Obstacles testing Honda high-tech solution on site

Although the number of deaths due to vehicle is strongly decreased collisions over the last 10 years, deaths in accidents with pedestrians and motorcycle riders have remained unchanged.

Honda is experimenting with a wireless technology, impacting significantly on these numbers.

In contrast to camera, radar and laser systems that can short range communication system, which this week shown follow the Japanese company, pedestrians and motorbikes dedicated, even if they are out of line of sight - such as on the other side of a parked car or around the corner.

The new technologies are part of an array of intelligent transport systems, "We believe that the next step in the direction of car will be accident free," said Jim Keller, senior engineer at Honda's automotive technology research.

In a demonstration on the roof of Detroit is expansive MGM Grand Casino, Honda showed the two prototype systems with a motorcycle scoot through an "intersection" behind a truck initially hidden. The driver of the Honda Accord was carefully mounted on the danger through a sound and a flashing light on a video display on the dashboard. A similar test revealed a pedestrian stepping out in the "traffic" behind a van.

Added without the warning, the accord driver of pedestrians and motorcycle riders could have taken. Instead, he had enough time to safely the sedan to a halt.

Other automakers are looking for pedestrians to possibilities, the number of accidents, and in particular spot gradually to reduce traffic. Volvo City safety technology has won kudos as well as discounts from insurers, who find it effective in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian collisions.

But systems based on cameras or radar, usually to sonar or laser sensors do not much behind the line of sight, and offer usually a warning about no more than about three seconds. Honda vehicle pedestrian and vehicle-motorcycle technologies, less than 10 seconds and can spot potential collisions increase.

The trick is a wireless communication system similar to Wi-Fi. A small chip is it effective - and if Honda, its competitors, and regulators can agree on standards - phones and motorbikes would be embedded in future. In a phone, a low-power signal would be if a pedestrian on the street to go; in a motorcycle, it would indicate the bike path.

A radio receiver in a car would constantly watch for possible collisions. This technology could be linked to the vehicle's brakes and the car that come to a halt to allow, if necessary, before the driver recognized the danger of even.

Federal authorities study the idea of cars require vehicle-vehicle technology in the future. There was a driver in a sharp curve to problems as an oncoming vehicle makes a left turn alert.

Honda is one of a growing number of manufacturers with a stretch target fatalities through high-tech systems and improved vehicle structures to eliminate crash.

On Tuesday adapted Nissan this goal as it plans its first completely autonomous or non-interference and vehicle by 2020 announced in. The company said that he hopes that the technology in their products offered within the next 10 years.

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Report: Americans continue to drive brakes

Fewer people in work, less people go. It is a simple equation, which many experts on as explanation for the remarkable decline in the total miles of US drove motorists to refer in the depths of the recession.

So, explain like the fact that even as the economy shows driven finally real signs of recovery the miles continue to decline. This report from the Federal Highway Administration is only the latest indication that the Americans out of love can be with their cars.

In its report released this week, the Agency said the number of vehicle miles traveled – VMT in the jargon of the transport world - fall in the first half of 2013 continued. The past is prologue, the numbers would have recovered at least slightly according to the national increase in employment and income.

In a study earlier this month by John A. Volpe national transportation researchers Systems Center, that the number of miles that are individuals has greatly decreased the driving force in recent years. This number reached an average of 900 miles per month in July 2004. Until July 2012, it was up to 820 per month, a figure that the researchers had not seen since the last years of the last millennium.

"Almost 40 years of car tracks consumption, measured vehicle miles traveled, closely real gross domestic product." VMT declined during the recent recession, as it has during the previous. But unlike after previous recessions, it still not yet recovered", said Volpe researcher Don Pickrell and David pace in the report.

"Some causes are not new," said pace. "Car inventory is essentially on its saturation. Baby boomers drive less when they get older. It is more expensive to buy and own a car."

In addition, younger drivers of less not only because of the cost of buying and operating a vehicle, but also because of new restrictions on the licensing of teen can go. And there is evidence some analytical, some anecdotal, that younger Americans as expected by SMS contacts to socialize as with a drive to the to meet personally with friends.

But the Volpe study discovered some unexpected shifts. There was a remarkable decline in the vehicle-miles traveled by young adults, a group that traditionally more miles than most other groups, especially in a positive economic cycle clocked.

More observations:
The decline in driving was much more important for men than women.
Trial of men, in fact, decreased in every age group except those over 65.
The miles, the ages of 20 to 34 since the beginning of the new Millennium powered by women, dropped.

Women older than fell more driving, however, as seniors of both sexes are.

Contrary to popular opinion, the two researchers argue the decline in vehicle miles traveled does not reflect a switch to other modes of transportation, whether mass transit, biking or walking. And while there are clearly more teleworkers, the study found that it accounted for less than 1 percent of the general decline. Even the growth in e-shopping not explain happen what.

Other studies, among other things, produced by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, have similar characters that Americans spend less time in their cars, wait longer to get their driver's license and seemed found to fall usually always in love with the automobile.

"[Not] they need an increasing number of Americans [feeling] or want a car of your own" art Spinella CNW marketing, whose studied of carless households found the number doubled in the past two decades and is in line with the trend, less than 10 percent this year to reach for researchers.

Automotive proponents are thus, growing the U.S. market for new cars with a double-digit pace this year. Now company LMC automotive consulting predicts that 15.6 million of 2013, up from 14.5 million in the previous year total sales reach. But still nearly 2 million under the industry, would peak after the recession. And it remains to be seen, the rebound has much more stamina.

If anything, a study by r.l. Polk in the last month published found that the age of the average vehicle on the road from 11.2 years in 2012 on 11.4 years climbed - also with the automotive market bounced back so quickly that the manufacturer must fight to overcome capacity bottlenecks. This is a record - and a big jump from an average of 9.7 years Polk reported a decade ago.

"The car as a fetish of masculinity is probably over for certain age groups," transport behavior analyst Nancy McGuckin told The Associated Press. "I don't think that young men take care as much about the car they drive, to use as they."

Does it really matter? Affecting a culture of less enamored automobile have a widespread impact could, and not only those, once wrote that songs like "my Hot Rod Lincoln" or "Little Red Corvette."

Once money for cars distraction seems to be elsewhere, including the telecommunications industry, where smartphones become for many the car once set status symbol.

As automotive engineering, sales and service of the main sources of employment and an important factor in the country's GDP, the change for the future could have a huge impact. Also, the Volpe study points to the already under federal highway Trust Fund funded, what could be even harder pressed to cover the cost of maintenance of the infrastructure.

Each mile had motorists cut from their driving plans a significant impact on the future.

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Lexus tops vehicle reliability study

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 1 day

Today's vehicles are more reliable than ever before, according to a new study, although Toyota remains the King when it comes to long-term reliability.

Still, that the gap between import and domestic brands, with motors give close chase to Toyota General and the J.D. power and Associates 2013 vehicle reliability study finds its luxury brand of Lexus.

"The continuous improvement of the long-term reliability of truck, crossover, or SUV, are means that consumers should have more confidence in the three-year-old vehicles, whether they keep their current car or shopping for a used car," says David Sargent, Vice President of global automotive at J.D. power and partner or JDPA.

On the basis of responses from 37,000 owners of 2010 model cars, trucks and crossovers, the annual study shows that the number of reported fallen five percent since the last report, has known under the abbreviation VDS issues. On average, there were 126 problems for every 100 vehicles or 126 PP100 in power-speak, down from 132 in the 2012 study. This is the lowest number since 1989 is often cited measure of vehicle reliability started.

Domestic manufacturers traditionally have to foreign rivals behind, but the gap has Detroit makers, on average a score of 133 against 123 for imports drastically reduced for 2013. The higher the score of the more problems. Until 2011, the gap was 18 points, power points.

But not absolutely there a frequent, that connection between the way that perform individual brands in power short-term studies, such as the initial quality study. Toyota Lexus routinely leads the IQS, and tops in the VDS 2013 with benchmark it is 57 problems per 100. In other words, barely half of respondents Lexus owners reported problems at all.

Porsche came in second followed by Lincoln, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz complete the top five. Meanwhile, arm Chrysler truck, the RAM brand, the biggest improvement of any brand, its improvement by 52 PP100 score written.

Individual product segments Lexus led in two, with the Lexus ES350 tops in the category entry premium car named during its RX model, the midsize premium crossover/SUV models led. Toyota has seven-segment Awards overall, including the brands of Scion and Toyota more than any other car manufacturer.

But General Motors was second on the list with four individual segment awards for models including the Buick Lucerne sedan and the big Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. American Honda took two segment WINS, with Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda and Nissan access also awards.

The 2013 supplied vehicle reliability study some major surprises, especially by the revelation that conventional wisdom is wrong, when it comes to the reliability of the brand new products. "The perception that new or revised models not as reliable as those that for a year or more is not true on the market", emphasizes Sargent, add "The fast improvement of the basic vehicle reliability every year is more than balanced all initial faults, which may have new or redesigned models."

The upward trend in vehicle reliability is certainly good for those, to buy a new vehicle. But it is perhaps even better news for those in the market for a "like-new" vehicle.

"If you can't afford a new vehicle can, or want to simply not one, should you feel confident when buying certified used car (CPO) vehicle," takes a power statement.

There was a significant increase in the demand for CPO vehicles in recent years. Most manufacturers offered now used car program in which models comprehensive controls come a certified from leasing to undergo and if necessary, repaired. You are assured a rule of almost new warranty.

Copyright 2013 the Detroit Bureau

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Toyota recalls 778,000 Rav4 all-terrain vehicle, Lexus sedans

To resolve all-terrain vehicle and Lexus HS 250 h sedan to a suspension problem that could cause crashes with reference to 778,000 RAV4 Toyota.

The company says if nuts really are attracted to rear suspension for a wheel alignment, the arms can rust and separate from the vehicle.

Toyota reports nine crashes and three minor injuries from the issue.

RAV4s of the product recall are covered from the model years 2006 to 2011. The Lexus limos are from 2010 only.

Toyota says that he developed a plan to resolve the issue. Owner by mail will be notified if dealer for a free repair of the vehicles must be taken into account.

Now the company is saying to their drivers to contact when they heard an unusual noise in the rear of the vehicle dealer.

Associated press contributed to this report.

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Navigation in vehicle sales will quadruple by 2019.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, number of cars, trucks and crossovers is sold with vehicle navigation systems the Detroit BureauThe in North America by 2019, according to a new study, is growing each year to quadruple to nearly 13 million new systems.
But that cannot be considered good news as it may seem, to traditional navigation system suppliers, such as Denso, Harman or TomTom, warns Boston-based strategy Analytics, Inc. It warns that high-tech companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft, "begin to fight for release" as they grow their own automotive business.

The good news is that future navigation systems, who provides them, are probably less expensive and significantly more features provide. More functionality, price, even a barrier to entry for many consumers - or was it led with aftermarket devices go, which can be purchased at a Costco for $100. And now, potential buyers have the chance, go with Smartphone navigation apps.
"The recent announcement by Apple with regard to its Automotive OEM partnerships and the extension of Apple's mapping efforts significantly the market could change in the vehicle", says Strategy Analytics senior analyst John Canali.

The penetration rate of the auto-navigation technology very differently from the market. Factory navigation systems are in the vicinity of ubiquitous in Japan, especially in the labyrinthine cities such as Tokyo. In the United States however, the technology had a slow start, and during the after market units have become popular Christmas gifts, factory installed systems have gained ground very much slower.

This begins to change. Some manufacturers have recognized that this price is a critical obstacle. Had to switch from low-volume, high profit margin strategy, Canali said they can sell far more navigation systems one which recognises, but to a lower profit per unit.
Ford, systems navigation, for example, now offers some models for less than $600. In fact, the basic hardware is car already in the and the driver pays the premium for software that contain a thumbnail view SD card.

Now be proposed legislation, the mandate would be, the use of back-up cameras should also help lower prices and sales, Canali, when most proposed the basic hardware, especially the in stroke video screen already installed vehicles in the most such legislation in force.

But Canali stressed the analyst notes that "really has extended the definition of navigation". "It is built not only the full screen, hard drive, or DVD-based system not in the dashboard."

Ford, for example, offers also a free service through its sync Infotainment System. There is a driver can call no video display but in a destination and an operator is there in the program. Will then be read by voice turn guidance. General Motors offers a similar feature "Offboard navigation" through its subsidiary OnStar as do quite a few other manufacturers. GM has new Chevrolet GogoLink the , a new smartphone app based nav system that says GM offer comprehensive navigation with traffic to less than the cost of traditional navigation.

Ford Sync system, as also KIA new information technology, both from Microsoft have been developed. The latest Audi models, such as for example the 2013 S5 sedan feature displays by Google Earth and Google StreetView images. Apple is now indeed always and even negotiations with a number of manufacturers, add a button "Siri" on the steering wheel, that the tech company's voice control software on an iPhone would be access directly. Among other things would allow a driver, easy questions to a nearby Cafe and have given the address automatically in the navigation system.

"In competition with these new players is difficult for established providers of navigation systems because the new players are well capitalised and can devote much more for research and development," Richard Robinson, Director of automotive and multimedia communications at Strategy Analytics.

The new study finds that global sales of car navigation systems of employee base 9,500 million in 2009 to 56 million by 2019 will jump. In North America volume of 1.80 million in the year to 3 million this year and 12.90 million annually by 2019 2009 an estimated increase. But at least from a percentage-based largest growth is being seen in China, Strategy Analytics forecasting sales of navigation only 355.000 in 2009 is 11.80 million 2018 reach.

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Electric vehicle sales ahead of last year's pace

Sales of both the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf both increased in February.

By Joseph Szczesny , The Detroit BureauDespite GM’s decision to shut down Volt production for five weeks, starting later this month, capping a raft of adverse publicity, sales of electric vehicles are actually running well ahead of last year’s pace.

Sales of both the Volt and the Nissan Leaf both increased in February. Between them, GM and Nissan sold more than 1,500 battery-based vehicles during February, making it one of the best monthly sales totals ever for the emerging technology. Leaf sales increased 617 percent, year-over-year, while sales of the Volt increased 264 percent, according to the latest sales number from February.

(Despite its recent problems, the Chevy plug-in also reported a 60 percent gain from January, when demand plunged as federal regulators probed potential problems with the Volt battery pack.)

EV sales are still running short of the targets set by Nissan and GM but are expanding and the combination of higher pump prices for gasoline and a stronger economy will lift EV sales, according to a number of industry analysts. In addition, more models are coming to market in the months ahead, and that should boost momentum.

Chrysler Group, for example, has confirmed the Fiat 500 EV will go on sales later this year, as will the Ford Focus Electric, Toyota’s Prius plug-in and RAV4-EV and Honda’s first battery-electric entry. Overall, EV sales could easily double in 2012, by general consensus.

Of course, the question is whether that will be enough to sustain momentum. Until recently, GM had been planning to produce 60,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012, up from about 10,000 last year – with 45,000 of them aimed at the American market.  The maker has not said how the coming shutdown will impact its plans for the full year. But a spokesperson insisted momentum is building despite what GM sees as a temporary setback – in part because an updated version of the Chevrolet Volt will now qualify for the coveted California HOV lane sticker.

Meanwhile, carmakers right across the board are growing more comfortable with the forecasts they’ve made for the overall U.S. market, which show sales growing by double digits across the board. Every major automaker reported sales increases — and while GM lagged with a very modest 1.1 percent gain, it actually exceeded expectations.

Several companies, such as Nissan — with a sales increase of 15.5 percent — as well as the Korean twins, Kia and Hyundai  — set sales record last month .

“Nissan’s momentum throughout the lineup continues to drive our growth,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “Another strong month for Nissan Altima demonstrates that consumers are increasingly turning to Nissan for quality and reliability in the midsize car segment.”

Move Over Prius, Step Aside Leaf?

Even brands such as Mitsubishi and Suzuki , which saw sales dwindle during the recession, posted double-digit sales increases in February which, overall, exceeded even the more optimistic forecasts for the month.

Meanwhile, brands with significant new product launches, such BMW and Mercedes-Benz, reported sales increases of more than 30 percent as more new vehicles made it into dealer showrooms.

Toyota also increased sales in February. For Toyota, not only did the Camry score big, but so did the new Yaris minicar.

“Fuel economy remains top of mind for consumers, and they’re responding to Toyota’s lineup, which is the most fuel efficientin the industry,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Camry sales continue to surge, and Prius, Yaris and Scion all posted double digit gains in February. We expect that high gas prices will continue to be a top purchase consideration for consumers, which bodes well for Toyota’s continued growth in 2012.”

It should also bode well for battery-based models, according to Carter, whether relatively conventional hybrids such as the new Prius C – the lowest-priced 4-seat gas-electric model on the market – or more advanced offerings such as the RAV-4 EV Toyota plans to bring to market this year.

Significantly, that vehicle was developed in cooperation with California start-up Tesla Motors, which also hopes to go mainstream in mid-2012 with the launch of its own Model S sedan.  Competitor Fisker Motors, is now ramping up production of its own Karma plug-in hybrid sports car, with a more mainstream vehicle, codenamed Project Nina, on the books for a 2013 launch.

Fisker is struggling to renegotiate a $529 million DoE loan, however, leading many observers to wonder if it will make it until then.  A number of other battery-car start-ups have folded after failing to line up necessary financial support, most notably Bright, which pulled the plug last week – and Aptera, which powered down late last year.

With a few exceptions it is beginning to look like any real boom in battery power will benefit the traditional automakers rather than the start-ups some proponents had been counting on.

Paul A. Eisenstein contributed to this report. 

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Mitsubishi ranks as 'most toxic' vehicle, study says

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was ranked as the most toxic vehicle base on chemical testing of the interior.

Love that new car smell? Well, it doesn’t love you back, according to a new study of toxic materials released by the flame retardants and plastics that sometimes coat the interior parts of a car.

The study by Ecology Center, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based environmental organization, found the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was the "most toxic" vehicle among more than  200 popular 2011 and 2012 vehicles tested for group's annual list.

The car's interior was found to contain bromine and antimony-based flame retardants in the seating and center console, chromium treated leather, and seats containing large amounts of lead. Who’s up for a road trip now?

Mitsubishi was not immediately available to comment.

On the other end of the spectrum, the 2012 Honda Civic ranked as the "least toxic" model with an interior (including fabrics and trim) that’s completely devoid of both bromine-based flame retardants and PVC. It also has “low levels of heavy metals and other metal allergens.” The 2011 Toyota Prius and 2011 Honda CR-Z ranked as Nos. 2 and 3 on the least toxic side of the ledger.

Overall, Ecology Center has rated Honda as the top automaker with respect to healthy car interiors every year since 2007, while Hyundai-Kia was ranked the lowest during the last two years, according to the study.

The Ecology Center says the fumes that create the new-car smell that so many people find pleasant actually come from a chemical cocktail of bromine, chlorine, lead and other heavy metals used in automotive interiors.

“Since these chemicals are not regulated, consumers have no way of knowing the dangers they face," said Ecology Center research director Jeff Gearhart in a statement. "Our testing is intended to expose those dangers and encourage manufacturers to use safer alternatives.”

Its report, Toxic at Any Speed, says that driver and passenger exposure to these materials has been linked to allergies, birth defects, liver toxicity and cancer, and says the linkage is corroborated by a two-year study conducted by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia’s national science agency.

The potential toxicity of automotive interiors hasn't received much attention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, although the U.S. agency does acknowledge the phenomenon of harmful building materials. A separate study from the Technical University of Munich in Germany conflicted with Ecology Center's findings, showing that the compounds in “new car smell” weren’t toxic but could aggravate allergies in some people.

Either way, the amount of plastics used in vehicles grew from 22 pounds in 1960 to over 250 pounds today, according to the group's website, HealthyStuff.org, although some 17 percent of new vehicles now have PVC-free interiors, and 60 percent are produced without bromine-based flame retardants in the interiors.

HealthyStuff.org says that it “only tests for a limited set of chemical hazards."

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Production electric vehicle triple Ford

STERLING HEIGHTS, Michigan - Ford Motor Co plans to triple its production of electric vehicles, including hybrid, at an annual rate of 100,000 to 2013, the number two US car manufacturers said Thursday.

The company plans to 220 jobs at plants in Michigan, build the new vehicles, including a plug-in electric version, that it plans, call the C-Max Add.

At an event announcement said the News Jim Farley, the company's global head of marketing and sales, he "U.S. was encouraging sales performance of Ford's in June," which have improved since May.

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters.

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