autoMedia Auto News Blog

Forty years ago, my own mother was killed by a drunk driver. She was the first car off a green light when the other driver sped through a red light and tee-boned her car, killing her instantly,  leaving my father a widow and her four children without a mother. I was barely four years old, but my siblings were old enough that they have memories of the policeman coming to our home to tell us the bad news. They also remember her funeral, though I have no memories of the event, or any of my mother who was taken away before she was even 30 years old.

It is because of this that I take a personal interest in the innovative eCard being sent out by The Century Council for the Fourth of July holiday: It uses a series of simple images to remind people to stay safe this Independence Day and not drive drunk. The images illustrate activities that are common on a typical Fourth of July holiday - a burger flips on a grill... a flag waves... bees buzz around slices of watermelon... somebody tosses a horseshoe. But it ends with images of what happens when someone has too much to drink, gets into a car, and puts lives in danger. It all happens in the blink of an eye, and then?

The Century Council is a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking; through educational efforts and a peer-to-peer lecture and video program, The Century Council educates students across the country about the hazards of underage drinking and driving. I first learned about the organization in an article at AskPatty.com  reporting on the organization's support of  Brandon Silveria and his "Make the Right Choice"  Program. Brandon was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before his high school prom: He was so badly injured that basic motor functions such as walking, talking and swallowing had to be re-learned. He now has permanent brain injury and suffers from dangerous seizures. With the support of The Century Council, Brandon tours the country to share his story so other teen drivers won't make the same mistake.

I hope this eCard will serve as a reminder to all my readers regardless of their age to stay safe this Fourth of July and NEVER drive drunk. Please click on the link to view the eCard at The Century Council,  and when it's over, email the eCard to a friend, or post it to your own Facebook and Twitter  accounts.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

 By Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com Contributing Editor

It's the week ending July 3, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. Gas prices and gas deals are a big incentive for car sales this week, as well as news on the status of the automotive industry.

It's a popular car with unpopular reviews! First Jeremy Clarkson blasted it, then Consumer Reports slammed its "ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access, and visibility," and now AutoBlog has given the 2010 Honda Insight  another disappointing review, citing a bouncy ride and small interior space as its major flaws. Doesn't anybody have something GOOD to say about Honda's gas-electric hatchback? Read what we have to say about the Insight here at autoMedia.com

AutoBlogGreen has got a short report on the "Free Gas for Summer" promotion Suzuki is offering on all SX4s sold from now through August 31st, explaining that the purchaser really gets is a pre-paid credit card loaded up with $270 for the SX4 Sedan or $290 for the slightly less fuel efficient SX4 Crossover. Heck, it's a relatively pain-free way for Suzuki to advertise "Free Gas!" and it's still a few hundred bucks back in your pocket.

Free gas and cheap gas must be the hot keywords this week! AskPatty  reports that Hyundai is offering a new Assurance program that guarantees a year's worth of gas at $1.49 per gallon on most Hyundai models leased or purchased between July 1 and August 31, 2009. With gas currently hovering around $3.00/gallon, this program could save Hyundai buyers about $500 a year.

Over at Jalopnik, if the article itself isn't entertaining enough, the commentary will get you every time!  Which makes me wonder sometimes if their community might have more talent than their staff? NAH! Those guys have got some SKILLZ! Evidence of Jalopnik's true talent is found here in this informative article that describes five ways the new "Car Allowance Rebate System" auto sales incentive program could endanger consumers.

With General Motors officially terminating its joint-venture at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. factory, LeftLaneNews  says Toyota is weighing new plans for the California plant. While many options are currently on the table now that the Pontiac Vibe is a goner, Toyota could be alter the NUMMI plant to produce the company's popular Prius hybrid.

Speaking of Toyota, AutoSpies  reports that Toyota has lost more money than either Ford or GM for the first three months of the year. In a short report full of numbers and statistics, AutoSpies says Ford has outsold Toyota for third month in a row, and that so far this year GM has outsold Toyota 947,518 to 770,449. Is it a twist of fate or justice served?

Want more information on those sale figures? The Detroit Bureau has a colorful graph comparing the top ten vehicle sales in the Domestic market from June 2008 to June 2009. Overall in June, Chrysler Group sales declined to 68,297 vehicles, a decrease of 42% compared with June 2008, while the market is down on average 37%. The Ford F-Series pickup remains a winner, leading sales in 2009, and in the top half of 2008.

Are you traveling with pets over the upcoming holiday weekend? Consider stopping by Mount Dora, Florida, a charming canine-friendly stopoff 20-some miles northwest of Orlando, where according to the dog-loving folks at AutomotiveTraveler  "Yappy Hour" events are held at The Wine Den on the third Friday of every month to benefit the Humane Society of Lake County. Woof!


Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form  so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, Contributing Editor

I have an affinity for high-performance wagons, having learned to drive using my parents’ 1969 Ford Country Squire LTD station wagon, with a 7.0-liter, 429 cubic inch V8. It was big and fast—although I can honestly claim, unlike my older brother, that I never hooked any corners in it or performed a 180. Boys will be boys.

Years ago when working at Motor Trend, I tested a Volvo T-5R wagon with a turbocharged inline five. It rolled on 40 series tires and had black suede-like seats. With my brand new baby in the back, I thought it was the coolest car for a hot rod mommy. Before that I’d fallen in love with an Audi S4 quattro wagon. It wasn’t smog-certified for sale in California, but Audi was nice enough to share it with the staff at MT, and I was lucky enough to drive it to Santa Barbara and back on a nice weekend.

What could be more perfect than a high-performance, low profile luxury wagon that hauls mass without blocking the road-view of the driver behind you? Assuming they can keep up, and it even matters, it’s quite fun not to have to give up your performance driving tendencies and your trips to the garden center. There are some things a tall SUV will just not satisfy.

Coming soon is Cadillac’s completely new CTS Sport Wagon. It doesn’t take much to imagine the wonderful attributes of the current 3.6-liter, direct-injected, 304-horsepower award-winning CTS sedan—but with room for Rastro in the rear. On the outside, the wagon is about the same size as the sedan, yet has nearly twice the cargo-carrying capacity on the inside. Also available with a 270-hp, 3.0-liter six, the 3.6-liter setup has an 11.3:1 compression ratio and a near-even 51/49 front/rear weight distribution. The 2010 CTS Sport Wagon is expected to be on sale later this summer. A few more of my favorite fast luxury wagons can be found in our 2009 New Car Buyer’s Guide—the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 328i Sports Wagon, Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon, Saab 9-3 Sport Combi, and Volvo V70R Wagon.

~Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com

When Buick revealed its 2010 LaCrosse, people were impressed by its gorgeous looks, and well-positioned pricing that makes it competitive in the luxury sedan marketplace. However, the biggest news was that it will also feature a fuel-efficient, direct injected  182-horsepower/2.4L four-cylinder Ecotec engine.  Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, this new powertrain combination is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway and 20 mpg city - making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.

"Buick LaCrosse customers will have the fuel-efficient option of the Ecotec 2.4L direct injection engine, a four-cylinder that is not available by key competitors, such as the Lincoln MKZ and Acura TL," said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president.

The Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder joins the lineup later this year as the standard engine in the LaCrosse CX. Direct injection technology helps it deliver 182 horsepower (136 kW) and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm). Buick expects about 25 percent of customers will opt for 2.4L-equipped models.  Also offered are a 255-horsepower/3.0-liter direct injection V-6, and those thirsty for more power can also step up to a 280-horsepower/3.6-liter direct injected V-6.

"Direct injection is a key component of GM's ongoing strategy to use advanced propulsion technology to help us deliver more fuel-efficient cars today and in the future," said Tom Stephens, vice chairman, Global Product Development. "GM is using multiple technology pathways to achieve increased efficiency and to diversify energy sources - and we're applying them where they make the most sense for customers when it comes to efficiency, performance and cost."

The 2010 LaCrosse will be offered in three models - CX, CXL and CXS: Pricing starts at $27,835 for the base CX model; $30,395 for CXL FWD (adds leather heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels); $32,570 for CXL AWD  which includes a fully automatic, all-wheel-drive system, anti-lock braking system and StabiliTrak  as well as the larger 3.6-lliter engine. This top-of-the-line model also adds perforated, leather heated and cooled seats; and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels are optional). All prices include the $750 delivery charge.

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan is the newest example of the globally influenced product renaissance at Buick. It offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, and styling that blends Buick's heritage cues with modern design. Inside, the atmosphere of the LaCrosse's cabin is accented with available digital connectivity and personal technology that includes in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. Rear-seat passengers can enjoy an optional DVD entertainment system. GM's Side Blind Zone Alert system will be available later this summer. Additional optional technologies will include a head-up instrument display, adaptive forward lighting, and a rearview camera system.

All models in the LaCrosse lineup also feature Buick's signature QuietTuning, an engineering process that reduces, blocks and absorbs interior noise to provide a distraction-free passenger environment. Watch for a complete review of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse to appear soon here in the autoMedia.com Buyer's Guide.

By Brandy Schaffels
autoMedia.com Contributing Editor

Kia injected some much-needed personality into its lineup with the funky, Scion-fighting Soul. (Read the full Kia Soul preview.) Without skipping a beat, the Korean automaker is bringing out its first special edition model, dubbed Denim Soul. The name reminds of a certain Levi jeans partnership that resulted in a memorable AMC Gremlin with denim upholstery. Not to worry, Kia has just played off the name for a blue with white cosmetic treatment.

A blue-jean body color is offset by white side-view mirrors with matching white 18-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, and a single white racing stripe. The Denim Soul is based on the Soul+ model, which includes cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and dual 12-volt power outlets. In addition, the Denim features a hamster-pleasing Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier, and speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music), an iPod connection cable and steering wheel controls, moonroof, and fog lights.

Denim Soul pricing starts at $17,300 with a five-speed manual transmission and $18,250 with an automatic.

See how the Kia Soul compares against the Nissan Cube and Scion xB.

With summer comes a new wave of new-car incentives as dealers seek to offload the 2009 models and make room for the soon-to-arrive 2010s. This summer, dealers are hungrier than in years past, with supply far outstripping demand. Before you rush to buy a flashy, advertised model, here are a few things to consider:

Traditionally, buying a nearly new model that is one or two years old can be a smart move, thereby letting the original owner, or lease company, take the initial depreciation hit. That tried-and-true rule doesn’t quite apply now. New cars are heavily discounted and among the incentives are commonly ultra-low interest rates. Consequently, paying a little extra for a new car may not cost that much more month to month, and it will have a longer service life and extended warranty protection.

While it is true that deals may not get better than what is available today, don’t chase the deals. Instead, focus on finding the best car for your needs, tastes, and budget. Do your research through buyer’s guides, reviews, user reviews, and quality surveys to narrow the list down to a manageable size. Then visit the showrooms, see what speaks to you and take some test drives. In the end, there are great deals to be had on almost all models.

Buying a new car in the summer means it will depreciate a full year’s worth in a matter of weeks. This is fine for buyers who rack up high annual mileage, or will hold on to a vehicle many years. However, it is not advantageous for a low-mileage driver expecting to trade in a car in just three to four years.

There is a pent up demand for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), commonly known as “cash for clunkers,” credits. This program can help those who own an old gas guzzler and are interested in buying a newer, more fuel-efficient model. But there are a few stipulations, and the program is not for everyone. The CARS program begins August 1 and will run just until November. If you are not interested in CARS, you might want to purchase before the sales rush in August, which will reduce inventory (and therefore selection) and potentially elevate prices. (Learn about CARS here.)

When it comes time to buy the new car, remember to negotiate. It can be too easy to just accept the advertised deals, which admittedly can be pretty exciting. But in addition to the manufacturer-supported rebates, the dealer may receive hidden incentives and have some wiggle room of their own. Start low with your negotiations, subtracting the incentives from the dealer invoice, and work you way up. (Dealer invoice prices are available in our buyer's guide.)

Holidays are always a great time to drive a bargain, and this July 4th weekend will be no exception. Do your homework, choose wisely, and you can get a great deal, and stimulate the economy in the process.

Learn more about car buying from these DriveSmart articles:

How to Speak Car Specs
Do-It-Yourself Test Drive
Do Not Be a Payment Shopper
Getting an Auto Loan Today

It's the week ending June 26, 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 of the week is death of Michael Jackson, and even the car sites are talking about it. Besides that, we've got high-performance road tests, long-distance road trips, and green news too! And let's not forget about the Cash for Clunkers/CARS legislation signed into Law by Obama this week!


Big News: President Obama signed the Cash for Clunkers legislation into law this week, only it's been renamed the "Car Allowance Rebate System." In case you missed it, we've got a complete description of the new auto sales incentive program here at autoMedia.com  Are you ready to go shopping? Do your research first here in our online New Car Buyer's Guide.

Autoblog spent three days in the upcoming 2010 Porsche Panamera assailing the Bavarian Alps, streaking across the German Autobahn at speeds up to 170mph, and meandering through picturesque Alpine towns. What did they think of Porsche's gorgeous four-door sedan? It sounds as if they liked it.

Although the closest thing you can get to an electric car at BMW these days is one with Start & Stop technology, a hybrid (in the near future) or, the Mini E, apparently BMW has had a long history of developing electric cars. AutoBlogGreen shares a photo gallery highlighting BMW's collection of  historic electric vehicles from the cute little E1 coupe and the plug-in 3-Series sold in the 1990s, to the all-electric 1602 featured at the 1972 Olympic Games.   Over at LeftLaneNews.com,  they've got reports that BMW will release a new four-seat electric vehicle, dubbed the "City" to United States treehuggers by 2012. Sizewise, the little carlet will be smaller than the 1-Series and MINI, and about the same as vehicles like the Honda Fit.

The death of Michael Jackson yesterday almost shut down the internet as curious fans sought additional information about the pop star's staus. Knowing that the words "Michael Jackson" are incredibly good for SEO right now, a couple of creative automotive sites found ways to exploit the search term - and who can blame them? Jalopnik has a three-minute clip from Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker" film, in which he transforms himself into a Lancia Stratos Zero   and Examiner.com has infor on the Ford ambulance that took the King of Pop on his last ride to the hospital.

Have you been following Ford's Fiesta Agents, as they share their adventures in this highly anticipated sport coupe? Brooklyn Hilary has put more than 13,000 miles on the odometer as she has traversed the country these past couple months. You can read about her experiences over at AutomotiveTraveler.com  Hilary, how many gallons of gas have you used as you roam the country? Are you tired of driving yet?

He was the numbers guy, figuring out how to make things work.  But the world turned upside-down for Frederick A. "Fritz" Henderson, when the White House drove General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner into sudden retirement and gave Fritz an unexpected promotion. In this Q&A article, Paul Eisenstein chats with Henderson to get an update on the bankruptcy process and find out more about what's going on behind the scenes with General Motors' bankruptcy proceedings. Read the interview at The Detroit Bureau.

Motor Trend's Editor at Large Arthur St. Antoine pits Chevy's awesome "Blue Devil" -- the Corvette ZR1 -- against its toughest adversary yet: a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. This high-def YouTube video is almost 20 minutes long, but worth it: viewers get a seat inside the Corvette, and the jet for high-speed and high-performance maneuvers. Unbelievable! 


Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form  so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, Contributing Editor

Introduced at the last New York Auto Show, the 2010 GMC Terrain crossover vehicle will join the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox this September, starting at of $24,995 – including destination charges. (The Equinox base price is $23,185. Learn more about the Equinox.) The all-wheel-drive Terrain begins at $26,745.

The base SLE1 model uses a new, direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 182 horsepower. The DOHC engine is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, together eking out 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway when using the “eco” mode. An active noise-cancellation system helps quiet the cabin from the underhood bustle.

Standard features include a number of high-tech notables, such as a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with USB connectivity, XM satellite radio service, and an integrated rear-view camera system. Safety gear includes six airbags, StabiliTrak vehicle stability control, and OnStar.

For $29,995, the top-of-the-line SLT2 trim level outfits the Terrain with luxury amenities, such as leather seating, a premium sound system, a power liftgate, sunroof and a special chrome appearance package. Additional options are available, such as an integrated navigation system and a rear-seat DVD infotainment system

A 3.0-liter DOHC V-6 is available with 264 horsepower. However, fuel economy is a less appealing 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway.

An interesting overall package, the Terrain will give the GMC line-up a competitive, lower-priced entry point.

Today President Obama signed into law a new program being called "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS); we've previously been referring to it as "Cash for Clunkers."  This government program is intended to help consumers purchase a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle when they trade in a less fuel-efficient vehicle. Official information is available here at www.cars.gov.

The new CARS law allows consumers to receive up to a $4,500 credit when trading in their old gas guzzler for a more fuel-efficient new vehicle.  Qualifying vehicles are considered passenger cars, mini vans, SUVs and small light-duty trucks that get less than 18 mpg, and large light-duty trucks that get less than 15 mpg city/highway combined.  For passenger cars, if the new vehicle is at least four mpg more fuel-efficient than the old vehicle, consumers will receive a $3,500 credit toward a new vehicle.  If the new vehicle is at least 10 mpg more fuel-efficient than the old vehicle, the credit is good for $4,500.

If you're not sure whether your car qualifies, you can find out how your car is rated by searching at fueleconomy.gov  (I was disappointed to discover that my 1989 Honda Accord does not qualify for a voucher because it is too fuel efficient, though I'm sure my car is relieved that it is neither a gas-guzzler, nor a clunker.) Once you locate your vehicle, the magic "combined fuel economy figure" is displayed in red. This number is based on 45% highway economy plus 55% city economy and DOES reflect the new ratings method the EPA implemented in 2008 to reflect faster driving habits, air conditioner use, and cooler outside temperatures. If you're handy with a calculator, the formula looks like this: (City x .55) + (Hwy x .45) = the magic number.

The National Highway Transportation and Safety Association (NHTSA) is expecting implementation within in 30 days. The law requires dealers to be registered before they can participate in the program, so shoppers may want to contact their local dealer in mid-July to see if they are ready to utilize the program.

Important things you must know:

Even though discussions up to now have discussed vouchers, you do not need a voucher: Dealers will apply a credit at purchase.
Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date.
The credits only apply toward the purchase or lease of new vehicles and you may trade in or buy a domestic or a foreign vehicle.
The vehicle being traded in must get fewer than 18 MPG (though some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements).
Vehicles being traded in must have been registered and continuously insured for the full year preceding the trade-in, and be in driveable condition.
This is not a retroactive program: if you recently traded in an old car for a new vehicle, you're out of luck.

Ready to go shopping? Do your research first here at our online New Car Buyer's Guide

By Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com Contributing Editor

Director Michael Bay is well known for his larger-than-life adrenalin-pumping action films featuring intense conflicts, thumping loud soundtracks, and maybe even a little gratuitous sexual content. That said, fans of the first Transformers film will not be disappointed by Bay's sequel "Transformers 2: Revenge of The Fallen"  which delivers extra portions of all of the above.

DreamWorks and Paramount pictures worked hand in hand with Hasbro to ensure the backstories of each character would remain true to Hasbro's established history (and sell oodles of toys), so car fans will delight in the assortment of heroic Autobots, which transform into a variety of General Motors-branded vehicles from massive GMC trucks to the already popular Bumblebee Camaro. Introduced in this second toy story are several new Bow-Tie-wearing 'bots, including Sideswipe, an incredibly sexy Corvette influenced by the original 1959 Stingray race car, which transforms to wield powerfully sharp swords; and a pair of Laurel-and-Hardy-esque Autobot Twins, Skids and Mudflap, who are skinned in automotive form as Chevy's Beat and Trax concepts first seen at the 2007 New York Auto Show. The Chevrolet Volt makes an appearance in the film as the character Jolt; as an electric car, Jolt's weapons include a pair of electric whips used at the end of the film to help attach some extra firepower to one of the film's heros. There are even a few unbadged pocket rockets guided by sexy holographic pilots that are sure to please the motorcycle fans in the audience.

One of the biggest surprises were the Audi and Volvo-badged Decepticons! For as much as General Motors promoted and advertised their involvement with the film, these vehicles were definitely under the promotional radar. Audi didn't have much to say about it, but photos a toy transformer of the Decepticon R8 known as Sideways can be seen here  along with several other videos showing how to transform the entire assortment of toys. Jalopnik has some behind-the-scenes video of the Audi R8 from the first day of filming here.

"'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' goes way beyond the first film in terms of robot action and excitement," said LeeAnne Stables, executive vice president of worldwide marketing partnerships at Paramount Pictures, the distributor of the film. "The new Autobots add to the storytelling, and these Chevy vehicles went with our filmmakers to locations all around the world. GM has again provided incredible support to the production team working on the movie." For more exclusive Chevrolet Autobot information and movie clips, visit www.autobotsrollout.com.

Unfortunately for Paramount,  LATimes.com reports that General Motors was forced to cut back its promotional spending,  which meant that the financially strapped automaker was unable to support the film's marketing blitz in the weeks leading up to its opening. Ultimately, however, that didn't seem to matter much, as midnight showings were sold out across the country last night. The parking lot of the screening I attended was occupied by a broad assortment of Camaros, including one 2010 model: Hopefully Chevy will sell a few of these sportsters due to its exposure in the film. (Who wouldn't want to drive one of those Bumblebee yellow-and-black striped racers around town?) A quick internet search shows interested buyers CAN find Camaros for sale in dealerships across the country.

Transformations between Robot and Autobot shapes are abundant, and some are even performed in slow motion for added viewing pleasure, with nauseatingly real visual effects displaying the more dramatic transformations with 360-degree viewing action. A highlight transformation is the combination of several Constructicons into a giant Devastator in the Egyptian desert. If you're a true fan of this digital action (once again created by Industrial Light & Magic) you'll want to view this film in its full IMAX glory.

The ear-pounding score and soundtrack  are guided by Steve Jablonsky, Mike Shinoda, and Hans Zimmer and feature (of course) Linkin Park along with Green Day, All-American Rejects, Hoobastank, The Fray, Nickelback, and Staind.

Megan Fox is steamy-hot as Mikaela and Shia LaBeouf is his usual goofy self as Sam Witwicky: The two play well together right up to the film's somewhat cliche "kissing shadows in the twilight sun" denouement. Viewers past puberty will also appreciate Isabel Lucas who plays an aggressively sexy co-ed and Ramon Rodriguez as Sam's "legend-in-his-own-mind" college roommate.

Parents: Sex- and drug-related references go far beyond innuendo, so  respect the PG-13 rating and be prepared for an abundance of "dog domination" by Sam's pet chihuahua Mojo and one small Decepticon who worships Mikaela. The frequent fight scenes are extremely violent and emotionally intense, and believe it or not, some of the 'Bots bleed when injured--while it may simply be transmission fluid, it is easily visualized as blood.

Paramount and DreamWorks are currently in development of the Transformers threequel, which has a rumored release date of Friday, July 1, 2012.

Can't wait to see which vehicles will star in that one!

By Brandy Schaffels
autoMedia.com contributor

 Film stills via GM Media, vehicle photos by the author 

Mini has weathered the economic storm well, being laser-focused on fun, fuel-efficient vehicles. The larger Clubman broadened the brand’s appeal, and there is reported a new crossover type model now in the works. Where other company’s are cutting their dealer body by the hundreds, Mini is about to increase its by 20 percent over the next 18 months. (Read our Mini Cooper Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works reviews.)

Of course, that is a modest 17 new stores, added to the current 83. This speaks well to Mini USA’s health and future prospects. Further, it means Mini dealers will be more accessible to shoppers and owners. A critical weakness for consumers has been how few and far between dealers are, compounded by the fact that BMW dealers won’t service the Mini Coopers. This made it hard for owners, making routine maintenance a logistical challenge that may involve time off from work and considerable drives.

Well, that will soon change in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, Mini will later open dealerships in the following cities: Pensacola, Florida; Alexandria, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Fort Myers, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Ontario, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Raleigh, North Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Loveland, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California and Tempe, Arizona.

Research the Mini Cooper coupe, convertible, and Clubman in the 2009 new car buyer’s guide.

The Detroit 3 showed marked improvements in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study released this week, with a 10-percent gain over 2008. This accomplishment for Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors is remarkable given the well-publicized challenges they have faced in the past year, and all the more impressive for being greater than the 8-percent rate of improvement by the industry overall.

Cadillac ranks in the top three, moving up from 10th last year, with Ford, Chevrolet, and Mercury all ranked above the industry average. However, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep remain well below the average.

The study finds that initial quality for newly launched and redesigned models in 2009 has improved compared with previous years. Historically, all-new models have typically launched with below-average levels of initial quality. However, several all-new models in 2009, including the Hyundai Genesis, Kia Borrego, Toyota Venza and Volkswagen CC, perform considerably better than their respective segment averages. Many redesigned models in 2009 also show notable improvement from the previous generation--particularly the Acura TL, Ford F-150, Honda Pilot, and Nissan Z.

The highest ranked for initial quality by car segment
Compact Car: Hyundai Elantra Sedan
Compact Sporty Car: Scion tC
Compact Premium Sporty Car: Nissan Z
Entry Premium Vehicle: Lexus IS
Midsize Premium Car: Lexus GS
Midsize Sporty Car: Ford Mustang
Large Premium Car: Lexus LS
Midsize Car: Nissan Altima
Large Car: Mercury Sable
Compact MAV: Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda CR-V (tie)
Midsize MAV: Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Edge, Toyota 4Runner (tie)
Large MAV: GMC Yukon
Midsize Premium: Lexus GX
Large Premium MAV: Lexus LX
Large Pickup: Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra (tie)
Midsize Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Minivan: Toyota Sienna

2009 Nameplate IQS Ranking
Problems per 100 vehicles
84 Lexus
90 Porsche
91 Cadillac
95 Hyundai
99 Honda
101 Mercedes-Benz
101 Toyota
102 Ford
103 Chevrolet
103 Suzuki
106 Infiniti
106 Mercury
108 Industry Average
110 Nissan
111 Acura
112 BMW
112 Kia
112 Volkswagen
116 GMC
117 Buick
118 Audi
118 Pontiac
118 Scion
118 Volvo
120 Saturn
123 Mazda
129 Lincoln
130 Subaru
134 Dodge
134 Jaguar
135 Mitsubishi
136 Chrysler
136 Hummer
137 Jeep
138 Saab
138 Smart
150 Land Rover
165 Mini

The 2009 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2009.

The U.S. Department of Transportation seeks to take the mystery out of tires for consumers, with a proposed new label. If approved, the label would provide easy-to-interpret information on the tire’s impact on fuel economy and CO2 emission reductions. In addition to the new fuel-efficiency ratings, the label would present information on wet weather traction and tread wear. All three ratings would be prominently displayed on a removable label attached to the replacement tire at the point of sale. (See "Tire Myths - 5 Important Facts You Should Know.")

The DOT estimates that rolling resistance accounts for four percent of city fuel economy and seven percent on the highway. For contrast, aerodynamics are estimated to contribute three percent and 11 percent, respectively, toward fuel consumption.

NHTSA is required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to issue a final rule by December 2009.

Until then, read: "10 Tips for choosing the right new tires for your car or truck."

Infiniti has expanded its G line with a convertible model, now on sale starting at $43,850 with a seven-speed automatic transmission. For an additional $50, it can be had with a six-speed manual transmission. Just in time for summer, the G37 is a late 2009 model introduction.

The G Convertible features a three-piece power retractable hardtop, well-suited to for blue-sky, open-top driving at the push of a button, while being able to transform into a quiet, secure coupe as needed. To heighten the top-down experience, the convertible is fitted with a  Bose Open Air Sound System, front seat personal speakers, climate-controlled front seats, and an adaptive climate control system that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed.

Like the coupe and sedan versions, the convertible has a 3.7-liter V-6 engine. In this application, the engine produces 325 horsepower. Of the powertrain, in our sedan review, we wrote: "The 3.7-liter six is comfortably powerful, though the motor’s 328-hp rating sounds higher than it feels under foot. The seven-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and effectively widens the engine’s power band." 

Major options:
Premium package: $3,250
Premium package - Sport 6MT: $3,050
Navigation package: $1,850
Technology package: $1,150
Sport package (with Premium package): $1,350
Sport package (without Premium package): $1,550
Performance tire & wheel package: $650
Wood trim: $550
Premier Edition: $3,000
19-inch wheels: $2,200

Read our 2009 Infiniti G37 review. Research Infiniti in the 2009 new car buyer's guide.

People are often curious about girls and women who love, race, and/or write about cars. I owe my passion for cars (and my career) to my dad. My dad was 23 when I was born; his second child and, all told, his only daughter. He’s called me Baby my whole life.

Southern California in the early Sixties was innocent and spacious, and a great place to be during a hot rod heyday. My dad was a machinist, a mechanic, an engineer, a flat track motorcycle racer, and a born-and-bred automotive aficionado and engine builder. He, like most young men, learned about cars from his dad—and I learned about cars from mine. He gave me an appreciation of cars—not just the shiny new ones, but how to take care of them, to make them last and run well. He taught me racecar driver skills, and the importance of maintenance for safety’s sake.

As a teenager, he had ’37, ’38, ’39, and 1940 Fords. He put a cam for a hydroplane boat on one and later bought a ’42 Cadillac, which he converted to a hot rod. When he met my mom, he drove a ’53 Lincoln Capri, two-toned yellow and black—not bad for a 21-year old. Buying cars and hot rodding them was what he did, and did often. He found a ’53 Studebaker in the wrecking yard. It had a baby V8, but lousy Bendix brakes, so he sold it to a guy who turned it into an Ascot racer. Next he bought a ’51 Chevy Bel Air hardtop coupe with a Cadillac V8 and a turbo 400 trans then a ’58 Olds that ate gas like crazy on our weekend trips to Muscle Beach. He added a Corvette manifold and twice pipes to a blue ’53 Bel Air coupe, but it made too much noise and my mom was always getting ticketed. We always had fun in and around cars, and there wasn’t anything he modified that my mom didn’t drive as well.

All of our “family” cars had some element of performance and/or cool factor to them, even the first brand new car my parents bought—a 1961 Plymouth Valiant. He worked hard to make sure my mom could stay home with us, and every penny mattered. For $3.00 more a month, they could have bought the station wagon version, but decided they couldn’t afford it. My dad taught me the value of money. The Valiant was a good car, although a little nose-heavy with its large, slant six. After that, we got a ’64 Plymouth Barracuda fastback, with a small V8 and a four-speed manual. I say “we” because this was the time I really fell in love with cars and my dad’s skill behind the wheel. I was always asking him to go faster.

We had names for our cars, like our “root beer” car—a ’58 Pontiac Star Chief, with its cream-colored hardtop and metallic root beer brown body, and our ’46 Chevy “cherry truck,” that was really deep green but totally cherry. Our ’61 Pontiac Ventura wide track station wagon, white with red interior, was one of my favorites, because we went everywhere—up and down the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington, camping and traveling. My dad worked 18-hour days, but he always reserved Sundays just for us. After church, he took us for long drives, somewhere around Southern California, from the beaches to Beverly Hills, to the desert to Skid Row. My dad didn’t always drive fast. On these days, he would drive slowly (when no one was behind us), so he could point out Southern California history, and how other people lived—those more fortunate and less. I learned appreciation and understanding from my dad from these family drives.

I also learned trust from my dad, and confidence in myself. At 15, with just my learner’s permit, he had me drive our ‘69 Ford Country Squire LTD (with a 429 V8) from the bottom of Azusa Canyon, through the high, winding mountain roads, through to where it ended back into the town. The caveat was that my entire family was in the car, including my grandparents. But I passed the test and we all lived to tell. When I’d finally gotten my license and could take the car by myself, I knew I had to pay attention to what I was doing, and to it. Not because it ran poorly, but to prevent it from doing so. My dad had installed aftermarket gauges in the car. When I got home from even a dairy run, I had to be able to tell him exactly what the oil pressure was. But he didn’t always ask. My dad taught me to be prepared, to listen to my car, and to tell the truth.

When I got my own first car, I didn’t pay much attention to the Country Squire any longer, but my dad still did. He had a rule about this car: 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever came first. But one day when doing some weekend maintenance under the hood and giving it a wax, a large family in an old, almost broken down pickup drove by. The man stopped and asked my dad if he was selling the wagon. He really wasn’t because, although he’d already gotten my mom a new car, he still had to make sure every hose, belt, plug, pad and wire was just right before selling it. But at that moment he decided to go ahead and let it go, because he could see that this man really needed a nice car for his family. And he gave him a great deal. I learned generosity from my dad.
 
Cars brought us together, they brought us joy and they taught us to take care of what we have, and each other, and to be gracious to others who don't have as much. These are the things I've learned from my dad—things about cars, and life.

- Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com