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Best all-time gas mileage equivalent among electric cars

With gas, hybrid, electric and now natural gas vehicles all vying for better gas mileages averages and the marketing of fuel efficiency among manufacturers at its peak, it's hard to keep track of what carmakers top the list. Pure electric cars, of course, top the list. But what might come as a surprise, it's not all current models that make the all-time list of best gas mileage average among electric cars — at least dating to 1984. Here are the top-10 Electric cars gas mileage average (electric equivalent), 1984-2012, with vehicle model, configuration and mpg combined/city/highway: 1. Mitsubishi i-MiEV (2012), 112/126/99 2. Nissan Leaf (2011–12), 99/106/92 3. MINI Mini E (2008), 98/102/94 4. smart fortwo electric drive cabriolet, coupe, (2011),

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One Chevy Volt burns, another smokes, NHTSA starts probe

Following problems while under close monitoring by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Government has started a safety defect investigation of the lithium-ion batteries in General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Volt. The probe began after one Chevy Volt battery pack caught fire after a crash test. Another crash-tested battery emitted smoke and sparks, according to the NHTSA report. General Motors responded in a statement that the Volt “is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash.” The latest fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six months ago. NHTSA learned of a possible fire risk involving damaged Volt batteries when a fire erupted

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Bikini-clad models pose for 10th motor sports calendar

The 2012 UmbrellaGirls USA calendar, the 10th anniversary edition of the yearly tradition that showcases beautiful models around the United States from cycling and motor sports events, has been published. The 13-month, glossy calendar features more than two dozen photos of bikini-clad models from UmbrellaGirls USA, a ntional boutique modeling agency with more than 250 models from throughout the country who also appear at conventions and trade shows.

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Subaru Impreza, 2012: spacious, all-wheel drive, good value

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is getting a lot attention especilly among shoppers seeking value and all-wheel drive. The newly designed model, in fact, is the lowest priced all-wheel drive car in the United States. The new Subaru has a spacious interior, and an MSRP price range from $17,495 – $22,595. Here are a few examples of what's being said about the 2012 Subaru Impreza: "The base Impreza 2.0i with a five-speed goes for $18,245, making it one of the nicest all-wheel-drive cars for under 20 grand, as well as one of the only all-wheel-drive cars for under 20 grand." —- Automobile Magazine. "The Impreza delivers a well-rounded package that's roomy, pleasant to drive, and very practical. For shoppers adventuresome enough

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Ford liable in 2004 California crash, must pay $50 million

Ford Motor Company is liable for an April 2004 van accident and is required to pay the family of a man killed, and a surivor in the mishap, $50 million, according to a report on sacbee.com, the website of the Sacramento Bee newspaper. The ruling, via a Sacramento Superior Court jury, detailed Ford must pay the punitive damages to the family of Tony Mauro, 41, who was killed in the crash, which occurred on Interstate 5, and to Marlene Shirley, who suffered abdominal injuries in the accident. The full article will appear in the Bee's print and online editions on Nov. 11. The abbreviated post on www.sacbee.com, details Plaintiffs lawyer Roger Dreyer argued Ford was liable because it had information

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Subaru tops best 2012 all-wheel drive cars

Inclement weather isn't often good for cars or vehicle occupants. Which is one main reason all-wheel drive cars – Hyundai to Subaru, Ford to Mazda — are increasingly popular. As the winter season approaches, Kiplinger.com has compiled a list of 10-top recommended all-wheel drive cars that offer "a shoveful of value" as well as vehicles that rank well in resale value, fuel economy and safety. Subaru, the only manufacturer whose entire lineup has all-wheel drive, has two cars on the all-wheel drive list including the top choice, the 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium hatchback. Here's what Kiplinger's wrote in part about the Imprezza: "The Impreza is one of the least expensive all-wheel-drive vehicles on the market. Redesigned for 2012 to

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Toyota, Lexus recall 400,000 cars with crankshaft woes

Toyota is recalling more than 400,000 Lexus and Toyota models from 2004-2006 because of a potentially faulty crankshaft pulley that could result in steering problems in V6 engines. The voluntary recall includes models: Toyota Avalon (2004), Toyota Camry (2004, 2005) Toyota Highlander (2004, 2005), Toyota Sienna (2004, 2005), Toyota Solara (2004, 2005), Toyota Highlander HV (2006), Lexus ES330 (2004, 2005), Lexus RX330 (2004, 2005) and Lexus RX400h (2006). If the crankshaft pulley is faulty, the outer ring of the pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the discharge warning light. If the condition is not corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley and the driver may notice

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World debuts for Mazda, Ford, Honda at LA Auto Show

World debuts of 20 cars from Chevrolet to Honda and more than 30 North American auto unveilings will comprise a chunky dose of the anticipated start November 16 of the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the 1,000 new vehicles on display at the Los Angeles Convention Center, several manufacturers have upgraded exhibit spaces and added enhanced features with more interactive content and experiences. There will also be more than a half-dozen test drives that put consumers in the seats and on the streets in some new vehicles on select days. Notable this year will be a significant increase in fuel efficiency across the board in all categories. Nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40-mpg-plus vehicles, using internal combustion engines-such as the

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Honda Civic, 2012: It’s a natural gas and it’s nationwide

The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas (formerly the Civic GX), the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger vehicle manufactured and sold in the U.S., debuted Oct. 18, marking the first time in the vehicle’s 14-year history it’s been available at dealerships throughout the country. Until its current model, the Honda Civic natural gas model was available only in California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma. To support growing consumer interest in alternative-fuel vehicles, American Honda expanded its U.S. distribution to 200 dealers in 35 states. As an alternative-fuel vehicle with extremely low smog-forming emissions, the Civic Natural Gas currently qualifies for a state-issued decal allowing single-occupant access to High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) “carpool” lanes in California and several other states. The Civic Natural

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Andy Rooney takes on gadgets, green cars and Ford technology in new rant

Andy Rooney, age 92, and part of 60 Minutes on CBS since 1978, offered his latest rant on the second week of the new season of the longstanding program on Oct. 3. The essay was about his dislike of gadgets, particularly in the automobile industry and including Ford's latest smartphone application. Here's the transcript and video of the segment: "I have a lot of gadgets here in my office. I don't really like gadgets. I don't even like the word 'gadget.' " "I read though where automakers have plans to install even more electronic gadgets in their cars soon. Do we really need more of them? I knew I'm out of the loop when I read recently that the Ford

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Andy Rooney: Bumper-to-bumper rant on car repairs

With this rant by Andy Rooney on car bumpers, the logical assumption is that the CBS commentator, who retired Oct. 2 from with his regular end-of-the-show segment on 60 Minutes, must have had some fender benders along the way that were his fault. Rooney doesn't make mention of any accidents in his two-minute routine. But he rails against car manufacturers as clips of all kinds of vehicles backing in the same post are featured with his monologue. Rooney explains how bumpers, once extensions of cars, are now built as a part of cars. He says the only way to have fewer one-sided bumper accidents is to have cars in which all bumpers are the same height. It all makes for

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Toyota Camry SE, 2012: New look, more car (video review)

During a recent Toyota media launch at the Sonoma Mission Inn in Northern California, videographer Bruce Aldrich and I drove, among a caravan of other journalists, to Infineon Raceway for a full day of comparison driving — 2011 Toyota Camry models versus 2012 Toyota Camry models. With the 2012 models of the best-selling Camry, Toyota has resigned the sedan throughout the four-trim line-up. The improvements are immediately noticeable. Despite its popularity, Toyota has obviously prepared as other top-selling sedans, particularly the Hyundai Sonota, are making serious efforts to grab larger shares of the mid-size sedan marketplace. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since

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Chevrolet at 100: iconic cars, Dinah Shore and American Pie

From its iconic models — Corvette to Impala, Bel Air to Camaro — and its inclusion in pop songs sung by Dinah Shore, Don McLean and Bob Seger, Chevrolet has been in public consciousness for exactly a century. Which means, of course, the automaker, co-founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant on Nov. 3, 2011, is celebrating its 100th birthday today (Nov. 3, 2011). Nearly everyone or someone in nearly everyone's family in the United States has a story to tell about a Chevrolet — a first date to family vacations. Beyond memories of driving experiences, the brand and its importance in popular culture has been absorbed into society with at least three massively popular songs. In 1956 The

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Hyundai sets record yearly sales mark in 10 months

Hyundai, capitalizing on the increasing popularity of its Sonata, Elantra and new Veloster models, has eclipsed its previous yearly sales record after the first 10 months of 2011. Hyundai sold 538,228 vehicles in the United States in 2010, but through October this year has sold 545,316 vehicles — an increase of 27 percent from October, 2010. Year to date, Hyundai sales are up 21 percent versus the 2010 in total, and up 31 percent at retail. Sales to fleet accounts represent 11 percent of the total sales year-to-date and eight percent for the month of October. Thirty-seven percent of Hyundai vehicles sold in October achieved 40 MPG fuel economy ratings. Santa Fe and Tucson, Hyundai’s crossover line-up, registered sales increases

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Hyundai Genesis, 2012: The most feared car in the world?

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis is one of the most feared cars in the auto industry. For a base price of $34,000 you get all of the luxury that once was the sole domain of car companies like Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. You also get a 333 HP engine that pulls like a steam locomotive. You also get all of the features usually associated with luxury cars including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled driver's seat, as well as heated passenger and rear seats. You also get soft leather over almost every surface with traditional French stitching. Roman Mica, contributing editor to TheWeeklyDriver.com and publisher of the The Fast Lane Car, www.tflcar.com, shares his opinion about the impressive 2012

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Another Saab story: Chinese buy ailing Swedish carmaker

Chinese distributor Pang Da Automobile Trade and auto manufacturer Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile have purchased Saab, the struggling 62-year-old Swedish automaker who proudly once marketed itself as "Built From Jets," for $142 million. If the transaction is completed by Nov. 15, it will designate the second time Saab has been purchased in the past two years. General Motors sold Saab to Swedish Automotive in early 2010 as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. Swedish Automotive is a Dutch company then known as Spyker, a high-end brand of hand-made sports cars. But Saab continued to struggle under the new ownership. China has become the largest market in the world for auto sales. Ford Motor sold its Swedish Volvo unit to Chinese automaker

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