Large SUV Sales Outpace Small Car Sales in U.S.?

In a somewhat surprising turn of events in the shaky U.S. vehicle market, sales of large SUV models such as those found at Rome Ford Dealers has outpaced the sale of small vehicles such as VW models and other models. Autodata found that large SUV sales have increased by 19 percent for the first six months of 2010 while small car sales have increased only 14 percent in comparison.

Models like the Nissan Sentra which are found at Greensboro Nissan Dealer businesses have been top small vehicle choices for years. Vehicles like the Buick Enclave, Ford Flex, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and other large SUV crossovers are included in that total. The sales of SUVS are much less than small vehicles as well, with 974,000 small vehicles being sold for the first half of 2010 compared to 121,000 SUVs sold for the first half of 2010.

The key statistic that was taken into consideration was the rate of increase for SUV sales as opposed to small vehicle sales. With many industry experts saying that small vehicle sales would grow faster than other markets over the next few years, it was strange to see that SUV sales had actually increased for the first half of 2010. It may have been due to stable gas costs or a slightly better economy in some sectors, as luxury vehicles have also increased in demand in certain markets throughout the world.

Time will tell if large SUV models continue to outpace small vehicle sales for 2010. The best guess would be that small vehicle sales will pick up in the second half of 2010, especially with the release of models like the Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze, and other small vehicle models. The Ford Fiesta alone will likely help small vehicle sales take over SUV sales in terms of rate.

NHTSA to Update 5 Star Rating Process;

The automotive industry covets the 5 star safety rating that the NHTSA provides for vehicles that meet a certain number of its safety regulations and requirements. Ford vehicles like the Ford F-150 have received good safety ratings and are excellent choices for both safety and convenience. Also, your local Volkswagen Dealer has several models that have the latest in safety features.

Ford has several models which have met the NHTSA's 5 star safety requirements and these models can be found at Pittsburgh Ford Dealers. But, the NHTSA is now going to make it more difficult for automakers to achieve the 5 star rating. The new changes in ratings may have been due to recent consumer concern about auto defects that may pose a risk to consumers.

The NHTSA will review several models from the 2011 lineup that are expected to be in the highest demand by consumers with their new rating system. 24 passenger cars, 20 sports utility vehicles, two vans, and 9 pickups from the model year 2011 will be tested under the new system that has tougher requirements and standards. Tougher crash tests will be used and for the first time there will be a single safety score used per vehicle.

There will also be information about the latest safety features that will become standard on many new models such as lane departure warning systems and forward collision warning systems. These systems are among several new safety features that automakers have been adding to their new models. Other safety features include blind spot warning systems and infrared technology that can detect when a driver is not looking at the road.

Of the program, a NHTSA official said, "This new testing program significantly raises the safety bar for all vehicle manufacturers and will provide consumers with a great deal more safety information about the cars and trucks they want to buy.""

Toyota to Recall 412,000 More Vehicles;

Toyota has announced that they will recall 412,000 high end passenger vehicles in the United States to fix steering problems. Toyota has already issued many recalls this year and the latest recalls add to a list of problems that Toyota vehicles have been experiencing. Used Toyota and other vehicle models can be found at NC used cars dealers. Toyota's latest recall is not good news for the company that has been struggling to rebuild its image as being a safe and reliable manufacturer. Other manufacturers like Volkswagen have not had to deal with as many recalls, and the latest models can bought during VW Specials at a discount.

Nissan also has not had to issue recalls for its models lately and the latest Nissan models can be bought from New Haven Nissan Dealers. 373,000 models of its Avalon series from the years 2000- 2004 will be recalled due to steering problems. The steering lock bar in these vehicles could break under certain conditions. 39,000 of the LX470 sports utility vehicle model will be recalled due to steering shaft disengagement problems. The models affected for the LX470 are from 2003-2007.

Toyota is the world's largest automobile manufacturer and the latest recalls are a difficult trial that may cause further decreased sales and safety ratings for the automaker. There have been three accidents so far with the Avalon models that have had steering problems, and there have been no injuries reported. It makes sense for Toyota to act quickly about these problems to avoid any further injuries or other problems.

It remained unclear whether the latest accidents with those Avalon models were related to the steering wheel defect or some other problem. The LX470 models affected by the recall have not been involved in any accidents to date. Toyota's shares dropped down 0.3 percent before the announcement of the recall, and they may drop further due to the recall.

Windstar Probe Expands;

Federal regulators are investigating the Ford Windstar that can be found at Los Angeles Ford Dealers and other dealers after there were several complaints from a number of states that the vehicle would lose control due to corrosion problems. The models include those produced from 1999-2003. Ford is a major competitor to GM whose Chevy minivans can be found at a Cincinnati Chevrolet dealership.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expanding its investigation and focusing on the front subframe on the right side of the vehicle that has been implicated in 87 complaints and 3 crashes so far. The government investigation was opened on July 20. An evaluation of up to 900,000 vehicles will be performed.

Vehicle problems that result from a defect may not be picked up by Ford or other automakers and they require the investigation of government or other authorities in order to be revealed. Volkswagen dealers offer VW Deals on many VW models which do not have manufacturing defects to date. The NHTSA performs investigations on models that have a number of complains over a short period of time.

Of the Ford Windstar, one complaint said, “My wife was driving at a slow speed in a parking lot, and all of a sudden there was a loud bang and she could not steer the vehicle.” A Ford spokeswoman said that the company would be cooperating with all aspects of the investigation. The investigation may lead to a recall by the automaker which would be one of the few recalls Ford has had in the past several years.

Ford built 2.3 million Windstar models from the period of 1994 to 2003 and the model was discontinued on that same year. The Windstar has previously been involved in 10 different recalls that affected 3.6 million vehicles. The model was discontinued because of the numerous problems with manufacturing and other issues.

Nissan Recalls Cube Model;

Nissan said they would be recalling 51,100 Cube models in the United States after a fuel leak was found that could lead to a fire hazard. Competing models sold at your local VW Dealer have not had any recent similar problems.There is a chance that the Cube model could catch fire after being struck from the rear. Ford F-150 models do not have this fire hazard along with most other models.

Hartford Nissan Dealers sell other Nissan models that do not have this particular problem. Markets outside of North America are not affected by the recall. Nissan suspended Cube sales from Japan to the United States and Canada last week after the findings were reported. So far there have been no reported crashes or injuries due to the defect.

The Cube failed a test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration where it was struck in the rear at 50 miles per hour and showed fuel leaks. Fixing the model will require a protective device to be installed in the fuel filler recirculation tube. Nissan had no comment on the expected cost for repairing the defect.

Sales will resume once the defect is fixed. The Nissan model is a mini MPV that is produced by Nissan and sold in many markets throughout the world such as Japan, Europe, and North America. The Cube is a somewhat quirky Nissan model that has a fan base. The first generation of the model was released in 1998. The model features a 1.3 liter l4 engine with a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission. Seating capacity for the model is 5.

Reviews for the model since its inception have been mixed with some positive reviews from Ezra Dyer of the New York Times, but a lot of negative ones as well. Many car enthusiasts are not familiar with the unique design which ended up being a turn off for many. Others appreciate the uniqueness of the vehicle and its quirks such as an asymmetrical rear window.

Electric Cars Popular in Texas?

The electric car may be gaining popularity in Texas due to the numerous incentives for purchasing electric vehicle models. Cities like Austin and Houston are looking forward to models like the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. Ford has the Ford Fusion Hybrid which is a hybrid competitor to these models and can be found at a Cincinnati Ford Dealer.

Peoria VW and other VW dealers will sell the new hybrid Jetta in 2011 that will be likely be a popular hybrid model. At the moment, 30 Texans own Teslas, which is one of the top fully electric models available. But, Ford is continuing to improve their fuel efficient hybrid line with their latest Lincoln MKZ model that will be found at Cincinnati Ford Lincoln Mercury Dealers.

GM is targeting Austin, Texas for some of its Volt marketing campaigns because Austin is one of the "greenest" cities in the United States. Austin will be one of the Volt's seven initial markets in the U.S. GM has more dealerships in Texas than any other state. The initial number of Volts shipped to Texas is expected to be in the hundreds.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are shown to reduce greenhouse gases anywhere from 49 to 75 percent compared to conventional gasoline powered vehicles. This figure includes the emissions from the electricity plants that are used to power plug-in hybrids. The Volt is capable of driving up to 340 miles of which 40 can be driven on solely electric power.

It will be interesting to see how GM's Volt sales in Texas turn out over the next few years, and if Texans will be progressive enough to give up their gas guzzlers in exchange for greener and more fuel efficient models. Volt enthusiasts can be found all over the country, but if they are found more often in Texas it may be a pleasant surprise to GM who has historically been more successful with models like the Suburban in the Lone Star State.

GM and HP Make Contract;

GM recently awarded a $2 billion contract for technology to Hewlett-Packard. GM is a competitor to Ford whose models can be purchased at a Cincinnati Ford Dealer. The company will be involved in the management of GM's infrastructure, network, mainframe management, applications, systems integration, and other related technology services. Peoria Volkswagen sells Volkswagen models, and VW also has some of the latest technology used in their infrastructure.

Birmingham Nissan Dealers will also be selling competing models that will be going head to head in some segments against GM's latest models. The new deal will renew a current contract between the two companies that began 25 years ago. GM had many of its technology services handled by EDS in the past, however EDS was purchased by HP in 2008 for $13.9 billion.

The new technology will allow GM to focus on building better automobiles, and in the age of very competitive automobile markets and development, each company must be at the forefront of technology in order to compete. A GM vice president said that, “The automotive industry is in the midst of a transformation and GM's technology infrastructure needs to be hitting on all cylinders to take full advantage of the potential market opportunities.”

HP will be provided technology services for GM's vehicles, but it will also be involved in the company's business functions. HP will be producing applications and be involved in data and financial management for GM along with the services it is providing for GM's vehicles. HP is one of the leading technology companies in the world, and GM will benefit from the relationship with the company. HP will likely develop some of its best technology for GM in the future, and GM is looking to add new features like smartphone interactivity and connectivity in their models.

50 Percent of U.S. Vehicles may be Electric by 2030 With New Bill;

A new bill is being proposed in Congress that would help the vehicle market transition from gasoline to electric. The Chevy Volt, which will be found at a local Florida Chevy Dealer, is one of several new automobiles that will feature full or partially electric motors. With several new models coming out, there is a need for infrastructure that can support these vehicles such as recharge stations. Subaru's current models are just as fuel efficient as some hybrid models, and the latest Subaru compact and other models are found at a Subaru Worcester dealership.

The goal of the congressmen in passing the bill would be to bring several electric vehicle markets to consumers and make it easier for consumers in America to use electric models. Volkswagen has recently announced that they will be releasing a number of hybrid and electric models over the next few years, and Volkswagen's current top models can be test driven at an Arizona Volkswagen dealership.

The purpose of the bill would be to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, which puts the country at risk of having to face high oil prices in the case that there is a gas crisis or higher cost of gas. With more independence from foreign oil, America will be in better condition to regulate its own economy and not be so tied to the price of gasoline.

The bill would contribute nearly $4 billion over the next 10 years into different communities throughout the country in order to build up infrastructure for electric car charging stations and also provider consumer incentives to purchase plug-in models and hybrid models. If half of the United State's vehicle models were electric, it would reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil by almost one third. With such a large reduction in dependence on foreign oil, it makes perfect sense for such a bill to be passed.

Camaro is Still King

The Camaro is here, new and improved. The new 2010 model which you can find at Sarasota Chevrolet Dealer is ranked number 1 out of 4 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings and reviews. It still has the old feel of a muscle car, but better. The quality is outstanding and surpasses consumers expectations as a finalist for Motor Trend's "Car of the Year". The idea of the Camaro was introduced back in 2007 at the Detroit auto show. The 2010 Camaro was already deemed successful before it was even off the assembly line. It was even more anticipated because of it's role in the blockbuster movie "Transformers". When the Camaro was finally made available for purchase, an article in Automobile Magazine proclaimed " After forty years of compromises and letdowns, it's nice to see a pony car that behaves the way that we've always thought it should".  All in All reviewers and consumers are very satisfied with the new Camaro and have nothing but great things to say. It's got finesse to say the least.

The exterior of the 2010 Camaro at Peoria Volkswagen is sleek and is just an amazing automobile to look at.  The base price is $22,000, but comes with many optional features if you choose. The Camaro, which is available at Honda St. Louis, comes with a 304 horsepower V6 engine that is all around powerful with quick acceleration. The value is outstanding and it's just an all around great buy. The fuel economy is good, ranging from 17 mpg city and 29 highway with the V6 and 16 mph city, 24 highway mpg with the V8. Whichever you choose, the Camaro has excellent performance value. The V6 engine reaches 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and the V8 can reach 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. No matter what speed you are going, the 2010 Chevy Camaro handles smartly.

VW to Release Hybrid and Electric Models;

Volkswagen said that they will be introducing a wide range of hybrid vehicle models and electric vehicle models. These models will be available during VW Specials when they are released, and Volkswagen previously made it known that they would be releasing a hybrid Jetta model. Volkswagen hopes to compete with Nissan, GM, and Chrysler. Chrysler models can be found at a Chrysler Dodge Jeep St. George dealership.

Nissan made its plans known that they would be releasing their hybrid Leaf model, and the latest and best Nissan models can be purchased from a Nissan Boston Dealer. Volkswagen is going to introduce the Up-city or the Golf compact model as a fully electric vehicle model in 2013. Before these two models are released, Volkswagen will introduce a Toureg hybrid model that will be first released in the United States, followed by its popular Jetta hybrid that will be released in 2011.

The largest carmarker in Europe and one of the largest carmakers in the world, Volkswagen spends over $6.5 billion per year on research and development. It is no wonder why their vehicles are rated as being some of the best passenger vehicles in the world. They are going to spend a large amount of their annual research and development budget on their electric vehicles.

Volkswagen is attempting to prove that although they are late to the electric vehicle development mix (there will already be a number of fully electric models out by the time Volkswagen produces its first model) that they can definitely compete with those first companies that put out a fully electric model. The electric Volkswagen model may be in competition with other manufacturers like Mercedes and BMW who may end up releasing their own electric and hybrid series in the next few years. It is certainly an exciting time for electric vehicle production.

Ford Explorer Gets 30% Fuel Efficiency Boost;

The 2011 Ford Explorer has been brought down in size and features several new technologies that improve fuel efficiency. There are models that can be purchased from a WA Nissan Dealer that are excellent fuel efficient models as well. The new Ford Explorer features a car based platform, and look out for Volkswagen Specials for other vehicles with car based platforms.

There are also vehicles that can be purchased at a Kia Reading dealership that have great new fuel saving features that have been implemented by Kia. The new Ford Explorer no longer has a V-8 engine. The redesigned 2011 model has a gigantic 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency and EcoBoost technology further boosts the fuel efficiency of the vehicle model.

Americans used to love SUVs like the Ford Explorer but they do not any longer. The vehicle was never fuel efficient but it was certainly a top SUV model for the American SUV market. Since its heyday in the 90's, there have been several other vehicle models that have taken its place. Crossover models that feature better fuel efficiency have been among the most popular vehicle choices.

But the new Explorer is Ford's strongest attempt at regaining the lost market shares that have been taken by companies like Toyota, Nissan, and others. Ford's Explorer features an l4 and 3.5 liter V-6 engine and the model goes on sale in 2010. The 2010 model gets 14 mph in the city and 20 mph on the highway, but the new 2011 Explorer gets 18 mph in the city and 26 mph on the highway.

Other vehicle technology changes that have helped the new model improve its efficiency include lighter steel and an aluminum hood. Boron steel was used to reduce the weight of the Explorer and improve its durability as well.

Toyota Vehicle Complaints Decrease?

Toyota's vehicle complaints have gone down over the past few months. Peoria Volkswagen models have also been free of complaints for the past several months, and a government panel is investigating Toyota for auto defects that were thought increase in report frequency around sometime in late 2009. Toyota models that are pre-owned can be bought at Missouri used car lots.

GM has not had problems with unintended acceleration, and GM's quality Chevy line can be purchased at a Chevrolet Oshkosh dealer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed in its reports that there were many documented reports of consumer complaints of unwanted acceleration in Toyota models.

Toyota has recalled nearly 11 million models since the fourth quarter of 2009, and the quality of Toyota's models have come under serious heat from consumers and government officials alike. Toyota's latest findings were that the unintended acceleration problems were due to consumer mistakes rather than the vehicle being defective.

Toyota found that "virtually all" of the cases were due to driver error rather than a "sticky accelerator," however the U.S. government panel currently investigating the issue has yet to complete its report. The reduced complaints on Toyota models may have to do with Toyota's publicity increasing.

It is thought that consumer opinion may be affected by more than just the presence of vehicle faults, and that perhaps consumers were reporting more faults in their Toyota models due to negatively publicity that has shrouded Toyota for the past several months.

Since the reports came out of unintended acceleration, Toyota has repaired many millions of vehicles and the company seems confident that the problem will not show up again. Of course, time will tell whether or not Toyota will end up having fewer defects, since just last month there were large recalls of various Lexus and other Toyota models.

Ford F-150 to Feature New Powertrain Technology;

Ford is going to offer three new drive train options for the 2011 Ford F-150. Each option will feature Ford's latest fuel efficiency technology and other new features. The new Chevy Malibu, a new model from GM will also feature GM's latest powertrain technology and can be found at a local Chevy Malibu Inventory. The new powertrains are Ford's latest move to improve fuel efficiency across all of its brands. Volkswagen is also looking to improve their own vehicles' powertrains with the latest fuel efficiency technology, and the latest VW models can be purchased during VW Specials.

Ford plans to release several new fuel efficiency options for each of their new drivetrains in upcoming models. Toyota is known for its fuel efficiency as well and Toyota Los Angeles sells efficient models such as the Yaris. The new drivetrains that are being offered in the F-150 include a 3.7 V-6 engine option and a 5.0 liter V-8 option. There will also be a 3.5 liter V-6 engine with EcoBoost technology available as well. Each engine will have a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The standard 3.7 liter V-6 engine will be the predominant engine in the 2011 F-150 and it will feature excellent gas mileage. Also, the EcoBoost engine will be a new addition to the F-150 and Ford anticipates selling the new engine to be "marketing challenge." Most pickup vehicle buyers prefer a V-8 engine and selling the new technology may not be very easy to traditional pickup buyers.

The marketing team at Ford hopes to sell the engine on the fact that it will have improved performance and torque compared to Ford's other models. It will also feature better fuel efficiency and the latest technology that will allow its V-6 engine to perform similarly to a regular V-8 in quality and output.

Top Technology Features of the Top Convertibles of 2010;

The latest convertibles feature some of the top technology and features available. Pre-owned convertible models can be browsed at a KSMO used cars dealership. A popular convertible model year in and year out is the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Mazda is a partner with Ford whose models can be purchased at a Ford Lancaster dealership. Vehix released a report that detailed the top convertible models and their latest features.

VW produces the Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet which made the list of the top 10 best convertibles of 2010. The model features a turbocharged 211 horsepower four cylinder engine that gets 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. Not bad for a 211 horsepower engine. There is also an Audi S5 Cabriolet that has an even more powerful supercharged 333 horsepower 3.0 liter V-6 engine which is Audi's performance oriented option.

There are several other models that made the list such as the 2010 BMW 3-Series convertible. The 3-series is one of the best selling luxury models in 2010. It has several of the top suspension, performance, handling, steering, and braking features. It also features the latest safety technology. There are three powertrain choices for this model: the 328iC has a 230 horsepower 3.0 liter V-6 engine and the 335iC has a 300 horsepower twin turbo 3.0 liter 6 cylinder engine. The engines feature 17 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway. And there is always the option of the 400 horsepower 4.0 liter V8 that is found on the M3 convertible.

The 2010 Infiniti G37 convertible is another great choice that is manufactured by Nissan. This model has a 328 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 engine with 16 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway. The cabin and interior are decorated with some of the finest leather and materials available and the body is one of the most attractive out of all the convertible models.

Toyota Finds Accelerator Accidents Caused By Driver Mistakes;

Toyota, whose pre-owned models can be found at a Used Car Indianapolis dealership, has conducted its own studies into the recent acceleration recall issues and concluded that many of the so called sticky accelerator problems were actually due to driver error. Nissan, a major Toyota competitor and also a Japanese automaker, has released several models without recalls over the past few years that can be found at a Golden Isles Nissan dealer.

Reports have come out over the past year or so that Toyota models have been accelerating out of control and causing accidents. Other brands like Volkswagen have not had any major recalls and can be purchased during exclusive Volkswagen Deals during 2010. Toyota claimed that "virtually all" of the sticky accelerator problems were actually due to drivers who stepped on the accelerator rather than the brake pedal.

Toyota is investigating every case of acceleration problems that have spurned recalls of over 4 million vehicles. Toyota has recalled nearly 10 million vehicles over the past few months due to various other problems as well. There are also other investigations being performed by the United States government and other independent research organizations.

The defect was thought to be due to accelerators that were sticking to the vehicle floor or floor mats while being depressed. Toyota has reviewed over 2,000 cases of unexpected acceleration and has analyzed crash data recorder information as well.

The various causes for the pedal sticking that were found by Toyota include: pedal entrapment, foreign objects in the vehicle, sticky pedal, and pedal misapplication by the driver. When a Toyota spokesperson was asked how many of the accidents were due to driver fault, he said "virtually all."

A government panel has held hearings that Toyota has attended in the past few weeks and will continue to discuss measures that may be implemented in order to prevent future related problems.

Bill Gates Invests into EcoMotors;

Bill Gates has invested $23.5 million dollars into EcoMotors. Gates along with investor Vinod Khosla have invested in the corporation to test its trademarked Opoc engine technology. Ford is another major engine technology researcher that has developed its new EcoBoost technology that has been included in its latest models that can be found at a Farmville Ford Dealer. Other manufacturers such as Volkswagen are releasing hybrid models which can be purchased at a Peoria VW dealer.

Denver Toyota will also be selling the new Toyota Prius which features some of the latest fuel efficiency technology on the market. EcoMotors is one of the leading technology companies for fuel efficient engines. The company is working on an opposed piston-opposed cylinder engine. The new engine is designed to use many fewer parts than traditional engines while increasing fuel efficiency over 50 percent.

The investment will be used to develop the piston opposed cylinder engine technology that may be able to reduce fuel costs in the future. The funds will be used for development and research of the engine technology. The move also draws attention to EcoMotors which may receive more investment from other prominent investors. Bill Gates' trust of the company may lead to more investors seeking a share of the corporation.

The technology once released may be a major "stepping stone in advancing affordable, low-emission transportation." The statement was released by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to numerous humanitarian efforts.

The new technology can lower carbon emissions throughout the world and it has the potential to be implemented without a large cost to consumers. The new engine features higher efficiency and half the weight and size of traditional engines while maintaining power capacity. The new engine will be competing with other types of fuel efficiency technologies such as hybrid engines, battery powered engines, fuel cells, and others.

Ford and Chrysler Recall Models;

Both Ford and Chrysler, whose models can be bought at a Bradenton used cars dealer, have both been successful at staying out of recall related news, have issued recalls for van and SUV models. Ford is recall up to 33,000 or more of its Transit Connect vans. Chrysler is recalling some vehicles over a brake fluid leak. Hyundai, a Korean automaker, has successfully stayed out of vehicle news for the past year, and models can be bought at a Hyundai Chapel Hill dealer. Other excellent quality models include Volkswagen models which can be test driven at a Peoria VW dealer.

The Transit Connect model has a defect that deals with an interior liner that did not meet safety requirements for head protection. The defect can cause increased injury in the circumstance of a vehicle crash. The NHTSA sent a letter to Ford with information about the defect. Ford responded with the recall and it told dealerships to stop selling the model until the problem was fixed. The van is a commercial vehicle model, and Ford said that they would contact current owners of the vehicle for information on how to have it fixed.

Chrysler is also issuing a recall for its Jeep Liberty, Dodge Ram 1500, and Dodge Nitro models. Those models have a tube that is defected which could cause brake fluid leaks Not every model is affected and Chrysler is limiting sales of these models until the problem is fixed. Approximately 22,000 vehicles will be affected and repaired by the problem.

Chrysler is also attempting to improve its image along with GM and Ford as last year the company declared bankruptcy. Ford and GM are two major competitors and Ford has come out on top with some of their latest models. Ford also made it to the top of a vehicle quality study.

Smart to Offer Customization Options for Vehicles?

Smart USA has been experiencing much lower sales than in 2009. Hyundai models that are sold at a Hyundai Birmingham dealer have fared better this year. Smart USA is a branch of Daimler AG, the producers of Mercedes-Benz, and has responded to its decreased sales with a new customization program that allows customers to choose a unique color for their vehicle. Other subcompact models can be seen at Bradenton used cars.

Smart USA started in the 1980s by the creator of the Swatch watch who felt that there was a market for customized and compact vehicles that was not being attended to. The company was originally called Hayek Engineering, named after the founder, and produced the "Swatchmobile" which was the first version of the smart car. Later on, it was purchased by Volkswagen whose models can be purchased during Volkswagen Deals. Now, smart is owned by Daimler AG who produces the Mercedes Benz models and others

The new program is called "Smart Expressions" and it started just this week. The SmartForTwo model has body panels that can be changed and this allows for customization by buyers, the president of Smart USA said. There are over 90 colors to choose from for the vehicle and even more unique colors can be selected.

The cost of the customization is about $1,500 with about $300 for labor and installation. The panels can be shipped to a dealer within 3 days. There is also the option for up to 35 different selections for vinyl wraps that are available in a matte or glossy finish. The wraps cost $1,350 with labor costs of $300 as well for installation. The program will be offered exclusively in America.

The company is down almost 61 percent for the full year as opposed to its 2009 sales. The vehicle models are not very expensive, but the economy has affected several vehicle manufacturers as consumer confidence and financing options have become limited. Sales for June of 2010 were down 48 percent from June 2009.

Toyota To Fix Development Problems With Extended Cycle;

Toyota, whose previous year models can be found on Salem used car lots, has announced in the wake of its latest recalls to extend its development cycle in an attempt to reduce manufacturing defects. Honda is a major Japanese competitor of Toyota and has not had any recent problems related to manufacturing. Honda models can be found at a St. Louis Honda dealer. Toyota is attempting to rebuild its image after suffering numerous defects that slipped the view of the testing processes that are designed to catch those defects. Volkswagen has not had major recall issues lately and Volkswagen models can be purchased at a Peoria Volkswagen dealer.

The defects have led to a series of recalls on various models, and nearly 11 million vehicles have been affected since the fourth quarter of 2009. Toyota has made its product development process more likely to catch manufacturing defects by adding a new team of "devil advocate" engineers to point out problems and offer feedback for development processes. The team will be added, and an additional month will be added to the development cycle to further reduce recall problems.

It seems that Toyota's rapid expansion and success has ironically led to its latest recalls. A Toyota Executive Vice President said that Toyota's success over the past 4 to 5 years has "been too much in some areas for the company to keep up with." He also added that Toyota's future success will come down to its quality control during engineering and manufacturing.

Out of 1,000 engineers, a team of 100 "devils advocates" will be assigned to test the vehicles from a driver's perspective to find faults before the vehicles hit dealerships. The rest of the 900 engineers will be devoted to quality control issues with the company. The team is looking at the vehicles from the perspective of the customer in order to criticize the performance of the models and identify problems quickly.

Nissan To Release First Hybrid Model!

Nissan is joining the mix among electric and hybrid automakers as it will release its first hybrid model. The Infiniti M sedan, a model in Nissan's luxury line of automobiles, will make its debut late in 2010. Nissan is a Japanese automaker whose rivals include Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Volkswagen models can be found at a local Peoria VW dealer. Nissan models can be serviced at Richmond Quick Lane.

Nissan is late in joining follow automakers Honda and Toyota in producing a hybrid model. Both Toyota and Honda have had at least one hybrid model out for several years. Toyota and Honda models from previous years can be purchased at High Point used car dealers. Nissan is the number three automaker in Japan and the Infiniti M sedan is double the fuel efficiency of the previous Infiniti M model. The Infiniti M has a single motor system with a two-clutch system.

Toyota has a two motor hybrid system that the manufacturer uses to get optimal fuel efficiency. The Infiniti M's mileage is vastly improved and is more similar to that of a subcompact vehicle rather than a luxury sedan. Nissan's chief rear wheel drive hybrid engineer said that the best fuel efficiency comes from the fully hybrid models rather than those models which are partial hybrids. Honda has some models that are considered "mild hybrids" and get a fuel efficiency increase of up to 15 percent as opposed to 30 percent from "full hybrid" systems.

However, the Nissan engineer said that Nissan would be aiming for 60 to 90 percent fuel efficiency improvement with their hybrid engines. The extra clutch allows for the hybrid engine to dismount from the electric engine and drive on solely electric power when the car's battery is charged. The Infiniti M uses a lithium-ion battery system as opposed to nickel hydride systems that other manufacturers use. The lithium-ion system releases its energy slower than nickel hydride.

U.S. to Become More Invovled in Global Electric Vehicle Production?

Several United States automakers such as GM and Ford have expressed interest in developing new hybrid and electric models for the market. Tesla is another new automaker that is producing solely electric vehicles and is based out of the Silicon Valley. The Chevy Silverado Hybrid is one of GM's latest developments in electric vehicle research and technology. Volkswagen will introduce a new Jetta hybrid that will be found at a local VW Peoria dealer. And Mercedes produces their S400 hybrid model and has shown interest in developing more hybrid models. Mercedes models can be test driven at a Pittsburgh Mercedes-Benz dealership.

With last week's successful IPO of Tesla, an American manufacturer and researcher of electric vehicles and electric vehicle technology, there is a question from industry experts on whether or not the United States will take a stronger initiative in electric vehicle research. However, the global discussion on electric vehicle production needs to include the United States more as global leaders intend on introducing electric vehicle research and models to the rest of the world.

Manufacturers from the United States like Tesla are exciting new industries for America. Tesla and other automakers offer the potential for new manufacturing jobs that can contribute to the economy while offering more environmentally friendly technology to the public. Manufacturers like Nissan and Mitsubishi will be offering their Leaf and i-MiEV electric vehicles to the market over the next year.

It remains to be seen whether the European Union and other international organizations will be more willing to work with the United States in electric vehicle development, but for the time being, the U.S. has taken a major step by supporting Tesla and like manufacturers. The United States will continue to be involved with electric vehicle research as the Obama administration has made it clear that it will encourage and support electric vehicle companies like Tesla.

BMW to Develop Formula One Protection for Drivers

BMW has announced that they are developing a light weight protection for consumers that is typically use for Formula One drivers. BMW is moving toward developing an electric vehicle model due to the German government’s interest in more fuel efficient vehicles. Pre-owned BMW models can be found at a Bradenton Used Cars dealer or a New Haven used cars dealer. BMW competitor Volkswagen has models at Volkswagen Peoria dealers.

The carbon fiber is designed to withstand large forces on the vehicle. It is also light weight and can offset the weight of the vehicle by 772 pounds. The carbon fiber reinforced frame can cut the price of a normal frame by half as well. The German government has made a recent effort to introduce alternative energy methods and research for vehicles.

Nissan and GM will introduce two brand new electric vehicles to the market in 2010, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. These two models are considered to be among the top competitors for the hybrid and electric vehicle market worldwide. The Chevy Volt will have a slow release over the next few years, while the Nissan Leaf will have more initial orders.

BMW will create the fiber for their new vehicle model at a factory near Seattle that is currently being built to the tune of $100 million. BMW is building in combination with its partner, SGL. Each fiber is composed of 50,000 filaments and each filament is a fraction of the size of a human hair. The fibers are turned into different components at BMW’s factories in Germany.

There are a number of manufacturers looking into electric vehicle technology as a way to introduce hybrid and fully electric models into the market. Electric vehicles are likely the next major step in automobile manufacturing. The vehicles may end up replacing all gasoline models eventually.

Toyota Claims Lexus Engine Fault Due To Components;

Toyota, announced that defective components may be responsible for the engine flaw that may cause up to 270,000 models to stall. Toyota models can be purchased at a Minneapolis Toyota dealer. Volkswagen has not had recall issues as of late and their models can be test driven at a local Volkswagen dealer or at a Bradenton used cars dealer.

The general manager of Lexus for the United States, Mark Templin, said that the defect in the engine might have been resulting from "contaminated materials used in valve springs."

Toyota is facing criticism from auto safety proponents and others after having to issue recalls of over 10 million models total for various problems. Toyota is currently attending government meetings about how to deal with the defects and the reason why they were happening.

Up to 7 Lexus models and a few other Toyota models might be affected by the defect. Toyota is currently planning its next steps on dealing with problems related to the defect. So far there are no reported injuries from the car defect.

Affected models may include the Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460, LS 600h and LS 600hL, and the Toyota Crown, Toyota said today. There may be up to 90,000 vehicles in Japan that are affected by the defect.

Recent problems with the HS250h Lexus model prompted a recall of Lexus HS250h sedans. The sedans were recalled due to a risk of automobile fire during a fuel leak that was found during government safety crash tests. The recall was issued last week for those models.

Toyota is hoping that the problem is not serious and they will likely announce a move in the upcoming days as to how they are going to address the fault. The company may or may not choose to perform a recall.