon construction to massive horsepower — with John Hill, Bugatti’s North and South American marketing director, Leno takes the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport on a test drive. It’s all in the video below. While statistics can

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Staticap debuts custom alloy wheel center cap

StatiCap has introduced a center cap for alloy wheels that enables drivers to display their vehicle logo or graphic of choice on the vehicle’s wheel center cap, upright and static, whether the vehicle is parked or racing down a highway. StatiCap operates on simple principles of physics and mechanics that keep the wheel center cap in a fixed position, regardless of the speed the wheels are rotating. This simplicity makes StatiCap far more effective than other technologies, such as non-rotating rims. Announced the SEMA Show 2012 in Las Vegas, StatiCap can be installed in seconds. Customers will receive a specially designed tool enclosed with the set of four StatiCaps. A vehicle’s current center cap can easily be removed and replaced

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