2012 Paris Auto Show: New Cars, New Concepts, Old Problems
The auto industry's been known to defy logic. At the 2012 Paris Auto Show, it seemed to defy gravity.
Europe's been embroiled in a currency crisis for more than a year. In the U.S., the economy's barely edged out of recession, and stiff new fuel-economy standards are starting to take effect. Around the world, energy prices and demand remain high, and safety regulations and pricing pressure are bigger challenges than ever.
So how to explain a dazzling new British sports car, and its companion luxury SUV? Or a $435,000 gullwing electric car? The 2012 installment of the biannual Paris show won't be remembered for a vast display of new products, but the sheer presence of so many ultra-luxury, cutting-edge vehicles suggests there's deep confidence in better economic times to come.
Or maybe just some blind faith.
The most important new cars and concepts to come from Paris this year include the following:
The new Jaguar two-seat sportscar makes its U.S. debut in May 2013, with a base price of just under $70,000. With an aluminum body structure, the F-Type weighs less than Jaguar's current four-seat convertible, the XK. Though it overlaps the XK in price, the F-Type's more a traditional roadster--an "indulgence," says chief designer Ian Callum. It's rear-wheel drive, with a choice between a 340-horsepower supercharged V-6, a 380-hp version of the same engine, and a 495-hp supercharged V-8 that's capable of 0-60 mph runs in 4.2 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph. For now, the F-Type is convertible-only, and eight-speed-automatic only--though officials hint strongly that a coupe model and a manual transmission are in the works.
The first new Range Rover since India's Tata Motors took control of the British luxury SUV maker will arrive in showrooms late this year, wearing a price tag of just under $84,000. The 2013 edition changes everything from the inside out: it's now not only clad in aluminum body panels, but the Range Rover's body structure itself is also made from bonded and riveted aluminum, like the Jaguar convertibles and XJ sedan. The move sheds 700 pounds from the SUV's curb weight, enabling an almost 5-inch stretch in wheelbase that provides much more rear-seat leg room, though overall length is only up an inch. If anything, the new Range Rover only grows more luxurious and more capable: 17 color choices, Meridian sound systems, a panoramic sunroof and surround-view cameras are just some of the available features. Power comes from either a 385-hp V-8 or a supercharged, 510-hp version, either one coupled to an eight-speed automatic, standard four-wheel drive with low range, and new Terrain Response that automatically detects traction conditions ahead.
Now that Mazda's divorced from Ford, it's developing its own cars with its own lightweight philosophy--dubbed SkyActiv--and its own new design language, called Kodo. The two meet handsomely in the new 6 sedan, coming for the 2014 model year to Mazda's U.S. dealers. It's expected to drop its V-6 engine, as many family sedans have done in the past two years, in favor of an all-four-cylinder lineup. In this case, the top 2.5-liter four could be rated at about 189 horsepower, through either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, for highway fuel economy of up to 35 miles per gallon. New safety features will include an available lane-departure warning system. In the past, the Mazda 6 has been assembled at a plant shared with Ford in Flat Rock, Michigan; it's now being produced near Mazda's home base in Hiroshima, Japan.
It's not due on American roads for another 16 months or so, but the next Volkswagen Golf has already had its world premiere in Paris. The good news? The new Golf is longer, lower, and wider than today's car, while weighing in some 200 pounds lighter. The design is more crisp and more detailed than today's three- and five-door hatchbacks (and performance GTI model), with thinner headlights and pillars and more lift in its roofline. Still, it doesn't stray too far from VW's successful formula--in styling, or in powertrains. The base engine for U.S. Golfs is expected to be a 1.8-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with about 158 horsepower and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. A 2.0-liter turbodiesel is sure to return, and the hot hatchback GTI is expected to bring with it VW's new 2.0-liter turbo four, making about 217 hp. More interior room and better fuel economy are promised, as is more safety gear, including blind-spot monitors and lane-departure warning systems; the Golf will also get a standard touchscreen audio system and dual USB ports for full music-player connectivity.
No concept car was more fervently awaited at the Paris auto show than the new McLaren supercar--and waiting was required, since the P1 debut was scheduled almost at the end of the press day. In the end, more was left to mystery than was revealed. The new P1 is being shown in advance of production next year, with the intent to make it the best driver's car in the world--which could mean the fastest 0-60 mph times yet recorded in a series-production car. The problem? McLaren had no details on a drivetrain for the car, though the speculation is that a version of its current twin-turbo, 3.8-liter engine from its MP4-12C will be pressed into service, for a net of more than 800 horsepower.
A thinly disguised look at the next Lexus IS, the LF-CC concept brought with it to the Paris show a new hybrid system with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a water-cooled electric motor. The cockpit's dedicated to big digital displays, while still wearing the latest horizontal styling themes that have warmed up the interiors of all the newest Lexus vehicles--from the LS to the GS and ES sedans. This concept coupe is expected to be approved for production, though it's unknown if Lexus will return with another hardtop coupe/convertible to replace today's disapponting IS 250C and IS 350C.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept
It's flouted its sportscar roots, first with a sport-utility vehicle, and then with a sedan. So why not a Porsche wagon? The Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is just that, at least for now, but the German luxury carmaker's keen on competing with other high-performance five-doors in its price and performance class, including the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake and the Jaguar XF wagon. Neither of those will be sold in the U.S.--but since the U.S. is the Panamera's biggest market, a five-door Porsche hatchback seems more likely now than ever.
BMW has confirmed it will build a small front-wheel-drive car, and on its stand at the Paris show was a first glimpse at that upcoming car--the Concept Active Tourer. In concept form, the styling exercise fits the size and power requirements for a compact car with more interior room than today's 1-Series BMW. It's 171 inches long, with better space for five passengers than the 1-Series, and it's powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine with direct injection, with power going to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The rear wheels are driven by an electric motor, making it a hybrid--a touch that's not likely to make it into production, but one that makes it a rear-drive car when run off its batteries for all of its 18 miles of pure EV range.
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive
Finally, though it won't qualify as anything remotely mass-market, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive will have the power to move a very select group of owners, starting in 2013. It's the pure electric version of the gullwing supercar, powered not by a big V-8 but instead by batteries and four electric motors for a total of 552 kilowatts of power and 737 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes pegs its 0-62 mph time in 3.9 seconds, and sets a top speed of 155 mph--roughly the kind of performance you'd find in other AMG models, if not quite up to the gas-powered SLS. Recharging takes 20 hours on a standard Level 2 charging station, or three hours on a quick-charge station. The base price would be the equivalent of a heart-fluttering $435,000, but it hasn't been confirmed yet for U.S. customers.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Stop Or Go: What Do You Do At Yellow Lights?
No matter how many years you’ve been driving, you’ve likely encountered situations where you need to make a decision about what to do at a yellow light. Depending on where and when you drive most regularly, you may experience this on a frequent basis. The question becomes: do you stop or go?
The answer depends, for the most part, on how far away you are from the traffic signal when it first turns yellow. But it’s not as simple as that. Some drivers have slower reaction time than others, particularly older drivers. The weather and road conditions also have a bearing – or should – on your actions.
To get a clearer picture of driver behavior when dealing with yellow lights, we spoke with Hesham Rakha, director for Sustainable Mobility at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). Not coincidentally, Rakha is deeply involved in research to come up with new ways of designing yellow light times to account for the differences in drivers, as reported in a recent story in Claims Journal.
“Every driver, depending on their characteristics, actually needs a different yellow time than another driver,” said Rakha. “What we found in the field was the drivers were typically more aggressive in their deceleration than what is used in the design. However, depending on the age of the driver, the gender, also the weather conditions, those strategies will change.”
Rakha said that the current procedures for determining yellow light time use a fixed perception-reaction time of one second and a deceleration level of 3 meters per second squared. But research by Rakha and his colleagues found is that drivers are different. “If you spend a longer time perceiving and reacting, in order to overcome that you typically press on your brakes harder in order to compensate for the time you lost in reacting to the change,” Rakha explained.
The dilemma zone
Based on field results, Rakha said that no matter how well yellow times are designed, there is the possibility that someone could be caught in the dilemma zone, also called the decision zone.
“When you’re very far away from the traffic light the decision is easy. It is also very easy when you’re close to the traffic light and it changes. When you’re close you know you should run, continue through the light at your current speed, because there is no way you could stop. And when you’re very far away, you know you could stop. There’s no decision involved.
“The dilemma zone comes when you do not have a correct decision to make,” Rakha said. “If you tried to stop and with the parameters the lights were designed with – a one second perception-reaction and 3 meters per second squared deceleration rate–you will not be able to stop before the light changes and, if you’re trying to run, you will not be able to run before it changes to red. You have no correct decision to make, unless you can pull yourself out of that dilemma zone, either by reacting quicker or being more aggressive on the brake pedal.”
An unfortunate consequence off suddenly slamming on the brakes is a possible rear end collision. If you’re traveling faster than the speed limit, or if you spend more time distracted and take longer to react, you can actually be caught in the dilemma zone.
Designing longer yellow times
Studies of driver reaction times and vehicle deceleration rates used in determining appropriate yellow and all-red change intervals were conducted more than 25 years ago (although some recent studies have occurred during the past couple of years). Additional studies are required to validate whether these reaction times and deceleration rates are still appropriate.
Rakha and his colleagues at VTTI came up with yellow times to account for various driver populations in extensive testing on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Virginia Smart Road. A certain amount in yellow time that will result in 95 percent of the drivers not being caught in the dilemma zone and only potentially 5 percent being caught in the dilemma zone. For a result of 99 percent not being caught in the dilemma zone, a longer yellow time is required.
“If you’re designing the yellow times in Florida, where the majority of the drivers are older, you have to come up with a different yellow time than if you’re designing yellow times for here in Blacksburg, Virginia where the population is younger, and the majority of the population is students,” said Rakha.
Possible solutions
Although none of the possible solutions Rakha mentioned are likely to occur anytime soon, there are several distinct ones that could provide drivers with advance warning, more time to react, and better decision-making options.
In-car warning systems – “Potentially you could have a warning in your vehicle that basically recognizes your age, gender, and can warn you before the yellow light comes on, to give you that extra time you need to take your action,” Rakha said.
In a paper sent to the Department of Transportation, Rakha proposed that automakers could possibly create such a system. But it would have to be more than just a forward-collision warning system. It would have to be in communication with the traffic signal controller, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V).
V2I and I2V
“The infrastructure would inform the vehicle that the light will be turning yellow in, say 10 seconds,” said Rakha. “When you’re approaching the traffic light, you’re going to get some kind of communication, and then the vehicle can react. It could be some kind of in-car driver display, providing a countdown to yellow to alert the driver to start slowing down, or giving the driver the actual decision by automatically applying the brakes. Of course, sensors would be required to measure wet and dry conditions.”
According to Rakha, his group’s proposed approach could be integrated within the Connected Vehicle Research program, which can gather information on the driver, the subject vehicle, and surrounding traffic conditions to execute safe and customizable change interval in-vehicle warnings.
Flashing yellow - Drivers approaching a high-speed intersection need a much longer yellow. A flashing yellow informs the driver earlier that it’s going to be yellow so that he can make the decision. “If I’m upstream of this, I should stop. If I’ve passed that flashing yellow, then I should run,” said Rakha.
This is something Rakha’s group suggested in their report to the DOT. Germany, for example, has a flashing yellow on the traffic lights a couple of seconds before the yellow comes on.
Yellow line on roadway
“We also proposed to the DOT to draw a yellow line on the roadway,” Rakha said. “If the traffic signal turns yellow when you’re upstream of that line, you should stop. If you’re downstream of that line, you should continue at present speed through the intersection. You should be able to proceed without running a red light.”
But there are other potential benefits, such as minimizing emissions and vehicle fuel consumption. “Why should we incur an extra stop which consumes more fuel and emits more emissions?” Rakha asked. “If you stop when you weren’t supposed to stop, you’ll stop very aggressively, which could cause an accident, a rear-end crash for someone behind you. The fact that you’re stopping does not mean that you’re a better driver. It could mean that you’re more dangerous.”
When will any of this take place? Rakha said that the DOT requires a rigorous process before changing their procedures for designing yellow interval durations. This is typically mandated federally from the Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE) or AASHTO.
Rakha added that he plans to approach the DOT to see if his group can gather additional data to design specific yellow timings and test them in the field for real drivers.
Our take
With development occurring now on V-to-I and I-to-V communication systems, perhaps the horizon for longer yellow times isn’t all that far off. On the other hand, when and if self-driving cars become a reality, the need may be moot – at least on certain roadways.
In the meantime, we can perhaps draw our own conclusions from Rakha’s research about driver reaction times, approach speed and distance from a signalized intersection, in making a personal decision whether to stop or go. While Rakha emphasized he cannot recommend stop or go, what he can do is recommend to traffic engineers ways that they can come up with a better plan for yellow times.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
The Most Important New Cars For 2013
2012 is a leap year, and it's fitting that, for many of the new 2013 models emerging this summer and fall, there's a lot more than facelifts and refreshed feature lists. Most notably, a lot of the trends that we’ve seen over the past several years in luxury models—engine downsizing, fuel-efficient technologies, and in-car connectivity—are making the leap into some of the market’s top sellers.
The Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, and Ford Escape—all some of the top-selling U.S. models—are each completely redesigned this year.
There's also a rebirth of sorts coming from Detroit. This is the year when we're seeing even more of the fruits of some mammoth investment at Ford Motor Co. [NYSE: F], in the form of radically new Fusion mid-size sedan and Escape compact crossover models that load up on the style, trends, and tech of high-end luxury cars yet stay relatively affordable; and at the same time we're seeing the first Chrysler product conceived under Fiat ownership—the Dodge Dart—hitting dealerships and looking to take back some of the small-car market.
Meanwhile, the rebirth extends to other kinds of models as well. Cadillac looks poised to be taken very seriously next to the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G37 with its all-new ATS sport sedan. And while the Ram 1500 full-size pickup doesn't look all that different, the new powertrain technologies on board boost fuel economy by about 20 percent—helping to keep full-size trucks relevant as we head toward higher gas-mileage targets and, perhaps, higher gas prices.
Taking a step back to look at the market as a whole, here are ten vehicles that are especially important—for the market, for innovation, and for looking to the future—here for the 2013 model year:
Ford C-Max. For years, the shape of the Toyota Prius has become iconic, and almost instantly equated with ‘hybrid’ and ‘environmentally conscious’ even to people who know nothing about cars. Now Ford is catching on; it’s only offering this tall hatchback as a high-mileage hybrid—with a 47-mpg rating that beats the Prius V—and from an early drive we can say that the C-Max is more eager and enjoyable from the driver’s seat. Ford doesn’t have high expectations for C-Max sales, but we think that they're quietly eying a big piece of the Prius' pie—and that's only the start.
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Ford Escape. Jumping all at once from the tall, boxy faux-SUV look of the 2012 Ford Escape to the radically different, rakish 2013 Escape is a shock. And with new turbocharged engines across most of the lineup, matched with advanced tech features, the new Escape is so different we’re a little surprised this new model didn’t warrant a name change. While there’s no doubt the new Escape will draw in aesthetes who need practicality, as well as a new crowd to Ford dealerships, some questions remain. Even in its last throes, the previous Escape was a best-seller. Will the new Escape maintain that?
(more...)
U.S. Car Crash Death Rate Declines Below Suicide Rate
As we've reported before, the number of traffic fatalities on U.S. roads is falling, and in 2010, the fatality rate hit a record low.
In fact, Americans are now more likely to die by suicide than in a car crash. For while both causes of death have been on the decline, one is far outpacing the other.
Numerous factors have contributed to America's steadily falling auto fatality rate. Perhaps most important are the safety features we've seen added to cars: from seatbelts to airbags to seatbelts with airbags, modern vehicles boast an array of devices keep drivers and passengers safe in the event of a collision. (Provided, of course, that people wear their seatbelts, which they're not always doing.)
Beyond that, today's cars have an arsenal of high-tech sensors to lessen the chance that we'll be in an accident in the first place: adaptive cruise control, lane-departure assist, collision-avoidance braking systems, and so on. Other onboard devices like OnStar allow us to contact emergency personnel right away when we're hurt on the road.
And even though distracted driving has become more of a problem nowadays, drunk driving has declined. That's partly due to public education campaigns, but theorists also suggest that more rigid enforcement of drunk-driving laws has helped.
In 2009, there were 33,808 traffic-related deaths in the U.S. -- down 25% from 2000. Unfortunately, that same year (the most recent for which we have data), roughly 37,000 Americans took their own lives -- only 15% fewer than in 2000.
No one can definitively say what's keeping the suicide rate so high. Clearly we need to do a better job of reaching our men and women in uniform, though: more military personnel are committing suicide than being killed in battle, and July was the worst month on record. The data doesn't get much better for veterans, who are roughly twice as like to kill themselves as non-veterans.
Then too, there have been a number of high-profile cases involving LGBT young people who have committed suicide because of bullying and harassment. There is also some data to suggest that the economy is to blame for the stats, because in 2009 we were still in the grip of the Great Recession. (We'll see if things improve as America's economic outlook brightens.)
Worse: while data is pretty clear about auto fatalities, many researchers believe that suicides are under-reported, so the current rate could be far higher than we think.
The moral of the story is simple: buckle up when you're in the car. And if you or someone you love may be at risk for suicide, there are a number of resources you can turn to -- this month, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, or any month. Major ones include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255), the Military Crisis Line for those on active duty (800-273-8255), the Veterans Crisis Line (800-273-TALK), and the Trevor Lifeline for LGBT individuals (866-488-7386).
[h/t Marty Padgett]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
GM Recalls 426,240 Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn Sedans For Transmission Problems
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura mid-size sedans equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission to fix a transmission problem that could result in a roll away after the vehicles are parked.
A notice in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site lists the number of vehicle potentially affected as 426,240. Documentation from GM (PDF) shows a total of 216,514 Chevrolet Malibu, 176,225 Pontiac G6, and 33,501 Saturn Aura sedans may be affected by the recall, as follows:
2008 Chevrolet Malibu: 92,027 vehicles built from April 2, 2007 to June 27, 2008
2009 Chevrolet Malibu: 61,714 vehicles built from March 19, 2008 to June 23, 2009
2010 Chevrolet Malibu: 62,773 vehicles built from February 23, 2009 to June 14, 2010
2008 Pontiac G6: 105,402 vehicles built from June 25, 2007 to June 13, 2008
2009 Pontiac G6: 47,251 vehicles built from March 11, 2008 to June 12, 2009
2010 Pontiac G6: 23,572 vehicles built from February 24, 2009 to January 4, 2010
2007 Saturn Aura: 1,605 vehicles built from May 1, 2006 to June 26, 2007
2008 Saturn Aura: 31,355 vehicles built from June 27, 2007 to June 27, 2008
2009 Saturn Aura: 537 vehicles built from March 18, 2008 to April 22, 2009
2010 Saturn Aura: 4 vehicles built from April 8, 2009 to May 26, 2009
The problem
According to the NHTSA bulletin, tabs on transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate. If such a condition occurs, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.
While the driver would still be able to shift into “PARK” and remove the ignition key, the transmission gear may not be in “PARK.” The door locks may not unlock automatically and the “PARK” indicator lamp would not be illuminated.
Furthermore, the vehicle may not be able to be restarted. It may also roll away after the driver has gotten out of the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the automaker said it is aware of four crashes attributed to this problem, but no related injuries.
What GM will do
Although no notification schedule has yet been provided, GM will notify owners of 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura sedans involved in the campaign, instructing them to make an appointment with a dealer for repairs. The dealers will install a retainer over the shift cable end, or replace the shift cable, as necessary. These repairs will be performed at no charge.
Owners of vehicles involved in the campaign with any questions or concerns may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. Reference the GM safety recall campaign No. 12106.
Alternatively, owners of vehicles involved in the campaign may contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov. Reference the NHTSA campaign ID No. 12V460000.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Having Trouble Correctly Installing Car Seats? AAA Says You’re In The Majority
Any parent who has struggled to figure out the correct installation of child car seats knows that it’s no simple task. In fact, a new survey from AAA finds that three-quarters of Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians observed that parents misuse the LATCH system more than half of the time.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH), which was introduced more than a decade ago (it has been required in nearly all passenger vehicles and car seats since 2002), was intended to simplify car seat installation for parents. But it hasn’t worked out that way.
According to Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA manager of Traffic Safety Advocacy, “It isn’t as simple as we’d hoped it would be. It still requires that you read your vehicle’s owner’s manual and also car seat manufacturer’s instructions.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that 75 percent of parents who have experience installing car seats using LATCH and seat belts prefer the LATCH system. But preference doesn’t guarantee a proper installation. A recent survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that only 13 percent of parent volunteers were able to correctly install a car seat using LATCH.
Huebner-Davidson noted that you can still get “a really nice installation” using LATCH, but parents have to make sure they’re using it correctly. “LATCH has its own set of misuses just as installing a car seat with a seat belt does.”
The AAA survey and observations during field car seat checks finds that one of the biggest problems is that parents are putting the car seat in the center seating position when their vehicle doesn’t allow them to use LATCH in that seat.
Only seven of 98 of the top-selling 2010-2011 MY vehicles have LATCH that allow use of it in the center seating position. Two that do: the 2011 Toyota Sequoia SUV (LATCH in the second-row center position) and the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan (LATCH in the third-row center position). Additionally, in the 2012 Ford Explorer, to cite another example, if the car seat manufacturer’s installation instructions allow use of innermost outboard anchors and the car seat is a certain width, parents can install the car seat using LATCH anchors.
Top 3 Misuses of LATCH
- Putting the car seat in the center position of the back seat when the vehicle doesn’t allow it.
- Doubling up the systems – trying to install the car seat using the LATCH anchors and also the seat belt, thinking that it’s safer using both systems, when actually it isn’t. “The car seats are not tested that way and we absolutely can’t recommend it,” said Huebner-Davidson. “It could stress the seat. It could put more crash forces on the child. We don’t know exactly what it would do.”
- Using incorrect belt path – Here, parents install a convertible seat (a seat that goes rear-facing for infants and toddlers or forward-facing for older children) using the LATCH system, and they forget to use the correct belt path. “We’ll see a car seat that’s rear-facing and the LATCH that’s threaded through the wrong way. It’s using the belt path that’s intended for forward-facing, or vice-versa, when the car seat is forward-facing and they’re using the wrong belt path, one that’s intended for rear-facing,” said Huebner-Davidson.
“Car seat installation with LATCH is still complicated. We have just as much possibility for misuse as we do with seat belt systems.”
Are manufacturers changing?
Huebner-Davidson indicated that hope may be on the horizon. But first, federal standards will have to change and then vehicle manufacturers will need to work to implement the new standards.
“The issue is with the spacing of the anchors in the back seat and the seats themselves are reinforced differently,” said Huebner-Davidson. “We should start to see increased amounts of vehicles with additional LATCH seating positions. The government only requires that vehicle manufacturers place two seating locations in the back seat that can use LATCH. That’s why we see the two outboard seating positions. The government also requires top tethers all the way across the back in three locations.
“Vehicle manufactures will have to reinforce the seats differently, look at how they can offset some of the anchors to be able to have enough space in that center seating position – because a lot of times that center seat is a bit more narrow than what we need for a car seat.”
Recommendations for parents
In the meantime, Huebner-Davidson offers the following advice for parents.
- ”The biggest thing for parents is to understand that it’s not as easy as click-click, you’re done. I recommend they be very careful. Read the vehicle owner’s manual and the car seat instructions.
- “We also have car seat technicians across U.S. that can help them look at the instructions, where the best place is to place the car seat in the vehicle, and show them how to safely do it. The techs will walk parents through it, show them how to use both systems (LATCH or seat belt), ask them about who else they transport in their cars, to make sure that everything is as perfect as possible.”
The car seat check is free at AAA locations and takes an average of 15 minutes per seat. Some vehicles have two or three car seats. It can take up to 45 minutes if it’s a really difficult situation or the parents have a lot of questions.
Parents can go to seatcheck.org or NHTSA.gov to find fitting stations. There are also law enforcement offices that do car seat checks, SAFEKIDS, hospitals, fire rescue. A few places do charge for appointments, but there’s usually a note if they do charge for it.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
No, Seriously: When Will Gas Prices Drop?
A month ago, Americans paid an average of $3.69 for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline. Today, we're paying $3.84.
What gives? Isn't this the time of year when gas prices are supposed to drop -- when companies stop manufacturing expensive summer-blend fuel and transition to more affordable winter blend?
Ordinarily, yes, but this year, we've hit a couple of speed bumps.
The biggest of those bumps was Hurricane Isaac. On the Saffir-Simpson scale, Isaac was a fairly minor storm, far less powerful than monster hurricanes like Katrina or -- for those of a certain age -- Camille.
However, Isaac did its best to disrupt oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, which made analysts worry.
And that's where the problem lies, because ultimately, analysts' fears and enthusiasm hold far more sway over oil and gas prices than they should. After all, the Gulf of Mexico isn't the only place where oil is extracted, and Southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi aren't the only places where it's refined. But when analysts see a giant, swirling, meteorological mass in the Gulf, they often panic, and the rest of us pay for it at the pump.
It didn't help that Isaac hit just before Labor Day weekend. Shutting down oil rigs and refineries during a major travel holiday caused fuel prices to climb further than they might've if Issac had struck a week later.
The good news is that many of the Gulf's rigs and refineries are up and running again, which should calm analysts' nerves and bring gas prices down. The first to see relief will be those who live closest to the refineries in the Deep South. Folks in the far West, northern Midwest, and New England, will have to wait a bit longer.
But we're not entirely out of the woods yet. The earliest on-sale date for winter-blend gasoline is this Saturday, September 15, but temperatures have been remarkably high this summer, breaking all-time records in many places. (FWIW, Wisconsin got the worst of it, followed by Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Minnesota.) Though some areas have seen the mercury dip in recent days, high temps may linger in other parts of the U.S., which could delay the roll-out of winter blend.
We can also blame Isaac for that delay: fuel companies produced a lot of summer-blend gasoline, and Isaac disrupted their ability to distribute it. Until it's used up, most companies won't make the switch to winter-blend gasoline. (Unlike summer-blend, which has to be on sale everywhere by June 1, it doesn't appear that winter-blend has a mandatory on-sale date.)
Have gas prices begun to slip in your neck of the woods yet? Drop us a line, or leave a note in the comments below.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Back To School: The Car Connection Picks Eight For Your Teen
While you may be out new-car shopping for yourself this coming weekend, it's just as likely you'll be looking for something to give to your teen driver. It's a fact of modern life for many families: to get to all the day's duties--everything between work and school--sometimes, you need a second, or even a third, set of wheels.
Buying a car for your son or daughter to drive to and from high school takes some thought. You might pick something sporty for yourself--but you want something different for your kids. It has to be safe. It has to be great on gas, and easy on repairs. It has to be affordable in price and for insurance--and it needs some basic features that protect the passengers and resale value at the same time.
We've scanned the list of new 2013 cars and set a base price target of around $18,000, and mandated some standard features, including power features, an automatic transmission, air conditioning, Bluetooth, and a decent base sound system with a USB port. From all those choices, these new cars make the best case for teen drivers:
- Base price: about $19,000
- Standard safety features: 10 airbags, OnStar, tire pressure monitor, daytime running lights
- NHTSA safety ratings: five stars overall
- Best highway gas mileage: 38 mpg (with six-speed automatic transmission)
- Standout features: Available Chevrolet MyLink mobile-app connectivity
The Cruze is a smart pick for anyone wanting safety, comfort and practicality in a compact sedan, but it is missing the fun-to-drive edge of some other compact models in the market.
- Base price: about $16,000
- Standard safety features: 10 airbags, OnStar
- NHTSA safety ratings: five stars overall
- Best highway gas mileage: 35 mpg (Sonic LS manual or automatic)
- Standout features: Chevrolet MyLink system and mobile-app connectivity
With a quiet, smooth ride, well-weighted steering and comfortable seats, the Sonic subcompact offers a lot of safety and refinement in a sporty-looking and sporty-driving package.
- Base price: about $18,000
- Standard safety features: 10 airbags, hill-start assist
- NHTSA safety ratings: not yet available
- Best highway gas mileage: 34 mpg
- Standout features: available Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen with AM/FM/CD/MP3 and available Sirius XM satellite radio; 14 interior combinations, 12 exterior colors, six wheel choices, and the ability to add over 150 Mopar accessories
The new Dart is instantly distinctive on the road with its attitude and rakish design, and is one of the roomiest in the market. With all the personalization available, there probably won’t be two identical Darts in your neighborhood – sure to appeal to style-conscious young drivers.
- Base price: about $18,000
- Standard safety features: Seven airbags
- NHTSA safety ratings: four stars overall
- Best highway gas mileage: 39 mpg
- Standout features: AM/FM/CD/MP3 six-speaker audio system, voice-activated SYNC, available power moonroof, remote start, numerous accessories for customization
The Fiesta is a fun-to-drive small car with sharp styling (especially the five-door hatchback), with well-coordinated colors and textures inside.
- Base price: around $18,0000
- Standard safety features: Six airbags, torque vectoring control system
- NHTSA safety ratings: not yet rated for overall, frontal or side, but four stars in rollover testing
- Best highway gas mileage: 38 mpg
- Standout features: available SYNC with MyFord Touch, MyKey technology, active park assist, eight unique wheel styles, available graphic package
The Focus is stylish, tech-focused and fun to drive. It also feels more upmarket compared to some other compact models.
2013 Hyundai Accent GLS Premium
- Base price: around $16,000
- Standard safety features: Six airbags
- NHTSA safety ratings: four stars overall
- Best highway gas mileage: 40 mpg
- Standout features: 172-watt AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, with Premium package, includes Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, fog lights, cruise control, rear disc brakes and 16-inch wheels
The Accent offers good gas mileage (40 mpg highway across the board), loads of features and a roomy and comfortable interior – even if it’s no longer the least expensive car you can buy.
2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS Preferred
- Base price: about $18,000
- Standard safety features: 6 airbags, daytime running lights, and anti-theft system integrated with remote keyless entry, panic alert and trunk open
- NHTSA safety ratings: five stars overall
- Best highway gas mileage: 40 mpg (with either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission)
- Standout features: standard iPod/USB and auxiliary input jacks, XM Satellite radio; GLS Preferred package adds Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, fog lights, 16-inch wheels, heated front seats and more
The Elantra is one of the best compact cars available today for a number of reasons, including its stunning design and details, great gas mileage, an interior that rivals that of mid-size cars, and a complete list of features on the base sedan that make it a tremendous value.
- Base price: about $17,000
- Standard safety features: Six airbags, tire pressure monitor
- NHTSA safety ratings: four stars overall
- Best highway gas mileage: 35 mpg (manual or automatic transmission)
- Standout features: more than 60 add-on accessories for a more custom look and feel to this teen driver’s Soul
With its crisp design, nimble driving feel, roomy interior and lots of features for the money, style doesn’t preclude value in the Soul.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
August 2012 Car And Truck Sales: The Best (And Worst) Selling Vehicles
If you’d just emerged from a a decade-long slumber and stumbled upon August new car sales numbers for the U.S. market, you’d probably think we were in a time of prosperity instead of plagued by ongoing economic malaise.
After all, the domestic big three automakers posted double-digit sales growth for the month, while numbers from Toyota, Volkswagen and Kia were also impressive. Is this a sign of things to come, or can it be explained by inventory sell-downs prior to the launch of new models?
This much is clear: there are few surprises with this month’s list of winners and losers. Once again, America’s best selling vehicle was the Ford F-Series pickup, amassing sales of 58,201 units, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado, with 38,295 trucks sold.
That shuffles the redesigned Toyota Camry down to third place, with 36,720 units sold. Next up was another perennial favorite sedan, the Honda Accord, which found a home with some 34,848 buyers last month.
The first crossover to make the list is the Ford Escape, which sold 28,188 copies, followed by a newcomer to the best seller list. The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan sold 25,975 units, trailed by the Nissan Altima, which racked up 25,889 sales.
Ram trucks came in eighth position, selling 25,215 examples, followed by the Honda Civic at 24,897 sales. Finally, the aging-but-still-popular Toyota Corolla / Matrix found 24,311 buyers last month, rounding out the top 10.
On the flip side, the slowest-selling vehicle last month (from manufacturers who break out unit sales, anyway) was the Lexus LFA. August’s sales of two units represented a 33-percent decline from July sales, although we doubt anyone at Lexus is losing sleep over that.
Porsche’s Cayman was next, amassing just 14 sales as buyers eagerly await the revised version. Third on the list was the oddly un-marketed Mitsubishi i, which attracted just 37 electric car shoppers last month.
Acura’s RL flagship was next, selling a scant 41 units, followed by Audi’s range-topping R8 sports car with sales of 46 copies. Another luxury repeat offender was the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coupe, which found only 64 garages to park in last month.
Sales of Acura’s controversial ZDX have slowed to the point where it makes the list, coming in eighth place with sales of 93 units, trailed by the Jaguar XK, with 110 units placed. Finally, the tenth-worst selling car in August was the Nissan GT-R, which moved just 138 units.
Overall, we think the takeaway is this: Americans will continue to buy trucks, regardless of what gas prices do (in the short term, anyway). Likewise, Americans generally favor Japanese sedans as family cars, while sales of high-end luxury and sports cars remain slow in the current economy.
We don’t expect significant changes to the lists between now and year-end, but we’ll be back next month to give you the detailed breakout.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
August 2012 Car Sales Still In The Fast Lane
Sales of new cars and trucks in August were a bright spot in the economic greige, continuing a year-long trend that analysts say will only diminish mildly by year's end.
All the Detroit-based automakers reported double-digit sales increases for the month, joined by ebullient numbers at Toyota, Volkswagen, and Kia.
Sales trended up noticeably from July's strong numbers. J.D. Power and Associates had forecast that August would deliver a retail-level seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) forecast of 12.3 million units, and an overall SAAR of 14.5 million units, and the final numbers could exceed those projections.
The enthusiasm in dealer showrooms could be a result of sell-downs in advance of the new model year, which brings some important new vehicles, like the Ford Fusion and Escape, Chevy Malibu, and Honda Accord. Dealers are spending less to move the 2012 models--$106 less per vehicle, Power says--and so far, the automakers haven't spooled up production to unsustainable levels, says John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates.
"Going forward," he says, "this discipline will be tested as demand looks to cool somewhat through the balance of the year."
The slowdown is expected to arrive at the traditional point late in the season, when weather dampens shopping. But it could also be aggravated by continued economic difficulties. New unemployment numbers are due this week, and early indications are for no improvement over July's 8.3 percent. Likewise, while consumer confidence rose unexpectedly in July, so did gas prices, which reached an all-time Labor Day weekend peak.
For the year, analysts expect sales to remain healthy. LMC Automotive has cut its forecast somewhat, and now says total light-vehicle sales for 2012 will come in at 14.3 million units, with retail sales forecast at 11.4 million units.
"The overall picture in 2012 remains positive," said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting at LMC Automotive.
LMC's figures are at the middle of the spectrum forecast by the automakers themselves, with Chrysler predicting 14 million units, and GM slightly more pessimistic at between 14 and 14.5 million units.
Which automakers are feeling the power of August sales, and which are still weak? These are the August 2012 figures, as reported by the automakers:
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