Archived Auto News and Events for September 2009

Ford Plans to Increase Media Presence
In the next six months the Ford Motor Co. will amplify its current marketing and advertising campaign to maintain and build momentum behind its existing vehicle lineup.

Fisker Receives Government Loan in Excess of $500 Million
On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, the Obama administration announced it will award loans of more than $500 million to Fisker Automotive Inc. for the development of two plug--in hybrids .

Ford Debuts Major New 2011 Super Duty Truck
As the auto industry works to reinvent itself , Ford has upped the ante with the debut of its newest offering:, the 2011 Super Duty truck, a vehicle aimed at drivers who need a vehicle that can literally handle heavy lifting.

September Auto Sales Lowest of the Year J.D. Powers Says
A report from J.D. Power indicates that American auto sales for the month of September will be at the same level as the worst of 2009, due to the end of the government-sponsored "cash for clunkers" program, and a subsequent end to the purchase of new cars.

Chrysler Group Plans Refits of Five Models by mid 2011
There's big news from the Chrysler Group this morning. According to a report in the Detroit Free Press , the automaker is planning to refresh the designs of five of their models - the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot crossovers, and the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans - all by mid-2011.

Quiet Electric Cars Emits Futuristic Sound Effects to Alert Pedestrians
The danger of the near-silent sound of an electric car was quickly identified by the U.S. National Federation of the Blind Committee when they ran tests to determine if blind pedestrians could hear a hybrid passing by.

2010 Toyota Prius Sales Slowed by Shortage NiMH Hybrid Battery Supply
In a report in Automobile Magazine, Tokyo battery production is being far exceeded by demand for the 2010 Toyota Prius. Panasonic EV Energy Co., Toyota's sole battery supplier is hard pressed to keep up with the projected 500,000 Prius production output.

Chevy Volt EV MPG 48 not 230 New EPA Fuel Efficiency Rating Methods
The Chevy Volt EV is due for rollout in late 2010 to be welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of hybrid car shoppers, due to its touted 230 mpg fuel efficiency.

Increased Hybrid Car Sales in August by 9 Percent to 35,429 Vehicles
With a slight increase in gas prices and the CARS program in full swing, August hybrid car sales saw an increase over the numbers in June by 9 percent.

GEICO Insurance Donates $185,000 to Children's National Medical Center
Every year, GEICO Insurance is recognized as a leader in charitable contributions throughout the country. This year, GEICO Insurance associates pulled out all stops by holding silent auctions, art shows, car washes and rock band competitions to overwhelm all expectations by raising $185,000 to donate to the Children's National Medical Center.

Find Lower Car Insurance Rates When School Starts This Fall
Lower car insurance rates may not be the first thing on your mind when send your teen driver off to college this year, but it is worth considering. The start of school is usually a time of feverish preparation and rushing to buy clothes, laptops and other study aids.

1994 Honda Accord Still Most Popular Stolen Car: Report Claims
It may seem a mystery, with all of the tempting new eye candy parked on U.S. streets, that a fifteen year old vehicle like the 1994 Honda Accord would even merit a second glance by car thieves.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Station Development Urged by Major Carmakers
Establishing a hydrogen fuel cell station network of sufficient geographic saturation in Europe, the U.S., Japan and Korea by 2015 will be necessary to secure the success of fuel cell vehicles.

Toyota Unveils On-Board Breathalyzer Test Device on Commercial Vehicles
An on-board breathalyzer test will be required in order for drivers to start their commercial and transportation vehicles in a set of investigations run by Toyota Motor Corp.

Samoan Drivers Switch Side of the Road They Drive on
In a measure to allow the import of cheaper used cars from New Zealand and Australia, the Samoan government instituted a change in the driving direction for its streets and highways.

Auto Insurance Repair Shop Preferred Practice Pressures Policy Holders
Auto insurance repair shops - What should be common knowledge that auto insurance policy holders have the legal right to have their damaged vehicles repaired at any auto repair shop they choose is being challenged by some insurers who encourage or coerce them to use their preferred shops.