News Service

eBay expands auto channel, launches eBay Garage platform

eBay Motors has launched eBay Garage, an online community and personalization platform that allow auto enthusiasts to interact in several ways. In addition to showcasing their vehicles, enthusiasts can connect to share information of purchase new parts and accessories. The new eBay Garage platform significantly builds upon the functionality of My Vehicles, a feature of eBay Motors where enthusiasts have virtually parked more than two million vehicle profiles. Fresh features that car fanatics will notice in the new eBay Garage include:* eBay Garage Community Page: A single destination for enthusiasts to find a continuous stream of vehicle photos and profiles to explore;* Favorites: Users can favorite vehicles within the community that inspire them, helping them keep tabs on a project

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Buyer beware, prepared when seeking auto loans

Many buyers walk into auto dealerships with only a vague idea of how auto loans and financing work — and it’s dangerous. While the mortgage market has learned its lesson, many auto markets remain rife with predatory lending, scams, and unwise deals that can trap unwary consumers. Prepare to buy your next car by learning the law. Years ago, the federal government dedicated a handful of laws to protecting your information and preventing fraud during the auto loan process. The more you know about these laws, the more ready you will be. So start reading, take notes, and walk into the dealership knowing what you can do – and what lenders cannot. Truth in Lending Act The Truth in Lending

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Scion shines again, Ford plummets sharply again in Consumer Reports' survey

Toyota Motor Corp.’s Scion, Toyota and Lexus remain in the top three positions, while Ford continued its abrupt plunge for the second straight year in Consumer Reports’ survey of auto reliability. On the list of 28 brands, Scion remained first, followed by Toyota and Lexus; Ford fell to 27th position in 2012 after dropping from 10th to 20th in 2011. The top-seven brands on the list are Japanese. “Ford‘s bumpy road can be seen in the numbers,” Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports’ new director of automotive testing, said. “Sixty percent of Ford-branded models and half of Lincolns were below average in predicted reliability, and none placed above average.”In June, the Ford brand placed 27th in the annual Initial Quality Study by

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Mitt Romney auto industry television campaign ripped by New York Times

Andrew Rosenthal, who has covered presidential elections for 25 years and is the current editorial page editor of The New York Times, is not pleased how Gov. Mitt Romney is discussing the auto industry. Rosenthal writes the blog Taking Note for the newspaper and he’s upset with a new television advertisement he believes is inaccurate. He writes in part: “It’s odd for Mr. Romney to complain that Mr. Obama ‘took’ the automakers into bankruptcy, since he advocated a managed bankruptcy for those companies four years ago. It’s also odd for Mr. Romney to claim that he’ll fight for every American job, since he got rich, in part, by investing in companies that specialized in relocating jobs done by American workers

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Maserati issues recall for tire pressure system woes

Even revered luxury cars like Maserati sometimes have problems. The Italian manufacturer is recalling Quattroporte sedans and Granturismo, Granturismo convertible, and Granturismo MC sports cars because of faulty tire pressure monitoring systems. The recall includes 485 cars from the 2012 model year of the exclusive manufacturer whose vehicles have sticker prices starting at about $120,000.In a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Maserati said the possible malfunction is the result of a software error and could keep the system from warning the driver when a tire’s pressure is dangerously low. Maserati dealers will replace the TPMS tire pressure system control unit free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November, and owners may contact Maserati

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Amphibious car afloat again on land and sea after nearly 50-year hiatus

It’s been nearly 50 years since the amphibious car had its niche heyday. But the Quadski, a one-person all-terrain vehicle that doubles as a personal water craft, will debut in the United States in November with a price of about $40,000. New Zealand businessman Alan Gibbs, the 73-year-old founder of Gibbs Sports Amphibians, said he hopes the Quadski will be the entree toward full-size amphibious cars to the masses. Powered by a BMW motorcycle engine that turns the wheels and drives its waterjet propulsion, the Quadski is capable of 45 mph on land and water. It takes five seconds to convert from a water-to-land vehicle or vice versa.The Quadski goes on sale next month in Florida and by the end

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Chevrolet Corvette, 2014: Out with the old, in with the new in January 2013

The seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette will be introduced Jan. 13 in Detroit, a few days prior to the North America International Auto Show, and will feature little from previous editions of the iconic sports car that debuted in 1953. The new Corvette will have only two parts from the sixth-generation Corvette — a cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel. The current generation Corvette, or C6, was introduced as a 2005 model. As as tease to the 2014 Corvette, the automaker revealed the vehicle’s new crossed flags logo. The new logo was selected from more than 100 logo candidates. General Motors said production of the 2014 Corvette will begin in the third quarter of 2013.

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Crash Test Dummy mangled in NHTSA faulty air bag video

Counterfeit air bags are being sold to repair shops for discounted prices resulting in more than 20 manufacturers’ vehicles being at risk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report released by the NHTSA details vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop not part of a new car dealership may be at risk. The risk is severe enough the NHTSA has a video showing what happens to a crash test dummy when it’s involved the crash of vehicle equipped with a faulty air bag. The 30-second spot below doesn’t have audio and it doesn’t need it. The consumer safety agency become aware of the problem after the

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Fiat 500, 2013: Plenty of 'Pop' in entry level soft top

I drove the Fiat 500 hatchback when it debuted and was generally impressed. The hot rod Abarth version arrived later and was even more fun. But I didn’t get a 500C “Pop” Cabrio model with its quasi-convertible sliding power soft top until late summer. While small, the front-drive, two-door 500 is practical enough, although the rear seat area is hard to reach despite long doors. Moreover, the backseat is only suitable for children, pets or cargo that doesn’t fit in the trunk. Rear seatbacks can be flipped forward to increase cargo space, although they don’t sit perfectly flat when folded. The 500 is fun to drive, and the 500C Cabrio model with its long sliding soft top should make it

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Tata Nano, world's cheapest car, debuting in the United States in 2015?

The Tata Nano changed the automotive industry three years ago when the minimalist machine debuted in India as the world’s cheapest car with a price of about $2,500. Now, the manufacturer’s CEO believes the Nano could be sold in the United States within three years and would be the cheapest cars sold in the country. “The U.S. is a very enticing market,” said Ratan Tata, CEO of India’s Tata Group in an recent interview with Automotive News. “We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal.”The current Nano is a four-seater with a 32 horsepower and 624-cc, 2-cylinder engine mounted in the rear. To compete in the U.S., the Nano would have to be amended meet American standards including adding power

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Hyundai Elantra Coupe, 2013: Strong new contender in crowded segment

As North American Car of the Year in 2012, the Hyundai Elantra one year later remains largely the same vehicle. It’s value priced and while not outstanding in any single category, its very good status is so many categories vaults it to the top of the sedan segment. The Elantra Coupe joined its much older relative (the Elantra is now in its fifth generation) for 2013. It’s largely the same as the Elantra sedan with two exceptions. It has two doors and it has some minor exterior trim tweaks. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Elantra Coupe is comfortable, which can’t be said for many coupes that showcase performance and treat other areas as after thoughts. My two-door test Elantra

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Honda Pilot cited twice in top-10 cheapest 2012 trucks, SUVs to insure

The Honda Pilot is the least expensive 2012 model truck or sport utility vehicle to insure, according to a MotorTrend article based on information compiled by CoverHound, the car insurance rate monitoring website. The 2012 Honda Pilot (Touring) cost on average $108.33 per month. The reasons: The Pilot received “good” safety ratings across the board from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which also named it a Top Safety Pick. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it at least four stars out of five for all of its major metrics — front, side, rollover and overall ranking. Plus have you ever heard someone say, “Let’s go out and steal ourselves a Honda Pilot?”, MotorTrend editors write.

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If sex sells, 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe commercial works

The Netherlands, as does much of Europe, has a different outlook on sexuality and sensuality. In this instance, it’s a steaming, campy 45-second television commercial for Hyundai. TheWeeklyDriver.com can’t help it. We like it. But overt sensuality in a commercial called UpSkirt? We’ve got stunning models, long legs, a dripping ice cream cone, beads of sweat and a sultry voice moaning sultry lyrics. It doesn’t quite fit the car. But who cares? The commercial is fun. And if that helps Hyundai promote its cars, why not? And guess what? The commercial isn’t broadcast in the United States. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver

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Counterfeit airbags concern prompts NHTSA consumer alert

Vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop not part of a new car dealership may be at risk, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The consumer safety agency become aware of the problem after the sale of counterfeit air bags that look nearly identical to certified, original equipment parts—including bearing the insignia and branding of major automakers. Testing by the NHTSA showed consistent malfunctioning ranging from non-deployment of the air bag to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment. NHTSA is not aware of any deaths or injuries connected to counterfeit air bags. While the full scope and

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Toyota reveals massive recall involving 7.4 million cars, trucks dating to 2005

Toyota has added another massive component to its more than three years of quality control issues by recalling 7.4 million cars and trucks globally for potential fires involving faulty power-window switches and including 2.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The recall affects cars made between July 2005 and May 2010, including Camry and Corolla sedans and RAV4 sport-utility vehicles sold in Japan, North America, Europe, China, the Middle East and Oceania. Japan’s biggest automaker called the  latest recall its largest in history. Toyota globally recalled 7.7 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010 because of faulty floormats, but the automaker categorized that occurrence as a “safety campaign.”Toyota, which said it knows of no accidents or deaths stemming from the

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Honda offering $3,000 in free gas to 2012 Civic natural gas model buyers

Honda is offering its biggest incentive for its least marketed car. Buyers of the 2012 Civic Natural Gas prior to January 2, 2013 will receive a $3,000 fuel card. The prepaid card will be good only at compressed natural gas stations run by Clean Energy Fuels, a nationwide retailer of CNG fuel, and will only given to those who buy the car at participating Honda dealers. Honda has 199 dealers in 36 states accredited to sell and service the CNG-burning Civic Natural Gas model. The new promotion, which launched Oct. 9, is available at 19 dealers in California, Washington, Utah, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio. The base price of the Honda Civic CNG it is priced about $7,000 more than a

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