Safety groups charge the Bush administration with ignoring safety laws in launching pilot program that allows Mexican trucks to travel in US
Americans love their big cars, trucks and SUVs. Beyond the room and cargo carrying capacity, they enjoy the feeling of safety. With gas prices on the rise, buyers are taking another look. To their surprise, small, economy cars are bigger, heavier, and safer. Crash fatalities are down as small cars add safety features and are better designed to withstand a collision.
More complex maintenance needs of trucks give boost to leasing companies
Supply shortages drove up sales prices but continued weak retail demand portends softening wholesale prices
Automotive Lease Guide won't begin predicting hybrid residuals until 2008 models, citing skimpy data on technology reliability, resale values, and consumer demand. The future popularity of alternative-fuel technology could offer serious competition for today's gasoline-electric hybrids, affecting their resale values. Uncertainties are prompting insurance companies to insure hybrids for 70 to 80 percent of their projected residual value.