GM is introducing an all-new air bag mounted to the right side of the driver's seat on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. The new air bag inflates during any side impact or rollover. Side impacts are one of the biggest challenges facing safety engineers. Eleven percent of traffic deaths last year resulted from far-side impacts.
GE Capital's Key Solutions consultancy team reported new company cars across Europe's major markets reduced their CO2 emissions by 7.2% between 2008 and 2010. Data from GE Capital's 250,000 vehicle pan-European fleet report indicates emissions fell by an average of 11gCO2/Km per car in that timeframe. The study also estimates that, on average, a 2010 company car saved €162 in fuel consumption in its first year when compared to a 2008 model.
The battle against computer hackers and destructive software viruses is now spreading to vehicles. Everything from Internet-based data and entertainment to car-to-car safety communications is a potential target for computer hackers. McAfee and other computer diagnostics service firms are working with companies to develop a malware system for autos.
Used car retailer giant CarMax Inc. saw its second quarter earnings hurt in a weak economic environment with lower consumer confidence. Things had looked much better over the previous two fiscal years for CarMax when customers flocked to used cars, but they've been down 2% in same-store sales during the last quarter.
Numerous studies and anecdotal evidence show that texting and handheld cellphones distract drivers. The question is whether outlawing these devices decreases accidents. A Virginia Tech study on the dangers of texting found that truck drivers who texted were 23 times more likely to get into a crash, but the results were based on a small sample and may not apply to passenger vehicle drivers. A study of 62 counties in New York found that fatal crashes decreased in 46 of the counties and all showed fewer injury accidents after a 2001 cell phone ban. However, Nevada's Washoe County has seen a drop of 34.2% in distracted driving accidents with no ban in effect.