Honda unveiled the dynamic Accord Coupe Concept today at the North American International Auto Show, providing the first official glimpse of the athletic styling direction, as well as revealing a host of new technologies for the all-new, ninth-generation 2013 model, set to go on-sale this fall.
The 2013 Accord will feature three all-new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda’s suite of next-generation Earth Dreams™ powertrain technologies. In addition, the V-6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the Accord Sedan and the Accord Coupe models are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings and will be available with a number of innovative new safety and technological features.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/honda/45742/
When it comes to making sure the Chevrolet Cruze is as durable as it can be, Dave Schoener and his teammates are all wet.
As a GM splash test engineer, Schoener helped develop an innovative splash shield for the Chevrolet Cruze that protects the engine compartment from water and potentially harmful contaminants.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53559-chevrolet-cruze-goes-shields-up-for-max-protection
Hybrids have a safety edge over their conventional twins when it comes to shielding their occupants from injuries in crashes, new research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, shows. On average, the odds of being injured in a crash are 25 percent lower for people in hybrids than people traveling in nonhybrid models.
The new finding is more good news for green-minded drivers who don’t want to trade safety for fuel economy. Not so long ago, car buyers had to choose between the two because fuel-efficient cars tended to be smaller and lighter. Now, consumers have more options than ever when it comes to picking an environmentally friendly — and crashworthy — vehicle.
For more information, go to: www.iihs.org
The American Le Mans Series reports it reduced its petroleum usage by nearly 50 percent in its most recent race.
Series president Scott Atherton delivered the message today to journalists and government officials in Washington at the National Press Club. “Ten days ago at Road America, renewable fuel use by our race cars reduced petroleum consumption by 48 percent compared to traditional all-petroleum racing fuel,” Atherton said. “According to the Department of Energy, if such a result was translated to the U.S. vehicle fleet, the nation could decrease imported oil dependency by half, saving $175 billion every year inside our economy.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51926-american-le-mans-series-tequila-patron-reducing-petroleum-usage
This summer, AutoZone has simple maintenance tips that can help improve fuel efficiency and prevent costly breakdowns. Check fluids. Test Battery. Replace and Maintain Vital Components. Purchase a roadside emergency kit.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/51030-autozone-summer-driving-car-care-tips/
The Pew Clean Energy Program launched a video this week to raise awareness of the benefits of increasing the fuel efficiency—or miles-per-gallon (MPG)—standards for cars and light trucks to as high as 60 MPG by 2025. The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation (EPA-DOT) are expected to release a proposed joint rule by Sept. 30, 2011, that will elevate fuel efficiency fleet wide to a level between 47 and 62 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, model years 2017-2025.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50932-pew-environment-fuel-efficiency-mpg
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), today unveiled LeapPad™, a personalized learning tablet designed for kids ages four and up. As the leader in educational entertainment, LeapFrog has combined the latest technology, enhanced educational curriculum, and most entertaining characters to fuel a child’s learning in a durable form factor that mirrors popular adult tablets. LeapPad, now available for pre-sale, is revolutionizing the way children learn by offering the next generation in learning, digital reading and personal creativity. Designed with best-in-class educational curriculum and featuring endless and fun ways to play, this new tablet will be on every family’s wish list this year.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/leapfrog/50860/
Rising food prices are causing poor children and families in developing countries to sink deeper into hunger and malnutrition, according to Children International, a leading U.S.-based humanitarian organization.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 925 million people around the world go hungry each day compared to 848 million in 2007. Experts blame the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel as a main cause for the spike in food prices globally. As gas prices soared in 2010, food prices have risen with the same speed, leaving poor families helped by Children International with few options. Most poor parents work long hours for little pay and lack the money needed to purchase food and cook a nutritious meal.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childreninternational/46389/
The scene is set. Hundreds of glass beakers are stacked one on top of the next, containing every imaginable fuel source—from hydrogen to ethanol, natural gas and algae oil—to form a larger-than-life wall. Suddenly, a Lexus LS 600h approaches, accelerates and shatters the wall, creating a kaleidoscope of glass and liquids. The voice-over states: “Lexus Hybrid Drive technology is designed to optimize any fuel source on the planet, even those we don’t know about yet.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/lexus/50670/
Millions of U.S. drivers are putting themselves at risk and wasting fuel by failing to properly check tire pressure, according to a new survey by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
Only 15 percent of motorists revealed that they know how to correctly check tire pressure. Under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 highway fatalities and 33,000 thousand injuries each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, under inflated tires cause U.S. drivers to waste 1.2 billion gallons of fuel annually.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/rma/50200/
Shell and Cosan today launched a multi-billion dollar joint venture that will become a leading producer of the low-carbon biofuel, ethanol made from sugar cane. Named Raízen, this major retail and commercial fuels company will operate in Brazil, one of the world's fastest-growing markets.
In one of the biggest biofuels deals to date, Shell is combining its extensive retail experience, global network and research in advanced biofuels with Cosan's technical knowledge of producing biofuels on a large scale. Raízen will produce and sell over 2 billion litres a year of the lowest-carbon biofuel commercially available - ethanol made from Brazilian sugar cane.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/shell/48921/
Six of 13 small cars recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety earn the TOP SAFETY PICK award, and none earn a poor rating in any of 4 tests. This is a turnaround from a few years ago when small cars struggled to earn top safety ratings. The new tests include hybrids and gasoline-only models that are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in the U.S. market.
The ratings are based on performance in front, side, rollover, and rear impact evaluations. Cars that earn the top rating of good in each test and have available electronic stability control (ESC) qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK. Winners are the 2012 Ford Focus and Honda Civic, along with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, Lexus CT 200h hybrid, Nissan Juke, and Toyota Prius hybrid. The Civic, CT 200h, Elantra, Focus, and Prius have at least one version with a government fuel economy rating of at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The Dodge Caliber, Honda CR-Z and Insight hybrids, Nissan Sentra and Versa, Scion xD, and Suzuki SX4 also were rated but didn’t earn TOP SAFETY PICK.
