Hybrids and plug-in electrics grab most of the headlines and political goal setting, but the internal combustion engine will reign for decades. New technologies for both gasoline and diesel engines are making rapid advances in improved fuel efficiency and will do more to help meet lofty mandates than the flashy cars in the headlines.
Traffic fatality rates continued to decline in 2008 hitting the lowest levels since 1961 at 1.27 persons per 100M vehicle miles traveled. Improvements are occurring in most categories but not in motorcycles.
The new Chevy Camaro was AutoTrader.com's most-viewed new car in June, followed by four Ford vehicles: F-150, Mustang, Focus and Escape. Despite the industry downturn, AutoTrader said a record 16.1 million unique visitors came to the site. On the used-car side, the Ford F-150 topped the list of most-viewed vehicles.