Windshieldtime
GPS duel
Two navigation technologies are dueling for dashboard dominance, according to a report in the New York Times. In one corner are GPS-equipped mobile phones with turn-by-turn software. In the other are portable dashtop GPS units. The stakes were set to be raised with the introduction of the American version of Navigon’s MobileNavigator for the iPhone, which is said to simultaneously offer the driver turn-by-turn navigation and up-to-the-minute traffic reports (a feature called “crowdsourced traffic reporting”). Meanwhile, dashtop GPS systems are fighting back by offering bigger screens and price drops.
Worst gas guzzlers
Gas prices have been lower for the better part of a year, but at press time, they seemed to be rising again. With that in mind, Forbes.com published its list of the Worst Fuel-Efficient Vehicles. They are: Chevrolet Suburban (large SUV), City MPG 10, Hwy MPG 15; BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz S Class (sedan), City MPG (11), Hwy MPG (17); Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger (non-luxury sedan), City MPG 13, Hwy MPG 19; BMW M6, Mercedes-Benz CL Class (coupe), City MPG 11, Hwy MPG 17; Dodge Challenger (non-luxury coupe), City MPG 13, Hwy MPG 19; BMW M6 Convertible (convertible), City MPG 11, Hwy MPG 17; Lamborghini Murcielago (exotic), City MPG 8, Hwy MPG 13; Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Dodge Ram 2500, Ford F-350, GMC Sierra 2500, Nissan Titan LE (full-size truck), City MPG 12, Hwy MPG 17; Ford Ranger (light truck), City MPG 14, Hwy MPG 18; Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (station wagon), City MPG 13, Hwy MPG 18.
Automotive blogs
If cars mean more to you than mere transportation, you might appreciate some of the many automotive blogs on the Internet. According to Forbes.com, blogs aren’t only fun, but they’re increasingly practical. “Rather than simply air opinion or speculation, the best car blogs let consumers compare vehicle specs and prices, get up-to-the-second news, and show photos and videos – all in a fast, easy way that larger media outlets do not,” says Forbes. Here are some blogs to check out: Autoblog (autoblog.com), featuring news, business, issues, reviews, rare cars; Autoblog Green (green.autoblog.com), news, etc., related to hybrid and electric vehicles; Autoextremist (autoextremist.com), news, commentary, analysis; Car Design News (cardesignnews.com/site/home/), auto show news, car design news; Car Domain Blog (blog.cardomain.com), technology, motorsports, etc.; Celebrity Cars Blog (celebritycarsblog.com), photos of celebrities with their cars; CNet Car Tech Blog (reviews.cnet.com/car-tech-blog), technology news, electric and green-car news; Consumer Reports Blog (blogs.consumerreports.org/cars), reports, safety ratings, analysis; Gas 2.0 (gas2.org), news, politics, biofuels, batteries, etc; Greencar.com (greencar.com), reviews, electric cars and hybrids; Jalopnik (jalopnik.com), news, products, lists, sarcasm; Kicking Tires (blogs.cars.com), industry news, dealer and used-car news; Polk Blog (blog.polk.com/blog/the-polk-blog), analysis, commentary; RPMGO (rpmgo.com), off-beat features, photos, accessories.
Used-car shopping trends
If you’re buying a used car, you’re just as likely to visit an online Web site as a dealer, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Used-Vehicle Market Report. The report finds that the percentage of used-vehicle buyers who rely on the Internet as a method for locating vehicles for sale increased from 40 percent in 2008 to 46 percent in 2009 – equal to the percentage of buyers who visit dealer lots as their primary shopping method. Furthermore, 31 percent of buyers found the vehicle they ultimately purchased on the Internet, compared with 28 percent who found their vehicle by visiting dealerships.
|
|
|
