Vehicles are doing a better job of protecting people in crashes, but a new crop of advanced technology aims to prevent many crashes from happening altogether. A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds that one kind of advanced forward collision avoidance system is working to prevent about a quarter of the common low-speed crashes that happen in everyday commuter traffic.
The study of insurance claims found that Volvo XC60 midsize SUVs outfitted with a standard collision avoidance feature called City Safety are far less likely to be involved in low-speed crashes than comparable vehicles without the system. City Safety is designed to help a driver avoid rear-ending another vehicle in slow-moving, heavy traffic. Claims under property damage liability coverage — the insurance that pays for damage to vehicles that an at-fault driver hits — were filed 27 percent less often for the XC60 than other midsize luxury SUVs.
For more information: www.iihs.org
The Mercedes-Benz Star Fund, the automaker's largest start-up amount for a charity fund worldwide outside Germany, today commemorated its first anniversary. Distinguished by its past year achievements in the five core areas of environmental protection, education, music, arts and sports, culture of driving and social care, the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund announced another boost to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts by launching the new ‘Star Ambassador’ Volunteer Program. This is also its latest initiative to enhance its CSR program in China through encouraging greater participation and providing a more sustained and strategic development of its social contribution efforts.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/mercedesbenz/50793/
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
Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast-lube category more than 30 years ago, changing the way millions of drivers service their vehicles. Today, Jiffy Lube officially introduces a new approach to oil changes that helps customers access and understand their vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, and choose the oil change schedule that is best for their needs.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/jiffylube/48287/
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/
The makers of Quaker State, the motor oil well known for providing durable protection, are now giving motorists cash for using Quaker State and making their cars last. The Quaker State Cash Back Bonus Program launches today and is designed to reward consumers who use Quaker State® Ultimate Durability full synthetic motor oil, Quaker State® Enhanced Durability synthetic blend motor oil or Quaker State® Higher Mileage Engine™ motor oil with the cash value of their vehicle when they reach 300,000 miles, subject to certain terms and conditions.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/quakerstate/48531/
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.
Set to begin airing on Thursday, May 12, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.’s, (MMNA) dynamic CUV duo of the popular Outlander Sport and Outlander — featuring the world’s most advanced All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system — will follow up their remarkable five world record-setting achievements performed on a frozen Canadian lake with an even bolder, death-defying trek. To demonstrate the superior traction and maneuverability that Mitsubishi’s renowned all-wheel drive system has to offer, the Japanese auto manufacturer dispatched the pair of vehicles to the Southern Hemisphere to navigate what is considered to be the most hazardous stretch of road in the world.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/mitsubishi/49383/
Sleek, innovative and exceptionally efficient: the Saab PhoeniX concept car showcases design features and technologies which will shape the next generation of cars from Saab.
Based on new architecture which will empower the next Saab 9-3 model, the PhoeniX introduces ‘aeromotional’ design: a visual evocation of the aerodynamic design principles and passion for innovation that inspired the creators of Saab’s first car, the iconic Ursaab.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/saab/49582/
The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf earn the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the first-ever U.S. crash test evaluations of plug-in electric cars. The milestone demonstrates that automakers are using the same safety engineering in new electric cars as they do in gasoline-powered vehicles.
The Volt and Leaf earn the top rating of good for front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection. With standard electronic stability control, they qualify as winners of TOP SAFETY PICK, the Institute’s award for state-of-the-art crash protection. The ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer a higher level of protection than federal safety standards require.
When the first Beetle rolled off the production line, it was called simply the Volkswagen — “the people’s car” — but its distinctive shape inspired nicknames across the globe: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or ! In total, 21.5 million cars were sold.
More than 60 years later, in 1998, the “New Beetle” rekindled the spirit and imagination of the original to a new generation of Volkswagen owners. The second generation version sparked another round of uplifting and joyous enthusiasm known as Beetle Mania.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vw/40222/
Going the farthest distance might sound like a foot race. But this past weekend, it meant stretching the boundaries of fuel efficiency as student teams competed in the fifth annual Shell Eco-marathon® Americas, a challenge for students to design, build and test fuel-efficient vehicles that travel the farthest distance using the least amount of energy. High school and university students from Canada and the United States competed in the two-day street course challenge in downtown Houston.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/shell/49728/
