The NHTSA is proposing a rule standardizing keyless ignition systems so that they all shut down after a half-second hold of the power button, whether the vehicle is moving or not. In addition, the proposal calls for a loud warning to sound if the driver exits the vehicle without putting it in park or without turning off the vehicle. Some carbon monoxide fatalities have occurred when drivers left their cars running in attached garages.
Mota Motors launched a highly successful certified pre-owned program called SureSale™Certified in the Phoenix, AZ, area, and will now extend it to New York and New Jersey. The program expands the range of vehicles eligible for certification on dealer lots, online marketplaces, and remarketing channels (up to 15 years old and 150K miles), making it easier to implement with one-click vehicle certification.
Plans are underway by several major auto manufacturers to offer hydrogen fuel cell cars for sale. These are electric cars that generate electricity in fuel cells rather than storing it in batteries. The fuel cells combine hydrogen gas with oxygen in a process that creates water and a stream of electricity without long charging times, but current costs and infrastructure needs must be addressed before the vehicles gain commercial acceptance.
Last year Ford replaced its popular Crown Victoria Police Interceptor model with the Taurus and Explorer. The 3.5-liter Taurus and Explorer engine gets 35% better mileage than the Crown Vic's 4.6-liter V-8 and the 3.7-liter does 32% better. With gas costs at $4.00/gallon, Ford says law enforcement departments with 100 vehicles will realize annual savings of $153,300.
The good news for consumers is that modern cars can go more miles without breaking down, thus the new break-point limit is now 200,000 instead of 100,000 miles. Studies show the values for older cars are rising, thanks to better materials. The good news for dealership service departments is that these car owners will need more service on their vehicles to keep them in top-notch shape.