Immediate Ban on Texting Announced for Federal Staff
The US Federal Government has banned texting while driving for all its employees including military immediately. US DOT will be rulemaking to ban interstate bus and truck drivers from texting completely and maybe cellphone use except in emergencies.
The Day US Auto Sales Died
The federal government's wildly popular Cash for Clunkers program terminated at the end of August. The next day, dealer showrooms were empty. In September, auto sales in the U.S. dropped 23 percent from September 2008. General Motors and Chrysler were hit hard by the drop. The seasonal adjusted sales rate returned to the first half of 2009 pace of 9.2 million units. Many worry that clunkers depleted dealer inventories so much that it will impact the fourth quarter.
ABC Auctions Joins AuctionPipeline
AuctionPipeline announced Monday that Auction Broadcasting Co. has joined its network. The terms for the new relationship were just recently finalized.
Nissan Adding ‘Blade Runner’ Air Car Whine to Electrics, Hybrids
Safety regulators in Japan and the US are considering requests of pedestrian advocates to add noise to nearly silent electric or hybrid-electric vehicles traveling at slow speeds. The noisescape reduction advantages of these vehicles are likely to be sacrificed in the name of safety.
Quality Used Car Demand Exceeds Supply, Prices Climbing
Residual values realized at auction are increasing as dealer inventories have shrunk to 40-45 days and supply is not meeting demand. Franchised and independent used car dealers are both suffering September drop in sales but for lack of product rather than willing customers.
