Future Cars: The 2022 Ford E-Transit Is an Electric Van, Man
Electric pickups have captured the attention of the public, but electric vans are poised to make a far larger impact globally, as delivery giants like Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and the USPS transition from internal combustion to electric power.
As the electrified version of the best-selling van in America, the 2022 Ford E-Transit is poised for immediate success. To suit the needs of commercial buyers (and more eco-minded #vanlifers), the E-Transit will be offered in a dizzying array of combinations, just like its gas-powered counterpart.
Crucially, the E-Transit is expected to beat most of its rivals to the market, giving the Blue Oval a leg up in what's bound to be a contentious segment.
Read the article at MotorTrend.
GM ‘Buckle to Drive’ Seatbelt Requirement Coming to 2022 SUVs, Full-Size Trucks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the national use rate of seat belts was at 90.3% in 2020. In the late 40s and early 50s, buyers started seeing cars with seat belts as options, and by the early 1970s, American car manufacturers were required to include seat belts in new vehicles.
Chevrolet expanded its Teen Driver mode (a suite of features to keep kids safe behind the wheel) in 2019 to include a “Buckle to Drive” mode that won’t allow the driver to shift out of park unless the seat belt is properly buckled.
Now it appears Buckle to Drive will be included as a standard feature on more 2022 SUVs and full-size trucks like the redesigned 2022 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Read the article at The Drive.
Merchants Fleet Named One of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®
Merchants Fleet is proud to announce it has been named one of “Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®” by the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® national recognition program for the 3rd year in a row.
“It is extremely rewarding to be recognized for something we are so passionate about” says Alicia Hart VP of Human Resources at Merchants Fleet. “Every day, our amazing Innovation Center team in Rosemont strives to create a truly welcoming environment where our employees are encouraged to grow and innovate together. We are so proud of everything they’ve accomplished, and for doing it all with such remarkable energy and professionalism.”
With over 20 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has identified numerous best Human Resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards.
Read more of the Press Release.
America’s Roundabout Capital Sees Big Reductions in Crashes
Over the last few decades, Carmel, Ind., has become the roundabout capital of the U.S. It has more than any other American city at a total of 138. And according to a recent IIHS study, those roundabouts have made a pretty dent in crashes: 47% overall across all types.
The study looked at crash data for the two years before an intersection was changed over to a roundabout, and then the two years after. This was done with 64 roundabouts in the city including single-lane, multi-lane, and the "double-teardrop" or "dogbone" roundabout, which is like a normal one, but with a stretched, narrow middle.
The dogbone versions saw the biggest improvements with a reduction in all crashes by 63%, and a reduction in injury-causing crashes by 84% compared with what would've been expected in conventional traffic light- or stop sign-controlled intersections.
Read the article at Autoblog.
New Technology Makes Windshield Repair Harder Than Ever
The windshield hasn't changed in decades. Indeed, for much of auto history, windshield repair was much like replacing glass in any other window pane. Today's technology is quickly changing that, though.
First is the integration of cameras or other sensors in the windshield, looking out at the road with you. "They're becoming really common on a wide range of vehicles," says Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the trade group for collision repair technicians. "What were once really simple operations now require complex diagnostic and calibration work."
In some cases carmakers advise against reusing a windshield any time it's been removed. And this is spreading to other parts of the car: Ford recently advised that bumper covers on its cars that have advanced driver-assistance systems be replaced any time they need more than a paint job.
Read the article at MSN.
