The challenge of balancing vehicle weight with fuel economy was the central topic at a New England Motor Press Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology conference last Thursday. Panelists representing auto manufacturers, academia and government affairs spoke about the impact of increased fuel economy standards on new car construction, materials and price.
Over the past 30 years, cars have become heavier. A 1983 Honda Accord has a curb weight of 2,300 pounds. The 2013 LX sedan model with an ...
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NEMPA/MIT Conference Looks at Fuel Economy and Vehicle Weight
The challenge of balancing vehicle weight with fuel economy was the central topic at a New England Motor Press Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology conference last Thursday. Panelists representing auto manufacturers, academia and government affairs spoke about the impact of increased fuel economy standards on new car construction, materials and price.
Over the past 30 years, cars have become heavier. A 1983 Honda Accord has a curb weight of 2,300 pounds. The 2013 LX sedan model with an ...
continue reading»
Teen Traffic Deaths Rose in 2012
The Governors Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit that represents state and local road safety offices in all 50 states, reports that deaths of 16- and 17-year-old drivers increased 19 percent in the first six months of 2012 compared with the first six months of 2011.
The report, which is based on a survey of GHSA members, found that 25 states reported an increase in 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths, while 17 states saw decreases. Eight states and the District of ...
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Ford Profits and Transaction Prices Rise in Q1
Ford will report its first quarter earnings tomorrow and analysts are expecting strong profits. While that's good news for Ford, many consumers can expect to pay more for a new Ford, as those profits come in part from increasing transaction prices.
The Detroit Free Press says that analysts are predicting that Ford profits for the first quarter of 2013 will be more than the $1.4 billion profit Ford posted in the first quarter of 2012. The paper says ...
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Lawmakers, Advocates Push to Make Back Up Cameras Standard
If some lawmakers and safety advocates have their way, your next new car may have a standard rearview camera.
The Detroit News reports that Peter King, a Republican representative from New York and Jan Schakowsky, a Democratic representative from Illinois, are pushing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to finalize regulations to make backup cameras standard on new cars.
In 2007, congress passed a law requiring that NHTSA set rear visibility requirements by Feb. 28, 2011, but the requirements have ...
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Big Auto Sales Mean Small Discounts in March
March auto sales numbers are trickling in with good news for most automakers, but bad news for consumers hoping to get a deal on a new car.
Ford reports a 6 percent sales increase compared with March 2012. The Ford Fusion sold more than 30,000 units in March, which Ford says is a record for the model. The Ford Escape also broke its best monthly sales record, selling 28 percent more models than in March 2012. Ford also says ...
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