Car Blog

In a historic moment for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and zero emission vehicles, the 100% electric Nissan LEAF was awarded 2011 European Car of the Year.

The world’s first mass-marketed, affordable, zero-emission vehicle for the global market beat 40 contenders to win motoring’s most important accolade. This is the first time in the 47-year history of the annual competition that the award has gone to an electric vehicle. Nissan LEAF’s rivals included vehicles from brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volvo. The jury included 57 leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries.

“The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects,” said Hakan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.’s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “This award recognizes the pioneering zero-emission Nissan LEAF as competitive to conventional cars in terms of safety, performance, spaciousness and handling. It also reflects Nissan’s standing as an innovative and exciting brand with a clear vision of the future of transportation, which we call sustainable mobility. With three other electric vehicles in the pipeline from Nissan – and with the imminent market introduction of four additional electric vehicles from our Alliance partner Renault – Nissan LEAF represents a significant first step toward a zero-emission future.” Read the rest of this entry »

New Ford Motor Company crash tests show that not all replacement vehicle parts are created equal when it comes to safety and the cost of repair when an accident occurs.

The low-speed crash tests conducted by Ford showed that a commonly used copy bumper beam absorbs less crash energy than the vehicle’s original bumper beam or a genuine Ford replacement bumper beam.  The tests also showed that vehicles with the copy part were more likely to experience unintended airbag deployments during low-speed collisions.

All of this can lead to higher repair costs when accidents occur. Repair estimates show aftermarket copy bumper beams can more than double the repair costs after even a low-speed accident compared to a genuine Ford replacement bumper beam.

“This should be an eye-opener for all consumers. These tests raise more questions about unintended airbag deployments in the event of a future crash,” said Paul Massie, Ford powertrain and collision product marketing manager. “They also highlight the dangers of being penny-wise and pound-foolish, as less-expensive copy parts could lead to much higher repair costs down the road. All drivers should be aware that copy parts can compromise both the safety performance and the long-term repair costs of your vehicle.”

Aftermarket copy parts are parts unauthorized by the vehicle manufacturer, often constructed with substandard materials in order to be marketed as a cheaper alternative to authorized replacement parts. Ford replacement crash parts, including all structural parts, are identical to those used in new vehicle production and operate seamlessly with the vehicle’s safety system.

The crash tests underscore the results of Ford’s previously released Computer Aided Engineering testing, definitively showing that the copy parts are not “like kind and quality” to the original equipment manufacturer parts – as is required by many states – and will not return a vehicle to pre-accident condition. Read the rest of this entry »

NAVTEQ  issued their experts’ rankings of the Top 10 most congested cities and freeways in North America.

NAVTEQ Traffic.com will help millions of on-the-go drivers dodge the worst of the worst traffic this holiday season via real-time traffic information available online and on their mobile phones.

NAVTEQ has more than 400 experts monitoring traffic 24/7* in 113 markets.

NAVTEQ traffic operators gather more than 45 million new traffic incident records per day and these experts know that unless plans keep you close to home, there’s no truly crowd-free way to travel. Airports will be clogged with 24 million passengers(1). Popular train and bus routes will be standing room only. And all of that will accommodate just 15% of those who travel to Thanksgiving dinner. The other 85% will drive, and more than half intend to make trips in excess of 60 miles(2). Read the rest of this entry »

This Thanksgiving, an estimated 42.2 million motorists are expected to take to the road. Additional motorists and winter road conditions can lead to dangerous situations, so a team of million mile accident-free drivers are helping to make our roads safer.

America’s Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers, are offering advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

• Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.
• Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.
• Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Check your emergency kit: Contents should include: battery powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.
• Be aware of changes in weather: Weather conditions across the U.S. will be changing – especially during early mornings and evenings with the cold. Watch for ice, snow and other weather related obstacles.
• Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.
• Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early so you won’t be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate delays. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion.
• Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots.  If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.
• Slow Down: With the extra highway congestion due to Holiday travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space cushion and reduce your speed.
• Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.

“Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year,” said America’s Road Team Captain Greg Nauertz (YRC). “With so many motorists on the road, it’s important to use caution and patience while driving. Following these rules for the road will ensure that we all arrive safely to our loved ones.”

Honda unveiled the all-new Fit EV Concept electric vehicle and the platform for a midsize plug-in hybrid vehicle. Both vehicles are integral to the Honda Electric Mobility Network, the company’s comprehensive approach to reducing CO2 emissions through innovative products, energy-management and energy-production technologies.

The Fit EV Concept hints strongly at the direction and styling for Honda’s upcoming production Fit EV all-electric vehicle, which will be introduced to the U.S. and Japan in 2012. The all-new plug-in hybrid platform showcases Honda’s next-generation, two-motor hybrid technology set to debut in 2012.

“Honda’s long history with electromotive technologies has enabled us to understand customer requirements,” said Takanobu Ito, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO. “In Honda’s view, an electric vehicle must offer great utility and be fun to drive. Fit EV’s urban commuting capability will be a perfect addition to the full-function mobility of the plug-in hybrid and FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle.” Read the rest of this entry »

The all-new Ford Focus will be the first premium small car to bring legendary sound quality and component design from Sony to drivers, plus segment-exclusive features such as HD Radio and iTunes Tagging, with the availability of the new 355-watt audio system from Sony.

Available for the first time on Focus in North America, arriving early next year, this is the latest example of the long-term partnership between Ford and Sony, one of the most recognized consumer brands in the world. The relationship between Ford and Sony began in 2000.

“Sony is an important partner in our drive to deliver cars that consumers view as a second home on wheels,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “With the new Focus featuring the first global application of the designed and engineered audio system from Sony, we’re adding another highly recognized and trusted brand inside the car.”

The matchup with Sony is part of a broader Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) effort to incorporate products and services from complementing brands consumers already know and trust into the Ford signature vehicle experience. Other Ford partnerships include Microsoft, SIRIUS® and THX.

Bringing the Sony experience to Focus

The audio system from Sony in Focus has a signature piano-black interface design with the iconic Sony center controller, mimicking the appearance of popular home audio equipment from Sony.

According to internal Sony research, more than 60 percent of U.S. consumers have, on average, more than two branded products from Sony in their household, helping foster familiarity with the audio system from Sony in Focus even before the power button is pressed. Read the rest of this entry »