High-Tech Devices Make Cars More Vulnerable to Thieves
Two researchers demonstrated at the Black Hat conference their ability to not only unlock a Subaru Outback but start up its engine using only an Android smartphone and some creative programming. They used a technique called "war texting" to intercept the password used by the car they hijacked although industry officials claim that is not supposed to be possible. The demonstration presents the possibility that car thieves will trade up for keyboards and smartphones, gaining entry to the newest models that haven't been properly programmed to prevent hackers from gaining access.
New Vehicle Prices Could Be at Tipping Point
It's possible that new vehicle prices could soon be coming down. With continued economic uncertainty, stock market turbulence, production volumes returning to normal, and deferred demand from consumers who held off making purchases earlier this year when supply was limited and prices were high, there is pressure to make new car prices competitive.
KBB Sees Long-Term Impact on Used-Car Supply, Values
KBB says the new-vehicle sales slowdown will continue pushing wholesale used-vehicle values higher for years to come, and that supply will get even tighter. KBB's August Blue Book Market Report projects a big decline in future availability of certain used-vehicle segments. They say volumes of available used full-size cars will drop about 50 percent by year end.
Using Technology to Track Truck Driver Behavior
Advances in transportation research that gave scientists the tools they needed to properly execute human factors are increasing interest in putting cameras and sensors in and on work trucks. Scientists are using research strategy that combines tightly controlled simulator driving, carefully monitored runs on closed tracks and intense scrutiny of working truckers on revenue runs to help researchers translate observations about driver behavior. Through the use of simulators, a computer vision system can tell where a driver is looking. A driver's eye position is one of the most readily quantifiable factors in truck-safety as a computer can now determine a driver's level of fatigue.
Owners to Save $35B Under New Fuel Efficiency Standards for Heavy Vehicles
The National Wildlife Federation released a study that says the first-ever fuel efficiency standards for heavy vehicles such as semis, garbage trucks, buses and heavy-duty pickups will save owners $35 billion in fuel costs over the life of the vehicles. Fuel consumption will be reduced by 7 - 20%, depending on the class of vehicles. The federal rules will take effect in 2014 and run through 2018. Fuel economy of large trucks and vans will increase from 14.9 miles per gallon in 2010 to 16.7 mpg in 2018. The changes will cost manufacturers $8.1 billion to build the more efficient vehicles.
