Honda Emerging from Japanese Production Struggles in TrueCar Score
TrueCar.com's latest Performance Scorecards showed a dramatic change for Honda jumping from a D+ grade to an A as it tied for second place with Hyundai for highest grade by manufacturer. Both followed Subaru, which earned an A+ rating. TrueCar's measurements include pricing, sales, incentives, customer loyalty, market share, and days in inventory data.
GM Announces Details on Upcoming Chevrolet Spark EV
Chevrolet's upcoming Spark electric vehicle will have more horsepower than its gasoline version (which gets 83 hp), and it will be built at a plant in Maryland. The electric car will have 85 kilowatts (114 hp) of peak output and roughly two-thirds of that in sustained operation.
Safety Experts Urge More Research for Hands-Free Texting Technology
Auto manufacturers say the new hands-free text-messaging systems will reduce the risk of driver distraction, but safety experts say more research is needed to determine the benefits of this technology. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood doesn't support any form of texting or telephone conversation while driving.
Fiat 500 Returns to Test Microcar Market
After a long absence, the Fiat 500 has returned to test the American market for A-sized microcars, often referred to as City Cars. The question is whether American motorists are ready for this sized vehicle. Sales are not booming for the smallest cars but are better for the larger B-sized cars such as Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta.
Green Car of Year Names Five Finalists
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric has been named as a finalist in the prestigious Green Car of the Year awards although it won't be offered for sale until December. Other finalists include the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, 2012 Mitsubishi i, 2012 Toyota Prius v, and 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI. The award has become sought after as the automotive industry shifts to more environmentally-friendly powertrain technology.
