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Archives for February 2013

AAA CEO Robert Darbelnet Implores Congress to Suspend E15 Sales

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The chief executive of North Americas largest motoring club testified before Congress on Tuesday, asking members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcomitteee on Environment to suspend the sale of E15 fuel. That fuel, comprised of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent straight gasoline, may harm cars. in his testimony, CEO Robert Darbelnet cited the lack of consumer protections in place and called for additional testing by the National Academy of Sciences.

EPA Approval

AAA’s intervention follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit the sale of E15 fuel. Last November, AAA published a report noting that only 12 million of the more than 240 million registered light-duty vehicles in the United States have been engineered to take E15 fuel.

flex fuelThe organizations in-house engineering experts have claimed that using such fuel in most vehicles could speed up engine wear and failure, as well as damage fuel systems including accelerating fuel pump failure. Also, the check engine light could come on for no reason.

Notably, AAA also found that 95 percent of American consumers were unaware of E15 fuel and might mistakenly using this fuel when they should not. Several manufacturers including Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Chrysler and Nissan have come out and said that E15-related engine problems might not be covered by their warranties. Other car manufacturers have said that the fuel does not comply with owners manual requirements and could void warranty coverage.

Flex-Fuel Vehicles

Owners of current flex-fuel capable vehicles can use E15 without incident. Certain other vehicles including Porsches from 2001 model year on and newer GM vehicles also can handle the fuel. The Ford Motor Company says that all 2013 model-year Ford vehicles are E15 capable.

Most of the gasoline that consumers buy today is E10 fuel or what can be found in 90 percent of the fuel blends sold in America. That blend does not cause engine failure nor fuel line problems.

Ethanol Coalition Position

AAA’s position is in stark contrast to the American Coalition for Ethanol, the ethanol lobby that has been pushing for E15 acceptance. The organization sent a letter to the Environment Committee, disputing the Coordinating Research Councils findings, the same tests the AAA has cited. ACE insists that the fuel is safe following rigorous EPA testing and scientific data.

That AAA is speaking out against E15 underscores its commitment to its 53 million members and the driving public in general. In a radio interview shortly before giving his testimony, Darbelnet explained to Blog Talk Radio listeners that AAA wanted to make sure that every American motorist is aware of the risk that E15 presents, so that we can minimize the likelihood of people being stranded at the road side or experiencing unnecessary engine repairs due to misfueling.

Consumer Awareness

Darbelnet noted that AAA will support E15 fuel provided that consumers are aware of the possible problems and once manufacturers adjust their fleets to accommodate the fuel. Still, there will always be cars on the road that cannot handle the higher ethanol blend, therefore support from the motor club will probably be held in reserve for now.

AAA and the ethanol lobby are in agreement about a few things: ethanol blends support American jobs and also reduce our nations dependence on foreign sources of oil. Both organizations also contend that such fuels save Americans money, but judging by current fuel pump prices and the much lower mileage estimates of E85-fueled vehicles, those savings quickly evaporate.

See Also — Rebates For Buying, Using An E85 Vehicle

Robert Darbelnet photo courtesy of AAA.

Does Volkswagen Need a Budget Brand?

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Volkswagen GTI
Older VW platforms would underpin
any new brands models.

The Volkswagen Group is made up of 12 brands, going beyond its eponymous Volkswagen moniker to include such makes as Audi, Bentley, Porsche and Skoda. Not every brand is fully owned and, in the case of Suzuki, VW’s relationship with this Japanese make is a strained one.

The Volkswagen Collective

Still, the VW empire has enabled this German automaker to lay claim to being one of the top car manufacturers in the world, vying with Toyota and General Motors for the No. 1 position in global vehicle sales. For several years Volkswagen has said that it intends to overtake its competitors, with 2018 the target year. Auto Trends internal data reveals that this prospect is likely to be realized much sooner, occurring no later than 2015 and perhaps as early as this year.

To get there, Volkswagen will continue to target emerging markets, with an eye to reaching more customers in India, Africa and elsewhere. Consumers in those markets, however, may find that even the cheapest-priced Skoda or SEAT model to beyond their budget and will, therefore, consider budget brands such as Tata, Dacia and the soon to reemerge Datsun, a Nissan undertaking. Although VW may not field a model as cheaply priced as the proposed $3,000 Datsun, it is looking at serving a market with a price point below US$8,000.

Brand Dilution

With 12 brands to manage, adding a 13th brand may seem counterintuitive. SEAT and Skoda already serve the bottom of the market, therefore extending the product portfolio of one or the other seems to be a much more plausible approach. Besides, wasn’t multiple branding one of General Motors problems when it went bankrupt in 2009 and cast off Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer?

To answer the question in the last paragraph first the Volkswagen Group is not General Motors. The structure of the two companies prior to 2009 was far different. GM was held down by legacy costs as well as supporting brands it had no desire to maintain. VW’s collection of brands is mostly that a collection makes that were usually long established before VW bought each one.

SEAT and Skoda could easily fill in the gap, but as the IHS has noted Volkswagen will make use of previous generation platforms for the budget brand while its other brands will employ its modular architecture. Current B- and C-segment platforms, now being phased out, would underpin the budget brand. Importantly, the costs for building these models have already be wrung out, enabling Volkswagen to deliver low-priced cars that won’t compete with its latest technologies.

Budget Branding

Volkswagen’s strategy here is to clearly protect its existing brands while allowing its yet-to-be-named new brand to enter markets where it is looking to expand. China is, of course, a significant market for the new brand and will likely be one place where these vehicles are built according to Autocar. Base development would take place in Germany with Volkswagen hooking up with a local partner to assemble these vehicles in China.

Once established in China, the VW budget brand might have the resources to build locally in Russia, India, Africa and South America. Several things must happen first including the groups continued absorption of its newest brands, stabilization of the auto industry and the establishment of the budget brand in China. Those plans might, however, become unglued if economic instability, war or a natural catastrophe occur, challenges that might affect the entire globe, not just VW’s plans and its desire for global preeminence.

Global Competitors

Just as Volkswagen hatches its own plans to reach new customers, General Motors and Toyota will not be sitting by idly. GM is currently seeking deals in China to expand its own production in a bid to reach 5 million units annually, while Toyota may simply absorb one of its home-grown competitors, perhaps wresting control of Suzuki from Volkswagen or making a play for Mazda.

So, to answer the question posited in the title: No, Volkswagen does not need a budget brand, but it will use that brand to acquire new customers. Its strategy to deploy older vehicle platforms may be a sound one, a cost effective method that may help Volkswagen with its global ascendancy and keep it on top.

Related Reading

Volkswagen Hits 10 Million Unit Milestone in Mexico

Nissan Introduces Its Datsun GO

Raleigh Art Museum Opens Porsche Exhibit

Jeep Drops Liberty, Revives Cherokee

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2014 Jeep Cherokee

One of the most popular names in modern day Jeepdom is Cherokee, an appellation ascribed to not to one, but two models. The Cherokee name first appeared in the 1970s and was essentially the cheaper version of the Wagoneer. In the 1980s, a new model emerged, and this time it had no parallel in the Jeep line up.

2014 Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee Returns

Quite soon the Jeep Cherokee became as instantly recognizable as the iconic Wrangler, staying in production until 2001. The Cherokee moniker, however, never disappeared as a top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee model has been in production since 1993. Beginning with the 2014 model year, Jeep will revive Cherokee, a replacement model for the Jeep Liberty, itself retired following the 2012 model year.

That Jeep plans to revive Cherokee shouldn’t be too surprising. The Jeep Liberty never received the plaudits that the Jeep Cherokee enjoyed and for good reason: it was too heavy, it consumed much too much fuel and it was a non-factor among small SUVs. Quality problems dogged this model too.

2014 Jeep Cherokee

New York Debut

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be officially unveiled at the 2013 New York International Auto Show in March. Usually, teaser photos are offered in advance, but pictures of the new model were posted (leaked) to enthusiast websites on Friday. The Chrysler Group then quickly decided to release more photos along with a brief news release. This wasnt the first time a car manufacturers release was spoiled online, although other details about the model were not shared. At least for right now.

As far as its design, the new Cherokee upholds the Jeep look. The most significant difference are its very narrow headlamps a look that this writer admittedly found disconcerting at first. However, as our posted photos show, the other design details about this model show a quite pleasing frame. The new model will be built in Toledo, Ohio, and go on sale in third quarter of 2013. The Chrysler Group claims a fuel economy improvement of up to 45 percent. Auto Trends full expects that this feat will be accomplished by an optional FIAT-supplied turbo-diesel engine.

2014 Jeep Cherokee

FIAT Platform

The all-new Jeep Cherokee will have one thing in common with the Jeep Liberty: it will be of unibody construction. Moreover, it is expected to deliver a more car-like, putting it closer in competition to the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV-4. Its platform will be ported from FIAT and all-wheel-drive will be optional. As far as its trail rating capabilities…we shall see.

2014 Jeep Cherokee
2014 Jeep Cherokee

See Also — Delivered: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4

Photos courtesy of the Chrysler Group.

Zero Percent Financing: Is It Worth It?

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Auto financing is a big deal to Auto Trends readers. Our web analytics demonstrate that this is so with our guests frequently checking out what manufacturer incentives are being offered. We are happy to pass on that information to you, but you should also know that not every advertised deal is a good one.

loans

Zero Percent Financing

For a number of years, car manufacturers have been touting zero percent financing as an important incentive to get you to buy a new car. Such incentives come from the manufacturer’s financing arm, what typically is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the car company. Thus, when you get financed by Ford Credit, the Ford Motor Company stands behind this company.

Zero percent financing is both a big deal and usually a good deal. But not always.

If the loan deal is made the financing arm, then you have something worth looking at. However, if interest-free financing is offered by a lender other than the manufacturer-backed financing company, don’t be so quick to sign the loan.

Here’s why:

Car manufacturers can afford to offer you zero or very low-interest rate financing because that cost is built into the price of the car. Usually, if low question markrebate is dangled too. That rebate may range from $500 to $2,000, sometimes more, which shows you that the manufacturer is discounting the price of the car in one of two ways: through the loan or with the cash incentive.

If a dealer has a zero percent financing loan deal for you and it is not from the manufacturer’s financing arm, rather from a bank, a credit union or other financing company, you should be very cautious. That’s because no financial institution can afford to lend you money without making money.

Ford Credit, for instance, makes money because the Ford Motor Company makes money. Other lenders make money by charging you an interest rate. If you are offered zero percent financing, that means your dealer is likely jacking up the price of the car to recover his costs. After all, he has to pay the lender for the loan and that cost must be recovered somewhere — and that is where you come in. And you get fleeced.

Loan Qualification

There is another matter about zero percent car loans that few consumers realize: most people do not qualify for this ultra-low rate. As money advisor Clark Howard has noted, about 60 percent of car shoppers cannot get such loans.

The lowest interest rate loans are always reserved for people with excellent credit. It is kind of hard to read the fine print on your television, right?

Auto loan rates are calculated largely on the prevailing rates of our day as well as the personal credit score of the applicant. Excellent credit is typically around 750 and above. At 720, your score is still very good, but expect that zero percent financing loan to turn into one for two, three or four percent, perhaps more. That isn’t such a great deal after all — your credit union can beat it.

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The best way to buy a new car is with an all-cash deal.

The Deal

The best way to buy a car is paying cash for it. Only about 11 percent do according to Cars.com.

That leaves some type of financing for the rest of us with car leasing and auto loans your options. With an auto loan, you can seek financing through your dealer. You can also arrange your financing on your own.

Auto Trends has long encouraged people shopping for a new car to explore their financing options before hitting the dealership. This means talking with your banker or credit union representative about your loan options.

You not only can learn what your loan terms will be, but how much car you can afford. Get approved for you loan ahead of time and the entire financing deal is off the table. Negotiate the best deal for your car and when the talk turns to financing, you hand over your loan papers. If a cash incentive is offered, then use that toward your down payment.

Auto Calculator

Of course, always use an auto calculator to figure out what loan is right for you. If you have excellent credit, your options are much broader than sub-prime borrowers, individuals whose fate is a bad credit car loan or no loan at all.

Postal Service Teases Us With Muscle Car Stamps

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muscle car stamps
The latest “America on the Move”
stamp series from the USPS.

Don’t you just hate the U.S. Postal Service?! Just weeks after announcing that Saturday mail delivery is dead on arrival come August, it releases a fresh batch of postal stamps that are designed to catch the attention of automotive enthusiasts everywhere.

New Release

On Friday, the USPS used the backdrop of the upcoming Daytona 500 race to have seven-time NASAR winner Richard Petty unveil its newest series of stamps: Muscle Cars Forever. Those stamp highlighted five of the hottest muscle cars of a bygone era, coupes released in the late 1960s that still have a big impact on us today. Yes, the release of this series may actually prompt people to start sending letters again. Not!

Petty was on hand with his son, Kyle, and USPS General Patrick Donahue as they unveiled the limited edition series at the Daytona Raceway. Muscle cars are defined as those models equipped with powerful engines, vehicles that began to roll out in the mid-1960s and enjoyed an approximated 10-year run. Stricter pollution emissions requirements and other EPA mandates eventually killed the segment, but a revival has been seen in recent years with the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger now in production.

Muscle Cars

Although the Postal Service featured five cars in its current collection, there is bound to some noise from a certain sector as their cars were not featured. For the record, the USPS served up five capable models: the 1966 Pontiac GTO, the 1967 Shelby GT-500, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda and the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS.

Absent from the release were the 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1, the 1969 Chevrolet Z28 Camaro, the early 1970s Buick Gran Sport, AMC Javelin, Olds 442 and Mercury Cyclone CJ. Maybe the USPS has a follow-up collection in mind. If not, then they really should do so.

Richard Petty

Despite the apparent shortcoming in models offered, Richard Petty was gracious in his comments following the series introduction. Said Petty, Just looking at the stamps evokes a feeling of speed. As Forever stamps, they’ll always be good for mailing a First-Class letter anytime in the future.

Okay, we get it the USPS really needs for you to buy these stamps as the postal service is deeply in debt and is struggling to fund its retirement obligations. Although its pension fund appears sound, everything else about the USPS says clearly, Please buy these stamps!

This is the third time that the USPS has featured classic cars, part of its America on the Move series. The Muscle Cars Forever stamps were created by Tom Fritz of Newbury Park, CA, under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vegas, NV. The previous two issuances ’50s Sporty Cars (2005), followed by ’50s Fins and Chrome (2008) were the work of artist Art Fitzpatrick of Carlsbad, CA. Lets hope that there isn’t such a long interval between future releases.

Forever Stamps

Because the new stamps are forever stamps the price is currently fixed at 46 cents each or $9.20 for a sheet of 20 stamps. When you buy forever stamps, you can use them even as prices rise. So, when stamps cost $10 each, these iconic classics can still be used, offering a tribute to the first wave of muscle cars to hit the shores of autodom. Yes, Im buying these stamps too who can resist?!

See Also — Raw to the Core: 2014 Dodge Challenger SRT

What Your Dealer Won’t Tell You About Car Financing

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Auto financing is a lucrative business with lenders extending car loans to a variety of consumers from those with excellent credit all the way down to sub-prime borrowers. The Great Recession forced lenders to pull back, but they are now back in the game with car dealers working as middlemen to ensure that you drive away in the car of your choice.

And it is that middleman position that sometimes has consumer advocates frustrated. Auto lending is a $600 billion per year industry in the United States, one where lenders, investors and dealers are eager to share in the bounty. Your car dealer, therefore, is hardly an independent voice when it comes to new car financing.

Read on and we will look at what some dealers won’t tell you when you sit down to discuss finance deals.

Your Credit Score

money funnelYour three-digit credit score offers a very telling number to car dealers that arrange your financing. Trouble is, many consumers have no idea what their credit score is when they go car shopping. All three credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — can give you your FICO score for a small fee.

You trust your dealer representative to quote you your actual credit score, but some could supply a different score effectively putting you in a bad credit car loancategory. Thinking that you won’t get financed and therefore be without a car, you agree to the higher interest rate auto loan. Tip: Always check your credit score before you begin shopping for a vehicle.

Bad Financing Deals

What type of car loan are you getting? You may think that you are getting a good deal based on a competitive monthly rate, but on closer scrutiny you may find that the terms really are not so favorable, at least not to you.

To bring your payments in line with what you can afford, a dealer may stretch out your loan terms from 5 years to 6 or 7 years. Or, you may find that your payments are low and your term short, but discover that a lump sum balloon payment is due at the end of the loan term.

When talking auto loan with your dealer, examine the finance deal very carefully. Understand the amount of money that you must put down. Know the interest rate and the length of the loan. Everything should be clearly spelled out and acceptable to you.

Rebates and Loans

bad credit car loanOne area where consumers get it wrong has to do with cash incentives. Rarely do you get both a cash incentive and discounted auto financing.

You must choose one or the other.

Know that not every cash rebate is worth it. Then again, if you arrange for low rate financing with your credit union or bank, then apply the rebate to your down payment. Ask your dealer about other rebates including specials for recent college graduates, military service personnel, veterans and other promotions.

Arranging Financing

In the last point, we touched on arranging your financing before heading to the dealer. This is important because it gives you a clearer picture of what you can afford and what your loan terms will be. It can also serve as an instructional lesson for car shoppers as they understand what options are available to them based on their credit scores.

key fobKnow that car financing comes easy today with even bad credit or subprime borrowers finding themselves eligible for a loan. In these cases, where your credit score is below 580, your traditional lenders may not be interested in underwriting your loan.

Such subprime lenders include Wachovia, Capital One and Ally Financial, along with the financing arms of Toyota, GM and Ford. Smaller lenders are many and include Nationwide Auto Lending, Drive Time, Prudential Auto Loan and BlueSky Auto Finance.

Even if you qualify for a loan you will always be charged a higher interest rate and pay more for a car then you might imagine.

The Bottom Line

Please know that not all dealers are rip-off artists. However, when taking on the role of car loan financier, your best interests may take second place to the dealer’s bottom line. Know what you are getting into before shopping for a car loan, looking at financing options from other lenders too. That means using a car finance calculator to learn what you can afford before heading out.

Five Steps to Follow for a Fun Family Road Trip

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Planning a family vacation can be difficult as there are often many interests and age groups involved, so pleasing everyone may seem impossible. However, many families find that a road trip offers an ideal way to experience many different areas and activities while still bonding together as a family.

Taking the time to plan ahead and stay flexible during the trip is critical to ensuring that the vacation is relaxing and interesting for all involved. Follow these five easy steps for creating a memorable family road trip.

1. Plan an Itinerary

Discuss ahead of time what is most important to everyone and create an itinerary, but leave space each day for unplanned activities. Logistically, it is easy to know what will be done each day as the family travels because attractions will be visited along the way.

Keep in mind driving time, unexpected traffic, and leaving enough time for meals and other stops when making the schedule. Incorporating an app such as the free Trip Planner by GPSmyCity (iOS, Android) allows for creating an easily accessible itinerary which can be shared with the other travelers, and the app includes packing lists and activity suggestions for the area.

2. Stock the Car

road tripA road trip invariably requires a good bit of time spent driving in the car. Car snacks and drinks help to keep extra stops to a minimum, so get everyone to pick a few of their favorites for the trip.

Small children require activities, books, and toys. Get them excited to travel by checking out library books about the places the family is traveling to and bringing the books in the car. Traditional road trip games such as I Spy and license plate bingo are easy to play with the whole family. Modern parents know that smartphones also offer a multitude of games for all ages and watching movies in the car can offer quiet time for everyone.

3. Have Down Time

A family trip is all about togetherness, but even the closest family can start to feel the stress of traveling in close quarters, sleeping in the same space, and spending every bit of the day together. While on the road it may be difficult to get some down time, but upon arriving at a destination allow for time for everyone to explore a bit on his or her own.

If traveling with young kids it may be best for those with different interests to go along with an adult who shares that passion. Forced togetherness for the entire trip will only result in bad memories. Agree on a meet up time and location for later in the day, a meal such as lunch or dinner can be a great way for everyone to come back together and share about their experience.

4. Be Flexible

Even the best laid plans have a way of falling through. Any number of factors from weather, road conditions, or simply the interruption of a much needed naptime for a little one can affect how the plan works out in reality.

It is important for family members to have some flexibility. An outdoor concert or show can be rained out, so have a backup plan.

5. Reassess

On the way home consider what worked best on the road trip to the destination and what could be changed to make the trip home even better. Tap into resources such as the Greatest Drive GPS Road and Trip Finder (free for iOS, Android) which shows scenic roads to take based on recommendations from other users.

Taking a different route home makes it seem like a new trip with fresh sights and local attractions to take in. Before making any big changes make sure they work for everyone.

Car Leasing: How to Make it Happen

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Piggybank
Should you take out a loan or should you lease your car?

You have your eyes set on a race red Ford Focus Titanium sedan, a model loaded with such goodies as MyFordTouch, a Sony audio package, dual zone climate control and heated front leather seats. Buying this car is one option, but so is car leasing. You decide on the latter financing option, intending to keep this car for about three years. Read on and we will discuss how to make a lease deal happen.

1. Know your needs. One of the pitfalls of car leasing is that for some drivers it just never pays off. Those people include road warriors who easily put 20,000 miles or more on the odometer annually.

Car leasing typically caps mileage limits at 15,000 miles per year, thus those extra miles will cost you dearly, usually 20 cents per mile. Thats an extra $1,000 in payments per year for every 5,000 miles you travel above the limit.

If you drive at or below these limits then car leasing still makes sense. On the other end of spectrum, if you drive just a few thousand miles per year, you should negotiate for a low mileage lease. Your monthly lease payments will come in lower too.

2. Negotiate the price first. When looking for a car to lease, you should treat this transaction like you would any new car deal: you negotiate your best price first, then you talk about your financing options.

Many consumers fall for the published lease offer and miss out on a better deal. For instance, that Ford Focus Titanium model may be leasable for $209 per month with $1,899 down, but you usually can get a better deal as long as the sale price has been reduced through negotiation.

3. Your lease terms. Lease terms generally are for three years, but you have some options here. If you want different terms, be sure to ask for them.

New car leasing can be as short as one or two years and as long as four or five years. Keep in mind that the longer term leases may extend beyond your vehicles warranty, which means that you will be responsible for whatever maintenance needs to be made. Ideally, you will have the car long enough to break it in, but not too long where it begins to break your wallet.

4. Cost of leasing. Some of the obvious costs of car leasing are the down payment and the monthly payment. There are other expenses, however, including residual and acquisition fees, costs that can also be negotiated.

Car leasing can be a bit more complicated than standard car financing, therefore you should go into the deal with a good credit score. Read the lease contract carefully. Know what costs you will be responsible for. Make sure that your lease includes GAP or guaranteed asset protection, coverage that pays off your car if you suffer a total loss.

5. The lease contract. Once you are satisfied that the car leasing is right for you and after you have examined the contract and seen your requested changes included then sign it

You can get a car lease through the financing arm of your car manufacturer. You can also get a car lease through your bank, a credit union or through an independent leasing company. You do not have to lease with the company your dealer suggests, therefore shop around for a lease arrangement that is right for you.

Car Leasing Notes

Car leasing typically means lower monthly payments than car financing. That means you can usually upgrade to the next model or choose a higher end brand than one you might have previously considered. Keep in mind that at lease end you will return your vehicle. Optionally, you may exercise the option to buy the car.

Author Information

Contract hire sales executive David Gillon, works for www.frontierleasing.co.uk.  He is a car finance expert who regularly blogs about car leasing and the benefit of contract hire versus. buying a car for business or individuals.

PIN This 2014 Chevrolet Impala

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Chevrolet is still calling the Impala its flagship sedan, despite its plans to introduce the burly full-size Australian-built Chevrolet SS for the 2014 model year. Thats understandable since the SS is more of a niche player or will only be sold stateside, while the Chevrolet Impala is the brands standard bearer. At least that is so among family sedans.

Chevrolet Impala Valet
The Chevrolet MyLink interface with security keypad.

Secure Computing Storage

For 2014, the Chevrolet Impala is all new, a large front-wheel-drive sedan that made an early preview at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. The five passenger Impala is a volume leader and is the best selling vehicle in its segment. Beginning with the 2014 edition it will also offer a technological advantage not found elsewhere: secure storage.

That secured storage isn’t simply a glove box or other lockable compartment, rather it begins with the computer information that is so easily accessible to nearly anyone in todays cars. Specifically, Chevrolet will include a valet mode option that will enable owners to protect their personal information that can be retrieved on the sedans 8-inch screen through its Chevrolet MyLink system.

Valet Mode

What Chevrolet did is to provide a keypad interface where owners can key in their four-digit personal identification number, repeating the process again to verify it, then touching a digital lock button that tells the system to block everyone out. Besides blocking users on the touchscreen, the related keys at the base of the screen are disabled. To reactivate access, simply key in your PIN.

The Impala keypad access feature represents its valet mode or what comes in handy when you turn your car keys over to an attendant. This security arrangement, not available on competing models, gives owners the assurance that their stored personal information cannot be retrieved. That information is extremely delicate, providing personal details about route information and address books that any owner would rather keep away from prying eyes.

Secure Physical Storage

The center stack display also offers another feature: the faceplate can retract to open a small storage compartment large enough to handle certain personal items such as a cell phone, a wallet or an MP3 player.

The Impala also benefits from next generation Chevrolet MyLink technology. The newest version of this award-winning system makes it possible for users to choose up to four graphic appearances as well as to click and drag icons, just as you would do with a tablet or smartphone.

Chevy Impala Specs

The 2014 Chevy Impala is built on a 111.7-inch wheelbase and is 201.3 inches long by 73 inches wide by 58.9 inches tall. This vehicle weighs 3,800 pounds and offers 105 cubic feet of passenger volume. It has an 18.8 cubic-foot trunk.

The standard engine is a 3.6-liter direct injection V-6 that makes 305 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 264 foot-pounds of torque at 5,200 rpm. A 2.5-liter four cylinder engine is also available, rated at 195 horsepower and 187 foot-pounds of torque. Also, a special Impala eAssist package is equipped with a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four cylinder engine. Each Chevy Impala is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Top Competitors

Among the Impalas main competitors are the Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Nissan Maxima and the Toyota Avalon. An early spring 2013 release is planned.

Photo courtesy of General Motors Company.

MIT Names Audi, Toyota As Disruptive Companies

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The word disruptive suggests chaos or what challenges conventional wisdom to introduce something that is new. Technology Review, a publication founded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1899, recently updated its annual 50 Disruptive Companies list, with both Toyota and Audi mentioned for 2013.

Autonomous Driving

Audi, founded in 1909 and based in Ingolstadt, Germany, made it to the MIT list for the first time. The Review recognized Audi for pushing autonomous cars closer to fruition with a laser-scanning road detector that fits in a vehicles front grille. Autonomous driving received significant mention in Audi CEO Scott Keoghs address to the media at this years Washington Auto Show, a story that was reported by Auto Trends earlier this month.

Said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Board Member Technical Development, AUDI AG, “Piloted driving is a logical step for Audi, based on the in-car assistance systems already in use.”

Hybrid Leadership

Toyota has also made news about autonomous driving, but the Review recognized it in a different area, one that should be familiar to everyone. Of Toyota MIT lauded it for, Expanding its dominance of the hybrid-car market with its new plug-in version of the Prius. Toyota, founded in 1937 and headquartered in Tokyo City, Japan, continues to expand and update the Prius line, now offering five models to choose from.

When approached by Auto Trends for a comment, John Hanson, national manager, environmental, safety and quality communications at Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. said, “Toyota is focused on developing for the future and strives to be the safest, highest-quality, most fuel-efficient and innovative car brand. Whether it’s alternative energy sources, interconnected traffic & safety systems, human assisting robots or new modes of personal transport, we’re taking steps to innovate. He added, Hybrid technologies are regarded as our core technology, and we have endeavored to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid-vehicles. By 2015, 10 percent of our cars will be hybrids, or about 990,000 units, based on sales projections.”

Top Companies

Of the 50 companies mentioned, 31 were new to the list this year. Audi and Toyota alone represented the auto industry with some companies including General Electric supplying components that are used in todays new cars. Apple, Google, IBM, Xerox, Corning and Phillips were among the more recognized disruptors mentioned. Others included Square, Kymeta, Ambri, BGI and Leap Motion.

MIT was quick to point out that its list is not based on a quantitive assessment. Nor is it a ranking. Rather, it is the Reviews way of bringing attention to innovations that get commercialized or what these companies do to improve their positions in their respective markets. Some have brought forth a breakthrough product, while others are innovating with new breakthroughs yet to be realized.

Piloted Vehicles

For Audi, making it to the MIT list represents the third time this company has been recognized this year for its autonomous or what it calls its piloted driving technology. Just in January, Popular Science named Audis technology as a product of the future. Vox Medias, The Verge, also included Audi in its 2013 CES announcement for best automobile technology.

In January, the publication took a slap at Googles self-driving car when Chris Ziegler penned, Audi working on making self-driving cars look like normal cars. Audis piloted technology when it goes mainstream will be incorporated within the vehicle. Google, on the hand, slaps its equipment right on top of the vehicle. Guess which technology layout is an eyesore?

Hybrid Technology

Toyota has, of course, enjoyed its share of accolades for its innovative hybrid Prius line. Toyota sells more hybrid vehicles than the rest of the market combined and has placed its green technologies bets with hybrids not pure electric vehicles or with fuel cell vehicles. Toyota is still working on the two latter technologies, but it clearly wants to maintain its edge in hybrid technology even as competitors such as the Ford Motor Company continue to flex its own muscles.

Toyota Prius CThe Toyota Prius c, the smallest model in the Prius family, took first place honors when the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy announced its 15th annual greenest vehicle list. The little Prius is EPA-rated at 53 mpg around town and 46 mpg on the highway for a combined 50 mpg, and can had for less than $20,000.

Future Winners

What other automotive companies might be considered disruptive? To the extent that groundbreaking technologies are offered, look for the first company that delivers a production-ready fuel cell vehicle to the market to make that list. A solar-powered vehicle may someday also be recognized as might any new vehicle that effectively eliminates the risk of a crash.

Innovating is the key to technological advancement, what Technology Review has been tracking for well more than a century.

See Also Are Driverless Cars Really That Far-Fetched?