autoMedia Auto News Blog : Mitsubishi

autoMedia CARnival 10-30-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:52:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 30, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. First, it's too obvious to forget, but this weekend is Halloween, and there are sure to be lots of kidlets swarming the roads in costume on Saturday evening. AskPatty knows Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children to walk and offers up a selection of tips to help drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Love this one: "Empire Strikes Back: White House calls out Edmunds on Clunkers story, Edmunds responds" The facts in the case of the White House versus Edmunds are essentially indisputable - but they are open for interpretation. Thanks to AutoBlog for summarizing this excellent -- and entertaining -- case of "He said, They said." Daylight savings time ends this weekend, be sure to take extra care when driving in residential neighborhoods and approaching intersections and stop signs as you adjust to the added darkness along your familiar roads. Automotive Traveler advises your children to be extra careful if they're walking in a parking lot or crossing the street as the sun sets...(read more)

Automakers Support Texting Ban

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:12:00 GMT

The days for lawful texting while driving are numbered, with several government and academic studies exposing the extreme dangers of this popular distraction. Ahead of a Department of Transportation-led safety conference in Washington, D.C., next week, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) has announced its support for banning text messaging using a hand-held device or calling using a hand-held device while driving a motor vehicle. The AAM is an 11-member industry group consisting of BMW Group, Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

Several AAM members are developing solutions to facilitate text-based communication, all offer Bluetooth connectivity to allow hands-free phone operation. There is general consensus on the problem and the risks, with some studies equating texting to drunk driving, or worse. However, the debate continues on how to reduce those risks, through legislation and/or technology. (Read “Cell Phones Quadruple Chance of Crash.”)

AAM has come forward with the strong statement: …"texting on a hand-held device while driving is challenging the ability of most drivers to perform the function safely and should be banned."

If and how remains to be seen, and we expect it will be discussed at length next week in the nation's capital.

Also read:
Driving While InTEXTicated: Put Down Your Device & Drive!
AAA Study Shows More Than a Third of Drivers Feel Less Safe

3-Row Crossovers Under $25,000

Editor — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:05:00 GMT

Even a spacious midsize sedan can be a tight squeeze for five adults—but you still want to go places with everyone every once in a while—and you have to drive.

So if driving a minivan doesn’t suit you, nor does spending more than $25,000 on a new vehicle, here are five three-row crossover SUVs that will fit you, your passengers, and your budget.

Click on each to learn more about features, options, and pricing in a 2009 New Car Buyer’s Guide.

2009 Dodge Journey

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander

2009 Subaru Forester

2009 Toyota RAV4

-Deborah Neal, Editorial Director

New Cars Under $15,000

Editor — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:20:00 GMT

Do you prefer to start fresh? Would you feel better knowing that your new car doesn’t have a used-car history? If you’re in the market for a brand new car with a new-car warranty, but want or need to keep your spending to a minimum, here are the 16 new models available in trim levels for less than $15,000 (price ranges for some models include trim levels over $15k). Click on each vehicle to learn more about its features and options. Happy hunting!

2009 Chevrolet Aveo ($11,965-$15,365)

2009 Honda Fit ($14,750-$18,960)

2009 Hyundai Accent ($11,070-$15,070)

2009 Hyundai Elantra ($14,120-$17,020)

2009 Kia Rio ($11,495-$14,280)

2010 Kia Soul ($13,300-$16,950)

2009 Kia Spectra ($13,550-$16,450)

2009 Mazda MAZDA3 ($14,690-$20,895)

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ($14,340-$26,490)

2009 Nissan cube ($13,990-$19,370)

2009 Nissan Versa ($10,990-$16,330)

2009 Pontiac G3 ($14,335)

2009 Scion xD ($14,650)

2009 smart fortwo ($11,990-$13,990)

2009 Suzuki SX4 ($13,299-$15,139)

2009 Toyota Yaris ($12,205-$15,880)

See the rest of our New Car Buyer's Guide for pricing, specs, mileage figures, and photo galleries of all vehicle makes, models, by pricing and category.

-Deborah Neal, Editorial Director

Auto Sales Down 34%, Looks Like a 9.5 Million Yr

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:45:00 GMT

Auto industry sales have trended like an Olympic ski jump this past year, with pain felt in all corners, from budget-focused brands to luxury divisions. The trend continued in April, though there were some notable changes, as noted in Automotive News data. While sales were down 34 percent, year on year, there was an uptick in some sectors, enough to raise the annual forecast from a dreadful 9.1 to 9.5 million vehicles – still well short of the 16+ million that the industry had come to take for granted.

Nissan and Toyota proved to be the biggest losers in April, with sales declines of 37.8 percent and 41.9 percent, respectively. (Car shoppers take note, as increasingly aggressive sales incentives are expected.) Not one major company saw sales remain flat, though some did see their monthly numbers dip less than previously. Notably, Ford, Honda, and General Motors posted their smallest sales declines of the year in April, according to Automotive News.

The most significant story may be that Ford outsold Toyota. Ford Motor Company sold 133,979 vehicles in April, compared against Toyota’s 126,540. (FYI: General Motors sold 172,150 and Chrysler moved 76,682 units.)

An independent study conducted by the Aloft Group Inc. confirmed what we all knew: Ford has benefited from its “no thanks” stance toward federal aid, while its Michigan neighbors at Chrysler and GM have accepted billions in taxpayer money and still teetered on the brink of oblivion. (See: Obama Gives Tough Love to Chryser, GM.") According a report by the Detroit News, the Aloft study found a third of those surveyed said they "are more willing to consider buying a Ford since Ford chose to not take the bailout money."

The largest drop of the month came from Mitsubishi, which saw a 59.9 percent decline, down to just 3,919 models sold. The smallest decline was again Subaru, off just 6.7 percent from April 2008.

The modern carpocalypse is threatening to collapse and remake automakers and may lead to a new pecking order. Chrysler has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is proceeding with an alliance with Fiat, while GM kills Pontiac and pursues selling Opel. As dire as these times are, one glimmer of hope come from a recent R.L. Polk survey that found about 55 percent of customers are likely to go car shopping within two years. And half of the respondents claimed they were very or extremely likely to buy a domestic vehicle in order to help the economy.

We hope the economy has turned around by then, enabling consumers to make good on this pledge. In the meantime, car buying now will help the automakers keep the lights on, and in return, they are offering what are probably the best deals we’ll see before inventories are reduced from scheduled summer factory shut downs.

Research in our new car buyer's guide, and learn money-saving tips on how to buy a new car.

Carpocalypse Now: Cars Sales Plummet, Again

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:16:00 GMT

The tragic trend continues, car sales continue to slide from bad to worse as the nation reels amidst the troubled economy. As automakers, suppliers, and dealers struggle to survive and restructure to face the changing challenges, the plummeting sales figures do mean that tremendous deals can be found for those in the market for a new or even a used car.

Few companies were spared deep double-digit declines in Februrary when comparing the month year to year. In the 40-50 percent range, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Pontiac, and even Toyota saw such steep declines. The 50-60 percent range includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Mitsubishi, Saturn, and Volvo. The scariest thing, there are brands in the 60-70 percent range, such as Chrysler, Hummer, Saab, and Suzuki.

At the corporate level, the numbers still look dreadful. BMW is down 32.7 percent, proving that even the well-heeled are sheepish about new car buying. Chrysler is down 44 percent—notably less than Ford Motor Company at 48.4 percent and General Motors at 52.9 percent. Even Honda saw a 38 percent decrease, made higher by the 41.5 percent drop in Acura sales. Nissan is off by 37 percent, and Toyota Motor Company is down 39.8 percent.

The big winner? Subaru, with a 1.4 percent uptick, no doubt fueled by winter months adding appeal to its AWD line up. Victory can be also claimed for Kia with a humble, though celebration worthy, 0.4 percent increase.

As the automakers grapple with these latest figures, expect enticing deals to continue and more creative marketing to appear. Hyundai has done this with the expansion of its successful Assurance program. Chrysler has just announced a free Hemi V8 upgrade for Ram buyers. And the new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids are eligible for a $3,400 tax credit till the end of March.

If you’re in the market, do your research and you’ll find great deals on just about every vehicle.

Research in the new car buyer’s guide. Or, scan our more than 3 million used car listings to find the best car for you.

Hatched: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:43:00 GMT

As long suggested by concepts shown on the auto show circuit, Mitsubishi will expand its Lancer lineup this summer with the addition of a Sportback model. Rather than square off the back to maximize cargo capacity like a conventional wagon, Mitsubishi pursued style over function. The Sportback is slightly longer then the Lancer sedan, though it provides greater cargo flexibility with the easy-access hatch and 60:40 split-fold rear seats.

At a glance, it would seem to have the same relationship as its WRC-inspired competitor Subaru Impreza hatcback maintains with the Impreza sedan. However, Mitsu has a couple tricks up its sleeve, with a one-touch auto-fold function for the rear seats and the ability to lower the load floor by three inches, yielding 52.7 cubic ft. maximum cargo space. Further storage can be found topside, with the Sportback ready to accommodate a plug-in Thule Sport Rack.

The Sportback will benefit from some of the more appealing Lancer features, such as available 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate Premium Sound System, navigation system, and Recaro sport seats. Likewise, it will share the 2.4-liter, 168-horsepower four-cylinder engine, paired with either a five-speed manual or six-speed CVT automatic transmission. For greater excitement, the Sportback Ralliart is powered by a 2.0-liter, 237-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST). All-Wheel Control (AWC) with Active Center Differential (ACD) is standard on the Sportback Ralliart.

Prices will be announced closer to its summer on-sale data.

Read our Mitsubishi Lancer review, and research the Lancer in our new car buyer’s guide.

Ouch! Small Pickup Truck Crash Tests - Painful Results

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:56:00 GMT

As gas prices soared past $4/gallon nationwide, and full-sized pickup trunk sales plummeted by double-digit percentages, some corners of the auto industry cast an optimistic eye toward small pickup trucks. Theory would have it that people would be right-sizing their trucks, just as they have cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) took that sales hope and sent it careening into an offset barrier at 40 mph for their crash tests, then rammed it from the side with a 3,300-lb moving barrier, and finally backed it into a barrier. The results are mixed, with the Toyota Tacoma coming out on top, and some others considered “dismal.”

This marks the first time the Institute has pulverized small pickups, and it is well timed. They note that these compact vehicles aren’t providing as much protection in side crashes as many new cars and SUVs. Though in fairness, most are based on old designs, and those that faired best are the newest. Still, the results are enough to make one give a second thought to choosing a pickup truck, especially when you consider their modest real-world fuel economy.

Institute President Adrian Lund said, “Until they improve, most small pickups aren’t good choices for people looking for safe transportation.” Ouch.

Small pickup trucks have the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, including minicars, according to the Institute. In 2006 small pickups experienced 116 driver deaths per million registered vehicles 1-3 years old. This compares with 106 for minicars, 99 for small cars, and 42 for small SUVs. Part of the reason is that small pickup trucks are more likely than other passenger vehicles to be involved in single-vehicle crashes, especially rollovers. In this group, all but the Tacoma and Frontier lack electronic stability control-- a key feature in preventing crashes. In fact, it’s standard on just 12 percent of 2008 pickups, and it’s not available at all on 67 percent.

Crashworthiness, as ranked by IIHS:

Toyota Tacoma, crew cab
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags – optional in 2005-2008 models; standard in 2009 models.
Test applies to: 2005-2008 models.

Dodge Dakota & Mitsubishi Raider, crew cab
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Without optional side airbags.
Test applies to: 2005-2008 models.

Nissan Frontier, crew cab
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Poor
Without optional side airbags.
Test applies to: 2005-2008 models.

Ford Ranger & Mazda B-Series, extended cab
Front: Acceptable
Side: Marginal
Rear: Poor
No side airbags available.
Test applies to: Front and rear 1999-2008; rear 2006-2008 models.

Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon, crew cab
Front: Acceptable
Side: Poor
Rear: Marginal
Without optional side airbags.
Test applies to: 2004-2008 models.

Learn more about car safety from our DriveSmart articles.

Crash tests – Good mid-sized sedans

admin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:39:00 GMT

All seven family and luxury sedans in the latest crash test group evaluated by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earned a Good rating for occupant protection in frontal crashes. Only one fell short of the top rating in the side crash test, the Kia Optima. However, results for the rear crash test were quite mixed. In all, this group’s performance shows that indeed cars are getting better with each generation, through structural improvements and increased standard safety equipment. All seven of these vehicles included side and side-curtain airbags.

“The side impact results represent a huge change from just four years ago,” says Institute Senior Vice President David Zuby. “In 2004 we tested 10 mid-sized moderately priced cars, and all 10 were rated Poor in their standard configurations without side airbags.” In the 2004 tests, only the previous generations of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu earned Good ratings when tested with side airbags, which then were optional equipment.

“A major change is that side airbags are standard in every one of the seven mid-sized cars we tested this time around. Auto manufacturers have been moving quickly to make side airbags standard, even on lower priced models,” Zuby says.

The seat/head restraints in the Optima are the only ones the Institute tested this time around that earn the top rating of Good for occupant protection in rear crashes. Five of the seat/head restraint combinations earn Marginal or Poor ratings. However, whiplash is the most common concern in rear crashes, where fatality risk is much lower than in frontal and side collisions.

Crashworthiness, as ranked by IIHS:

Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008 Avenger, 2007-2008 Sebring.

Infiniti G35
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Nissan Altima
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Chevrolet Malibu
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front and rear: 2008 models. Side: 2008 models manufactured after February 2008.

Saturn Aura
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Mitsubishi Galant
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Poor
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front and rear: 2004-2008 models. Side: 2007-2008 models.

Kia Optima
Front: Good
Side: Acceptable
Rear: Good
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front and rear: 2006-2008 models manufactured after September 2005.
Side: 2006-2008 models manufactured after June 2006.

Learn more about car safety from our DriveSmart articles.