Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyundai Genesis wins inaugural J.D. Power Vehicle Launch Index study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/hyundai-genesis-wins-inaugural-j-d-power-vehicle-launch-index/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/hyundai-genesis-wins-inaugural-j-d-power-vehicle-launch-index/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/hyundai-genesis-wins-inaugural-j-d-power-vehicle-launch-index/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan - Click above for high-res gallery

The metric-meisters over at J.D. Power and Associates have announced that they have added yet another automotive study to their arsenal. This time out, JDP has launched its inaugural Vehicle Launch Index, which seeks to measure how new vehicles perform within their first eight months on the market.

J.D. Power says that its VLI integrates such factors as "turn rate, vehicle revenue, dealer gross profit, incentive spend, credit quality and residual value." In addition, the study also makes use of automaker provided figures on model mix, incentive spend, supply levels, as well as utilizing some of the company's other survey results to add vehicle quality and design elements into the results.

So... which model is tops in meeting this balancing act? The 2009 Hyundai Genesis with a score of 689 (out of 1,000 possible points), beating out Ford's F-150 (673) and Volkswagen's Tiguan (663). For reference, the study ranks the industry's average score as 582. At the other end of the spectrum, vehicles like the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Ram, Pontiac Vibe, and Dodge Journey all scored poorly. Check out the full results in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Hyundai Genesis


Photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley/ Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: J.D. Power]

Continue reading Hyundai Genesis wins inaugural J.D. Power Vehicle Launch Index study

Hyundai Genesis wins inaugural J.D. Power Vehicle Launch Index study originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car qualityCarQualityHyundaiHyundai GenesisHyundaiGenesisJ.D. PowerJ.d.PowerJD POwerJDPJDPowerstudysurveyVehicle qualityVehicleQualityWed, 22 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/hyundai-trumps-bmw-and-jaguar-in-j-d-power-2009-apeal-study/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/hyundai-trumps-bmw-and-jaguar-in-j-d-power-2009-apeal-study/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/hyundai-trumps-bmw-and-jaguar-in-j-d-power-2009-apeal-study/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the graphics from J.D. Power and Associates

Porsche grabs the top spot for the fifth year in a row in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. For this year's study, the team at JDPA gathered information from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and questioned them on more than 90 vehicle attributes. Their studies examined "how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive," based on those evaluations.

While the APEAL nameplate ranking is significant (Porsche, Jaguar, and Cadillac round out the top-three), the segment winners offer more insight into what today's buyers are seeking. This year, it appears to be the newly launched models including the Volkswagen CC, Nissan Maxima, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Flex... each took top honors in their respective category. This year's biggest upset comes in the "Midsize Premium Car" segment as the all-new Hyundai Genesis (sedan) knocks the BMW 5 Series from the podium. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.


Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power APEAL Results



[Source: JDPower.com]

Continue reading Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study

Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009APEALBMWDodge ChallengerDodgeChallengerFord FlexFordFlexHyundai GenesisHyundaiGenesisj.d. powerj.d. power and associatesJ.D. Power.comJ.d.PowerJ.d.Power.comJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesJDPALexusResearchStudyVolkswagen CCVolkswagenCcThu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[When are the most dangerous times to be on the road?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/when-are-the-most-dangerous-times-to-be-on-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/when-are-the-most-dangerous-times-to-be-on-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/when-are-the-most-dangerous-times-to-be-on-the-road/#commentsFiled under:



Automobiles have become safer over the years, yet every time you get in a car, you're rolling the Reaper's dice. On average, 110 people die on the road each and every day. While many accident fatalities can be attributed to drinking and driving, not wearing a safety belt or reckless driving, some of the danger is compounded by the time of day people are on the road.

Forbes has compiled a litany of data showing which times are the the least safe to get behind the wheel, and the numbers are startling. For example, the most dangerous time of the day to drive is the afternoon rush hour. Between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m., there are an average of 6.6 deaths per hour in the US. While the afternoon wins on volume, the most dangerous time per driver on the road is between midnight and 4 a.m. According to the publication's findings, 5.87 people per 100 million on the road at this time never make it home. 36% of night time fatal accidents involve drunken driving, as opposed to 9% during daylight hours. Of the people killed on the road after midnight, 71% were found to not be wearing a safety belt, verses 55% during the day.

The study also took into account the top days to die in an auto accident. Despite a diminished rush hour, Saturday is the deadliest day of the week, with 158 fatalities per day. The most deadly month? August. Worst day of the year to be on the road? The Fourth of July, by far. And if you are making travel plans for the Thanksgiving weekend, take a plane. It's the most dangerous holiday weekend to be on the road. Hit the read link below to view the Forbes story in its entirety. It won't make you want to swear off driving, but it may make you think twice about when you drive.

[Source: Forbes]

When are the most dangerous times to be on the road? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentdrunken drivingDrunkenDrivingfatal accidentsFatalAccidentsforbes magazineForbesMagazinefourth of julyFourthOfJulymotor safetyMotorSafetysafetystudysurveyThanksgiving weekendThanksgivingWeekendtraffic safetytraffic studyTrafficSafetyTrafficStudyFri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Road commission calls for gas tax hike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/road-commission-calls-for-gas-tax-hike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/road-commission-calls-for-gas-tax-hike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/road-commission-calls-for-gas-tax-hike/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A gas tax is about more than putting liquid into your tank and subtracting a higher amount from your bank account. A gas tax is -- just like CAFE and hybrids and $25 billion set aside to finance fuel efficient technologies -- about reworking and redefining our entire system of private transportation. And since that system is most certainly going to redefined, it is no surprise that the National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing has recommended a jump in the federal fuel tax.

Congress created the commission to examine the federal taxes on fuel -- currently 18.4 cents for gas and 24 cents for diesel -- and the commission came back with the same results as everyone else: people are driving less, and driving more fuel efficient cars, and that has killed revenue for transportation infrastructure. One member of the commission said, "I'm not excited about a gas tax increase, but the reality is our current gas tax doesn't pay for upkeep of the system we have now. We can either let the roads go to hell or we can pay more." If the roads go to hell, though, guess what? We're going to pay more, but that money will go to service departments and auto parts stores.

The proposed solution is to make the gasoline fuel tax 24.4 cents, and the diesel tax between 36 and 39 cents. That would begin to make up for the $105 billion difference between actual revenues and the money needed to upkeep our roads and highways. It is conceivable that a higher gas tax could also encourage people to buy those high-mileage vehicles the government keeps commanding Detroit to make. But before that happens, it will probably just make a lot of people anguished and angry.

[Source: CNBC]

Road commission calls for gas tax hike originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressdiesel taxDieselTaxetcfederal gas taxfederal taxFederalGasTaxFederalTaxfuel taxFuelTaxgas taxGasTaxgovernmentgreenlifestylestudytaxesSat, 03 Jan 2009 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Houston study lauds red light cameras despite uptick in accidents]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/houston-study-lauds-red-light-cameras-despite-uptick-in-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/houston-study-lauds-red-light-cameras-despite-uptick-in-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/houston-study-lauds-red-light-cameras-despite-uptick-in-accident/#commentsFiled under: ,

We all know we shouldn't mess with Texas. And Houston, Texans shouldn't mess around with statistics, because the folks running the show are going to come to any conclusions they want no matter what the statistics say. This is the easy part: a study of red light cameras in the city shows that accidents have actually increased at intersections with the cameras.

These are the parts that are open to interpretation: most intersections only have one camera looking at one (out of four) directions of traffic, but the accident rate went up for traffic in the other three unmonitored directions; and, in the one monitored direction, "accidents remained relatively flat or showed only a slight increase." What do you make of that?

Mayor Bill White and the study authors say the city in general is experiencing a swell in the number of collisions, and claim that collisions at the monitored intersections haven't risen as much as the wider municipal rate. Yet they have no data to back up an increase in citywide collisions, and no year-on-year accident data at intersections (let alone an explanation for the uptick). White said that a 40-percent year-on-year drop in red light citations in the month of October shows the program is working and keeping drivers more safe. Critics say that the program is nothing but a cash register for city government. The study's authors plan to study insurance industry findings to come up with more substantive conclusions.

[Source: Houston Chronicle]

Houston study lauds red light cameras despite uptick in accidents originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>governmenthoustonred lightred light camerasRedLightRedLightCamerasrevenuesafety cameraSafetyCamerastudytexasticketstraffic cameraTrafficCameraTue, 30 Dec 2008 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[US DOT report confirms speed not major cause of accidents]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/us-dot-report-confirms-speed-not-major-cause-of-accidents/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/us-dot-report-confirms-speed-not-major-cause-of-accidents/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/us-dot-report-confirms-speed-not-major-cause-of-accidents/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sometimes numbers lie. But we keep them around because they tell the truth more often than not. The NHTSA undertook a two-and-a-half year study that examined 5,471 injury accidents nationwide in order to figure out how accidents were being caused. Government researchers conducted their own evidence gathering at crash sites in order to establish a first-hand account of causation. What did they find? Among other things, that more drivers crashed as a result of crossing the center line (11%) than as a result of speeding (5%). Speeding, in this case, defined by "too fast for conditions," not necessarily above the posted limit.

In accidents where driver error was the cause, speeding also came in last as a causative: the 8% who drove too fast were tied with the 8% who fell asleep or had heart attacks while driving. What's more, the NHTSA's causation percentages are strikingly similar to the percentages found in an independent study conducted by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. In its study of crashes in 2007, the VDoT found that 2.9% were due to speeding -- dead last -- while 3.8%t were due to drivers falling asleep or falling ill at the tiller.

What will this mean to the politicians setting and revising speed limits based on the "Speed Kills!" mantra? Probably nothing. But it's nice to know, and nice to have the government researched numbers to back it up.

[Source: The Newspaper]

Continue reading US DOT report confirms speed not major cause of accidents

US DOT report confirms speed not major cause of accidents originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentaccidentscar accidentcar crashCarAccidentCarCrashnhtsaresearchspeedingstudytraffic accidentsTrafficAccidentsThu, 18 Dec 2008 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: People attracted to cars with angry faces]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/report-people-attracted-to-cars-with-angry-faces/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/report-people-attracted-to-cars-with-angry-faces/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/report-people-attracted-to-cars-with-angry-faces/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for gallery of CARS photochopped by our readers


Consumers prefer cars to be angry-looking and dominant. That's the official word from a team at the University of Vienna after studying a group of male and female volunteers. Each were asked to rate the design features on 38 passenger cars introduced between 2004 and 2006. After rating the vehicle's physical traits, the researchers asked if the subjects saw "faces" (it's a phenomenon called "pareidolia") in the vehicles' appearances. Lastly, they asked participants which cars in the group they preferred. Interestingly enough, the more a vehicle bore characteristics appearing mature, dominant, masculine, arrogant, and angry-looking, the better the research subjects liked the cars. While the study didn't correlate actual sales figures with implied vehicle attitudes, it does add credence to the fact that emotion sways consumers towards certain models and adds yet another meaning to the familiar mid-cycle "facelift."

Gallery: Pixar CARS Photochops


[Source: MSNBC via Kicking Tires]

REPORT: People attracted to cars with angry faces originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angryangry carsAngryCarsarrogant carsArrogantCarscar facescar personalityCarFacesCarPersonalitymasculine carsMasculineCarspareidoliaStudyUniversity of ViennaUniversityOfViennaWed, 08 Oct 2008 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Bumper stickers = Aggressive drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/study-bumper-stickers-aggressive-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/study-bumper-stickers-aggressive-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/study-bumper-stickers-aggressive-drivers/#commentsFiled under: ,


Photo by richardmasoner | CC 2.0 (click for above more)

Colorado State University researchers have recently concluded a study on driver behavior revealing something that may or may not be surprising to you: drivers who personalize their cars with bumper stickers, custom plates and other such markings are likely to be more aggressive and confrontational out on the road. It's all about marking your territory, say the CSU eggheads. When people use their rear bumper to, say, advertise who they voted for in the last three presidential elections (along with every associated platform issue), brag about how smart their precious kids are, or remind us about the highly unfortunate event that took place on October 27, 2004, it's really the adhesive-based equivalent of what that next-door-neighbor's dog does when he lifts his leg on your gardenias.

Those stickers make cars an extension of their drivers' home turf, which they will defend if they feel you're threatening it in any way. Conversely, people whose autos retain their stock appearance are more likely to show patience behind the wheel. So, the next time you're getting yelled at, honked at, or getting the finger from another driver, try to sneak a peek at the rear bumper as they drive off in a huff. Chances are you'll find some reading material there.

Flip through the gallery below to see who you think might be the most aggressive drivers according to this new study.

Gallery: Bumper Sticker Gallery


[Source: The Washington Post]

Study: Bumper stickers = Aggressive drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agressive driversAgressiveDriversbumper stickersBumperStickerscoloradostate universityColoradostateUniversitystudyWed, 18 Jun 2008 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Irony: Red light cameras a safety impediment]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/irony-red-light-cameras-a-safety-impediment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/irony-red-light-cameras-a-safety-impediment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/irony-red-light-cameras-a-safety-impediment/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Red light cameras are nothing more than a surreptitious tax. Oh sure, they're sold to municipalities as a safety benefit, but what else would you say if you wanted to be paid to install, administrate, and monitor your little ticket-writing bots? The cities and towns that put the cameras greedily snap up the extra revenue generated by dangerously short yellow lights and overzealous cameras. Patrick Bedard has been poking holes in the theory that traffic cameras are the salve for behind the wheel idiocy, and a recent study by the University of South Florida Public Health agrees that the cameras actually cause accidents. Other studies also back up the findings that drivers are quicker to slam on their brakes at yellow lights when they spot the cameras. While it should not play out with a rear ending, nobody maintains a safe following distance, or even pays attention. In some cases, the rate of red light running is low enough that the cameras cause a spike in incidents, proving that the cure can sometimes be worse than the sickness.

[Source: Kicking Tires, Photo: Morning Chu Hi]

Irony: Red light cameras a safety impediment originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentaccidentscameracrashfloridainfractionred lightRedLightrevenuesafetystudytickettraffictraffic cameraTrafficCameraviolationFri, 14 Mar 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[More common sense - Cellphones make you a bad driver]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/03/more-common-sense-cellphones-make-you-a-bad-driver/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/03/more-common-sense-cellphones-make-you-a-bad-driver/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/03/more-common-sense-cellphones-make-you-a-bad-driver/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In light of the "backwards-travelling wave" that researchers recently discovered as a cause of congestion, another study has pinpointed a possible major contributor. The University of Utah's Traffic Lab uncovered that drivers paying more attention to yapping on their phone - hands free or not - add to the suffering of us all. Talking while driving leads to drivers who take considerably longer to change lanes when following slow-moving vehicles, drive slower overall, and take longer to arrive at their destination.

Any benefits from slower speeds and more deliberate movements are mitigated by the distraction of a conversation. Thinking along the lines of chaos theory, even the small slowdowns created by poky drivers can grow into exponentially larger traffic problems quickly. Then, when we're all stuck in the stop and go, we call someone else and bitch about how bad the traffic is. Sounds like what they've really discovered in Utah is the fuel for a perpetual motion machine. Car stops, jaw continually flaps.

[Source: Reuters, Photo: hotrodscustomstuff.com]

More common sense - Cellphones make you a bad driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonecongestiondriverdrivingjamphonesafetystudytalkingtraffictraffic jamTrafficJamuniversityutahThu, 03 Jan 2008 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Class Project: Spyker C69 design study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/class-project-spyker-c69-design-study/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/class-project-spyker-c69-design-study/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/class-project-spyker-c69-design-study/#commentsFiled under: ,

Spyker was looking like a bright young protégé for a while. It had some great ideas, a beautiful vision for the future and unstoppable ambition. Then it finished school and stepped out in the real world, ran out of money, had to cancel some of its more expensive plans, take some less glamorous jobs, sell off some of its assets, take a new direction, and hunker down to the realities of running a small operation with limited resources. Fortunately for the Dutch niche automaker, a group of students has seen eye-to-eye with its situation and have offered a helping hand in the form of this intriguing concept.

The C69 design study is (theoretically) equipped with two hybrid V6 engines (front and back) and bodywork straight out of Michael Bay's mind: one door scissors forward, the other rearward, and the front and rear shells tilt outwards. It's a slick little package, but we doubt Skyker would build it...at least not before paying off its student loans.

Check out the dramatic video after the jump for extra credits, and have your student ID number ready.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Continue reading Class Project: Spyker C69 design study

Class Project: Spyker C69 design study originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c69conceptdesignspykerstudySun, 28 Oct 2007 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[What could have been - AMX/3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/27/what-could-have-been-amx-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/27/what-could-have-been-amx-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/27/what-could-have-been-amx-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



UPDATE: It turns out there were actually some running and driving versions of this car, link in text below.

The fact that AMC never produced this car is probably part of the reason why they were able to hang on as the last independent automaker until the twilight of the 1980s. Looking at it now, though, makes us wish they'd gone after the mid-engined supercar segment with their iconoclastic flair. Sure, that'd mean an interior done up in noxious orange tartan, but look at that design! Richard Teague and crew managed to create a very muscular form evocative of what may have happened had a Toronado mated with Signor Miura. There were several development cars created, but no production version. What has recently surfaced is one of the "pushcars" used at events to show off the exterior styling. Pushcars were basically fiberglass bodies splashed from molds of the clay bucks. Underneath the exterior was a wooden framework and rudimentary axles front and rear.

Other pushcars from the same program have surfaced, one was even stuck atop a pole at a used car dealership before being rescued and restored (as a pushcar, that is.) The AMX/3, however, remained sealed away in Bruce Wayne's underground lair, it would seem, until earlier this year. The seller, second owner of the AMX/3, had intended on mounting the body to a Pantera chassis, but decided to sell it instead. New owner Tom Dulaney intends to restore the pushcar back to its original setup, but not before taking molds from the body to possibly create replica pieces. So, in the end, we may actually be able to own the sexiest AMC that never was, even if it is underpinned by a Fiero. Actually, there's no word on what would serve as a chassis, so let your imaginations run. We know what will be circling our heads as we fall asleep tonight.

[Source: Hemmings]

What could have been - AMX/3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMCAmerican MotorsAmericanMotorsAMXAMX/3concept carConceptCarfiberglassmid engineMidEnginepushcarstudystyling buckStylingBucksupercarSat, 27 Oct 2007 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Score another one for Detroit: Domestics make gains in customer satisfaction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/score-another-one-for-detroit-domestics-make-gains-in-customer/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/score-another-one-for-detroit-domestics-make-gains-in-customer/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/score-another-one-for-detroit-domestics-make-gains-in-customer/#commentsThe University of Michigan's National Quality Research Center released its American Customer Satisfaction Index today, which found that in general customer satisfaction has slightly increased this year in the automotive industry, and specifically domestic automakers have gained ground on their import competitors. While Lexus leads all brands with a score of 87 out of 100, Cadillac (86), Buick (86) and Lincoln-Mercury (86) all came within spitting distance of Toyota's luxury leader. Toyota and Honda, meanwhile, slid compared to last year, both achieving a score of 84. While improving, Ford (80), Chevy (82) and Dodge (80) still have a gap to close on their Japanese competitors.

These scores actually mirror closely the rankings in J.D. Power and Associates recently released 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study, and one would assume a customer's satisfaction with his or her vehicle has something to do with its dependability. That study saw Lexus tied with Buick for first place, with Cadillac, Lincoln and Mercury not far behind, as well.

[Source: University of Michigan, Automotive News]

Score another one for Detroit: Domestics make gains in customer satisfaction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american customer satisfaction indexAmericanCustomerSatisfactionIndexcustomer satisfactionCustomerSatisfactionreportsatisfactionstudyuniversity of michiganUniversityOfMichiganTue, 14 Aug 2007 17:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda has APEAL: wins most segments in JD Power's rankings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/honda-has-apeal-wins-most-segments-in-jd-powers-rankings/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/honda-has-apeal-wins-most-segments-in-jd-powers-rankings/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/honda-has-apeal-wins-most-segments-in-jd-powers-rankings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Honda took four categories in the latest J.D. Power's 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. APEAL measures how happy an owner is with the design, content, layout, and performance of their car within 90 days of purchase. When the votes were tallied from the 91,000 respondents, Honda won with the Fit (Sub-compact), CR-V (MAV), Ridgeline (Mid-size pickup), and Odyssey (Van), beating Mercedes and BMW who both took three categories each.

Among the domestics, Ford was the only winner, with the Mustang and the Edge. According to J.D. Power, new or redesigned vehicles tend to score the best, and that cars that score well in the APEAL Study need lower incentives to lure buyers. And in case you were wondering, closely following another study that took the same measure of owner happiness, the Jaguar S-Type did not make the list this time.

[Source: J. D. Powers]

Honda has APEAL: wins most segments in JD Power's rankings originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>APEALawardawardsJ. D. PowerJ.D.PowerresearchstudyMon, 02 Jul 2007 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Model street unveiled, goal to limit crashes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/26/model-street-unveiled-goal-to-limit-crashes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/26/model-street-unveiled-goal-to-limit-crashes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/26/model-street-unveiled-goal-to-limit-crashes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"Accidents happen." It's the oft-quoted mantra of anyone who spends time behind the wheel. Sooner or later, you'll witness or partake in a vehicular mishap. The Japan Automobile Research Institute aims to take a less stoic attitude about accidents and have set up a model street to evaluate accident prevention systems and practices.

The model street, which is larger than three football fields, includes straight and curved sections and will offer Institute researchers better insight into the conditions that cause accidents. We can't speak for what causes fender benders in Japan, but in the US, the number one cause has got to be drivers with absolutely no training paying limited attention to the task at hand. Who can blame them? The allure of text messaging is so much more enticing than piloting a 3500-pound projectile rendered in metal, composite and glass. Familiarize yourself with good car-brandishing skills and then observe the idiots that surround you. There's no institute needed to discern that inattention and ineptitude often play roles, but there are often plenty of other factors. That's what the model street has been developed to study. Here's to safer travels for drivers and pedestrians alike -- and let's hope they export the stuff that actually works at reducing incidents.

[Source: MSN - Mainichi]

Model street unveiled, goal to limit crashes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does a three-hour marathon session of Burnout Revenge on the Xbox 360 give you the urge to go wreak automotive havoc on an unsuspecting public? Perhaps not, but you might be more inclined to run a red light or wantonly speed according to a new study that confirms the correlation between racing games and risky behavior behind the wheels. While surveys have been done to establish this correlation in the past, this is one of the first hardcore studies conducted to back up this theory.

Conducted by Peter Fischer at Ludwig-Maximilians University and the Allianz Center for Technology in Germany (Allianz is one of the largest insurance companies in the world), the study took a very scientific approach. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, it began with interviewing a number of subjects on their driving habits and how often they played video games that featured driving in a real-world setting. Next, researchers actually compared the effect of playing games like Burnout, Midnight Racer and Need for Speed on the brain. It was found that such games did increase cognitions that relate to risk taking and arousal/excitement. Finally, the study gauged whether these types of driving games actually translated into risk-taking behavior by using the widely accepted Vienna Test System. Sure enough, it was found that men (though not women) were more likely to take risks in traffic after playing these games.

The linked article from Arstechnica makes the good point that the study steered clear of driving games like Project Gotham Racing, Forza and Gran Turismo that take place on virtual tracks in controlled environments. Such games, if studied, might be found to promote increased motor skills and concentration since the goal is to get the best lap time and not run over granny in your Gremlin.

What's worrisome, however, is if the correlation between these types of driving games might eventually give the insurance industry cause to increase rates for gamers that like to indulge in a little Grand Theft Auto.

[Source: Arstechnica]

STUDY: Video driving games promote risky behavior in real life originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to the Financial Times, General Motors has actually created a group to explore a potential purchase, alliance or other relationship with the Chrysler Group. Rumors have continued to persist that General Motors is interested in outright purchasing the Chrysler Group from DaimlerChrysler, but the fact that this exploratory group is headed by the same guy, Fritz Henderson (shown), who led the team that studied and eventually recommended against a possible tie-up with Nissan/Renault, adds more fuel to the fire. Of course, GM is still sticking to its original comment on the situation, which is that it regularly has discussions with other automakers on topics of mutual interest.

So far Hyundai, Volkswagen, Fiat and Nissan/Renault have ruled themselves out as potential buyers for the Chrysler Group, though reports have surfaced that at least four private equity groups are in preliminary talks with DCX concering a possible purchase deal. DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche has been quoted as saying that "all options are on the table." Just like it was with the exploratory group set up to study the Nissan/Renault deal, it will be months before Fritz and the gang will be able to provide a recommendation to GM.

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req'd]

GM assembles group to explore relationship with Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It struck us as an odd pairing when BMW and PSA Peugeot-Citroen formed their initial partnership. BMW, a German conglomerate building premium performance and luxury automobiles and controlling a couple small but iconic British marques, and PSA, a grouping of two run-of-the-mill mass-production French brands. Their products don't overlap much, but the all but total lack of competition is probably what helps them get along. No competition means no threat.

Now the two groups are looking at expanding their cooperation along the lines of their current partnership. PSA developed and builds the engines for the Mini, the French firm imparting their expertise with small engines on their Bavarian friends who are more adept at high-output performance powerplants. PSA and BMW are now undertaking a study to assess new ways the two can collaborate, and if they both like the findings, we may see Peugeot-Citroen engines in other BMW products, and maybe vice-versa.

Now isn't it so much nicer when the Germans and the French get along?

[Source: AP via Detroit News]

BMW and PSA to expand engine partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwcitroencollaborationcooperationenginepartnershippeugeotpsastudyMon, 18 Dec 2006 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Eating and drinking doubles crash risk]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/study-eating-and-drinking-doubles-crash-risk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/study-eating-and-drinking-doubles-crash-risk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/study-eating-and-drinking-doubles-crash-risk/#commentsFiled under:

Ultima GTR at the Drive-Thru
A British study commissioned by an insurance company has determined that noshing behind the wheel doubles the likelihood that a driver will get into an accident. Brunel University researchers put subjects through the paces using driving simulators to arrive at the conclusion.

First, they took virtual rides through an urban route without eating or drinking anything. After that, they repeated the task while sucking down bagged snacks and bottled water. Reseachers found that even though the drivers compensated by slowing down, they still couldn't react quickly enough to avoid colliding with the simulation's virtual pedestrians. In fact, 90% of the crashes recorded occured during the act of eating or drinking.

Dr. Mark Young, the lead researcher, says that the circumstances surrounding eating and drinking while driving make those activities more dangerous than other "menial in-car tasks."

We understand the good doctor's reasoning and generally agree with what he has to say, but we'd like to know if his list of "menial in-car tasks" includes "finding a song three menus deep on an iPod," because while we're not university researchers, we're pretty sure that's way more distracting than reaching into a bag of M&Ms.

Finally, we'd be interested in using the research sims to recreate a typical morning interstate commute sans coffee. We're guessing that the elimination of that particular piping-hot, crotch-threatening caffeinated beverage from the cupholder could result in pileups reminiscent of the ones in the most dramatic CHiPs episodes.

Photo courtesy of Seriouswheels.com

[Source: 4Car]

Study: Eating and drinking doubles crash risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, here's an issue where people may want to seriously keep their mouth shut. According to a study by Kia Motor UK, 53 percent of drivers think they're the better half-in driving, that is, compared to their significant other (SO). Worse, nearly 20 percent would consider dumping or serving divorce papers if they felt their SO was too critical of their driving skills.

Kia Motor's recommendation? Share the driving, chose the traveling music together and plan plenty of stops. The latter not only gives relief to bodily necessities, but any tempers as well.

[Source: Pocket-lint]

Kia study shows keeping quiet good for travel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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