Sheryll Alexander's Blog

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Under the shared concept of BLUETEC, each of the manufacturers involved will be working on their own technical systems for meeting the world’s most stringent emission regulations.

The latest J.D. Power study, “Global Outlook For Diesel”, predicts that the share of diesels among first-time registrations in North America will rise to over 15 percent by 2015. It is in the light of this development that Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen will be systematically expanding their ranges of diesel vehicles.

All three companies are convinced that up-to-date diesel propulsion systems play a major part in efficient and clean mobility. With their high torque, agility, economy and robustness they display all the qualities which American customers, especially, appreciate.

With their outstandingly efficient fuel consumption, which lies some 20 to 40 percent lower than that of comparable petrol engines, these particularly clean diesel engines now have the potential to comply with the toughest emission limits in the world. They combine ecology and economy with driving pleasure for the customer.

What is BLUETEC?

The name BLUETEC covers diesel engines with exhaust emission treatment systems which meet even the strictest emission regulations on the US market. The systems employed by BLUETEC serve in particular to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) - the only constituent part of the exhaust gases which, due to the design of the diesel, inherently lies above the value for petrol engines. In this way it will in future also be possible to meet the strict limits imposed by the State of California.

Depending on the vehicle class concerned, various NOx treatment systems can be used. In one version, for instance, an oxidising catalytic converter and a particulate filter are combined with a further improved, particularly long-life NOx storage converter. Another way of cutting NOx emissions is even more effective. In this case for example AdBlue, a water-based additive, is injected into the exhaust gas. This causes ammonia to be released, which in turn reduces the nitrogen oxides almost completely to harmless nitrogen and water in a downstream SCR catalytic converter.

BLUETEC is a brand of DaimlerChrysler which is already being used by the corporation’s Mercedes-Benz cars and commercial vehicles. In future the name BLUETEC will also stand for clean diesel engines from Audi, Volkswagen and Jeep® in the United States.

AUDI:

Audi stands for sportiness, progressiveness and high quality – for “Vorsprung durch Technik”. Audi currently makes the Audi A3, Audi A4 and Audi A4 Avant and the Audi S4 at its Ingolstadt plant, the Audi A6 and A6 Avant, Audi A8 and Audi RS 4 in Neckarsulm, and the TT Coupé and TT Roadster at AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. in Györ, Hungary. the Audi Q7 is built in Bratislava. The Audi product range is rounded off by the Audi A4 Cabriolet, which is made by Karman.

The new Audi R8, made by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, is the first super sports car in the Audi range. Audi stands for “Vorsprung durch Technik” (leadership by technology), and this guiding principle finds its expression in the company’s products. Prime examples of this include the quattro full-time all-wheel-drive system, aluminium bodywork (Audi Space Frame in the Audi A8 and R8), the S tronic Direct Shift Gearbox featured in the Audi TT and Audi A3, and the advanced TDI and FSI engine technology. Audi is a pioneer in diesel technology – both on the road and on the racetrack. The R10 TDI sports car was the first diesel ever to win the legendary “24 Hours of Le Mans” race and the ALMS Series in America. Audi will also be putting the world’s most powerful diesel on the road, in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI, with an output of 500 horsepower and 1000 Newton metres of torque.

DaimlerChrysler:

DaimlerChrysler is unique in the automotive business: its product range extends from ultra-compacts up to sports cars and on to luxury saloons – and from versatile small vans to classic heavy-duty trucks and comfortable touring coaches. The passenger car brands of DaimlerChrysler comprise Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and smart. Its commercial vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra, Mitsubishi Fuso, Thomas Built Buses and Orion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services offers financial services as well as other vehicle-related services.

DaimlerChrysler’s strategy is based on four pillars: excellent products offering outstanding customer orientation, leading brands, leadership in innovation and technology, and global presence and integration. DaimlerChrysler’s workforce is based all around the globe, and the same applies to its shareholders. With 382,724 employees DaimlerChrysler achieved sales totalling € 149.8 billion in 2005.

Volkswagen:

The Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and is the biggest automotive producer in Europe. Volkswagen employs nearly 345,000 people worldwide. In 2005 the Group’s eight brands delivered 5.243 million vehicles in more than 150 different countries, corresponding to a world market share for passenger cars of 9.1 percent. Group sales rose in 2005 to € 95.3 billion. In eleven European countries and in another seven countries in America, Asia and Africa the corporation operates 44 production facilities. Every working day around the world, the Group’s employees are busy building over 21,500 vehicles and providing vehicle-related services. The Volkswagen Group comprises the brands Volkswagen cars, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, commercial vehicles, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini plus, amongst other units, Volkswagen Financial Services.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Tiger Woods, the world’s top-ranked professional golfer, took a different approach to his drive today. He literally drove Buick’s newest product, the 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV, through a large 35-ft. video wall with GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner passenger side.

Wagoner and Woods introduced the all-new Enclave to a standing-room only crowd of media and Buick dealers at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, one of the world’s most prestigious art and design schools.

This is the first time Buick has partnered with Woods for a vehicle world introduction. Buick has enjoyed a long partnership with Woods as a product endorser since 2000.

“The new Buick Enclave is just beautiful to look at inside and out,” said Tiger Woods. “The interior is so comfortable and there’s plenty of room for my sticks. I’m really excited for Buick and what the all-new Enclave means for the division and GM.”

The Enclave is Buick’s first luxury crossover SUV. It is built on an all-new crossover architecture and motivated by one of GM’s most powerful V-6 engines ever.

The Enclave creates its own niche in the fast-growing crossover market by melding elegant interior and exterior design and a confident ride in a quiet, well-crafted roomy cabin capable of carrying up to eight passengers with space for gear. It arrives in dealer showrooms next summer.

Available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, Enclave employs a new 275-horsepower V-6 powertrain with variable valve timing (VVT) that is mated to Buick’s first six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L V-6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine that uses full four-cam phasing, rapid data processing and torque-based engine management to optimize power, economy and emissions performance.

A host of innovative features that are uncommon or unavailable in competitors’ vehicles add to the Enclave’s standout status in the segment, including a second-row seat console that unfolds to contribute to a flat load floor when the seats are folded.

Peace-of-mind features such as Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist and a rear back-up camera, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation are also available.

The Buick Enclave is the last of three new crossovers to be introduced this year from General Motors. Crossover entries accounted for about 2.5 million industry sales in 2005 and the segment is projected to grow to 3.5 million units by 2010. GM currently has seven entries in this segment – Chevy Equinox and HHR; Pontiac Torrent and Vibe; Saturn VUE, Buick Rendezvous and Cadillac SRX – and expect to double the number of crossover entries by 2010, including the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Designed and developed at Jaguar's Product Development Centre at Whitley in Coventry, UK, the new Jaguar XF will be built at Jaguar's Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, UK.

"The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," commented Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars. "Our new XK sports car has been very well-received and is enjoying great success. We are now moving on to the next stage of Jaguar's exciting new design era – and if you like the new XK, just wait until you see the new Jaguar XF!"

Customer deliveries of the new Jaguar XF will commence in spring 2008, dependent on market

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

"The Editors' Most Wanted winners provide class-leading performance, quality, style and value," said Karl Brauer, Editor-in-Chief at Edmunds.com. "These are the vehicles that our editorial team would choose to have in our own driveways."

In selecting the Kia Rio, Edmunds.com’s editorial staff proclaimed that the vehicle will serve “buyers looking for a pleasant drive, useful features and overall comfort.”

“Rio’s combination of attractive styling, class-leading standard safety equipment and outstanding performance and fuel economy has appealed to new car buyers since its launch last year," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. "We're pleased that the editors of Edmunds.com have recognized the Kia Rio for all it offers consumers."

The Edmunds.com Editors’ Most Wanted Awards have been awarded annually since 1999. Winners are named for the Most Significant Vehicle of the Year and each of 33 market-relevant categories.

Kia Motors America is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea. For more information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Even when exceptionally well equipped with the Ultimate package – which includes features like adaptive headlamps, chrome wheels, and heated and cooled front seats – the Lincoln MKX is still priced below the base sticker of all of its top competitors.

“The new Lincoln MKX delivers the features luxury customers want at the best value in its class,” says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. “It will enter one of the hottest segments in the market and show customers that American luxury can be both desirable and attainable. At the same time, we’re building on the success of the Zephyr with the launch of the new Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan. These strong new entries, plus our best Navigator ever and the all-new Navigator L, give us an outstanding opportunity to attract new customers to Lincoln showrooms.”

The new Lincoln MKX features a starting manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $34,795 for front-wheel drive and $36,445 for all-wheel drive models, including $675 for destination and delivery.

A Confident New Player

The Lincoln MKX makes a refined luxury statement with its dynamic American styling. Its distinctive chrome grille, clean, flowing lines and broad-shouldered athletic stance communicate confidence and elegance. Eighteen-inch Euroflange wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips signal power and performance. Wraparound tail lamps and a spoiler complete the rear.

Innovative technologies on the Lincoln MKX combine art and functionality. An all-glass available panoramic Vista Roof™ allows customers to experience open-air freedom at the touch of a button. Distinctive lighting includes a Lincoln first: available adaptive headlamps that swivel around curves, pivoting as the driver steers and lighting up to 36 more feet of roadway around a corner. In addition, an LED liftgate panel provides edge-to-edge illumination.

Inside, the five-passenger Lincoln MKX delivers exceptional comfort along with Lincoln’s hallmark craftsmanship. Its luxurious leather seating features Ford’s first application of its patent-pending Active Comfort Engineering process, with specialized contours helping to reduce pressure points and fatigue. The second-row seats recline to a best-in-class angle and can fold and pivot in one movement. Lincoln MKX provides comfort for all passengers, no matter the temperature, with available heated and cooled seats. The spacious center console offers customers versatility, with a standard MP3 audio jack and a power point hidden inside. Three additional power points also are provided in the cabin.

A host of innovative features keeps Lincoln MKX customers connected and in command. An optional a DVD rear-seat entertainment system plays DVDs or CDs with infrared remote. Lincoln MKX also features an intuitive DVD-based navigation system, able to deliver text-to-speech information in English, Spanish or French. An available THX-II sound system and available SIRIUS satellite radio also contribute to the Lincoln business class experience.

The Lincoln MKX delivers smooth power on demand for effortless driving enjoyment. It’s powered by Ford’s new fuel-efficient 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with the class-exclusive 6-speed transmission automatic transmission. The independent front and rear suspension are luxury tuned for responsive ride and handling. As the quietest Lincoln ever, Lincoln MKX is designed to give customers a quiet ride on virtually any road surface. Ford engineers have introduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) absorbers behind nearly every trim panel of the Lincoln MKX for new levels of refinement and quietness.

The available intelligent AWD system on the Lincoln MKX delivers luxury performance and offers confident all-weather driving. It continuously monitors vehicle speed and throttle input and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels as needed, helping improve balance when cornering.

Outstanding Value

The Lincoln MKX is available in a single series, featuring a full complement of standard premium equipment along with select options, making it easy for customers to order. Customers may select standalone options, or choose the Ultimate and Elite option packages for additional value (available for FWD and AWD models).

Key standard features include:

• New 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6, certified on regular 87-octane fuel
• Class-exclusive 6-speed automatic transmission
• Luxurious interior, with genuine wood, leather, and satin nickel trim
• 18-inch 8-spoke machined aluminum Euroflange wheels
• Wraparound tail lamps and full-width LED lighting panel
• MP3 audio input jack
• 8-way power adjustable driver/passenger seat
• Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
• Excellent NVH characteristics and unique suspension
• Dual zone electronic automatic temperature control with particulate air filter
• Standard safety features including: industry leading AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, ABS, Safety Canopy™ with rollover sensor, front- and front seat side-impact air bags, occupant classification system, adjustable head restraints, LATCH system and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Lincoln MKX Options

Ultimate Package includes:

• Adaptive headlamps
• 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, including power lumbar support
• Heated and cooled front seats
• Driver memory seats and mirrors
• 18-inch 8-spoke chrome-clad aluminum Euroflange wheel
• Power liftgate
• Reverse Sensing System
• Homelink
• EasyFold™ second-row remote seat release
• Easy entry driver’s seat and driver’s side electrochromic exterior mirror

Elite Package* includes:

• Panoramic Vista Roof™ with dual power sunshades
• DVD-based navigation system with a 6.5-inch-wide screen and text-to-speech technology for travel directions aloud in English, Spanish or French
• THX II-Certified ® audio system with 14 speakers and 600 Watts of power
• SIRIUS™ satellite radio with six-month subscription

* Each feature in this package is also available as a standalone option.

Additional standalone options include:

• Rear-seat DVD Entertainment System
• Class II trailer tow
• Heated rear seats

The Lincoln MKX already is turning heads as it crosses the U.S. in a 10-city tour, “Savor the Dream,” which gives consumers an advanced look and test-drive opportunity before the vehicle arrives in showrooms later this fall. “Savor the Dream” is a lifestyle showroom tour that plays into a key passion of Lincoln consumers: fine food served in a casually elegant setting. It encourages consumers to enjoy all of life’s best moments. The tour features celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito and top local chefs from each market. Thousands of consumers are turning out to see the Lincoln MKX, along with the new Lincoln MKZ, the new Navigator and all-new Navigator L. The tour runs through mid November.

With crossover sales projected to reach 3 million units by the end of the decade, Lincoln’s first luxury crossover offers the brand a unique opportunity to reach new consumers. Lincoln MKX already is generating considerable buzz. Since January, more than 380,000 consumers have visited the Lincoln MKX Build & Price Web site on www.lincoln.com, producing more than 140,000 configurations. About 65 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to purchase or lease the vehicle they configured.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

"The Jaguar XK has received tremendous acclaim around the world from our customers and media alike. However, we are especially delighted to get this recognition from Consumer Guide® Automotive," said Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover.

Standing out amongst its competitors, the 2007 XK is the most technologically-advanced car Jaguar has yet built. It offers precision handling, unparalleled excitement and an exhilarating speed – key features of an award-winning vehicle.

In addition, the XK inspires drivers of all abilities with confidence due to its all-aluminum lightweight body, sophisticated transmission and sporting exterior and interior styling cues. This combination perfectly balances the performance of a sports GT cruiser and an exhilarating sports car.

The MSRP for the 2007 XK Coupe is $75,500 and $81,500 for the 2007 XK Convertible.

Consumer Guide® Automotive is a highly regarded source in the automotive industry. The editors who choose the cars for these awards are well respected, well known names in the automotive field, so it is a great honor for Jaguar to be awarded and recognized by Consumer Guide®.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

The GL was selected from a field of 22 vehicles—the largest crop of sport/utilities MOTOR TREND had ever evaluated. Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of MOTOR TREND, noted that this year’s field was especially strong.

“The GL may be a surprise winner for many people,” said MacKenzie. “The first full-size sport/utility from Mercedes is not cheap, but it has astonishing technology. It offers a seven-speed automatic transmission and a V-8 engine with 335 horsepower, and it will be available in a version that runs on the new low-sulfur diesel fuel for greater gas mileage. Comfortable, third-row seating has become one of the most important measures for sport/utilities, and the GL’s is the best.”

MacKenzie added, “The GL extends the reach of Mercedes-Benz in the sport/utility segment, and is certainly the best sport/utility they’ve made. In every facet, from performance to the interior, the vehicle is a winner.”

To judge the prestigious award, MOTOR TREND’s editorial staff conducted exhaustive off-road, street and track testing, and carefully considered essentials such as driving performance, engineering, design, safety and features. Eligible vehicles had to be all-new or substantially upgraded and on sale in the 12 months since November 1st each year.

The rest of the 22 vehicles MOTOR TREND evaluated include:

Acura MDX

Acura RDX

Audi Q7

Cadillac Escalade

Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Tahoe

Chrysler Aspen Dodge Nitro

Ford Edge

Ford Expedition El

GMC Yukon Denali XL

Honda CRV Ex-L

Hyundai Santa Fe

Jeep Wrangler Lincoln MKX

Lincoln Navigator

Mazda CX-7

Mitsubishi Outlander

Suzuki X17

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota RAV4

The Evolving Sport/Utility

MacKenzie noted that this year’s Sport/Utility of the Year testing recognized the rapid and dramatic change in the sport/utility segment. Many industry observers have pointed to the rise of a new class of vehicle—the crossover—that more clearly delineates the SUV’s evolution from an off-road, truck-based platform to one that offers a more car-like experience with better feel and driveability.

“If you look at the sport/utility segment on that basis,” said MacKenzie. “All of the vehicles that we drove this year are crossovers. It used to be that the sport/utility was an off-road vehicle, plain and simple. This year, only three vehicles—the Mercedes-Benz GL, the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota FJ Cruiser—had real off-road capability. Many of this year’s new sport/utility models will be offered in two-wheel drive versions that will certainly be popular in states where weather and roads aren’t a problem.

“Bold styling, a high seating position and, in a word, utility, are why consumers buy SUVs. It’s the 21st century station wagon, neither truck nor car-based, and truly belongs in its own category. That’s why this year’s contest looked more closely at on-road driveability than rock-crawling.”

MacKenzie added, “That the GL is this year’s winner tells you a lot about how far this segment has come. The GL can certainly go off road, but it also delivers car-like levels of performance and refinement on road. It’s the combination of feel, style and usefulness that set it apart.”

About MOTOR TREND’s Sport/Utility of the Year Testing and Evaluation Process

Each year since 1949, the editorial staff of MOTOR TREND evaluates eligible vehicles based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority, and Value. Significance refers to innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of vehicle dynamics and performance, build quality and execution, and how well the vehicle performs its intended function. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, “What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?”

The complete report on the MOTOR TREND 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year testing and selection will be published in the December issue of MOTOR TREND, available on newsstands November 7, 2006. High-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at www.motortrend.com/media. Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on MOTOR TREND Radio, hosted by Bob Long.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

The Mazda CX-7 also received a four-star rollover rating for both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. No SUV currently on sale has received better ratings than the CX-7.

“The CX-7 combines performance and safety with a level of power and driving satisfaction seldom associated with a SUV,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president of product development and quality for Mazda North American Operations. “We are proud to offer a vehicle that blends these features with excellent crash test ratings.”

NHTSA’s frontal collision ratings are determined by placing crash-test dummies in the driver’s seat and front-passenger seats and securing them with the vehicle’s seat belts. Vehicles are then crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 mph, which is equivalent to a head-on collision between two similar vehicles that are moving at 35 mph. The five-star rating attained by CX-7 indicates a ten percent or less chance of serious injury to a belted occupant in the front seat.

Side-impact crash testing represents an intersection-type collision with a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph into the CX-7, with crash test dummies buckled into the driver and rear passenger seats. CX-7’s five star rating, the highest possible, indicates a five percent or less chance of serious injury.

The CX-7, which went on sale this past June, has a full complement of standard safety equipment, including dual front airbags, front seat mounted side air bags, roof mounted curtain air bags with rollover protection, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control and tire pressure monitors. CX-7 also features a rigid unibody utilizing Mazda’s Advanced Impact Energy Distribution and Absorption System to realize high levels of collision safety and help protect occupants in various accident situations, including front-, side- and rear-impact collisions. It is constructed of large frame sections featuring high-strength steel with subframe connections to help absorb energy when a collision occurs. The side frame is stamped from a single tailored blank, which minimizes center pillar deformation during a side-impact collision.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

“General Motors’ fuel economy leadership position further exemplifies our commitment to continually increasing the efficiency of our vehicles,” said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president of Energy and Environment. “We offered 14 vehicles that achieve 30 mpg in 2006 and that number has risen to 23 for 2007. Clearly our propulsion strategy is critical to our business, and it also is beneficial to consumers and the environment.”

For more information about GM's fuel saving technologies visit www.gmability.com.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Saab's first ever SUV -- the Saab 9-7 Aero -- is decked-out with a high-level of specialized elements. Those include:

• 24-inch custom fabricated "Aero X" wheels and 225/30 Pirelli tires
• Suede and leather interior trim
• Custom front fender side vents
• Custom three-inch lowered suspension
• Borla Performance Exhaust System
• Window and tail light tint
• DVD/TV in-dash double-din head unit
• Four, seven-inch TV monitors for seats
• 15-inch flip down LCD center
• Two amplifiers and two 12-inch sub woofers with custom box

"DUB was really inspired by the Saab Aero X concept car and the 'Born from Jets' theme," says Myles Kovacs, president and co-founder of DUB Magazine and Industries. "We wanted to integrate it into a custom vehicle. The 9-7X is a great vehicle to customize. We are very pleased with the outcome. It looks hot."

The big question at the show very well may be: when will this black beauty go into production? "Shows such as SEMA provide Saab a terrific opportunity to try new things and quickly get the evolution out in front of the public," Julie Kenar, Saab Automobile USA 9-7X marketing manager explains. "This will act as a good gauge for whether this concept is one which resonates with customers."

Earlier this year, Saab announced the 9-7X Altitude Edition, of which only 500 will be produced. Beyond the extremely rich standard equipment of the 9-7X, the Altitude Edition includes 18" alloy polished wheels, side assist steps, a rear DVD player, and an exclusive carbon fiber gray metallic paint. The package will be offered at a savings of nearly $1,000 than if the items were ordered individually. The package is available on the six-cylinder 9-7X 4.2i and the 9-7X 5.3I V8 - which will bring the total vehicle price (MSRP, destination charge and Altitude package) to $42,130 and $44,130, respectively.

For 2007, OnStar-equipped 9-7X models will feature a new service called OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully-integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. Also in 2007, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System becomes standard equipment on the 9-7X, and one new color, Crystal Blue metallic, has been added.

The Saab 9-7X, which debuted in the summer of 2005, brings unique Saab characteristics to the SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium quality and design features, and sporty and fun-to-drive performance. With its high-level of standard equipment, the 9-7X offers a terrific value.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2007 model year, Saab markets seven engines/transmissions that perform at an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway. Saab also offers vehicle warranty coverage for five-years or up to 100,000 miles. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

An extraordinary automobile adventure started over the weekend in Paris, France. This afternoon, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, 36 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles powered by clean diesel started on a long-distance journey of over 13,600 kilometers to Beijing, where the fleet will arrive on 17 November. Mercedes-Benz intends to use the diesel marathon across two continents to demonstrate the global potential of its drive technology. Over the course of the five stages, a total of 360 drivers from 35 countries will be seated behind the wheels of the E-Class models, which will cover a combined distance of more than 490,000 kilometers before arriving in the Chinese capital.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer

The 2007 Prius, with 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, ranked first while the Honda Civic Hybrid was second with 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy said Tuesday.

Honda and Toyota made seven of the 12 vehicles listed in the top 10. The new Toyota Camry Hybrid made its debut at No. 3, with 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Ford Motor Co. had the most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle, the Escape Hybrid front-wheel drive, which was fourth with 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The four-wheel drive version of the Escape Hybrid, along with the Mercury Mariner Hybrid four-wheel drive, were tied for 10th place with 32 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Six gas-only vehicles made the top 10: manual and automatic versions of the Toyota Yaris, the manual version of the Honda Fit, the manual Toyota Corolla and manual versions of the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.

The government compiles the list based on information from manufacturers. Fuel economy estimates are determined by averaging numbers from a specific set of tests.

"Each year millions of Americans buy new cars, and by using fuel economy information, each consumer can make a more educated decision that will help conserve energy and save money," said Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.

Hybrids comprise about 2 percent of the U.S. sales market but they have benefited from a federal tax incentive meant to help consumers recover part of the $3,000-$4,000 premium for a hybrid.

Last summer's $3 gas prices made fuel economy a larger selling point in the industry. For example, Toyota has said it's looking to make hybrids available across virtually its entire lineup in the future. General Motors Corp. has stressed in advertising the number of its vehicles getting 30 mpg or better.

Environmentalists said the list offered more evidence of a wide gap between top-performing models and average vehicles. An EPA report last summer said the average fuel economy for 2006 vehicles was 21 mpg, lower than the peak in 1987-88.

Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club's global warming program, said it showed that the industry "has the technology to make vehicles get better mileage" but "auto companies fail to put that technology in most of their cars and light trucks."

Automakers said more fuel-efficient vehicles are available than ever before, driven by consumer demand.

"Every model is available with some sort of fuel efficient technology and as consumers continue to demand fuel efficient vehicles, manufacturers will continue to offer more choices," said Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Among classes of vehicles, the Ford Ranger two-wheel-drive was the most fuel-efficient pickup, with 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Hyundai Sonata manual version was the top large car, with 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the Dodge Caravan two-wheel drive was the top minivan, with 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Cargo and passenger vans were led by Chevrolet and GMC, each with 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

Luxury cars were among the least fuel-efficient vehicles in the survey. The Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago topped the list of worst performers with 9 mpg in the city and 14 mpg on the highway.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel drive was the least fuel-efficient SUV with 12 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway. The Nissan Titan four-wheel drive was the least fuel-efficient pickup truck, with 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg in the highway.

Next year's list will likely show a decline in gas-mileage numbers. The EPA is revising the way it estimates how far a vehicle will travel on a gallon of gas to take into account high-speed driving, use of air conditioning and rapid acceleration.

Under the proposed testing changes, fuel economy stickers would show most 2008 models getting 10 percent to 20 percent less gas mileage in city driving and 5 percent to 15 percent less in highway use.

Hybrid buyers will find a greater sticker shock. Hybrid ratings for city driving are expected to drop an average of 20 percent to 30 percent.

The list does not include some of the largest vehicles in the fleet, such as the Hummer H2, because the law does not include vehicles that weigh more than 8,500 pounds under the fuel economy standards.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Sustainable Travel International (STI) announced today that it has expanded is services related to greenhouse gas (GHG) / carbon offsetting in response to growing consumer and industry demand for market-based systems and related programs that help to curb global warming.

STI has developed a user-friendly guide for Choosing a Greenhouse Gas Offset Program. Designed for both businesses and consumers who are unsure about carbon offsetting and want to more easily determine the best services available in the marketplace, the guide is available from STI. This informative document includes a synopsis of factors to consider in choosing an offset program, a list of quality offset programs, and related information and definitions.

"We get calls and email from consumers, businesses and the media all of the time, requesting detailed technical information about carbon offsetting," explains Brian T. Mullis, STI's President. "Many carbon offset and renewable energy certificates (often called green tags) are of quality while others are not, so there are some important factors to consider and questions to ask when choosing the most appropriate program. By giving consumers and businesses the information they need to choose an offset program, we're empowering them to address their own GHG emissions."

In addition, the non-profit's carbon offset website - a href=http://www.carbonoffsets.org - now features a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator, which allows consumers to offset air travel, automobile transportation, hotel stays, and household emissions, as well as gift packages.

Custom GHG calculators, which are modeled after the standard consumer calculator, are also now available for travel and tourism businesses. These calculators are designed to be integrated into companies' websites, providing their clients and employees with opportunities to offset their climate related emissions.

"Our custom carbon calculators are designed for hoteliers and transportation service providers," adds Peter D. Krahenbuhl STI's Vice-President. "We can also calculate tour operators' emissions on a package by package basis. Our goal is to make offsetting accessible for the entire travel and tourism industry."

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Delivering a perfect balance of power, fuel economy and range, the new BLUETEC SUVs are set to be the world's first diesel-powered vehicles to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's stringent BIN5 emissions standards for all 50 states.

Developed by Mercedes-Benz, BLUETEC represents the world's cleanest diesel technology and showcases several state-of-the-art engine and exhaust technologies, allowing the luxury manufacturer to offer their customers powerful SUV's which are fuel efficient and environmentally responsible at the same time. BLUETEC technology is especially important in helping to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Beginning in CY 2008, BLUETEC M-, R- and GL-Class vehicles will showcase AdBlue injection, a process that adds precisely measured quantities of a urea-based solution into the exhaust stream to help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80 percent.

Today's announcement represents a significant step for the future acceptance of diesel vehicles in the U.S. market, which can contribute to significant fuel savings and a reduction in oil imports. This fact was confirmed in a study by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2004. Margo Oge, head of its Office of Transportation and Air Quality, concluded that if only one-third of all light-duty trucks in the U.S. were operated with modern diesel engines, the country would save 1.4 million barrels of oil per day - equal to the amount of oil the U.S. currently imports from Saudi Arabia.

-more-

High Performance, Impressive Mileage and Extensive Range

The BLUETEC M-, R- and GL-Class are the latest additions to the Mercedes-Benz line-up of clean diesel vehicles. Poised to make its showroom debut in October 2006, the Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC luxury sedan offers outstanding driving dynamics, unprecedented efficiency and impressive environmental compatibility. Its powerful 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine combines the powerful torque of a large V8 engine with the low fuel consumption of a four-cylinder compact. Additionally, the E320 BLUETEC is the only diesel-powered vehicle in the U.S. certified to meet BIN8 emissions standards.

About MBUSA

MBUSA, headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2005, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 224,421 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving twelve consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Consumer Reports Voices Support for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Proposal on Electronic Stability Control

NHTSA today is announcing a proposed rule to require electronic stability control (ESC) systems to be phased in on all light passenger vehicles.

"Electronic stability control is the single most important advance in auto safety since the development of the seatbelt," said David Champion, Senior Director of Automotive Testing for Consumer Reports, published by Consumers Union. "We are pleased to see NHTSA recognizing the value of this system and hope that manufacturers will move rapidly to provide ESC on all the vehicles in their product lines, no matter what the cost."

"Since 2001, Consumer Reports has been urging carmakers and the government to make ESC standard on all SUVs," Mr. Champion said. "The benefits of ESC in keeping a vehicle in control and on its intended path have been evident from the emergency-handling tests that we perform on every tested vehicle."

Today, ESC is standard on 40 percent of 2006 passenger-vehicle models, or more than 100, and it is optional on 60 others, Consumer Reports said.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From London's Sunday Times:

There was no immediate comment from Ford to the paper's report that a majority stake in the two car might be sold as a package to a financial investor. The paper quoted banking sources saying Ford was also considering holding on to the money-losing Jaguar, which it acquired in 1989, but cutting back on production to make exclusive luxury cars. Ford hired mergers and acquisitions expert Kenneth Leet last week to advise on strategic options as Ford revs up its restructuring.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Agence France-Presse English Wire:

Toyota Motor Corp announced Friday a 39.2 percent jump in net profit for the fiscal first quarter to a new record high as it won customers from struggling US rivals.

The world's second largest automaker said its net profit reached 371.5 billion yen (3.23 billion dollars) in the three months to June from a year earlier.

"We posted substantial increases in both revenue and profits, achieving record levels," said Toyota Motor senior managing director Takeshi Suzuki.

Operating profit increased by 26.5 percent to 512.4 billion yen, on revenue of 5.64 trillion yen, up 13.2 percent year-on-year.

The profit surge was driven by a strong performance in North America where sales rose by 106,000 units to 747,000.

Toyota, which is on track to overtake ailing US giant General Motors Corp as the world number one in terms of output, has been spending heavily to boost production as high fuel costs drive up sales of its energy-efficient vehicles.

Toyota's July sales overtook rival Ford's for the first time.

In the first quarter, however, some of its best-selling models in North America included the redesigned RAV4 sports utility vehicle and the new FJ Cruiser off-road vehicle.

Toyota's total vehicle sales in the first quarter increased by 143,000 units from a year earlier to 2.09 million, while conditions remained tough in the Japanese market where sales were down 7,000 units to 543,000.

A weak yen and cost reduction efforts also contributed to the profit growth, helping to counterbalance major spending on new plants and technology, Japan's largest company said.

For the full-year to March 2007, however, Toyota maintained its forecasts for a drop in net profit to 1.31 trillion yen as the group invests heavily in developing new technology and expands its global production facilities.

Still, the Japanese firm expects a rise in sales to 22.3 trillion yen and in operating profit to 1.9 trillion yen for the current fiscal year.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Miami Herald:

Shaped just like the murder-mystery its title promises, the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? introduces us to the victim, then rounds up the suspects most likely responsible for its demise.

The victim, of course, is the electric car -- specifically the EV-1, developed by General Motors in the late 1980s as a response to California smog-conscious legislation that required carmakers to devote a certain percentage of their annual output to zero-emission engines.

Initially marketed in California and Arizona, the EV-1 proved surprisingly popular with its early adopters, many of them celebrities (Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Alexandra Paul, Peter Horton) who were given cars for the free publicity.

But even as rival automakers Toyota and Honda cranked out their EV variations, and demand for the cars started growing incrementally, GM started doing everything it could to stop making them -- even suing the state of California and forcing lawmakers to soften their zero-emission stance. By April 2003, the EV-1 was officially dead, even though the people who had the opportunity to lease one (GM never sold them outright) all seemed to love it beyond reason.

Director Chris Paine points to indifferent consumers, big oil, government interests and, of course, carmakers as all having played a role in the failure of the technology. Although there's no question where his sympathies lie, the film's clear and informative exploration of the collusion between the private sector and government agencies, along with the auto giants' wielding of their financial power to sway legislature, can't help but raise the viewer's ire.

But in its final reel, Who Killed the Electric Car? turns inspirational, anticipating the viewer's what-can-I-do? frustration by pointing toward technology both current and upcoming capable of exceeding the EV-1's promise. At a time when sticker shock at the gas station gets worse every week, Who Killed the Electric Car? couldn't be more timely.

Narrator: Martin Sheen.

Director: Chris Paine.

Producer: Jessie Deeter.

A Sony Pictures Classics. Running time: 92 minutes. Brief vulgar language.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Malay Mail:

The hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines are destined for shuttle buses and will be ready for delivery later this year, said Ford Motor Company spokesman Nick Twork.

Other automakers, including General Motors and BMW, are developing hydrogen fuelcell engines - so far an extraordinarily expensive way to produce electricity - used largely in space.

Because the hydrogen internal combustion engines use mostly conventional parts, they could eventually be produced at around the same cost as gasoline-powered engine

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From New York Times:

The American, French and Japanese companies, in a statement, said the review would take about 90 days.

"The potential benefits of such an alliance to each company, and the feasibility of achieving them' will be examined, the statement said. Once the review is concluded, G.M., Renault and Nissan said they 'will consider whether further exploration of the alliance concept is warranted.'

The statement, issued Friday at 10:30 p.m., followed a dinner in Detroit attended by Carlos Ghosn, the chief executive of Renault of France and Nissan of Japan, and Rick Wagoner, who runs General Motors.

The dinner came two weeks to the day after G.M.'s biggest shareholder, the billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, sent letters to the three companies suggesting that they explore a deal.

'We had a good discussion today,' Mr. Wagoner and Mr. Ghosn said in the statement, 'and are looking forward to having our teams work together to explore our ideas.'

They added, 'It is important to let our teams work on this review without distraction and, therefore, we will not be providing further public comments about it at this time.'

The decision to study the alliance comes as G.M., the world's biggest auto company, is wrestling with a restructuring plan in its North American operations. G.M. reported losses of $10.6 billion last year, and its share of the American car market continues to slide.

If G.M. were to merge with the other two companies, which is not yet being discussed, the trio would hold about 24 percent of the global car market. As a stand-alone company, G.M., with slightly more than 14 percent, holds a slim lead over Toyota, which has nearly 14 percent. Some analysts have predicted that Toyota could pass G.M. before the end of this year as the world's biggest auto company.

Mr. Ghosn, in interviews this week, said that he was not after a merger similar to the one that linked Daimler-Benz and Chrysler in 1998.

Rather, he wants the same type of link that joined Renault and Nissan in 1999. The two companies have separate headquarters and product lineups, but share engineering, purchasing and other operations.

Most significantly, they are each led by Mr. Ghosn, who captured international attention for his swift, clearly stated turnaround at Nissan, which was near death when he was sent from Paris to run it.

That reputation piqued the curiosity of Mr. Kerkorian, who holds 9.9 percent of G.M.'s shares. Frustrated with the pace of G.M.'s turnaround, which was spurred by Mr. Wagoner last year, Mr. Kerkorian met with Mr. Ghosn last month in Nashville, where Nissan is building a new headquarters.

The June 15 meeting prompted Mr. Kerkorian to ask the boards of the three companies to consider exploring an alliance. Inside G.M., the initial reaction apparently was one of dismay -- both at Mr. Kerkorian's action and at the thought that another American icon could fall into the hands of a foreign company.

But Mr. Ghosn, in a round of interviews this week, made it clear he does not want to run G.M. His enthusiasm for the deal has been a sharp contrast to Mr. Wagoner's caution.

In the interviews, Mr. Ghosn said he wanted teams from both sides to examine the potential synergies among the auto companies, and come to a conclusion about whether discussions would go forward.

For his part, Mr. Wagoner has given the impression of being pushed reluctantly into the talks.

His most candid moment came in an interview on Thursday with USA Today, when he was reported to have said: 'I didn't know it was going to happen, and it's not the way I would have done it, and it's not particularly helpful.'

Mr. Wagoner told the newspaper that he would have preferred to have considered a potential alliance after more work had been done on the turnaround.

'It has led to unending speculation that I generally think is not helpful to our business,' he said in the interview, 'and runs the risk of de-focusing people who are working on other things.'

Yet, Mr. Ghosn has gone to lengths to stress how attractive he finds G.M.

For months, Mr. Ghosn has dropped hints that he was looking for a third company to add to the Renault-Nissan alliance, formed in 1999 when the French company took management control of the struggling Japanese carmaker.

Given that there are only two independent American companies, G.M. and Ford, which is also going through a revamping, Mr. Ghosn's interest in G.M. seems logical.

Mr. Ghosn, in an interview in New York this week, said that his interest reflected an endorsement of G.M. despite its financial problems and dwindling market share.

'If I believed that this was a lost battle, why would I be in it?' he said.

Earlier Friday, Mr. Ghosn stressed that he was in no rush to define the parameters of an alliance, which could involve the companies' engineering, manufacturing and design operations.

'We don't need anything to happen now or tomorrow,' Mr. Ghosn told reporters during a visit to Nissan's technical center in Farmington Hills, Mich., a suburb northwest of Detroit.

Although many analysts believe that Mr. Kerkorian proposed an alliance with the goal of Mr. Ghosn's succeeding Mr. Wagoner at G.M., Mr. Ghosn denied that that would happen.

There is only one circumstance in which he would be interested in the job: 'If I was out of work,' he said.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Perth's "The Sunday Times":

Mercedes is the world leader in fuel-cell development and shares technology with other players. Its first fuel-cell car was the Necar of 1994, but its latest is far more efficient and reliable.

Mercedes said the F600 Hygenius had much smaller fuel-cell stacks, 30 per cent more power, 16 per cent less consumption of hydrogen gas and could operate in temperatures as low as -25C.

It said the fuel-cell car, likely to be based on an A-Class successor, would be marketable in 2012-2015. The confirmation that fuel-cell cars were finally on the horizon was made in Iceland, which is committed to be free of fossil fuels by the year 2050.

Iceland generates power for its community by hydro-electric and thermal powerplants. Each house and all streets and footpaths are kept ice-free and warm by underground and in-house piping fed from nearby hot springs.

Iceland has the ability to manufacture hydrogen from its resources that will be used for fuelling cars, trucks, ships and industrial engines. Iceland, like Perth, is trialling three Mercedes-Benz fuel-cell buses.

Fuel cells are similar to a conventional car battery, though work in reverse by being infused independently with hydrogen and air to create a chemical reaction that produces electricity.

This electricity then powers electric motors to drive the vehicle. The result of this chemical reaction is an exhaust of water vapour.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

High gas prices continued to pull down sales by domestic automakers in June, with General Motors Corp. selling 25.7 percent fewer vehicles than in June 2005, and sales slipping 15.5 percent and 6.8 percent at DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group and at Ford Motor Co., respectively.

Toyota Motor Corp., meanwhile, credited the company's 14.4 percent sales boost to its many fuel-efficient offerings.

GM, which has an Allen County truck assembly plant, had warned that its June sales would be down significantly because of aggressive discounts last summer.

Paul Ballew, GM's executive director of global market and industry analysis, said comparisons to last year were difficult because of the promotion, which allowed all customers to purchase vehicles at the price given to employees.

"The Employee Discount for Everyone program and the success of that program was probably a once-in-a-decade home run for the industry and certainly for ourselves," Ballew said in a conference call.

He said the June performance was in line with the company's expectations.

High gas prices cut into sales of pickups and big sport utility vehicles - traditionally the stronger segment at both GM and Ford. GM's truck sales fell 37 percent in June, while cars were down less than half a percent.

Year-to-date, GM's sales fell 12.2 percent, including a 13 percent drop for trucks and an 11 percent dip for cars.

At Ford, sales of light trucks plummeted 14.6 percent. But the company saw a bright spot in car sales, which rose 8.6 percent, as demand for new midsize sedans - the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr - remained high.

Sales of truck-based SUVs have been declining across the industry for four years in a row, but until recently, pickups were relatively immune from the phenomenon, Ford said. However, pickup buyers now appear to be delaying purchases because of the pressure of high fuel costs, said Al Giombetti, president of marketing and sales for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Contra Costa Times:

Both GMC and Cadillac made the top 10, but they were beat out by the likes of Honda, Toyota, Lexus and Hyundai. The big surprise was Porsche, the German sports carmaker, which came from 32nd place to knock Lexus out of the top spot it had held since 2001.

This year's J.D. Power rankings, which measure the quality of new cars, took into account for the first time "design defects," not just manufacturing glitches and other technical problems. The reason, according to the company: Today's cars come with so much technological gadgetry that just operating them properly can aggravate some drivers.

So which models came in for top honors?

Toyota had plenty to cheer about, winning 11 of 19 categories. Among its top models: Corolla, Camry, Sequoia, Highlander and Solara all took home best-in-class and its Lexus brand swept the premium categories.

Some American models did beat out the competition, however. The Pontiac Grand Prix was best large car and when it comes to pickups, domestic brands still rule: Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Silverado took home those prizes as did Chrysler's Town & Country in the minivan class.

To see the complete rankings, go to: Redesigned Initial Quality Study

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From New York Times:

Detroit auto companies, which have lagged far behind their Japanese rivals in developing and selling hybrid vehicles, are taking a new direction in a bid to emerge as leaders in their own right on environmental issues.

The latest sign of this shift occurred Thursday, when the Ford Motor Company confirmed that it would not meet its widely publicized goal of selling 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year by 2010, a goal set last fall when energy prices spiked after Hurricane Katrina.

Instead, Ford plans to focus its attention on flexible-fuel vehicles, which can run on gasoline and another type of fuel such as ethanol, William Clay Ford Jr., its chief executive, told employees in a memo distributed Wednesday.

Ford was the first Detroit company to sell hybrid models and it will continue to develop them, Mr. Ford said in an interview here. But that will be part of a broader program to produce cleaner, more efficient vehicles, he said.

'This is in no way a lack of commitment to hybrids,' Mr. Ford said. 'It's an expansion of our commitment to other technologies.'

Mr. Ford, known for his lifelong interest in environmental causes, acknowledged that he would be criticized for the move. But, he said, 'The goal all along is a sustainability goal. It is not a hybrid goal.'

Environmental groups, as expected, were quick to criticize the company. The Sierra Club said it was 'appalled' that Ford was pulling back on its commitment to hybrids in favor of flexible-fuel vehicles.

Daniel F. Becker, director of the group's global warming program, said that because Ford had already backed off a previous promise to build more fuel-efficient sport utility vehicles, the company was 'rapidly becoming the automaker that cried wolf.'

In 2000, Mr. Ford pledged that the company would achieve a 25 percent increase in the fuel economy of its S.U.V.'s by 2005. But it stepped away from its pledge two years before the deadline. Mr. Ford later said in an company report that it was unable to develop fuel-saving technology as quickly as it had hoped.

Ford is not going down the flexible-fuel path alone. On Wednesday, chief executives of the Detroit auto companies sent a letter to Congress, pledging to double their production of flexible-fuel vehicles to two million a year by 2010. The two largest Japanese carmakers, Toyota Motor and Honda Motor, do not sell flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States.

In recent months, General Motors and the Chrysler Group have each increased their emphasis on flexible-fuel models, even though they have been developing hybrids.

G.M., in particular, has been aggressively marketing the fact that some of its models, like the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo midsize cars, are able to run on E85, a mixture of ethanol, which is grain alcohol derived from corn, and gasoline.

Earlier this year, it introduced a splashy marketing campaign, 'Live Green. Go Yellow,' that promotes G.M. vehicles that can run on the corn-based fuel.

Meanwhile, Chrysler dealers, who already sell flexible-fuel minivans, are asking for more models that can run on ethanol, the Chrysler chief executive, Thomas W. LaSorda, said last week. He said the company's new Sebring sedan would be available in a flexible-fuel version.

Auto companies began making flexible-fuel vehicles in 1988, after Congress passed legislation giving them credits toward meeting corporate average fuel economy standards for each vehicle they sold.

Mr. Becker of the Sierra Club said Thursday that Ford's shift was motivated by a bid for more credits. But Mr. Ford noted there were tax credits for buyers of hybrid vehicles as well. 'It's not a credit-driven thing,' he said. 'We get credit either way.'

More than five million flexible-fuel vehicles now are on American roads, according to the Web site Edmunds.com, even though many consumers may not be aware that their automobiles can run on something other than gasoline.

The renewed flexible fuel emphasis makes business sense at a time when G.M. and Ford are losing hundreds of millions of dollars on their automotive operations in North America, analysts said.

Flexible-fuel technology is essentially paid for, while it would take years and extensive investments in hybrids for American automakers to catch up to Toyota and Honda. 'It's a pretty inexpensive and easy way to make your product line more green -- not nearly as expensive as doing the hybrid thing,' said John Paul MacDuffie, a management professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Toyota has sold more than 600,000 hybrids worldwide since 2000. Honda has sold about 150,000 hybrids worldwide in that same period.

Ford has sold about 30,000 Escape hybrids since they went on sale in 2004. Hybrids make up less than 1 percent of Ford's sales, compared to about 5 percent of Honda's sales and 6 percent of Toyota's sales in the United States.

This focus on ethanol does offer bragging rights for Detroit auto companies, since Japanese companies have not sold flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States, with the exception of the Nissan Titan pickup. That may soon change. Toyota plans to sell a flexible-fuel vehicle in Brazil, where ethanol is widely used, during the coming year. Its engineers are looking at all sorts of new technologies.

'It's a horse race,' said Jo Cooper, a Toyota group vice president for government and industry affairs. 'Everyone in the auto industry wants to have a light-bulb idea.'

Ms. Cooper said Toyota would maintain its emphasis on hybrid vehicles, which appeal to customers for a variety of reasons. 'Fuel economy is one,' she said, 'But people love them for the technology. People love them because they're different. They love them because they feel like they're making a contribution' to helping the environment.

Neither hybrid nor flexible-fuel technology is expected to be the ultimate answer to America's dependence on foreign oil, since both rely in part on gasoline, analysts said.

And both have drawbacks: hybrids generally cost more than cars with conventional gasoline engines, while only 600 of the nation's 180,000 service stations sell E85, and those are primarily in the Midwest.

The scarcity of E85 fuel is an important reason why Detroit's automakers should not expect a significant lift in sales by emphasizing flexible-fuel vehicles, said Ron Pinelli, president of Autodata, an industry statistics firm in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

And since they have a lock on the market, Detroit's automakers might simply end up competing against each other, rather than taking sales away from Japanese vehicles.

For now, G.M. is maintaining its goal of offering a dozen hybrid models by 2010. It already sells hybrid pickup trucks and will offer a hybrid version of the Saturn Vue sport utility later this summer.

But persuading car shoppers that American brands offer fuel-efficient vehicles is a challenge, Mark R. LaNeve, G.M.'s vice president for North American sales and marketing, conceded this week.

'The Japanese reputation for fuel economy really got set back in the '70s,' Mr. LaNeve said during a conference call Tuesday. 'This shows you how long it takes, how embedded some consumers' opinions are, and how long it takes to change those opinions.'

For his part, Mr. Ford said it was important for car companies to continue developing all types of vehicles so they could keep pace with advancements in fuels. 'We need to keep a hand in everything so that when a break comes, we can move fast,' he said.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From New York Times:

Many vehicle buyers take delight in the distinctive 'new car smell' of their purchase, but chemical emissions from interior plastics and other parts that contribute to the familiar odor may actually be bad for their health.

V.O.C.'s, or volatile organic compounds, are found in paints and in glues and sealants used in auto interiors. In a closed car -- especially on a hot day -- concentrated V.O.C. emissions from seats and dashboards may be hazardous, according to recent studies. Other interior chemicals under suspicion include phthalates, a softener in plastic, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDE's, a flame retardant.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the effect of V.O.C. exposure may range from throat irritation to liver or kidney damage. V.O.C.'s have been linked to cancer in humans, the E.P.A. has said.

This year, a study by the Michigan-based Ecology Center concluded that 'concentrations of some toxic chemicals in automotive interiors were 5 to 10 times higher than those found in homes and offices.' Jeff Gearhart, campaign director of the center's auto project, said cars were 'toxic chemical reactors.'

Gregory J. Dana, vice president for environmental affairs at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, dismissed the report as 'part innuendo and part fact, and not scientifically peer reviewed.' He said the auto industry was 'always working to reduce chemicals in the car.'

Car companies are addressing the issue: automakers in Japan have voluntarily agreed to reduce V.O.C.'s; Volvo has a team to detect problems with materials heated to different temperatures; Ford, Volvo and Hyundai are reducing the use of PBDE flame retardant; Dow has developed a process used in making low-V.O.C. foam for seats and other parts.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From: The Post-Standard

After announcing in April that Toyota and Ford hybrids were eligible for tax credits, the Internal Revenue Service added Honda's 2006 hybrids to the list.

The 2006 vehicles and their applicable credits are:

Honda Civic Hybrid CVT 2006 $2,100

Honda Insight CVT 2006 $1,450

Honda Accord Hybrid AT 2006 $1,300

The vehicle eligible for the largest tax credit is Toyota's Prius, which is eligible for a credit of $3,150.

The IRS also announced that Toyota has sold 41,000 hybrids as of the end of March, making it the manufacturer closest to reaching the 60,000-vehicles-sold limit that would mark the beginning of a phase out of the credits.

Ford had sold 6,192 hybrids by that point.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

: The West Australian

(The diesel engine) is named after German engineer Rudolf Diesel, who received a patent for his invention in 1893 and demonstrated it at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris using peanut oil as fuel.

The air-fuel mixture in the diesel engine is compressed to such high pressures in the combustion changer that it self-ignites, firing the engine without the benefit of spark plugs and an ignition system.

To achieve this, the diesel engine requires a compression ratio up to double that of a typical petrol engine.

Because the oil-like diesel fuel is rich in energy and requires less effort to start the combustion process, each power stroke provides more propulsion in the form of torque. This means that the engine generally uses less fuel.

High-compression diesel engine parts are heavier than those of lower-compression petrol engines, so the diesel engine spins more slowly.

Production diesel cars appeared in the mid-1930s, the models including the Mercedes-Benz 260D, Hanomag Rekord and Citroen Rosalie.

Turbodiesel development was encouraged by the 1970s oil crisis, the first production cars appearing late in the decade. These included the Mercedes 300 SD and 300 TD, and the Peugeot 604.

The first direct-injection turbodiesels - including the Fiat Croma, Austin Rover Montego and Audi 100 TDI - were launched in the late 1980s.

The Audi 100's pioneering electronic control of the engine allowed big gains in emissions reduction, refinement and power.

In recent years, new technologies have made major steps towards these goals.

One direction has been common-rail injection, which does away with pump injectors and replaces them with a central storage "rail', or tube, where the fuel is kept under extreme high pressure and then released via precise, electronically controlled solenoid injectors directly into each cylinder.

The high pressure creates a fine mist of fuel for more efficient burn.

Electronics also allow the process to be broken down into a series of smaller injections to improve combustion for cleaner, quieter and more efficient firing.

Most modern turbodiesel engines provide frugal fuel use, long tank ranges, quiet operation, lots of grunt and low emissions, especially where particulate filters are fitted.

Downsides include the higher cost of diesel fuel, inadequate facilities at many service stations and the higher initial purchase cost of the car, though the discrepancy is narrowing.

From a low base, sales of turbodiesel passenger vehicles in Australia have rocketed in the past two years.

In the first five months of this year, sales of private passenger diesel cars were 3045, a 93.5 per cent lift on the same period last year.

Sales of non-private passenger diesels jumped 218 per cent.

Brands such as Peugeot, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW are moving towards offering diesel variants across their ranges.

Citroen, Jaguar, Chrysler and Alfa Romeo have also recently released diesel models and the coming Fiat Punto will be offered with a turbodiesel model.

Most 4WD brands offer turbodiesel models, with only the compact segment awaiting a reasonable selection.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From The Dallas Morning News:

Although $3-a-gallon gas has scared off some buyers of full-size sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, it has deeply eroded the sales of the truck-based vehicles such as the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee that launched the SUV craze 15 years ago.

Although midsize SUVs introduced America to big, trucky boxes on wheels, the full-size versions that became popular in the mid-1990s have largely overshadowed them.

Full-size SUVs have more space, cargo capacity and cachet. And most buyers of full-size SUVs care more about interior space and cargo capacity than fuel consumption, so the midsize SUVs are not an option when gas prices shoot up, some analysts say.

"That [midsize] segment has fallen off significantly," said Paul Ballew, executive director of global marketing and industry analysis at General Motors Corp. "Our mids get worse mileage than our full-size SUVs, and you're seeing manufacturers shift accordingly. Its day in the sun has probably passed."

All five traditional midsize truck-based vehicles have weathered double-digit sales declines since the first of the year, ranging from a 13.9 percent drop for the Chevrolet TrailBlazer to a 39.3 percent dive for the Dodge Durango, according to national sales statistics compiled by Automotive News.

Full-size SUV sales fell an average of 11 percent during the same period, and some increased dramatically. Sales of the Chevrolet Tahoe, one of the newest SUVs in the segment, were up 35.4 percent through April, while sales of the GMC Yukon full-size SUV increased 3.6 percent.

And more challenges for midsize SUVs are on the horizon. Next fall, the Environmental Protection Agency will release new fuel ratings for all vehicles sold in the U.S.

The EPA intends to establish a more realistic test procedure that is likely to drop current city ratings 10 percent to 20 percent on all vehicles and highway estimates 5 percent to 15 percent, EPA officials say.

"You could argue that the new ratings will make midsize look even worse," Mr. Ballew said.

"It's a vehicle that has no rationality," said George Hoffer, a professor of economics at Virginia Commonwealth University who follows the auto industry and has owned three midsize Jeep SUVs. "I don't criticize GM for putting their money into full-size SUVs. They can haul and tow. My Jeep does nothing well. I look good in it, and that's all."

Truck-based midsize SUVs have also been hurt by ferocious competition from smaller, softer car-based SUVs -- vehicles such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The main vehicles in the truck-based portion of the segment are the Durango, the Explorer, the GMC Envoy, Grand Cherokee and the TrailBlazer -- all of them domestics.

"I think they will fall to a relatively small niche after next year," Dr. Hoffer said. "They have no reason to exist."

A Chevrolet TrailBlazer, for example, is powered by a 291-horsepower, six-cylinder engine that's rated at 16 miles per gallon city and 22 on the highway. It can haul 1,194 pounds of cargo and tow up to 6,800 pounds. The new Tahoe, though $8,000 more expensive, has a 320-horsepower V-8 that also is rated at 16/22. The Tahoe can haul 1,835 pounds of cargo and tow up to 7,500 pounds.

Last November, GM announced that it was closing 12 factories by 2008, including a midsize SUV plant in Oklahoma City that employs 2,400 people. Ford has already shuttered an Explorer plant in St. Louis.

Despite all the talk about fuel consumption these days, there is little evidence that consumers are turning away from big SUVs and pickups strictly because of high gas prices, some industry observers say. There are few alternatives to those vehicles for drivers who need them, analysts say.

"We really don't think we will see any changes in consumer behavior until gas gets to $4 a gallon and stays there for a year," said Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at Power Information Network, a division of J.D. Power and Associates.

Full-size pickup sales in general are flat. U.S. sales of the big Dodge Ram, for example, fell a modest 3 percent through April, and those of the aging Chevrolet Silverado were down 5.3 percent. But Ford continues to sell F-150 pickups, with sales up 1.4 percent through April.

Moreover, by the end of the year, Chevy dealers will have an all-new Silverado, and Toyota will be building an all-new Tundra pickup.

"Those vehicles are likely to get that segment revved up again," Mr. Libby said.

Likewise, the once-prominent Ford Expedition full-size SUV -- whose sales are down 24.1 percent through April -- will be replaced by a new model later this year.

For now, sales of all truck-based SUVs -- midsize and full-size -- are down a total of 9 percent this year on top of a 13 percent decline last year.

In the same period, car-based crossover utility vehicles have seen a 27 percent increase in sales, said George Pipas, sales analysis manager at Ford Motor Co.

"Most of the shift is from demographics," Mr. Pipas said. "Baby boomers are getting older. If I don't really need that vehicle, the older I get, the less interested I am in stretching to get up into a big SUV or truck. The second factor is gas prices."

Neither is obvious these days at Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, one of the largest Chevy dealers in the U.S. Classic is so confident about full-size SUV sales that it's carrying an inventory of 300 new Tahoes and 100 new Suburbans.

Salesman Ken Thompson says he isn't worried.

"People are talking more about fuel economy," said Mr. Thompson, head of the Thompson Group, a specialized sales unit that has been the nation's top Chevrolet retailer for 25 years. "But if you need a Tahoe or Suburban, it's not going to stop most folks."

One final test may await truck-based midsize SUVs, said Jerry Reynolds, host of the weekly Jerry Reynolds Auto Advice Show on WBAP-AM (570).

The Chrysler Group has announced that it will offer an optional diesel engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee -- a modern, economical 3-liter motor from Mercedes-Benz.

"If that sells, the problem is gas prices, and maybe the segment comes back at some time," Mr. Reynolds said. "If it doesn't, that segment is done."

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Deseret Morning News:

Toyota and Lexus, the automaker's luxury brand, took the top spot in 11 out of 19 vehicle categories in the survey released Wednesday by J.D. Power and Associates. Porsche AG came in first in the overall ranking of brands, averaging 91 problems per 100 vehicles. That compared with an industry average of 124 problems per 100 vehicles.

The study, in its 20th year, was revised to isolate consumers' concerns about design flaws, as distinct from defects and malfunctions. The change in methodology makes year-to-year comparisons impossible.

However, a parallel survey conducted using the old methodology found that as a whole, the industry improved 8 percent from 2005, said Joe Ivers, executive director of quality and customer satisfaction research at J.D. Power.

Lexus came in second in the overall nameplate rankings, with 93 problems per 100 vehicles, while the Toyota brand was fourth with 106. The two brands scored particularly well on the defect side of the equation.

"They're the closest thing to defect-free," Ivers said of Toyota and Lexus.

On the other hand, Porsche's top ranking had a lot to do with good design: It had the least number of design problems of any brand, but was behind Lexus when it came to defects and malfunctions.

The design issues that tended to irk people most were those having to do with ergonomics and the integration of technology into a vehicle, Ivers said.

A prime example was BMW AG's BMW brand, which had an average of 142 problems per 100 vehicles. It ranked among the best for defects and malfunctions, but took a beating from survey respondents in the design area. In particular, Ivers cited BMW's iDrive system, through which many different controls are operated by a single knob.

Bob Lutz, vice chairman for global product development of General Motors Corp., criticized "systems where you gather everything under one control and then you are asked to scroll through menu after menu trying to do things.

"We are used to having certain vehicle controls in certain places," Lutz said Wednesday at an auto interiors show in Detroit prior to the release of the J.D. Power results.

BMW spokesman Dave Buchko defended iDrive, saying customers expect cutting-edge technology from the brand.

"New stuff is new," he said. "It takes a bit of time to gain some familiarity with it."

But Ivers argued it is possible to integrate new technology in a way that doesn't make a vehicle less user-friendly. "Porsche has all the functions but none of the complaints," he said.

Even Toyota and Lexus could improve when it comes to technology and ease of use. Jim Lentz, group vice president for Toyota's U.S. sales division, said some complaints focused on use of the hands-free system for cell phones and even the clocks in vehicles.

In vehicle segments, Toyota had five winners, including the Corolla for compact car, the Camry for midsize car and the Sequoia for large sport utility vehicle. Lexus had six top vehicles, including the IS 250 and IS 350 for entry premium car, the SC 430 for premium sporty car and LX 470 for large premium SUV.

Of the Big Three domestic automakers, General Motors made the strongest showing. Its vehicles won in two segments: large pickup (Chevrolet Silverado LD) and large car (Pontiac Grand Prix).

DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group had a hit with the Chrysler Town & Country, which was the top-ranked van. Ford Motor Co. also won a segment with the Ford Ranger for midsize pickup.

Hyundai Motor Co. scored a sleeper hit with consumers, with the Hyundai brand coming in No. 3 with an average 102 problems. The Hyundai Tucson took the top spot for compact SUV or crossover.

J.D. Power, based in Westlake Village, Calif., collected responses from 63,607 purchasers and lessees of new 2006 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership for the study. This year's survey included 217 questions, up from 135 in previous years.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Japan Corporate News:

Toyota Motor Corporation announced today that worldwide cumulative sales of the Toyota Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, have passed the half-million mark, with 504,700 units* having been sold by the end of April this year.

Toyota launched the Prius in 1997 in Japan and started selling it overseas, such as in North America and Europe, in 2000. The second-generation Prius, equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System II, was introduced in 2003 with an emphasis on delivering both eco-friendliness and driving performance. It has been enjoying good sales both in Japan and overseas, especially in North America.

The Prius is now being made outside Japan for the first time, with production for the Chinese market starting in Changchun, China in December 2005.

Overall cumulative worldwide sales of Toyota (including Lexus) hybrid vehicles passed the 600,000 mark at the end of March this year. Toyota regards hybrid systems as representing a key technology for the 21st century and has been endeavoring to promote their greater use. Capitalizing on the high applicability of hybrid systems, Toyota aims to widen its hybrid vehicle lineup.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

This comes from Journalist Matthew Clarke of Brigham Young University's newspaper, "The Daily Universe":

Ethanol is produced from agricultural products like corn and other grains, and major auto manufacturers have begun modifying their vehicles to use ethanol as a major fuel source. Daimler Chrysler, General Motors and Ford Motor Company have all partnered with Verasun Energy to promote demand for E 85 and to cater to drivers of flexible-fuel vehicles. The companies have sold more than 1.6 million flexible-fuel vehicles nationwide since 1998.

Ford spokeswoman Kristin Kinley said Ford's partnership with Verasun is meant primarily to promote E 85 distribution by getting more ethanol pumps in place throughout the country.

Kinley said the major obstacle to getting E 85 on the road is that consumers are not aware that flexible-fuel vehicles are available at competitive prices.

"It doesn't cost any more," she said.

Kinley also said there are four differences between a typical vehicle and a flexible-fuel vehicle. Injectors, fuel pumps, fuel system calibration and fuel tanks in flexible-fuel vehicles are slightly different from their conventional counterparts. These upgrades make the vehicle compatible with gasoline, ethanol and natural gas.

E 85 ethanol produces fewer emissions than gasoline and, because ethanol is produced by biomass materials like corn, it is produced domestically and it is entirely renewable.

Beverly Miller, director of Utah Clean Cities, said General Motors' "Live Green, Go Yellow" campaign is one of the first attempts by an automaker to promote the use of ethanol as an auto fuel. She said automakers are promoting flexible-fuel vehicles in interest of profit.

Miller said automakers have been making flexible-fuel vehicles for the past few years to keep stride with something called the cafe standard. "Cafe" is an acronym for the corporate average fuel economy. Miller said automakers must predict the average fuel economy years down the road and stay near or below that mark if they want to make a profit, and one way they are trying to undershoot the dollar-per-mile fuel economy is by promoting ethanol.

"With the nation facing an energy crisis of record high oil prices and refining capacity that is stretched to the max, now is the time for bold policies to help increase the availability of homegrown and renewable alternatives to oil," said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of American Coalition for Ethanol, in a press release. "Dramatically increasing the production and consumption of ethanol will confront America's energy crisis head-on."

The American Coalition for Ethanol unveiled a plan Monday to increase availability of E 85 and flexible fuel vehicles. By 2017, the coalition plans to see half of all major gas stations offering E 85 and all new automobiles being compatible with the fuel. The coalition's communications director, Kristin Brekke, said senators Tom Harkin and Richard Lugar will soon introduce bipartisan legislation promoting the use of E 85.

Utah's four E 85 fueling stations are located in Draper, Clearlake, Provo and Orem.

Flexible-fuel vehicles are available from several car companies and, with the first of these vehicles having been manufactured several years ago, some drivers do not know their vehicles are E 85 compatible.

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition allows consumers to check their vehicles for compatibility at www.e85fuel.com.

Gallon-for-gallon, E 85 ethanol is slightly less fuel-efficient than gasoline, but it is often less expensive. Miller said ethanol prices in Utah are slightly higher than they are in other states due to a lack of competition. While much of the ethanol produced in the United States is produced from corn, other biomass materials like potatoes, cheese whey, paper sludge, wood waste and switchgrass are also used.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From the South Wales Echo:

Honda has developed a plant-based fabric for use as a material for car interiors.

The bio-fabric offsets all CO2 emissions produced during the disposal stage of the car through the CO2 absorption that occurs during the growth stage of the plants used as the raw materials.

In the past, plant-based fabric has not been used commercially because of concerns about limited durability and aesthetic issues.

But the new bio-fabric has a high durability and strong resistance to sunlight to prevent colour fading.

It can be used for seats and the interior surface of the doors and roof and for floor mats.

Honda says it now plans to install these bio-fabric interiors to the company's all-new fuel cell vehicle, which will be introduced within three years.

A material called PPT is the basis of the bio-fabric, which is produced from corn and a petroleum-based component.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

From Journalist Brett Fraser of London's "The Daily Telegraph":

Faith in your fellow man and in the efficiency of Mercedes-Benz electronics are required when your driver informs you he is about to conduct a violent lane-change manoeuvre at 100mph. Yes, we are on an empty airfield with plenty of run-off area, but, even so, 100mph seems pretty quick when he flicks the steering wheel left and then right.

His aim, however, isn't to fear-fry my synapses, rather to demonstrate Pre-Safe, a development of the safety system introduced on the latest S-class that is now to be standard equipment on the revised E-class. Essentially, Pre-Safe is programmed to sense the onset of a potential accident and prepare the car for the point of impact - more proactive than reactive.

During the high-speed swerving, the seat belts were automatically pre-tensioned to prevent any forward movement by the occupants, and the front passenger seat rearranged my reclined position to a safer one - seatback quite upright and the leading edge of the base cushion raised to prevent me "submarining'' beneath my seat belt.

In more extreme situations, as demonstrated at much slower speed, travelling completely sideways on a very low-friction surface and then screeching and lurching to a halt on a high-friction one, Pre-Safe will automatically close the windows and sunroof to keep the outside world from getting in should you roll.

Yet, with an eye for detail for which Mercedes was once famed, the sunroof and windows don't close fully, so that, if the airbags are triggered, then the pressure wave and smoke they create can escape the cabin. Of course, you may not actually hit anything, in which case Pre-Safe simply resets itself.

That Mercedes is willing to include Pre-Safe as standard without raising the price of the new E-class shows how keen it is to maintain the dominance of its luxury executive saloon and estate models in a sector where rivals keep getting better.

Pre-Safe is just one element of a host of upgrades to the E-class. It also features brake lights that flash during really heavy braking as an extra warning to those behind and headlights that adapt their light pattern automatically to suit your driving environment - back-roads, urban streets, motorways etc. But all of these things, of course, add further complexity to a model that has previously suffered reliability issues.

Question Mercedes' German representatives on this matter and there is initially a polite denial that any problems ever existed. I don't happen to have in my pocket a copy of this newspaper's report on Mercedes quality problems (April 1, 2006; see telegraph.co.uk/motoring), but hammering the point eventually reveals a quiet resignation to the fact that the E-class's electronics have been a bugbear - and a claim that there has been a huge improvement in reliability.

Apparently, in the run-up to the existing model's launch in spring 2002, there was no way of testing all the electronic systems to see how they interacted with one another. Technology moves on, so now such tests are possible and the testing programme for the whole car, despite the new model being no more than an upgrade, has been more extensive than ever before. We will have to wait and see.

The bits of the E-class that you can see still exude quality and refinement. The car looks a little neater now, too, thanks to a modest cosmetic retouching that includes those fancy headlights (or Intelligent Light System as Mercedes calls them), a bigger radiator grille with a Mercedes-Benz crest set into its upper edge, a reshaped front bumper unit designed to create more visual muscle than before, more elegant door mirrors and a fresh range of alloy wheels. Additionally, the estate derivative gets a full-width, high-level, LED brake light and restyled roof rails and aerial.

While these changes don't amount to much on paper, they do give the E-class a mid-life boost. The new wheels, in particular, might just be enough to persuade those who can't quite live with the looks of the BMW 5-series to take a peek at what used to be considered the staid alternative.

Mercedes must have been niggled by criticism of how the E-class drives because it has fitted a more responsive steering rack and fine-tuned the suspension to sharpen the dynamic experience.

The improvements won't have you rushing to tell everybody the news, but they do mean that the E-class now offers some real motoring pleasure. Hardcore drivers will still gravitate towards a BMW, but the advantage of the E-class, especially with the optional air suspension that was fitted to our test cars, is that its ride quality remains unfussed, even when you are "making good progress''.

The enhancement of the handling allows you to make good use of a new engine in the line-up, the 383bhp (388PS) 5.5-litre V8 used in the latest S-class and SL roadster and now fitted to the E500. In years gone by, this car would have been the dragster of the range, but with AMG now the company's mentalist motor supplier and with the 507bhp E63 AMG rushing this way soon, the E500 is a luxury cruise missile. The engine makes glorious use of its power and torque, whipping the car along at a furious pace while barely raising its voice.

Of course, the more pragmatic - and, doubtless, more popular - choice is the uprated 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the E320 CDI. It has slightly more torque than the E500 (398lb ft against 390), is pretty much as quiet and as quick as the V8-engined car in real-world conditions, goes much farther on a gallon and produces less CO2.

Both models benefit from Mercedes' excellent 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic gearbox, which has a manual override if you are that way inclined.

There are still a few little things that you might wish Mercedes would fix. The mobile phone kit only accepts certain types of Siemens models, for instance, and, if you want to plug in your iPod, you need a special accessory.

However, on the whole, Mercedes' most important model is more desirable than ever. Its cabin is comfortable, opulent and well built, and the way it moves down the road and reacts to its controls is characterised by a sense of calm composure and nicely measured response.

It does make you wonder why you really need to spend the extra money for the S-class...

Price/availability: full range pounds 27,520- pounds 66,545. On sale July 5.

Engine/transmission: (versions mentioned in text only; for existing range refer to First Drive of March 2, 2002 at telegraph.co.uk/motoring) 5,461cc, petrol V8 with SOHC per bank and three valves per cylinder; 388bhp at 6,000rpm and 391lb ft of torque at 2,800-4,800rpm; seven-speed automatic gearbox, rear-wheel drive. 6,208cc, petrol V8 with four valves per cylinder; 514bhp at 6,800rpm and 465lb ft of torque at 5,200rpm; seven-speed automatic gearbox, rear-wheel drive. 2,987cc, turbodiesel V6 with SOHC and four valves per cylinder; 224bhp at 3,800rpm and 398lb ft of torque at 1,600-2,400rpm; five-speed or seven-speed automatic gearbox, rear-wheel drive.

Performance: E500, 155mph (restricted), 0-62mph in 5.3sec, EU Urban fuel consumption N/A, CO2 emissions N/A. E63 AMG, 155mph (restricted), 4.5sec, 12.7mpg, 341g/km. E320 CDi, 155mph (restricted), 6.8sec, N/A, N/A.

WELIKE

Easy-going performance, soothing ride quality, cabin ambience, all-round sense of luxury motoring.

WEDON'TLIKE

Wondering if the reliability issues have been sorted out as well as Mercedes claims.

ALTERNATIVES

Audi A6, from pounds 24,340. BMW 5-series, from pounds 27,110. Jaguar S-type, from pounds 27,995. Lexus GS, from pounds 30,400. Volvo S80, from pounds 23,728.

MORE MOTORING ONLINE

You'll find hundreds of car tests, car comparisons and environmental features at

telegraph.co.uk/motoring

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Consumer Reports' National Research Center recently surveyed nationally representative samples of more than 2,400 men and women age 18 and up. Of those who said they may replace their vehicles, 50-percent said they are considering gasoline/electric hybrids and 38-percent are considering either flexible-fuel vehicles or diesel vehicles. Hybrids currently make up just 1 percent of total new-car sales.

Two of Consumer Reports' Top Pick vehicles this year are hybrids-the Toyota Prius (Green Car category) and Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Midsized Sport-Utility Vehicle category). Other hybrids have also received Consumer Reports' coveted "Recommended" rating. But while hybrids tend to be more fuel efficient than conventional vehicles, experts at the nation's largest and oldest independent, non-profit consumer product testing organization are reminding consumers that these vehicles' higher purchase prices may offset fuel-cost savings. Consumers can research which model is best for them by reading detailed reviews, test results and comparisons using the Consumer Reports New- and Used-Car Buying Kits, which can be found at www.ConsumerReports.org/carbuying. The Consumer Reports New- and Used-Car Buying Kits also help consumers negotiate the best price on almost any vehicle using the CR Bottom Line Price as the place to start their negotiations.

Whether or not they are considering a hybrid, consumers are looking to downsize. More than half of those planning to replace their car (55%) said they are thinking about a small car, compared to about one fifth who are focusing on a family sedan or small SUV. Fewer than one in 20 said they may purchase a luxury sedan or large SUV. The survey also found that 70 percent of Americans have accepted the price of three-dollars per gallon, but only 50 percent are prepared to pay four dollars per gallon.

"High gas prices are not just an inconvenience anymore," said Robert Gentile, director of Consumer Reports' Auto Price Services. "They are forcing people to reconsider what and how they drive, even the way they live their lives."

The survey found about 36 percent of consumers will find it harder to pay for essentials like food and health care. Thirty nine percent said they would have to change vacation plans.

Other Survey Results:

While many consumers are making efforts to reduce gas costs:

42% strongly agreed they will drive less to save gas

38% will reduce spending on restaurant meals and other entertainment

38% will drive more slowly and more smoothly in order to save gas

...few are willing to give up their cars completely:

16% will walk or ride a bicycle more

13% will carpool more

10% will use public transportation more

In addition:

Many (43%) of those looking for more fuel-efficient transportation are young people ages 18-34 who are hardest hit by fuel costs.

Midwesterners were more likely (39%) to consider replacement than residents of the Northeast (31%), where some of the most expensive gas can be found.

Though nearly all of those considering a hybrid found fuel efficiency very important, fewer than 50% found tax incentives a very important reason. Other factors were good reliability ratings (82%); good owner-satisfaction ratings (74%); a desire to reduce U.S. oil consumption (70%); and a hybrid's environmental friendliness (64%).

More than half (52%) of consumers not considering a hybrid cited generally poor performance as a reason for doing so. Higher purchase price (69%), maintenance costs (67%) and concerns about reliability (63%) were other factors.

Nearly three quarters (72%) of consumers expected fuel prices to be higher this time next year.

84% of consumers changed their spending habits in the past month to mitigate higher gas prices

Two thirds shopped for better gas prices

31% purchased lesser-known brand of gas

30% researched gas savings tips

28% went online to compare gas prices

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

May 3, 2006, email from Sen. Barbara Boxer:

The proposed Fuel-Efficient Fleets Act of 2006 helps the federal government take a big step toward decreasing our nation's demand for oil. By requiring the government to add only the most fuel-efficient cars to our federal fleet, this bill helps the federal government lead by example.

1. Require all new federal fleet passenger vehicles to obtain a minimum miles per gallon (mpg) based on vehicle type: The new fuel efficiency standards would be as follows: 45 mpg for cars, 36 mpg for SUVs, 24 mpg for pickup trucks, 20 mpg for minivans, and 15 mpg for vans.

2. Establish a phase-in schedule: The bill would require a phased-in implementation of the new standards.

3. Ensure a reopen provision: The bill would allow the fuel economy standards to be increased, each year, if automotive technology has improved.

4. Create incentives for state fleets to follow the federal government's lead: The bill would provide $100 million in grants as incentives for states to match or exceed the federal fleet standard for their states' fleets. The grants would expire 5 years after enactment.

Our federal fleet purchases can help to lead us to a better, more efficient energy policy. The time to start is now.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Coming soon! My football-loving husband, Derick Alexander, guest writes the next "buying a car" story about his road trip to Las Vegas in a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. He's there to watch the NFL draft, get some much-needed rest and catch up on some homework. Let's read together what he thinks about the Navigator's design styling, huge passenger capacity, gas-guzzling engine and back seat entertainment system. Plus, real dude Derick gives you tips on where to stay (he got an $80 per night e-mail promotion at The Flamingo on The Strip.) And, he show you can still find food bargains in Vegas, such as a 99 cent breakfast and a $5.95 steak dinner.

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Right now might be the right time to buy a hybrid. Ford is offering zero percent financing on its Ford Escape SUV through July 5. Plus, you'll get a hefty tax credit next year. For more information, see

>Ford Escape Hybrid

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Here

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Just days after my first story, Consumer Reports sent out a retraction, revising its cost analysis on the ownership costs of purchasing a hybrid car. This "calculation error" involved a comparison between the six available hybrid models and conventionally-powered cars. Consumer Reports' original story, titled "The Dollars and Sense of Hybrids," showed that none of the six hybrids "recovered their price premium in the first five years....of ownership." However, Consumer Reports has revised its original estimates and concluded that the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid "provide a savings of about $400 and $300, respectively." So, while the savings isn't huge, this report does show that certain hybrid cars do save on fuel consumption in the long run.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/high-cost-of-hybrid-vehicles-406/overview.htm

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

I'm sure Martha Stewart would agree with me that luxury cars are a good thing. Last week, I had the pleasure of driving the ultra luxe Range Rover HSE and the way cool Lexus RX 400h, the only luxury SUV hybrid on the market today. So what did I discover? Read on about my week driving the Range Rover HSE around town and about a gliding down PCH in the Lexus RX 400h towards a dining extravaganza at The St. Regis Monarch Beach.

Range Rover HSE

The English know how to make a hefty SUV drive like a powerful horse and stop like a nimble cat. And, the Range Rover HSE takes bumps in road like a trooper thanks to its permanent four-wheel drive and enhanced electronic air suspension with automatic road leveling. The powerful 4.4 liter 305 hp V8 engine was certainly deft at everything from suburban stop signs to fast and defensive freeway driving. Sometimes, however, the glide from second to third gears seemed rather delayed on such a well-crafted vehicle.

With an estimated fuel cost of about $2,000, the Range Rover HSE is definitely a gas guzzler at an estimated 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. (In comparison, the Lexus RX 400h delivers an amazing 31 mpg city and 27 mpg highway).

For $83,750, this fully-loaded Range Rover HSE has everything one could want for such a high price tag. Some of the most luxurious amenities were the audio system (710-watt, 14-speaker Harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound), the supremely comfortable power adjustable front seats with lumbar supports, the steering wheel-mounted controls for audio and voice and the GPS satellite navigation system with off-road functionality.

For once, I felt more like my very well-off Eastside Costa Mesa and Newport Beach neighbors, driving around like a rich bitch in my super fine Range Rover HSE to new South Orange County hot spots such as Mastros, Beach Pit BBQ, Lucca Cafe and

http://buyingacar.suite101.com/article.cfm/buyingacartoday

Posted by Sheryll Alexander

Test

http://www.jhmattern.com