Okay, let's be real.
Driving in South Florida can be pretty stressful, right? After all, you never know if that silver Lexus with the right turn signal on really is going to make that turn.
But soon, your MKS maybe able to give you tips on how to calm down.
Ford is teaming up with the AgeLab at MIT to identify stressful driving situations. Scientists will monitor drivers' reactions to those situations and then identify technology available that might be able to help reduce the stress that comes from those situations.
The MKS, because it is loaded with technology, will be used as the test vehicle initially.
Not sure what the folks at MIT have in mind, but think of this.
You're 20 minutes late for an appointment and you're all worked up. Now the guy in front of you is going 30 when the speed limit is 50.
All of a sudden a voice from you NAV system that sounds a lot like your wife tells you to calm down and before you know, soothing music is coming out of your radio and images of waves rolling onto a beach appear on your NAV screen. A little compartment suddenly opens and the next thing you know a little pill, maybe Xanex or Valium is there just for you.
Okay, so maybe they won't go that far. But it's an idea.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Fire Sale Heats Up
We're back after a short hiatus and just in time for one of the best times of the year - and maybe the decade - to buy a new car.
Everyone is making deals and offering incentives as the manufacturers try and close out 2009 but you won't find better deals than the ones you'll get from local Saturn and Pontiac dealers. With the brands disappearing, incentives are through the roof as GM and dealers try and get the cars off the lots.
If you're one of those folks who love Saturns or Pontiacs, this is a great time to buy, especially when you consider that GM will honor all warranties and will also be doing repair and warranty work at its remaining dealerships.
If history repeats itself, buyer will find out that they made a good decision in buying one of these brands, especially since GM is offering dealers $7,000 incentives to move them, which will be passed on to consumers. Most of those folks who bought an Oldsmobile a few years back, when GM got rid of that line, were happy they did.
A word of caution, however. If you're not planning to keep your car for a while, it may be wise to stay away from these vehicles because of a weak resale value. Down the road, however, they may regain value, especially if collectors decide to start gathering up some of the hotter models – especially the Solstice or Sky.
Here in South Florida, you might want to move quickly. These cars are going fast.
Everyone is making deals and offering incentives as the manufacturers try and close out 2009 but you won't find better deals than the ones you'll get from local Saturn and Pontiac dealers. With the brands disappearing, incentives are through the roof as GM and dealers try and get the cars off the lots.
If you're one of those folks who love Saturns or Pontiacs, this is a great time to buy, especially when you consider that GM will honor all warranties and will also be doing repair and warranty work at its remaining dealerships.
If history repeats itself, buyer will find out that they made a good decision in buying one of these brands, especially since GM is offering dealers $7,000 incentives to move them, which will be passed on to consumers. Most of those folks who bought an Oldsmobile a few years back, when GM got rid of that line, were happy they did.
A word of caution, however. If you're not planning to keep your car for a while, it may be wise to stay away from these vehicles because of a weak resale value. Down the road, however, they may regain value, especially if collectors decide to start gathering up some of the hotter models – especially the Solstice or Sky.
Here in South Florida, you might want to move quickly. These cars are going fast.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wheels with a peel
When you buy your new 2010 Toyota Prius or maybe Honda Civic, you may actually be buying a car that in a roundabout way is supporting Florida's citrus industry.
Yokohama Tires is now producing a tire that is made with orange oil extract infused into the natural rubber of tires. The orange oil comes from peels that are discarded by orange-juice processors, so there is a virtually unlimited supply of raw material available.
The big advantage of the tire with a peel is that it decreases the use of petroleum in the tire manufacturing process by 80 percent, according to a story in Automotive News.
The tires have tested well for wear and braking and have been tested on race tracks.
There's only one hitch and that is that the tires are about 25 percent more expensive than comparable traditional tires. That may be because Yokohama has been working on this for 20 years and needs to recoup some of those R&D costs. Eventually the prices will probably come down.
In the meantime, Florida citrus growers may find out that their crops are just a tad more valuable. One again the state will be benefiting as people re-tire.
Yokohama Tires is now producing a tire that is made with orange oil extract infused into the natural rubber of tires. The orange oil comes from peels that are discarded by orange-juice processors, so there is a virtually unlimited supply of raw material available.
The big advantage of the tire with a peel is that it decreases the use of petroleum in the tire manufacturing process by 80 percent, according to a story in Automotive News.
The tires have tested well for wear and braking and have been tested on race tracks.
There's only one hitch and that is that the tires are about 25 percent more expensive than comparable traditional tires. That may be because Yokohama has been working on this for 20 years and needs to recoup some of those R&D costs. Eventually the prices will probably come down.
In the meantime, Florida citrus growers may find out that their crops are just a tad more valuable. One again the state will be benefiting as people re-tire.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wheely Good Deals
If you're running out of time when it comes to holiday shopping – and if you're a guy, chances are you're not even close to getting everything done – then you might want to go to your local auto dealership and hang out at the "parts" boutique, which these days has a lot more than just parts.
In our Sun Sentinel column a few weeks ago, we focused on all great gifts you can get at the dealership.
Want a bike for your kids that's really special? Head to your local BMW dealership.
Want to get your wife or girlfriend, who really loves her Lexus, a special gift? How about a crystal studded Lexus blouse or crystal studded license plate holder.
You can get everything from a Cadillac Teddy Bear to key chains, coffee mugs and even minature cars at the dealership.
And here's the best part. You can spend a couple of hours looking at the new cars, checking out the newest models, and then go home and tell your wife you were out looking for that special present just for her.
Oh yeah, and while you're shopping you can get the oil changed on your car or have the brakes check.
Sure as heck beats going to the mall.
In our Sun Sentinel column a few weeks ago, we focused on all great gifts you can get at the dealership.
Want a bike for your kids that's really special? Head to your local BMW dealership.
Want to get your wife or girlfriend, who really loves her Lexus, a special gift? How about a crystal studded Lexus blouse or crystal studded license plate holder.
You can get everything from a Cadillac Teddy Bear to key chains, coffee mugs and even minature cars at the dealership.
And here's the best part. You can spend a couple of hours looking at the new cars, checking out the newest models, and then go home and tell your wife you were out looking for that special present just for her.
Oh yeah, and while you're shopping you can get the oil changed on your car or have the brakes check.
Sure as heck beats going to the mall.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Cars by Phone
Want to buy a car directly from a dealer – no broker or middleman – without ever having to set foot in a dealership?
It's not as far fetched as it sounds.
According to a story in Automotive News this week, a dealership in the middle of no where New Hampshire is selling a lot of cars by phone and having drivers, mostly local retired folks, drive the new car to the buyer and come back in a trade-in.
Why would you buy a car that way?
Well apparently the prices are low enough to attract customers from as far as 12 hours away and the service is pretty darn good too.
Cars can be delivered within a day and the buyer has four days to cancel the deal.
The Internet of course is helping to make this possible but there is much more to it. The dealership produces weekly catalogs of vehicles for sale and also advertises a lot.
And there are plenty of follow up phone calls.
Could it work here in South Florida?
You bet, especially with dealerships in say Belle Glade, Homestead or points north. But it might also be a good idea for luxury dealerships too.
It's not as far fetched as it sounds.
According to a story in Automotive News this week, a dealership in the middle of no where New Hampshire is selling a lot of cars by phone and having drivers, mostly local retired folks, drive the new car to the buyer and come back in a trade-in.
Why would you buy a car that way?
Well apparently the prices are low enough to attract customers from as far as 12 hours away and the service is pretty darn good too.
Cars can be delivered within a day and the buyer has four days to cancel the deal.
The Internet of course is helping to make this possible but there is much more to it. The dealership produces weekly catalogs of vehicles for sale and also advertises a lot.
And there are plenty of follow up phone calls.
Could it work here in South Florida?
You bet, especially with dealerships in say Belle Glade, Homestead or points north. But it might also be a good idea for luxury dealerships too.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Right Ram for Ewe
The truck market is certainly changing.
These days the folks who bought trucks simply for leisure purposes – you know, the guy who hasn't hauled anything in the back of the truck since the last time a friend asked him to help her move – are moving to either SUVs, crossovers or, gulp, four door sedans.
So, it's not surprising that when motor trend named its truck of the year, it passed over the
F-150 and the Tundra and went right to the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty.
The key here is utility.
The Ram Heavy Duty has a 17,500 pound towing capacity and has a suspension and braking system that is designed for heavy loads. The MT editors said they also like the truck's quiet and comfortable ride.
Here is South Florida, we probably won't see a lot of these trucks even after they hit the market in the next couple of weeks.
But this is good news for our local Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep dealers, who can use all the help they can get these days.
These days the folks who bought trucks simply for leisure purposes – you know, the guy who hasn't hauled anything in the back of the truck since the last time a friend asked him to help her move – are moving to either SUVs, crossovers or, gulp, four door sedans.
So, it's not surprising that when motor trend named its truck of the year, it passed over the
F-150 and the Tundra and went right to the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty.
The key here is utility.
The Ram Heavy Duty has a 17,500 pound towing capacity and has a suspension and braking system that is designed for heavy loads. The MT editors said they also like the truck's quiet and comfortable ride.
Here is South Florida, we probably won't see a lot of these trucks even after they hit the market in the next couple of weeks.
But this is good news for our local Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep dealers, who can use all the help they can get these days.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Hello Good Buys
JD Power and Associates does a lot of studies and the latest one came out this week showing that the car buying experience has improved over last year for most car buyers.
The study credits the economy at least in part for that with dealers doing more to get customers in and to get them to buy a car at their dealership.
But there are some interesting findings that may have something to do with the Internet and also with the fact that consumers are perhaps not that inclined to go to five or six dealerships before they find the car they way. There may also be a little more decisiveness involved.
The J.D. Power study found that new car buyers on average visited less than three stores before buying their car. Half of those folks, visited only the dealership they bought the car from. And those customers who only went to one dealership were happier with the selling experience than those who went to several. The lesson, according to JD Power, is that buyers who have a good experience at the first dealership they go to, probably won't go anywhere else.
Again, online research may have a lot to do with this. Often times, the relationship with the online salesperson who contacts you will determine if you go to a dealership.
But for those of us in South Florida, this study essentially reaffirms what we already know. Relationships are critical when buying a car. If you trust the person you bought your last car from or if a friend told you to call Joe Doe to buy your next car, there's a good chance you'll get with them next time you're buying. There's also a good chance they'll work harder to get your business!
The study credits the economy at least in part for that with dealers doing more to get customers in and to get them to buy a car at their dealership.
But there are some interesting findings that may have something to do with the Internet and also with the fact that consumers are perhaps not that inclined to go to five or six dealerships before they find the car they way. There may also be a little more decisiveness involved.
The J.D. Power study found that new car buyers on average visited less than three stores before buying their car. Half of those folks, visited only the dealership they bought the car from. And those customers who only went to one dealership were happier with the selling experience than those who went to several. The lesson, according to JD Power, is that buyers who have a good experience at the first dealership they go to, probably won't go anywhere else.
Again, online research may have a lot to do with this. Often times, the relationship with the online salesperson who contacts you will determine if you go to a dealership.
But for those of us in South Florida, this study essentially reaffirms what we already know. Relationships are critical when buying a car. If you trust the person you bought your last car from or if a friend told you to call Joe Doe to buy your next car, there's a good chance you'll get with them next time you're buying. There's also a good chance they'll work harder to get your business!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Moving Ford-ward
A discussion over the weekend focused on the challenges to Toyota's dominance in car sales and it's no secret that Hyundai is gaining in market share.
But if you're Toyota, you might want to be looking in your rear view mirror at Ford.
Through November, Toyota was outselling Ford in the car segment by two to one, thanks to the Camry and Corolla. But when you factor in trucks, where Ford F-150 dominates, well, the lead narrows to a mere 50,000 vehicles.
With Ford's Fusion winning car of the year from MotorTrend, and with year end incentives being pretty attractive, you might not want to count Ford out quite yet.
Here is South Florida, there is no doubt that this is certainly more of a Toyota car market. But take a look on I-95 the next time you're driving and start making a mental note of all the Ford's out there. There's more and more - and that's far from by accident.
Ford sees a lot of opportunity in South Florida for the Ford brand as well as for Lincoln and Mercury. And it might just come at the expense of Toyota.
By the way, watch for a name change of one of North Broward's most well-known Toyota dealerships, which was recently sold!
But if you're Toyota, you might want to be looking in your rear view mirror at Ford.
Through November, Toyota was outselling Ford in the car segment by two to one, thanks to the Camry and Corolla. But when you factor in trucks, where Ford F-150 dominates, well, the lead narrows to a mere 50,000 vehicles.
With Ford's Fusion winning car of the year from MotorTrend, and with year end incentives being pretty attractive, you might not want to count Ford out quite yet.
Here is South Florida, there is no doubt that this is certainly more of a Toyota car market. But take a look on I-95 the next time you're driving and start making a mental note of all the Ford's out there. There's more and more - and that's far from by accident.
Ford sees a lot of opportunity in South Florida for the Ford brand as well as for Lincoln and Mercury. And it might just come at the expense of Toyota.
By the way, watch for a name change of one of North Broward's most well-known Toyota dealerships, which was recently sold!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Get Smart - On the Go
So the SmartCar, once so hot you couldn't get one without a terribly long wait, has lost a lot of its luster.
According to Automotive News, only 660 of the little things were sold in October, down some 70 percent from last year. Ah, but fear not. Daimler, the manufacturer of the SmartCar, distributed in the US by Penske, has an idea to put you behind the wheel of the vehicle.
In a six-month pilot program that began in Austin, Texas recently, drivers can rent a SmartCar as part of a car2go program and pay for the use of the vehicle - to the tune of about $70 a day. The city of Austin will be 200 SmartCars, the smart fortwo models, at no cost to the city. Employees will have to pay for any personal time.
It's a cool idea that could catch on, especially if the cars are easily accessible.
We'll be keeping an eye on Texas.
According to Automotive News, only 660 of the little things were sold in October, down some 70 percent from last year. Ah, but fear not. Daimler, the manufacturer of the SmartCar, distributed in the US by Penske, has an idea to put you behind the wheel of the vehicle.
In a six-month pilot program that began in Austin, Texas recently, drivers can rent a SmartCar as part of a car2go program and pay for the use of the vehicle - to the tune of about $70 a day. The city of Austin will be 200 SmartCars, the smart fortwo models, at no cost to the city. Employees will have to pay for any personal time.
It's a cool idea that could catch on, especially if the cars are easily accessible.
We'll be keeping an eye on Texas.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Car Pay Do Em
The expression is carpe diem, translated into "seize the day," but according to a story out of Iowa, an aggressive car sales team tried to seize more than just the day when they, according to a lawsuit, talked a 77-year-old woman who brought her car in for an oil change into purchasing a new car - which she couldn't afford, by the way.
You can read the story here: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091130/NEWS/911300323/
While the vast majority of car dealers and car sales folks are honest people, there are some who work on commission that will do whatever it takes to make a buck.
The answer is education.
At the end of the year, when there are great buys on vehicles, it's important for buyers to remember they have the power to walk away. The Iowa story says the woman was at the dealership for eight hours! Eight hours? That's just plain crazy.
If you're buying a car, remember you are in control and also remember to read everything and to make sure that everything you've been promised is in writing.
Remember another latin term caveat emptor - or buyer beware!
You can read the story here: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091130/NEWS/911300323/
While the vast majority of car dealers and car sales folks are honest people, there are some who work on commission that will do whatever it takes to make a buck.
The answer is education.
At the end of the year, when there are great buys on vehicles, it's important for buyers to remember they have the power to walk away. The Iowa story says the woman was at the dealership for eight hours! Eight hours? That's just plain crazy.
If you're buying a car, remember you are in control and also remember to read everything and to make sure that everything you've been promised is in writing.
Remember another latin term caveat emptor - or buyer beware!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Audi Liu Wow!
Audi threw a party at the Fountainbleu last night that was pretty darn amazing.
The occasion was the world unveiling of the new 2011 Audi A8, a car that Audi will tell you is all about design and style - which is why the German company chose Miami for their launch.
But really, this car has so much going for it in the technology area that it will amaze even those skeptics who don't see Audi's A8 as being serious competition for the Mercedes S Class or BMW 7 Series. Among the multitude of cool features are headlights that will automatically dim or brighten depending on the lighting.
And how about this: when an approach car comes you're way, the headlights will adjust but only the left headlight – the one that might blind the approaching driver – will dim. The right headlight will adjust to the side to help you continue seeing ahead. You'll be able to read more about this cool car – which has its drawbacks by the way, including a small trunk and not a lot of leg room in the backseat in the short-wheel base model – in upcoming blog post and in the On the South Florida Road column in the Sun Sentinel on Saturday Dec. 12.
But for now, let's focus on last night's party that was hosted by actress Lucy Liu. Audi went all out, inviting more than 500 automotive journalists, including 200 from outside the U.S. You could have heard just about every language imaginable. The Fountainbleu was the perfect setting and Audi used its temporary pavilion a short distance to the north to put on an incredible show. The party was invitation only and we were fortunate to be there thanks to our good friend Bob Rubin, who has some pretty amazing connections.
During a brief conversation with Audi President Johan de Nysschen, we learned that Audi decided to skip the LA Auto Show, at least with the A8, and come to Miami because it was more interested in introducing the car to journalists than consumers – at least for right now. And everyone knows that most automotive journalists wouldn't consider skipping a trip to Miami - in November - on Audi's dime. For the record, we on the other hand, chose to drink only water and skip the food. Old habits die hard.
The occasion was the world unveiling of the new 2011 Audi A8, a car that Audi will tell you is all about design and style - which is why the German company chose Miami for their launch.
But really, this car has so much going for it in the technology area that it will amaze even those skeptics who don't see Audi's A8 as being serious competition for the Mercedes S Class or BMW 7 Series. Among the multitude of cool features are headlights that will automatically dim or brighten depending on the lighting.
And how about this: when an approach car comes you're way, the headlights will adjust but only the left headlight – the one that might blind the approaching driver – will dim. The right headlight will adjust to the side to help you continue seeing ahead. You'll be able to read more about this cool car – which has its drawbacks by the way, including a small trunk and not a lot of leg room in the backseat in the short-wheel base model – in upcoming blog post and in the On the South Florida Road column in the Sun Sentinel on Saturday Dec. 12.
But for now, let's focus on last night's party that was hosted by actress Lucy Liu. Audi went all out, inviting more than 500 automotive journalists, including 200 from outside the U.S. You could have heard just about every language imaginable. The Fountainbleu was the perfect setting and Audi used its temporary pavilion a short distance to the north to put on an incredible show. The party was invitation only and we were fortunate to be there thanks to our good friend Bob Rubin, who has some pretty amazing connections.
During a brief conversation with Audi President Johan de Nysschen, we learned that Audi decided to skip the LA Auto Show, at least with the A8, and come to Miami because it was more interested in introducing the car to journalists than consumers – at least for right now. And everyone knows that most automotive journalists wouldn't consider skipping a trip to Miami - in November - on Audi's dime. For the record, we on the other hand, chose to drink only water and skip the food. Old habits die hard.
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