U.S. Gas Prices Now Top $5 a Gallon
June 11, 2022- Gasoline prices in the U.S. just hit $5 a gallon for the first time, and there's little relief in sight. Analysts warn gas prices are likely to go even higher still given that the global factors pushing up crude prices are unlikely to ease anytime soon.
Two main factors are driving the surge in gas prices: the recovery from the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As a result, Brent crude prices are above $120/bb after surging over 50% this year.
Gas prices have been a big driver of inflation, which has surged to its highest rate in nearly 40 years. Recent polls have consistently shown record gas prices and high inflation are a major contributor to pessimism about the state of the economy as the U.S. heads to midterm elections in November.
Efforts to Curtail Distracted Driving Not Working
June 8, 2022 - Driving while distracted is something that all drivers do at some time, and it’s not just about cellphone use. Eating, drinking, talking with passengers, daydreaming, and staring at crash scenes or roadside signs all take the driver’s attention from operating the vehicle.
The Governors Highway Safety Association issued a report last week outlining more than two dozen recommendations to help states address the ongoing problem.
“People both say it’s a major safety concern, but also refuse to look in the mirror and say, maybe I could be part of this problem,” said Adam Snider, GHSA’s director of communications. “The data has been fairly consistent over the past decade in terms of the percentage of crashes impacted by distracted driving...”
Holman Invests in AmpUp for EV Management Software
Holman announced an investment from its venture capital division in AmpUp, a leading electric vehicle (EV) management software company. AmpUp’s innovative technology allows organizations and fleet operators to efficiently monitor and manage their EV charging infrastructure to simplify charging schedules and optimize energy consumption.
“As a growing number of organizations embrace EVs and the associated infrastructure becomes increasingly robust, enhanced visibility to charging data will be vital to effectively managing EV chargers and optimizing charging strategies at scale,” said Emily Graham, Director of Sustainability, Holman.
Inflatable Seat Belts: Buyer Beware
June 10, 2022 - In 2009, Ford Motor Company announced an innovative new safety technology called "inflatable seat belts" as an option for its 2011 Ford Explorer.
Soon after Ford launched this new device, Mercedes-Benz adopted the technology for its S-Class. Later, Lexus used inflatable seat belts in the 2012 LFA supercar.
What was the reason these brands felt the need to create them? Why did Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus discontinue using this seat belt technology in new cars?
If you’re buying a used vehicle, you’ll need to know about inflatable seat belts still found in some 2011 to 2020 model cars. If you own a child car seat, you may want to look at your car seat owner’s manual to see if it is compatible with them.
Sofico Reports Record Growth, Seeks to Hire 130 New Staff Worldwide
Sofico, the international software supplier for automotive financing, leasing, fleet and mobility management, is looking to hire 130 new staff worldwide as it continues to expand its operations following record results.
The Belgium based business has announced growth of 15% for the twelfth year in a row. This expansion in revenue – and in offices – has been reflected by an increase in recruitment which, since the beginning of the pandemic, has seen more than 140 new staff come on board, with barely any leavers.
