Bob Lutz Joins Board of EV Startup VIA Motors
Bob Lutz, a former Vice Chairman at GM, has joined the board of VIA Motors, an Orem, Utah, startup that has developed a plug-in hybrid powertrain for pickups and other light trucks, initially for sales to fleet customers. Lutz is now a part-time paid adviser to GM in a broad role that includes product development, marketing and communications. His role at GM is unaffected by his joining VIA. In a statement, Lutz said, "I am now pleased to join VIA Motors to expand the vision of extended range electric vehicles and help build the next generation of electrified trucks, vans and SUVs."
Concerns Over Possible Return of Vicarious Liability
Auto lessors and lenders have been protected from vicarious liability by law since 2005, but there are concerns that the law could be overturned. Vicarious liability allows a crash victim to collect damages from the owner of a vehicle that has been rented or leased. The American Financial Services Association is asking the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure not to overturn the law protecting auto leasing companies.
Survey Documents Preventive Maintenance Programs Used by Fleets
An ongoing survey by Arsenault Associates indicates that 56% of fleets that employ maintenance software use it first and foremost to automate preventive maintenance scheduling. The survey also noted slightly fewer than 44% of all fleets use software specifically designed for fleet maintenance, the only type of software capable of fully automating complicated preventive maintenance service scheduling. 33% still use paper maintenance records if they keep records at all. More than 200 fleet executives, managers, and line staff have taken part thus far.
Used, New Car Sales Down from August but Still Strong Long Term
Used car sales are expected to drop 15.4% from August, but are still expected by TrueCar to increase 4.5% over a year ago. September used car sales should come in at 3.23M. New car sales are expected to drop 1.6% from August, but go up 10.1% over a year ago.
Eye-Tracking Technology Better Solution to Distracted Driving Problem
According to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration, distracted driving was responsible for 20 percent of all car crashes with injuries in 2009 and cost millions of dollars in terms of damage, driver and passenger injuries, time and lost productivity. Drivers are faced with a growing number of distractions, and technology is the best solution to the problem. An eye tracking system can electronically determine if the driver is paying attention to the road or not. Cameras are directed at the driver's eyes and can alert him or her to a potential distraction. Failure by the driver to respond to the warning results in response by the tracking system.
