Latest technology in rear-view cameras is the Around View Mirror (AVM) using 4 wide-angle cameras to surround the driver's view to the rear, front and flanks. The wrap-around view will be available on new Infiniti EX35 station wagon-crossover model going on sale at the end of December.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Thrifty Car Rental are trying to break into the hourly rental business. Under this pressure, the largest car-sharing company, Zipcar, is acquiring its next largest competitor, Flexcar. Car-sharing companies typically target 18-22 year-olds, the people who often cannot qualify to rent a car with mainstream rental companies. Most car-sharing occurs in large cities and near college campuses.
A new study from Intellichoice.com says that VW and Volvo have best certified used vehicle programs. VW was named best non-luxury brand for the fourth consecutive year.
Alcohol interlock systems hold the promise of saving over 9000 lives each year. Unfortunately, the technology is still too cumbersome and intrusive for the government to mandate their installation. Many automakers, as well as NHTSA, are researching these systems, but the NHTSA administrator admits that the technology is still years away from general use.