Tag Archives: Cars

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 28, 2011 /Coal Geology-PRNewswire/ — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today announces the Top 10 Winter Driving Vehicles for 2012

The days are short, the nights are cold and the chances of encountering rain, snow, sleet or some other form of weather-related treachery during the course of any daily drive are at their peak.  It just may be time for consumers to consider upgrading their current rides for vehicles more befitting the season.  To help you ponder the possibilities, kbb.com expert editors put together a list of the Top 10 Winter Driving Vehicles for 2012.

“Although this purposefully diverse roster includes a full spectrum of highly capable alternatives, all share one common trait: Each boasts some type of user-friendly all-wheel drive system that can help keep you on the road – figuratively and literally – as you head to your final destination,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.  “Whether that journey involves a mundane commute to work or a well-deserved weekend getaway to a favorite ski resort is up to you.”

Top 10 Winter Driving Vehicles for 2012

#10: 2012 Subaru Outback
Classy, comfortable and capable, the 2012 Subaru Outback is a superb year-round travelmate that truly rises to the occasion whenever Mother Nature does go on a rampage.  Even the base Outback 2.5i with its economical 2.5-liter flat-four engine packs an impressive feature set, highlighted by Subaru’s excellent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a comprehensive Vehicle Dynamics Control system.  The more potent six-cylinder Outback 3.6R as well as the Premium and Limited variations available for each respective Outback model make it easy to find the best match to up the creature comforts ante even further.  An options list that includes a GPS navigation system, harman-kardon premium audio, a Cold Weather Package and Mobile Internet access further bolster the Outback’s appeal.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi2aQW83h_A
#9: 2012 Toyota Sienna AWD
If only a minivan can really meet your basic transportation needs, there’s just one choice to be made: the 2012 Toyota Sienna with optional On-Demand All-Wheel Drive System with Active Torque Control.  Available on V6-powered Sienna LE, XLE and LTD models, this totally transparent upgrade adds a new level of sure-footed confidence to Toyota’s well-appointed space ship.  Like its front-drive kin, this even-more capable Sienna offers easily reconfigurable room for seven or eight, loads of standards and the choice of adding a passenger-pleasing Dual-View Entertainment Center on the XLE/LTD models as well as a Navigation Package and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control on the primo LTD variant.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeFd6I1Fn6E
#8: 2012 Acura MDX
Well-mannered, richly appointed and offering room for seven, the 2012 Acura MDX makes a strong case for its spot on our list by matching a refined 300-horsepower V6 engine with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s stellar Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Couple the MDX’s dynamic prowess with standards like power heated leather seats, a premium audio package, tri-zone climate control and a power rear liftgate, plus available Technology, Advance and Entertainment Package upgrades, and this well-rounded Acura takes on all the charm of a safe and secure mobile living room.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfVA_bzgyHE
#7: 2012 Ford F-150 AWD
Perennial best-seller in the full-size pickup segment, the 2012 Ford F-150 in 4WD configuration won our votes for its smart blend of style, comfort and, yes, even fuel economy, thanks to the available 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6 – which has become the most popular engine in the entire F-150 lineup. Like the base V6 and two optional V8s, the EcoBoost/4WD combo can be had in Regular, SuperCab and SuperCrew body styles and multiple trim levels.  While all F-150 4WD models boast Hill Start Assist for 2012 and upline versions add a new 4×4 “auto mode” to the existing 4Hi/4Lo setup, only EcoBoost 4WD models also get a new 36-gallon fuel tank that lets them match their best-in-class 21-mpg highway mileage with a best-in-class 756-mile range.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZaoHFQu0Gc
#6: 2012 Honda CR-V AWD
A generational makeover brings a more contemporary appearance as well as many welcome new features to the 2012 Honda CR-V, not the least of which is the introduction of Honda’s Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System. Optional on all models of the automaker’s compact, crossover-style SUV, this smaller, lighter and quicker-responding upgrade of the previous Real Time AWD setup helps the latest CR-V cope with challenging traction conditions even more effectively.  The people side of the CR-V package benefits from a similarly well-measured upgrade regimen that includes a quieter, more stylish cabin, better ride comfort and a new rear-seat entertainment system option, plus significantly improved fuel economy from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rmt7yQdFVY
For the full list of Top 10 Winter Driving Vehicles for 2012 from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visithttp://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/top-10-winter-cars-for-2012.

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), or like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb.

About Kelley Blue Book ( www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  Kbb.com provides consumer pricing and information on minivans, pickup-trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs.  Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

CONTACT: CONTACT: Brenna Robinson of Kelley Blue Book, +1-949-267-4781, berobinson@kbb.com

Web Site: http://www.kbb.com

2011 Ford Explorer

July 6, 2011, DETROIT,(Coal Geology) – Internal combustion engines are improving their ability to cut CO2 emissions at a lower cost than expected, and, as a result, carmakers should be able to meet 2020 emissions targets mainly through improvements to conventional technologies, according to a new report by The Boston Consulting Group. The report, Powering Autos to 2020: The Era of the Electric Car?, is being released today.

Internal-combustion-engine (ICE) technologies offer the potential to cut tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide by approximately 40 percent at a cost to consumers of $50 to $60 per percentage point of reduction for an average passenger car–roughly half the cost of what was expected three years ago, the report says. But original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will need to pull multiple levers simultaneously to achieve such dramatic reductions. Modifications to combustion technologies, transmissions, vehicle mass, aerodynamics, and power management will all be necessary.

Although conventional technologies will pose stiff competition for electric vehicles (EVs), BCG’s research also found that there is a distinct “green” consumer segment that will be willing to pay a significant premium for EVs even if the total cost is higher.

“Electric cars will undoubtedly play an increasingly large role in many countries’ plans in the decades ahead as energy independence and environmental concerns intensify,” said Xavier Mosquet, a senior partner in the firm’s Detroit office, global coleader of BCG’s Automotive practice, and lead author of the report. “But they will gain only modest ground to 2020. Gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles are improving faster than expected and will continue to dominate the global landscape.”

The report examines the challenges and opportunities facing EVs–including pure battery, range-extended, and plug-in hybrids–and identifies wildcard scenarios that could have a major impact on demand. It also looks at prospects for traditional ICEs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), with a focus on the advanced ICE-technology choices carmakers will face as they wrestle with tightening emissions standards.

The report is based on proprietary economic analysis, BCG’s consumer research, and interviews with industry experts. Other key findings include the following:

China and Europe–not the U.S., as many believe–will be the largest markets for EVs in 2020.

Based solely on total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) economics, EVs will not be the preferred option for most consumers. Battery pack costs are forecast to fall sharply (approximately 64 percent from 2009 levels) to $360 to $400 per usable kilowatt-hour (kWh) by 2020. However, to the consumer, this still represents a cost of $9,600 per vehicle for the typical 20-kWh battery necessary for a pure battery EV.

High costs notwithstanding, EVs will see relatively strong uptake from a distinct segment of environment-conscious consumers around the world who are willing to pay an average up-front premium of $4,500 to $6,000 to purchase a green vehicle, do not expect their up-front investment to be recouped over time through lower operating costs, and are willing to pay about 10 to 20 percent more in terms of the TCO over the vehicle’s life. These consumers represent 13 percent of consumers in China, 9 percent of those in Europe, and 6 percent of those in the U.S.

China is a major wildcard. Assuming that the government remains committed to EVs, BCG projects that these vehicles will represent 7 percent of the country’s new-car sales in 2020. Despite this moderate penetration, China will become the world’s largest market for EVs due to its overall market size.

Europe will become the second-largest market for EVs in 2020 with a projected 8 percent share of new-car sales, supported by consumers’ willingness to pay for green technologies, the region’s stringent emissions standards, and high gasoline and diesel taxes.

Sales of EVs in Japan and the U.S., meanwhile, will rise steadily through the decade but remain below those in China and Europe. BCG expects EVs to account for 5 percent of new-car sales in Japan and 2 percent of new-car sales in North America in 2020.

Taken together, EVs and HEVs could claim 15 percent of aggregate new-car sales in the four major markets (North America, Europe, China, and Japan) in 2020. As OEMs ramp up capacity to meet this demand, they will have to simultaneously invest in advanced ICE technologies–adding complexity to their operations.

As OEMs wrestle with advanced ICEs and EVs, they will have to keep an eye on a compelling alternative fuel source–compressed natural gas. CNG could expand beyond its current strongholds with transit buses and airport shuttles and see growing adoption by delivery vehicles, government fleets, and taxis.

“There is little doubt that regulations and oil prices, as well as technology and consumer preferences, create a high degree of uncertainty,” said Mosquet. “All market participants have to prepare for and retain the flexibility to switch among at least three different paths the industry could take: the pragmatist path, with a focus on ICE improvements, HEVs, and a limited share of EVs; the breakthrough path, marked by a game-changing improvement in battery technology; and the green path, where oil prices greater than $250 per barrel drive strong government support for EVs and HEVs and, potentially, CNG.”

Marco Gerrits, a partner in BCG’s Beijing office who heads the firm’s Automotive practice in Greater China and is a coauthor of the report, noted that demand for electric cars in China is especially hard to predict. The Chinese government has ambitious plans to drive adoption of EVs. Its latest draft plan calls for 500,000 EVs–passenger cars, trucks, and buses—on the road by 2015 and 5 million by 2020. In 2010, however, only around 2,000 electric cars were sold despite central-government incentives worth up to $9,000.

“To secure a higher adoption of EVs, China’s government may resort to measures beyond the current incentives–for example, driving restrictions,” said Gerrits. “This makes the Chinese market a major wildcard. EV OEMs and suppliers should prepare for multiple volume and penetration scenarios.”

Powering Autos to 2020 is the latest in a series of BCG reports on automotive propulsion. To request a copy or to arrange for an interview with one of the authors, please contact Dave Fondiller at +1 212 446 3257 or fondiller.david@bcg.com.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 74 offices in 42 countries. For more information, please visit www.bcg.com.

SOURCE The Boston Consulting Group

Web Site: http://www.bcg.com

April 18, 2011, BETHESDA, Md.,(Coal Geology) – When serious engine trouble hits, the Engine Repower Council reminds vehicle owners that repowering their vehicle rather than buying a new one is the cost-effective, “green” way to go.

“When it comes to your vehicle, it’s great to be green,” said Ken Carter, chairman of the Engine Repower Council.  “By repowering the vehicles we already own, we extend their useful lives and significantly reduce their impact on the environment.  Repowering also makes the vehicle more fuel efficient which reduces operating costs and harmful emissions, further helping to protect our planet.”

With repowering, a vehicle’s engine or an identical one from another like-vehicle is completely disassembled, cleaned, machined and remanufactured/rebuilt.  Unlike used or junk yard engines with an unknown performance and maintenance history, repowered engines are dependable, reliable and backed by excellent warranty programs. Remanufactured/rebuilt engines save the tremendous amount of energy used in processing discarded engines and vehicles. Repowering also saves an incredible amount of raw materials that would have been used in building a new engine.

Frequently, remanufactured/rebuilt engines are even better than the vehicle’s original new engine because the original factory engine problems have often been redesigned or replaced with better quality parts. Repowered engines are dependable, reliable and backed by excellent warranty programs that also usually cover installation expenses.

“Engine repowering is not only an environmentally sound decision, but it lets you keep more ‘green’ in your wallet,” said Carter. “For the cost of an average down payment on a new car or truck, you can repower your current vehicle, gaining years of reliable service and improved fuel economy all without monthly new car payments and higher insurance rates.”

About the Engine Repower Council:

The Engine Repower Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers about the economic and environmental benefits of remanufactured/rebuilt engines.  The Engine Repower Council supports the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign.  For more information about the Engine Repower Council and where to find qualified rebuilt engines and installation providers, visit www.enginerepower.org.

SOURCE Engine Repower Council

April 10, 2011, WHITSTABLE, UNITED KINGDOM -(Coal Geology) – Lack of out-of-hours consumer enquiry services means potential customers are being lost by car dealers. New research from GForces has shown that over half of car dealer website traffic occurs between 7 pm and 10 pm, the times when car dealer’s doors are closed. Furthermore, a mere 3% of the top two hundred car dealers have engaged with social media possibilities such as live chat forums or telephone enquiry management.

Tim Smith, GForces Commercial Director, has said: “We live in a 24/7 age. These days you can log on to most supermarket websites and enquire about products and potential orders very late at night.

By contrast, car dealers still have a nine-to-five mindset and they’re missing out as a result.

Dealers are failing to manage high volumes of potential sales opportunities because they are ill-equipped to handle even the most basic enquiries outside standard opening hours.”

Quote Me Today, one of the UK’s leading online motor trade insurance companies, offers an interactive service, along with a standard quick response quotation form and telephone number, to handle their out-of-hours enquiries and thereby addresses the need to be available 24/7 for their customers.

Richard Trinder, Google UK’s automotive director, said that it takes UK dealers an average of 72 hours to deal with queries compared to just 4 hours in the US. He added: “conversion rates are 21 times higher if answered in five minutes rather than 30 minutes”.

With consumers leading hectic and busy lifestyles, the need to have round-the-clock enquiry availability has never been more essential if car dealers are to remain one step ahead of their competitors. Failing to grasp the demands of consumers is a fundamental error that no business can afford to do, especially with the way the internet has become part and parcel of consumer’s lives. Quote Me Today provides motor trade insurance to all aspects of the motor trade, including car dealers and forecourt owners whose job demands also necessitate the need for out-of-hours insurance enquiry solutions.

About Quote Me Today:

Quote Me Today is a Kent based broker with years of experience in providing risk solutions for both the personal and commercial lines markets. In an industry where competitive rates, risk knowledge and customer confidence are essential, Quote Me Today offer these through a panel of insurers with a wealth of industry experience. Their relationship with these insurers allows them to quote competitive rates coupled with professionally tailored cover which provides the edge in placing your business at the right price without prejudice to your policy requirements. Visit their website at www.quotemetoday.co.uk/ for an instant quote.