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Toyota Motor Sales seems to have been too enthusiastic in its response to a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report when it issued a press release Monday stating “No defect exists in vehicles with properly installed floor mats.” Toyota had claimed that NHTSA had completed its investigation into unintended acceleration with certain models, finding that " ... the only defect trend related to vehicle speed control in the subject vehicles involved the potential for accelerator pedals to become trapped near the floor by out-of-position or inappropriate floor mat installations." (See our post “ NHTSA Says No Defect In Recalled Toyota, Lexus Vehicles .”) NHTSA has come out with a strong rebuke, calling the Toyota release “inaccurate and misleading.” In its own statement, the government safety organization said: “NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck. But it is simply an interim measure. This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator...
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Toyota was strapped in the national hot-seat after a tragic accident in August involving a Lexus ES 350 was blamed on sudden, unintended acceleration. A floor mat from a Lexus RX 400h SUV was wrongly fitted to the sedan and suspected as being a key factor in that incident. Toyota Motor Sales has begun mailing letters to owners of certain Toyota and Lexus models regarding the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide-open position. (Read " Toyota, Lexus Recalling 3.8 Million Vehicles to Inspect Floor Mats .") More significantly, Toyota reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) has completed its investigation and found that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured. After conducting an extensive technical review of the issue, including interviews with consumers who had complained of unwanted acceleration, NHTSA concluded that " ... the only defect trend related to vehicle speed control in the subject vehicles involved the potential for accelerator pedals to become...
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By all the reports we've seen from the Department of Transportation and other automotive blogs, the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program was " wildly successful " at driving consumers towards dealerships. With nearly 700,000 vehicle transactions utilizing "Cash for Clunkers" trade-ins, not to mention standard purchases that didn't include the government-subsidized rebates, it's clear that manufacturers benefited from a giant sales infusion during the month of August. When comparing sales figures for August 2009 against August 2008, Ford was the most successful American manufacturer with an increase of 16.99 percent (182,149 units sold) for all of Ford Motor Company and a 21.25-percent jump for just the Ford brand itself. Toyota Motor Company and American Honda were up 6.41 (225,088) and 9.93 (161,439) percent respectively. Unfortunately, even with the incentives, some manufacturers still sold fewer cars than they did a year ago, notably Nissan North America was down 2.93 percent (105,312 units sold), Chrysler was down 15.43 percent (93,222), and General Motors was down 20.19 percent (246,479) from a year ago. (Many thanks to John Neff at AutoBlog...
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Just a year ago, there was very little legislation regulating hands-free and text-free use while driving. At the time, most of the legislation limiting the use of handheld devices while driving was limited to novice drivers, or bus drivers, and only a handful of states deemed it a ticketable offense. Currently, according to http://handsfreeinfo.com/ only a handful of states require hands-free cellphone use, but more than a dozen states have taken action against driving and text messaging, some in conjunction with handheld cell phone bans. On January 1, 2009, California was the first to enact a no-texting law; Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia enacted texting laws in July 2009, and now 14 states restrict texting while driving. Recently, Utah and New Hampshire also adopted new limits on distracted driving. Additionally, more than 20 states restrict minor or novice drivers from using handheld devices while driving. In the meantime, if common sense isn't enough to make you put your device down and drive, here's a British public service video that's graphic enough to encourage you to just leave the device at home before you even get into your car. Remember those "Red Asphalt"...
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It's the week ending August 28, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. Once again, the biggest news involves the end of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program AKA "Cash for Clunker" rebates, culminating in 690,114 transactions valued at $2.88 billion, with stories galore on its " wildly successful " outcome. LeftLaneNews reports on some of the downfalls of the program, saying the clunkers' Web site crashed several times, resulting in a bottleneck of applications. Moreover, only about a third of dealers have received their first clunkers check, leaving many dealerships with cash flow problems. Consumer Reports shares the environmental impact, saying the average new car bought with the rebates got 9.2 mpg more than the average clunker traded in, for an annual average fuel savings per driver of 277 gallons of fuel or about $720. Pizza magnate Papa John Schnatter has finally been reunited with his Camaro. In celebration, he gave away nearly 36,000 free pizzas . Click here to read the detailed story of how Jalopnik helped make it happen -- and if you want, you...
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Barely a month after The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program was first enacted, the second leg of the pivotal program also known as "cash for clunkers," wrapped up boasting nearly 700,000 car sales and improved fuel efficiency....
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The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program, known as “ cash for clunkers ,” has ended. Both government and industry are struggling to emerge from the paper trail left behind by the sales frenzy that saw $3 billion in federal incentives vaporize in just a few weeks. Preliminary figures released this week show that 84 percent of trade-ins under the program are trucks, and 59 percent of new vehicle purchases are cars. Consumers were drawn to fuel-efficient models, averaging a 9.2 mpg improvement from the clunker to the new vehicle. Looking at the top 10 most popular purchases, the list is dominated by thrifty, compact sedans such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Ford Focus. Further, hybrid vehicles accounted for 4.5 percent of new vehicles purchased under the program compared to 3 percent of all new vehicle sales in June 2009. Interestingly, more than ¾ of those buying a hybrid were replacing an SUV or truck. But the key question is, what automakers most benefited from the sales? While the Department of Transportation points out that 54 percent of the top 10 vehicles sold were manufactured in the United States, the sales breakdown shows that that import companies Toyota and...
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The National Insurance Crime Bureau's ( NICB ) has released its annual “hot wheels” report on the most stolen vehicles, revealing a list of older, high-volume models. Certain models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of the value of their parts. In addition, older models are less likely to have factory security systems, such as an engine immobilizer, that could deter theft. (Read “ Car Theft Prevention Tips - Keep your Vehicle from being Stolen .”) The preliminary 2008 FBI Uniform Crime Report (UCR) shows that vehicle theft is on pace to record a decrease of 13.1 percent from 2007 numbers. That would make 2008 the fifth consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts. Moreover, if the preliminary figures hold total thefts for 2008 would be below 1 million vehicles--the lowest annual total in over 20 years. The most-stolen cars of 2008 1994 Honda Accord 1995 Honda Civic 1989 Toyota Camry 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup 2000 Dodge Caravan 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee 1994 Acura Integra 1999 Ford Taurus 2002 Ford Explorer To prevent theft, NICB recommends: Locking your car. Sounds simple, but it is a deterrent. Thieves prize convenience, stealth...
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All good things must end. The first phase for Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) saw $1 billion in federal car-sales stimulus drained in less than two weeks. Congress quickly approved $2 billion to keep the momentum going, with Obama signing into law on August 9th . Now, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the cash for clunkers program will come to a close on Monday, August 24th at 8 p.m. EDT. “This program has been a lifeline to the automobile industry, jump starting a major sector of the economy and putting people back to work,” Secretary LaHood said. “At the same time, we’ve been able to take old, polluting cars off the road and help consumers purchase fuel efficient vehicles.” As of today, the CARS program has recorded more than 457,000 dealer transactions worth $1.9 billion in rebates. John McEleney, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), issued the following statement: “Today, the Administration announced the submission deadline for all ‘cash for clunkers’ applications. Regardless of when the transaction is consummated, the application must be submitted before the deadline to be considered for funding. “However, the National Highway...
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President Obama has signed into law H.R. 3435, a bill that extends the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) with $2 billion more in funding. This bill doubles the original $1 billion in funding that sparked a new car sales wave. Late Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that 245,384 CARS credits had been requested, totaling $1.03 billion. The extension came just in time to continue the offer through the weekend. (See: “ Cash for Clunkers: Senate Approves $2 Billion Extension .”) Obama said, “Now, more American consumers will have the chance to purchase newer, more fuel-efficient cars and the American economy will continue to get a much-needed boost. ‘Cash for clunkers’ has been a proven success: the initial transactions are generating a more than 50 percent increase in fuel economy; they are generating $700 to $1000 in annual savings for consumers in reduced gas costs alone; and they are getting the oldest, dirtiest and most air-polluting trucks and SUVs off the road for good. Businesses across the country – from small auto dealerships and suppliers to large auto manufacturers – are putting people back to work as a result of this program.” From...
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It's the week ending August 7, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. The biggest news this week continues to be discussion of Obama's Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program, as websites discussed the outcome of the program's first week, as well as plans for its next installment. Thanks to AutoBlogGreen for the latest update clarifying the mysterious status of the Car Allowance Rebate System legislation, telling us it looks set to continue for at least another month. Apparently, the Senate confirmed the House's $2 billion funding of the incredibly popular program yesterday in a 60-37 vote, Obama is expected to sign it into law soon, and the money should last through Labor Day. Note: If you're considering making a purchase based on CARS rebates, don't delay, as it's not expected to be extended again. A report at Edmunds Auto Observer , which was heavily based on information obtained from a Hyundai press release, states that these new purchases could result in a 59-percent fuel economy improvement between the new and old vehicle of the early clunker trades. In...
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In a last-minute vote before August recess, the U.S. Senate approved H.R. 3435, a bill that extends the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) with $2 billion more in funding. The bill was passed with 60 yeas and 37 nays. It now goes to President Obama for signing into law. Obama has been a strong proponent of the cash for clunkers extension, and it is expected that he will swiftly put pen to paper. Government officials had forecasted that the initial CARS funds would have run dry this Friday. It is estimated that upwards of 500,000 clunkers could be traded in and replaced with more fuel-efficient, and likely safer, vehicles as a result of this continuation. The original program has exceeded expectations, fueling a massive sales rush over the past few days. Buyers have been exchanging older, worn-out SUVs and pickup trucks for fuel-efficient small and midsized cars. Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors have claimed 45 percent of the CARS sales during this period. (See “ Cash for Clunkers – Top 10 Trade Ins, Purchases .”) "Our customers and dealers appreciate Congress' help in keeping the program's momentum going and providing the stimulus to put more clean, fuel-efficient vehicles...
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The CAR Allowance Rebate System (CARS), popularly known as “ cash for clunkers ,” is widely regarded as a success, and now we have further proof. In “ Cars for Clunkers Works, Time for a Sequel? ” we chronicled the July sales that were buoyed from the program. We now have more detailed information on what vehicles were purchased, with refined figures by brand. Thus far, 83% of trade-ins under the program are trucks, and 59% of new vehicle purchases are cars. Nearly half of new vehicles purchased under the program were from the Big 3. Detroit’s share in this program (45%) is equivalent to their overall share in the auto market (about 45%) – a couple points less than indicated in published reports yesterday. Looking at the product mix, the trade ins are all traditional, high-volume models from domestic brands. The popular purchases are from several brands, skewing toward the imports. On average, the new models boast 63% better fuel economy than the models turned in. A whopping 184,304 vehicles have been exchanged through this program, with car buyers benefiting from $775.2 million in credits. The program is still in effect, with some money remaining. The Senate is expected to pass a ...
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The CAR Allowance Rebate System (CARS), popularly known as “ cash for clunkers ” was executed in a bumbling fashion that only government could manage, yet it was a resounding success. Manufacturers have released their July sales figures, and the news is largely good (or at least, not as bad), with most full-line automakers seeing a lift in the past week from the CARS program. (Learn how cash for clunkers works .) Subaru boasted the most impressive gain, comparing July 2009 to July 2008, with a stunning 34-percent increase. Although not known for high fuel economy, much of its model line is eligible for consideration, and the AWD-automaker is drawing showroom traffic with its redesigned Legacy and Outback. Volvo saw a 26-percent gain, with the XC60 crossover gaining new buyers to what is otherwise an aging product line. Hyundai issued CARS credits weeks before the program was finalized, and as a result, the crafty company saw a 12-percent gain. (See “ Hyundai Honors Cash for Clunkers CARS Rebate – Now .”) But the real winner is arguably Ford Motor Company. Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln retail sales increased nine percent versus a year ago; total sales (including fleet) were 158,838, up...
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It's the week ending July 31, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. The biggest news was the implementation and nearly immediate suspension of Obama's Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program. It took less than a week, but reports indicate CARS may have already burned through its billion dollar funding. Passed at the beginning of the month and officially set into motion on Monday, a brief story published last night at AutoBlog indicates that nearly 23,000 cars have already been sold. According to AutoSpies , when shoppers heard that the program could be stalled so the feds could reconcile the backlog of sales and trade-ins, last-minute buyers crawled out of the woodwork to take advantage of last-minute sales opportunities. As explained at Edmunds Auto Observer , however, a great concern to dealers is the that they must destroy the clunkers and provide proof they have been destroyed before they can even apply for the government voucher. If the money runs out, the dealers must honor the deal without receiving the reimbursement. AutoblogGreen says compressed natural gas-powered vehicles...
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