Car and Truck News

Power Information Network Reports: Rising Gas Prices Begin to Sway New-Vehicle Owners Toward Smaller Versions of Trucks and Utility Vehicles

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Rising gasoline prices have some owners of large and midsize trucks trading to smaller vehicles, according to real-time retail transaction data from the Power Information Network (PIN), a division of J.D. Power and Associates.

Gasoline prices have surged more than 20 cents in recent weeks to a record nationwide average of $3.10 per gallon, surpassing the previous record of $3.07 per gallon set in September 2005, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As gas prices rise, owner loyalty in the large pickup and midsize and large utility vehicle segments drops, according to PIN data gathered between February and April 2007. Owner loyalty is measured by the percent of owners in any given segment who trade for another vehicle in the same segment.
“We’re seeing a broad, long-term — but gradual — movement to smaller vehicles,” says Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at PIN. “For example, during periods of high gas prices over the past two years, we’ve seen movement from larger to smaller SUVs. However, the total SUV pie remains largely intact.”
While rising gas prices are having a negative effect on large vehicle segments, owner loyalty has increased for small cars. Additionally, sales of small vehicles, including cars and light trucks, as a percentage of total new-vehicle retail sales, have risen from 26.3 percent in the first quarter of 2004 to 31.8 percent in the first quarter of 2007. Furthermore, PIN data shows that higher gas prices have had only a moderate impact on repeat purchases of midsize crossovers. The fact that several new midsize crossovers have just entered the market likely has softened the impact of rising gas prices on the segment, Libby said.

Not every new-vehicle segment has been affected by rising gas prices. For example, PIN findings show that owner loyalty for large and midsize cars, small crossovers, and small SUVs has remained relatively unchanged in recent months.
Libby notes that all of these trends are consistent with the patterns observed in spring 2006 when gas prices also rose.
Increased demand for smaller vehicles, coupled with higher gas prices, has also given four-cylinder engines a boost in powertrain market share. Four-cylinder engines as a percent of total retail sales has increased from 27.5 percent in April 2004 to 35.7 percent in April 2007.
While vehicles powered by four-cylinder engines are receiving a lift from rising gas prices, so are new vehicles powered by hybrid-electric engines. Hybrid vehicle sales have shown a strong correlation to gas prices. For more than two years, hybrid sales have increased as gas prices have risen and have decreased as gas prices have fallen.

Additionally, PIN data shows that the retail turn rates — the amount of time a new vehicle spends on a dealership lot before being sold — decrease for both new and used small cars as the price of gas increases. In particular, these retail turn rates suggest that certain parts of the used-vehicle market, such as small cars, compact basic cars and small luxury crossovers benefit when fuel prices rise.
PIN and J.D. Power and Associates data suggest that the small car market — both new and used — will continue to strengthen as fuel prices escalate.
“The recent strength of the small vehicle segments — pricing, styling and an increasing number of new models — is receiving an additional boost from high gas prices,” said Bob Schnorbus, chief economist at J.D. Power and Associates. “We’re expecting the small vehicle segments to continue to grow, regardless of gas prices, but higher gas prices certainly will help these segments relative to others.”

First hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to go 300 miles without refueling is a success.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — General Motors Corp. made history today as its Chevy Sequel - the world’s most technologically advanced automobile - became the first electrically-driven fuel cell vehicle to achieve 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, in and out of traffic on public roads, while producing zero emissions.
With this drive, General Motors has reached another important milestone toward the commercialization of their fuel cell vehicles, by achieving the range expected by today’s consumers. And they did it while producing zero emissions, as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle only emits water. In addition, the hydrogen produced at Niagara Falls, used to fuel Sequel, was derived from hydropower - a clean, renewable resource. This means that the entire process - from the creation of the hydrogen to the use of the fuel in the vehicle — was virtually carbon dioxide free.

Sequel was introduced in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the first drivable version appeared last fall. It is the first vehicle in the world to successfully integrate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies, such as steer- and brake-by-wire controls, wheel hub motors, lithium-ion batteries and a lightweight aluminum structure. It uses clean, renewable hydrogen as a fuel and emits only water vapor. Now it is the first fuel cell vehicle to achieve real-world range.
General Motors is proving that advanced technology can remove the automobile from the environmental debate and reduce our dependence on petroleum. Chevy Sequel clearly shows that our vision for the future of the automobile is real and sustainable.

The 300-mile drive through the state of New York began at General Motors’ Fuel Cell Activity Center in Honeoye Falls, where the engineers who developed the company’s fuel cell technology officially sent the Sequel off into the history books. It is the fuel cell teams’ tremendous record of success and absolute dedication to this tremendously important cause, which will ultimately enable the country, and the world, to diversify their energy sources and displace large amounts of petroleum.

The Sequel achieved the 300-mile mark and crossed the finish line in Tarrytown - a fitting location, as General Motors reiterated its commitment to bringing part of its next fleet of over 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles under the “Project Driveway” demonstration program to the greater NY metropolitan area this fall.

NORWALK, Conn. — The second annual In The Driver’s Seat Road Rage Survey, commissioned by AutoVantage, a leading national auto club, found that the least courteous city in the country is Miami, followed by New York and Boston. It’s the second consecutive year that Miami claimed the top spot. The other two cities with the worst road rage were Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

View the Multimedia News Release

The most courteous city is Portland, Ore., followed closely by Pittsburgh, Seattle/Tacoma, St. Louis and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

The In The Driver’s Seat 2007 AutoVantage Road Rage Survey, released today, was conducted to determine the driving habits and attitudes of commuters across the U.S. and to learn more about consumer views on the topic of road rage.

“Road rage has unfortunately too often become a way of life, both on and off the track,” said NASCAR racing TV personality, radio host, best-selling author and AutoVantage spokesperson Liz Allison. “More and more, in cities across America, people are acting out their frustrations with dangerous results. It’s bad for professional and everyday drivers alike.

“Our Road Rage survey shines the light on emerging driving trends, and there are some very interesting results.”

The survey’s best and worst cities are:

Least Courteous Cities (Worst Road Rage):
2007 2006

1. Miami 1. Miami
2. New York 2. Phoenix
3. Boston 3. New York
4. Los Angeles 4. Los Angeles
5. Washington, D.C 5. Boston

Most Courteous Cities (Least Road Rage):
2007 2006

1. Portland, Ore. 1. Minneapolis
2. Pittsburgh 2. Nashville
3. Seattle/Tacoma 3. St. Louis
4. St. Louis 4. Seattle
5. Dallas/Ft. Worth 5. Atlanta

Other cities surveyed include Phoenix; Chicago; Sacramento, Calif.; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Houston; Atlanta; Detroit; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Baltimore; Tampa, Fla.; San Diego; Cincinnati; Cleveland and Denver.

“This new study focuses on important attitudes and habits of drivers on the open road nationwide,” said Mike Wain, vice president of AutoVantage. “This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate and influence safer driving habits throughout the United States.”

Want to know how you rate? Check your road rage temperature by taking our online survey at www.gaugemyrage.com.

This year’s survey sought to define road rage in America. Two important attributes emerged in defining road rage behavior:

– Angry or upset drivers, including out-of-control drivers and drivers
who lose their temper.

– Bad or aggressive driving, including bad/careless/crazy and/or rude
driving, cutting into lanes, cutting people off, tailgating, speeding
and/or honking.

When asked the major causes of road rage in the survey, the most frequent theme was people being in a hurry, running late, being impatient and/or speeding.

– “Bad/rude/careless driving, such as cutting others off, talking on the
cell phone, speeding or going too slow in the fast lane”

– “People who are angry, stressed or frustrated”

– “People being in a hurry, impatient or running late”

Behaviors by other drivers that cause stress for commuters, and which can lead to road rage, include:

– Driving too fast (66 percent observe this happening every day)

– Tailgating (57 percent see this every day)

– Cutting over without notice (45 percent see this every day)

Commuters also reported that other drivers frequently:

– Talk on their cell phones (98 percent observe this at least once a
week)

– Do other tasks while driving (63 percent observe this at least once a
week)

– Run red lights (63 percent observe this at least once a week)

– Slam on the brakes (63 percent see this happening at least once a week)

As a reaction to rude or bad driving by others, people surveyed admitted that they:

– Honk their horn at the offending driver (35 percent)

– Curse at the other driver (29 percent)

– Wave their fist or arms (10 percent)

– Make an obscene gesture (8 percent)

– Call the police to report the driver (6 percent)

– Slam into the car in front of them (1 percent)

Drivers weighed in on how to reduce rude driving and road rage:

– Increase police presence (62 percent thought this would help)

– Limit cell phone usage (55 percent)

– Make it illegal to use cell phones while driving (53 percent)

– Use automatic cameras to catch bad drivers (51 percent)

– Conduct a major public awareness campaign (32 percent)

Other key findings of the study:

– Younger drivers and those who have the longest commutes are most likely
to react to an aggressive or rude driver.

– There is no real difference between men and women when it comes to road
rage.

– Besides talking on the cell phone while driving (61 percent admit to
this), the one thing that drivers in this survey were most likely to
have done is drive too fast (59 percent). Most drivers admit to doing
these at least some of the time.

– Cutting over without notice. Drivers in New York are the most likely to
witness this daily (63 percent), up from 45 percent in 2006. Drivers in
Cleveland are least likely to see this (25 percent), down from 45
percent in 2006.

– Tailgating. Drivers in Phoenix are most likely to see this behavior
daily (69 percent), up from 51 percent in 2006. Drivers in Portland are
the least like to see tailgating (41 percent).

– Slamming on the brakes. Drivers in Miami (39 percent) are most likely
to witness this behavior daily, up from 23 percent, while drivers in
Cleveland and Cincinnati are least likely (14 percent).

– Running red lights. More than one-fourth (27 percent) said they see
drivers every day who run red lights. Drivers in Miami are the most
likely to witness this behavior (58 percent), up significantly from 40
percent, and drivers in Cleveland are least likely (14 percent), up
slightly from 11 percent in 2006.

– Driving too fast. Nearly two-thirds say they see drivers driving a lot
faster than is safe for road conditions, up significantly from 57
percent last year. Drivers in Sacramento are more likely to see drivers
driving too fast (81 percent) than those in Minneapolis/St. Paul (55
percent).

– Talking on cell phone. Ninety percent say they see drivers talking on
their cell phone every day, up from 83 percent in 2006. A full 96
percent of San Francisco drivers said they see this behavior daily,
while drivers in Denver are less likely (82 percent).

Overall, more than one third, or 35 percent, said they see drivers doing other things like putting on makeup, shaving or reading while driving. Miami (54 percent) emerged as the city where this is most likely to be seen, while Seattle (19 percent) emerged as the place where this behavior is least likely to happen.

Bracket-Style Tournament Lets Consumers Choose Winner As college basketball teams nationwide prepare to face off in tournament action, Cars.com is putting top new cars and trucks to the test in its Great Car Faceoff.
Using a bracket system, similar cars will compete against each other in the opening rounds — SUVs will take on SUVs, minivans will compete against minivans. Other first-round matchups include passenger cars, pickup trucks, luxury SUVs, luxury passenger cars and sports cars. Top-seeded cars were determined by their 2006 sales performance, while the bottom of each bracket was selected by Cars.com auto reviewers.
The championship will ultimately be decided by car shoppers and enthusiasts who log on to Cars.com to cast their vote from March 15 through April 2.
“With tournament season upon us, we wanted to give Cars.com visitors a chance to vote for their favorite cars and trucks in our first ever Great Car Faceoff,” said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen. “While there are some obvious favorites to advance in the 2007 new car lineup, right now the field is wide open.”
The Cars.com editorial team will provide expert commentary about the individual matchups and visitors can use site tools to compare the cars in each matchup to help them make their decision.
Visit Cars.com to find out more about the Great Car Faceoff and see which cars wind up in the virtual ditch and which one rises to be champion.

Members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) say they’ve noticed a significant increase in traumatic foot and ankle injuries among patients who survived auto accidents. The reason? Air bags.

In 1998, the federal government started requiring dual front air bags in passenger cars. Since then, several research studies have documented a corresponding increase in lower extremity injuries. According to a federal report, drivers in air-bag equipped cars suffer more than 17,600 lower extremity injuries every year. One-third of those are to the foot and ankle.

While foot and ankle trauma is not life threatening, victims may face multiple surgeries, limited mobility and months or years of rehabilitation and physical therapy.

“We see trauma we never saw before,” says ACFAS President James L. Thomas, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle trauma surgeon at the University of Alabama, Birmingham Hospital. “A decade ago, these patients would have died from head trauma or other upper body injuries. Now, thanks to seat belts and air bags, they survive.”

Foot and ankle surgeons meeting in Orlando this week for the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference are discussing less-invasive techniques for treating traumatic injuries received in motor vehicle crashes and other incidents. A common technique is the use of internal or external fixation devices, which immobilize the foot and ankle, just like a cast. Internal fixation devices can involve a series of rods, screws and plates attached to bones, stabilizing them and permitting proper healing. External fixation devices appear as scaffolding on a building, with outside rods through the skin attached to bone underneath.
Many patients who suffer foot and ankle trauma in an auto crash — with or without air bags — face a long road to recovery. But the good news is, many patients do recover and lead a normal active lifestyle.

For more information on foot and ankle surgeons and the conditions they treat, visit the ACFAS consumer Web site FootPhysicians.com.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) is a professional society of more than 6,000 foot and ankle surgeons. Founded in 1942, the College’s mission is to promote research and provide continuing education for the foot and ankle surgical specialty, and to educate the general public on foot health and conditions of the foot and ankle through its consumer website, http://www.footphysicians.com/.

American Society of Safety Engineers Offers Safety Tool Aimed at Addressing Spiraling Number of Roadway Crashes, Deaths, Injuries and Repeat Offenders

DES PLAINES, Ill. — The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has developed and made available a special “Call to Action” TransActions newsletter with information aimed at helping prevent the increasing number of roadway fatalities and injuries that directly impact workers in support of the annual May 6-12 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH).
Worldwide, roadway crashes and fatalities are at an all time high. Transportation incidents continue to be the number one cause of on-the-job deaths each year in the U.S. The 6,159,000 vehicle crashes in 2005 resulted in the deaths of 43,443 people, injured 2.7 million more people and cost the U.S. $230.6 billion. The majority of those killed in crashes were drivers, and of those that died 75 percent were male. According to the U.S. Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), 6,483 motor vehicle operators involved in fatal crashes had previous records for suspensions, revocations, DUI, speeding and harmful moving convictions.
In the special NAOSH Week 2007 TransActions newsletter, ASSE’s Transportation Practice Specialty (TPS) group provides key information on preventing roadway fatalities and injuries. It can be found on the ASSE web site at http://www.asse.org/naosh07. It also provides statistics and an overview of the problem from a global perspective. ASSE is encouraging its members to distribute it at work, to download it and forward it to family and friends in support of NAOSH Week, a week focused this year on all modes of transportation safety.
The newsletter features articles on handling accident investigations and reconstruction, transportation and food distribution safety, safe vehicle operations, effective driver training programs, New York City’s bridges and tunnels, a shop safety checklist, developing a written safety program, and actions transportation companies can take to prepare for a possible avian flu outbreak.
TPS Administrator Doug Cook notes the major impact roadway safety has on businesses and believes the information in this newsletter can help. The TransAction authors, TPS members, include a safety engineering and biomechanics field expert, certified safety professionals (CSPs), casualty risk control professionals, loss control specialists, a safety, health and environmental director for a national food company, a forensic engineer, transportation engineering experts and a managing director of corporate safety, health and fire prevention for an international transportation company. Cook has 30 years of experience in transportation operations, sales and safety and is vice president of safety for Covenant Transport.
During the annual NAOSH Week ASSE members work to focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public and all partners in occupational safety, health and the environment on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace. On Monday, May 7 the national NAOSH Week kick-off will be held in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Labor and in the Capitol. Joining ASSE in the national kick-off will be the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Edwin Foulke Jr., the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), and several other federal agencies and trade organization officials. Winners and entrants from the fifth annual ASSE Kids’ “Safety-on-the-Job” poster contest for members’ children aged 5 - 14 will also be recognized.
On May 9 ASSE celebrates the second annual Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day noting that every day millions of people go to and return home from work safely due, in part, to the work of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals and the businesses committed to protecting people, property and the environment.
To access ASSE “Call to Action” TransActions newsletter, the NAOSH 07 poster and tools please go to http://www.asse.org/naosh07 or contact ASSE customer service at 847-699-2929 or customerservice@asse.org.