Streetline Sensors Help Analyze Traffic, Parking Problems
Streetline, a 30-employee company based in San Francisco, has developed a system of sensors that helps municipalities monitor and evaluate parking patterns. Some experts believe 30% of urban traffic is cars looking for parking spaces.
Hands-Free May Not Mean Hands-Free
California's 3-year-old hands-free cell phone law prohibiting distracted driving has room for interpretation. GPS, cameras, music, voice recorders and email have all become part of a cellphone. California permits typing in a phone number for a brief conversation but not texting at a stop light. Fines of $159 may increase to $300 under new legislation.
Understanding Gas Price Volatility
Conventional consumer wisdom wonders why gas prices don't fall as fast as they go up. Analysts also are perplexed, but one thinks that as prices fall, consumers aren't as selective. That reduces competition and allows stations to squeeze a few cents of profit.
GM, Ford Adopting Stop-Start Technology
Responding to the European Union's CO2 emission reduction legislation and U.S. CAFE fuel economy targets, major automakers around the world are aggressively implementing "stop-start" idle elimination systems across their main product lines. Industry sources forecast that within five years stop-start will be standard on 20 million internal combustion engine cars per year.
Used-Car Sales Fuel Sonic’s 1st Q Numbers
Sonic Automotive reported 1st quarter net income of $14.9 million, up from $4.1 million last year. Officials cited strong used-vehicle sales for the jump and also acknowledged parts and service revenue was up.
