Ford Fusion Energi

Ford Motor Company’s plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi scored a powerful double play in safety, earning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) highest rating, as well as being named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. NHTSA tests frontal, side and rollover impact, and then calculates an overall rating based on those three scores. The Fusion Energi plug-in scored a perfect five stars in each of the three crash categories.

Ford Fusion Energi: Video

The video footage above shows NHTSA frontal crash testing on a Ford C-Max Hybrid. The meticulous documentation of the controlled crash is typical of the organization’s thoroughness. Results of the frontal tests showed the C-Max scoring four out of five stars, while the vehicle notched a full five stars in the side testing. Rollover results came in at four stars, giving the C-Max an overall four-star safety rating. The Ford Fusion Energi scored a perfect five-star safety rating in its most recent testing. NHTSA crash simulations are scientifically designed to mimic real world conditions, and have been perfected over several decades. Carmakers spend huge sums of money in an effort to earn four- or five-star safety results. Marketing surveys show that at least half of all car buyers purchase a vehicle based at least partly on its safety ratings, from NHTSA and others.

Ford Fusion Energi

Concerning the NHTSA ranking for Fusion Energi, a Ford spokesperson noted that the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, along with its top-ranked safety performance in the testing, are the two factors that modern day car buyers look for when considering a purchase. Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is EPA-rated at 100 MPG-equivalent.

For more about Ford Motor Co., and the Fusion Energi in particular, see the official corporate sites below:
http://www.ford.com
http://www.ford.com/cars/fusion/

Used Cars: The DeLorean electric car

Financial experts say online car buying and selling is looking to be one of the decade’s biggest trends for consumers. After a century, auto transactions are finally going electronic. However, those same experts warn, buyers need to follow a simple three-step plan to make certain that they get the most out of a deal. First, as with any other major purchase, be especially wary of excessively low prices. Always check the fair market value before you start shopping and ask lots of questions when the vehicle in question is way off the mark, either too high or too low.

Buy Cars Online: Video

One of the most popular new tools for car enthusiasts is the Kelley Blue Book app, which puts the entire database of KBB at your fingertips. The video clip above shows exactly how the app works, and lets users see how to quickly find fair market values for just about any vehicle in existence. Keep in mind that “fair market value” is a slightly subjective term and that used car prices vary widely depending upon condition, geographic location, and current demand. The best thing about KBB’s app is that it gives car shoppers a starting point for arriving at their own price range for buying or selling.

Buy and Sell Cars

The second tip from the pros involves credibility. Make sure the car is real. Ask the seller for the VIN and registration, and then get a history report. If the seller is far away, you should ask to have the vehicle inspected by a reputable mechanic. Then, you can speak directly with the mechanic to get a full rundown on the car. Third, don’t give out personal information like SSN or credit card numbers to anyone online. When you are taking possession of the vehicle and its title, that is the time to hand over money to the seller.

Visit the MyPerfectAutomobile classifieds to browse through hundreds of thousands of cars. The online selection tools make it simple to find the exact vehicle you are searching for, right down to the smallest detail. Safely and confidently shop for your “perfect automobile” at the location below:
http://myperfectautomobile.com/classified/

BYD e6 electric car

Chinese carmaker BYD will sell its e6 electric car to U.S. fleet buyers, but not to individual consumers, the company has announced. The Chinese city of Shenzhen has agreed to purchase a fleet of electric taxis and buses from the company, which only recently cut back its assembly of gasoline models. The automaker still produces hybrids and electric cars for the Chinese passenger and fleet market, as well as electric fleet cars for the city of Bogotá, Columbia, and will soon offer its aforementioned e6 EV to U.S. fleet customers.

BYD e6: Video

The short clip above provides an overview of BYD Auto, which is a subsidiary of manufacturing giant BYD Company, based in Shenzhen, China. The company produces about 600,000 vehicles per year, placing it in or near the top-ten auto firms in China. Founded in 2003, BYD Auto offers a diverse lineup, which includes people carriers, small sedans, compacts, hybrids and electric cars. The company’s hometown of Shenzhen has agreed to purchase 500 e6 electric cars that will work as taxis in the busy city. In addition, Shenzhen plans to buy 1,000 electric city buses from BYD.

BYD Auto

BYD is currently going through a phase of rapid international expansion, even though it has stopped making combustion vehicles for the time being. Already the Chinese carmaker exports its products to Africa, the Middle East, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic, Ukraine, Moldavia and South America. There are plans underway to bring BYD cars to Israel and Europe. Having already opened a U.S. office in Los Angeles, which serves as North American headquarters for the firm, BYD intends to begin offering its electric e6 to American fleet buyers later this year.

For more about one of China’s rising auto companies, see the BYD official corporate website, English language version, below:
http://www.byd.com/na/index.html

Toyota Camry Hybrid

The recent Consumer Reports car quality list ranked an all-electric car at the top for the first time ever. Tesla’s Model S sedan notched an almost perfect score and made automotive history in the process. Lost in much of the media coverage was the fact that Toyota’s Camry Hybrid placed fourth on the list, and was the highest-ranking hybrid among the candidates. In fact, the top ten cars on CR’s list included just one with a base price under $30,000. That honor also went to Camry Hybrid, which carries a sticker of $29,052 (the price of the model that Consumer Reports tested).

Toyota Camry Hybrid: Video

For a thorough review of the Camry Hybrid, view the short clip above. Notably positive, the reviewer offers up interesting factoids about the car. For one thing, most owners are finding they get better mileage than the listed 40/38. Camry is Toyota’s best-selling mid-sized sedan for a reason; year in and year out, Camry delivers a wealth of standard features that people want, need, and enjoy. In addition, this particular hybrid features 10 airbags on the base model, two of which are knee-airbags, one of the more high-tech safety amenities in modern automotive design.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Technically, there was a three-way tie for fourth place in the CR rankings, with Audi’s A6 and Infiniti’s M37 joining the Camry Hybrid with statistical ratings of 93 (out of a possible score of 100). Note, however, that both the A6 and the M37 cost almost twice what Toyota’s hybrid model does. No matter how one does the math, Toyota’s Camry Hybrid provides more quality per dollar than any vehicle among the CR top ten.

Among the top three, Tesla’s Model S costs $89,650, second-ranked BMW 135i carries a price tag of $37,650, and third-place Infiniti G37 sedan is $37,225. Those three cars scored 99, 97, and 95, respectively.

http://www.toyota.com

Tires make the car (pictured: a hybrid race car)

Car care experts recommend testing the tread depth of car tires before hot summer weather hits. Fall and winter give even the best car tires a hearty workout, having to negotiate frigid temperatures, slick roads and quick stops. Safety gurus say many car owners are lulled into a false sense of security when nice weather approaches, which is why now is the best time to check tread depth. For those who don’t know how to do the simple test, see the video clip below. When tires show too much wear or any defect whatsoever, replace them immediately.

Car Tires: Video

The above clip focuses on essential things car owners need to know for keeping tires in tiptop shape. Worn or defective tires can turn an otherwise perfect drive into a dangerous journey. The simple steps in the video demonstrate not only how to care for tires year round, but also how to inspect a set of tires on a car before purchase. Used tires are a billion dollar business so it is good to learn the basics of tire health and long-term care. Some of the newer, low-rolling-resistance tires can help increase fuel efficiency by as much as 8 percent. As the narrator points out, owners should think of car tires as an investment in both safety and fuel economy.

Car Tires

Besides keeping an eye on the tread, be certain to maintain the correct amount of air pressure in each tire, and rotate all four at regular intervals. When in doubt, ask your mechanic about rotation schedules and air pressure levels.

For tires and all other automotive-related products, see the MyPerfectAutomobile online shopping mall. After that, visit the classifieds and scroll through hundreds of thousands of car listings. Using the selection tools, anyone can quickly find their “perfect automobile.” The direct link to the shopping mall is:
http://myperfectautomobile.com/online-shopping-mall.html

Smart Electric Drive will be at the Tokyo Motor Show

The 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, one of Asia’s most important industry events, will run from Nov. 22 until Dec. 1. The first day for public attendance will be Nov. 23. The event will occupy every hall in the city’s enormous exhibition center, nicknamed Tokyo Big Sight. In addition to 18 non-Japanese car brands, the host nation will be represented by all 14 Japanese manufacturers. The 2011 show drew upwards of 850,000 attendees and media representatives from more than 70 countries. The Tokyo Motor Show is held every two years.

Tokyo Motor Show: Video

The short video clip above features some sights and sounds from a recent Tokyo Motor Show, when Toyota unveiled its unique Fun Vii concept car. The world’s only Smartphone on wheels, the Fun Vii’s body panels are computer screens that can display whatever the driver wishes. The show has always billed itself as offering “weird and wonderful” cars to the public, and the debut of the Fun Vii certainly lived up to that promise.

Tokyo Motor Show

The 2013 event has already booked a VIP list of exhibitors, all of whom will display their wares in Japan’s largest convention hall, a venue known commonly as Tokyo Big Sight, and formally as the Tokyo International Exhibition Center. The massive, and stunning, center is one of Asia’s most recognized structures. It opened in 1996.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) sponsors the event, which has gained a reputation for concept car debuts and is considered one of the world’s “Big Five” automotive exhibitions along with Frankfurt, Geneva, Detroit, and Paris shows. The first Tokyo Motor Show was called the All Japan Motor Show, and was held in 1954. That year, the event centered on commercial vehicles rather than passenger cars.

For all the details about Asia’s premier automotive event, the Tokyo Motor Show, see the official TMS English language website:
http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/en/

Chevy Volt

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has hinted that the next generation Chevy Volt might be priced as much as $10,000 less than the current base sticker of $39,995. During a recent industry event, Akerson also noted that the future version of Volt would likely be lighter and more profitable. A $10K price cut would put the Chevy Volt smack in the middle of competitors’ EV price profile. Ford, Toyota and Nissan already offer electric vehicles that straddle the $30,000 price point.

Chevy Volt: Video

For someone who was not originally a fan of the Chevy Volt, the narrator of the above video clip certainly changed his mind. Now, during an extended review ride, he discusses some of the car’s interesting nuances of performance in cold and warm weather. Driving around the streets of Wisconsin, the driver switches between gas and electric drive several times, demonstrates the basics about home charging, and explains the wonders of what he calls “stealth,” or silent, driving. The bottom line from his demo drive is that the Volt is comfortable, fun to drive, handles very well, and gets incredible mileage.

Chevy Volt Price

Industry sources early this year reported that GM is thinking about reducing Volt’s engine size from four to three cylinders, and reducing the current 1.4-liter displacement to either 1.0- or 1.2- liters in an effort to improve fuel efficiency and trim the car’s weight. Apparently, the company is considering the smaller engine for the Cadillac ELR and the Chevy Volt, both of which use the Voltec drivetrain. As is typical in such situations, GM has neither confirmed nor denied specifics about the engine in its next generation Volt, but CEO Akerson’s more recent allusion to a lower price tag for the future Volt would make sense if the company were to cut engine size for the ELR and Volt.

For more about the Chevy Volt, and all the other vehicles made by Chevrolet, see the U.S. carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.chevy.com

Summer Safety: Tesla Roadster Sport

Safety experts are making their seasonal pitch for smart summer driving. Summer months carry as many risks as winter when it comes to auto travel, with decreased visibility and inattentive driving topping the list of risks. And because more pedestrians are out and about, safety gurus advise keeping an especially keen eye out for foot traffic. The number one safe driving tip for summer: Wear sunglasses to reduce glare. Statistics show that a significant number of summer collisions result from temporary “sun blindness,” which is easily remedied with a proper pair of sunglasses.

Summer Safety: Video

Safe driving is actually a smart way to save money on fuel costs, according to the short video clip above. The narrator explains how aggressive driving and speeding reduce fuel efficiency and end up costing a typical car owner between $100 and $900 per year, on average. Fast stops and starts not only use excessive fuel but also put undue stress on a vehicle’s brakes and other components. It all adds up, as the clip shows. One other, obvious advantage of safe driving is the reduced risk of accidents.

Driving Safety for Summer

In addition to eyewear, safety experts say it is imperative to keep windshields clean, washer-fluid bins full, and wipers in working order. When heat and sun become a part of the daily drive, the name of the game is visibility. Pedestrian traffic ticks up in summer, and not just because kids are out of school. Everyone wants to enjoy the warm weather, so be aware of joggers, bicyclists, and all pedestrians. Always give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk, whether it is marked or not. To be ready for quick stops, make sure your car’s brakes are in top shape before the warm weather arrives.

For a month-by-month listing of auto safety tips, see the website of USAA, a global leader in financial and auto insurance services:
https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/advice_auto_month_by_month_maintenance_guide

The Elio

Elio Motors announced this week that the company would begin production and sales of its high-mpg, three-wheeled car in June of 2014. To be constructed in a former GM facility in Shreveport, La., Elio carries a base price of $6,800. The pricing strategy is designed to draw young, budget-conscious buyers, as well as those looking for an economical second car. Able to log 49 mpg in the city and a whopping 84 mpg on the highway, the tiny gas miser features a top speed of slightly over 100 mph and a 9.6 zero-to-sixty time.

Elio Motors: Video

What some call the “ultra-mpg” Elio is neither an electric nor a hybrid car, though many assume it is. That is mostly due to its size, three-wheel design, and futuristic look. The short clip above introduces the diminutive Elio to those who have never seen the high-mileage model, which is being manufactured in a former Hummer plant. The company will be rolling the first batch of Elios off the line in the early summer of 2014. Founder and CEO Paul Elio said there are already 13,000 pre-orders on the books, so look for the new automaker to hit the ground running.

Elio Three-Wheel Car

A five-speed automatic, the front-wheel-drive Elio is propelled by a three-cylinder, 1.0-liter gas engine and tips the scales at a hair under 800 pounds. The two-seater is surprisingly roomy inside. In most states, the Elio will meet motorcycle registration requirements but drivers will only need a standard license to drive the car. Paul Elio is quick to point out that the car meets all auto safety requirements, has anti-lock brakes, three airbags, and a steel frame. Cars do not receive official safety ratings until they are in production.

For more about one of the smallest and newest auto companies in the U.S., visit the website of Elio Motors:
http://www.eliomotors.com

Volkswagen’s e-Up

Automotive media sources in Germany are reporting that Audi is planning to create a competitor to Volkswagen’s e-Up and hopes to have the new vehicle on the market by 2015. Audi is also hoping to outdo the e-Up in terms of range and power, intending to offer 125 miles of range and 114 horsepower on its prospective premium EV. Other reported specs include a 0-62 mph time of 9.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 93 mph. Volkswagen’s e-Up has a 93-mile range and an 81-horsepower rating. Pricing estimates put the VW e-Up around the $23,000 mark and the Audi EV at approximately $39,000, though both figures are unconfirmed.

Audi vs VW: Video

For a quick photomontage of Volkswagen’s e-Up, see the video clip above. The electric variation on VW’s popular Up will land in UK showrooms in 2014. Though the car is set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen revealed it ahead of the official unveiling. The e-Up’s lithium-ion battery pack is situated under the floor and offers 155-pound-feet of torque. With the ability to replenish the pack up to 80 percent of capacity in just 30 minutes, the car delivers an impressive 93 miles per charge. Other than minor insignia and badging, the electric version of Up is almost visually identical to the combustion model. One change is the front bumper on the e-Up, which is aerodynamically contoured and features LED running lights.

Audi vs VW e-Up

While the proposed Audi EV and the Volkswagen e-Up appear to be potential competitors, their distant price points will likely place them in non-competing demographics, with the VW model going head-to-head with Nissan’s Leaf and other moderately priced electric vehicles. Audi’s electric sedan, if indeed it lands in the $39,000 sticker range, will have an entirely different set of rivals for consumer affection.

For more information about Audi and Volkswagen, see the carmakers’ official websites:
http://www.audiusa.com
http://www.vw.com

Chevy Cruze Diesel

A GM engineer who drove 5 mph below the speed limit on a road trip was able to travel 900 miles on one tank of fuel in the Chevy Cruze Diesel passenger car. Officially, the Cruze, which posts a 46 mpg highway rating, can routinely squeeze 715 miles from a tank of diesel fuel. The car is also able to operate on B20 biodiesel, though standard diesel propellant notches slightly better mileage.

Chevy Cruze Diesel: Video

The video clip above authenticates the facts of the 900-mile trip taken by one of GM’s engineers. The short film answers the questions most viewers have when they hear that someone drove that far on one tank of fuel in a non-hybrid, non-electric car. As the driver/engineer herself explains, the Chevy Cruze Turbo Diesel already offers the best fuel efficiency of any non-hybrid on the market, but the 900-miles she squeezed out of one tank required careful driving. Rather than hyper-mile all the way, she chose to drive the Michigan to Arkansas route at approximately 5 mph below the speed limit. That’s it! Heading back to Michigan, she drove with the flow of traffic, as usual, and was still able to achieve a respectable 800 miles per tank.

Chevy Cruze Diesel

Chevy can’t promise that every driver will do what their engineer did, milking 900 miles out of a single tank of diesel fuel, but the low rolling resistance tires, air dam spoiler, tire deflectors, diesel emissions fluid tank, auxiliary heater and rear-view camera come standard on the car. This recent feat by GM’s engineer is not the first time a driver has gotten well over the stated EPA fuel efficiency rating. In the last several years, various GM cars have been in the news for posting much better mileage stats than official EPA numbers would indicate.

For more about the highest mpg, non-hybrid car in the market, see Chevy’s specific web page for the Cruze Diesel:
http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-diesel-reveal.html

Used car (Pictured: 2009 Honda Insight Hybrid)

A recent study by R.L. Polk and Co. concluded that the average age of all cars on U.S. roads is 11.2 years. Finding insurance coverage for older cars can be tricky, so it pays to do a bit of research before plunking down cash for a policy. Three of the most important components that go into premium costs are the owner’s driving history, the value of the vehicle, and the zip code where the car is garaged or parked each night. For those looking to purchase quality used cars fewer than 5 years old, a vehicle’s replacement value is a crucial factor in policy cost determination.

Insurance for Used Cars: Video

Deciding exactly how much car insurance to buy can be a challenging task. The video clip above is perhaps one of the most simplified, easiest to understand methods online. As the narrator points out, it’s really all about making a checklist and doing some homework before purchasing a policy. Much depends on how old the car is, how much it is worth, and what your state’s coverage requirements are. Before doing anything else be sure to get a copy of your credit report. Insurance companies use your credit rating as one component in the formula to set your rates. Even if you think you know your credit rating, reports often contain errors. It is smart to make sure the report is error-free before you contact an agent about a car insurance policy.

Used Cars and Insurance

Experts advise classic car owners to use an insurer who specializes in such vehicles. Because collectors take such good care of their vehicles and typically store them indoors, annual premiums on classic used cars tend to be surprisingly low.

To browse a categorized list of hundreds of thousands of quality used cars, visit the MyPerfectAutomobile classifieds. Spend a few minutes defining your perfect used vehicle and see what’s available. The link is:
http://myperfectautomobile.com/classified/