The Car Pro Show
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2014 Mazda6 Review and Test Drive
Late last year when I was doing the radio show live from the DFW Auto Show, I saw the 2014 Mazda6 up close for the first time. From a distance, I was not sure what it was, and as I got closer, I was shocked to find out it was the new Mazda6. It is a real head turner. The first Mazda6 came out in 2003, and it was a contender with the Camrys and Accords of the world. Version 2.0 came out in 2009 and I thought it was a nice car, but did not keep up the quality or styling of the competition.…...
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Your Car’s Name Is Important – Car Pro News
A perfect name can summarize a car’s or truck’s personality perfectly: Mustang, Ram, Impala, but the wrong one can send a message the automaker never intended. Sometimes, automakers seem unaware of an embarrassing name. Despite having a name which means “a seizure in which the victim loses consciousness,” Honda has not changed the name of the Fit back to Jazz, which is what it’s called in other countries. Maybe this is why automakers avoid proper words when naming their vehicles; it avoids...
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Domestics Do Well in Quality Survey – Car Pro News
Volkswagen Group and Ford Motor Co. fared well among automakers in an annual study released Monday measuring quality and how deeply consumers feel about a new car or light-truck purchase after several months of ownership. For the first time in over a decade, domestic automakers, led by GM, topped foreign brands in individual product segments surveyed by Strategic Vision, a California research and consulting firm. In addition to tracking problems, the study measured emotions and perceptions...
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NHTSA Closes Probe into Ford and Chrysler Models – Car...
U.S. auto safety regulators closed two separate probes into vehicles made by Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group after the two U.S. automakers conducted safety recalls this year to fix glitches in some models. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closed both investigations in early May, according to documents filed on the agency’s website. In late 2011, NHTSA began exploring reports of corrosion problems in 200,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans made for the...
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Ford Trucks Involved in Prelim. Investigation by NHTSA –...
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the agency is opening a preliminary investigation into 340,000 Ford trucks over complaints of steering gear box failures resulting in a loss of control. The investigation covers the 2008 Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks after several reported crashes. NHTSA said it has received five complaints alleging an internal failure of the steering gear box resulting in a complete loss of steering control. One report said the loss of steering...
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NHTSA Investigates Possible Corvette Headlight Problem –...
U.S. safety regulators opened a preliminary investigation into more than 100,000 Chevrolet Corvette sports cars after complaints that headlights suddenly died. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is investigating 103,374 2005-07 Corvettes after receiving 30 complaints from owners reporting a loss of both low-beam headlights while driving at night without warning. In one of the 30 reports, a driver ran over a discarded tire while attempting to pull off the road, NHTSA...
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Chrysler Recalls SUVs – Car Pro News
Chrysler Group LLC is recalling about 469,000 SUVs worldwide to update software after some vehicles’ circuit boards were found to be transmitting signals that trigger inadvertent gearshifts to neutral, the automaker said. Included are 2006 to 2010 model-year Jeep Commanders and 2005 to 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees, of which about 295,000 are in the United States, 28,500 are in Canada and 4,200 are in Mexico. The remaining 141,000 are outside of North America. Chrysler also said it is recalling...
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Cadillac Upgrades Certified Used Warranty – Car Pro News
Cadillac announced new coverage limits on its certified pre-owned (CPO) cars, with a full bumper-to-bumper warranty extending to six years or 70,000 miles from when the car was new. That’s two years and 20,000 miles past the brand’s previous CPO policy, which extended just four years or 50,000 miles. The program also includes 24-hour roadside assistance and three months’ OnStar and Satellite radio service. Shoppers can also purchase Cadillac’s Premium Care Maintenance, which covers oil...
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Bye-Bye Toyota Matrix – Car Pro News
The Toyota Matrix will pass silently into the ether next year, just as the new Corolla hatchback takes its place in 2014. This was confirmed to me by an internal memo sent to dealers last week. That will neither come as a shock nor much of a disappointment for many, as the compact’s sales have slid downwards ever since 2009–now accounting for only 0.2 percent of Toyota’s sales in the compact segment. According to Car and Driver, the Matrix was something of a success in its first four years...
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Handicap Van Company Shut Down – Car Pro News
Van maker Vehicle Production Group — recipient of a $50 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy — has suspended operations and is in the process of being sold, its former CEO said. We have watched this company closely here at the Car Pro Weekly. Most recently, we covered the company because they supplied vans to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System. The Allen Park, Mich., company, which made MV-1 vans for the disabled, terminated about 100 workers and closed its offices in February....
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Trailer Towing Tips – Car Pro News
The weather is warm, and that means many of us will be towing trailers more frequently. There are some things to keep in mind before tugging that boat down the highway. First — and this may sound obvious — compare your vehicle’s towing capacity against the weight of the items you’re towing. Next, make sure you have the proper towing hitch. Hitches vary by the vehicle doing the towing as well as the class of trailer being towed and its gross weight. Also, you’ll want to figure out the...
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Does Engine Coolant Go bad? Car Pro News
Yes, engine coolant does deteriorate over time, but unless something unusual occurs, you probably won’t need to change the coolant in most late-model vehicles until 100,000 miles. Older vehicles probably require more frequent coolant replacement, so check your owner’s manual to be sure. Most manufacturers now use extended-life coolant with a recommended change interval of 100,000 miles. That varies based on maintenance schedules for each manufacturer and individual models. Some Subarus, for...
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Motorcycle Safety Awareness – Car Pro News
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging drivers of four-wheel vehicles to look out for their two-wheel neighbors. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month; statistics show motorcycle deaths have increased nearly every year for the past 14 years, according to NHTSA. In 2011, 4,612 motorcyclists died on U.S. roadways, a 2% increase from 2010; that’s despite historic declines in automobile fatalities. Moreover, motorcycle deaths comprised 14% of total highway deaths despite...
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New Top Safety Awards – Car Pro News
Well, that was a quick turnaround. Just seven months after eight of 11 luxury cars blew the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s new small-overlap frontal test, all five cars in the latest IIHS small-overlap test scored Acceptable or Good — the top two of four possible scores. The 2014 Mazda6 sedan, 2013 Honda Civic Coupe and Civic Sedan, 2013 Volvo XC60 SUV and 2013 Lincoln MKZ sedan passed IIHS’ most challenging frontal test, which simulates a 40-mph impact with a rigid barrier that...
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John Lennon’s Ferrari On The Block Again – Car Pro News
English auction house Bonhams said it will offer a 1965 Ferrari 330GT 2+2 that once belonged to the late Beatles singer and songwriter John Lennon at its auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, England, on July 12, The Wall Street Journal reports. According to the sales catalog, the Ferrari was the first car Lennon bought after passing his driving test in February, 1965. As the story goes, news that Lennon had passed the especially demanding English motor-vehicle test made...
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More Data On Drowsy Drivers – Car Pro News
It probably happens to most drivers. Heading home after an overtime shift and the eyelids flutter. Up all night with a sick baby and you rest your eyes for just a moment on the way to dropping off the kids at school. Drowsy drivers often make it safely to their destination, but for some, the consequences are devastating. “To this day I still hear my boys crying out, yelling for Daddy, when they were told the news,” says Jackie Califano, the widow of a New York police officer killed when a...
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ACLU Sues Over License Plate Scanners – Car Pro News
Are new systems on police cars that automatically scan license plates to look for criminals or stolen cars an invasion of privacy? Privacy advocates think so — and they’re going to court to try to find out more. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have filed a suit against the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department asking that they disclose the information they have accumulated from the practice, the Los Angeles Times...
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Importance Of A Proper Test Drive – Car Pro Commentary
A recent study stated that 11% of people shopping for a car did not take a test drive. I am not sure I believe the number, it seems high for various reasons. I believe the test drive of a new or used vehicle is a very important step in the car buying process. I cannot imagine spending money on shoes without trying them on, and I sure cannot imagine making your second-largest purchase without driving what you are buying. Here are some tips for doing it properly. Before you drive a prospective...
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2013 Chevy Sonic RS Review & Test Drive by Chris Leary...
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The Car Pro Show 5-11-13 Hour 1 Podcast
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The Car Pro Show 5-11-13 Hour 2 Podcast
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The Car Pro Show 5-11-13 Hour 3 Podcast
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The Car Pro Show 5-11-13 Hour 1 Network Feed
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The Car Pro Show 5-11-13 Hour 2 Network Feed
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The Car Pro Show 5-11-13 Hour 3 Network Feed
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2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS Review and Test Drive
In the world of luxury performance SUVs, Porsche has got something for everyone with the Cayenne. You can start with the $49,000 base Cayenne, to a diesel variation, to the 380-horse hybrid version, all the way to the Turbo S with a base price of $146,000. This week’s evaluation vehicle is the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS, which falls in line 3rd from the top in horsepower and cost. This SUV has an outstanding physical appearance, with a beautiful silver paint job, and 21” wheels. The front end...
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2013 Chevy Cruze Review & Test Drive by Heather Tyson...
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California Tops In Gas Taxes – Car Pro News
The average state gasoline tax throughout the nation is 23.5 cents per gallon (CPG), but the range of state taxes is wide. Alaska and Georgia charge 8 CPG, and California charges 38.2 CPG. The state taxes are in addition to a federal tax of 18.4 CPG. EIA (the U.S. Energy Information Administration) collects information on state gasoline taxes twice a year, and the latest data are for January 1, 2013. A variety of taxes and fees are levied on motor fuels by all levels of government in the...
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Mercedes-Benz Recalls GL-Class SUVs – Car Pro News
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 272 model-year 2013 GL-Class SUVs due to a problem with the second-row seat belt anchors, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles include GL350 Bluetec, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG models manufactured between May 15, 2012, and Oct. 4, 2012. The second-row seat belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued, which could cause seat belt anchor bolts to continually loosen. In a crash, the belted passenger...
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Toyota Recalls Thousands of FJ Cruiser SUVs – Car Pro...
Toyota is recalling 11,489 model-year 2007-13 FJ Cruiser SUVs due to auxiliary headlights that do not comply with federal safety standards for brightness, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles were manufactured between Jan. 25, 2006, and Feb. 23, 2013, and are equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kit mounted to the front bumper. These lamp assemblies include 55-watt bulbs that, in combination with the upper beam headlights, are too...
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Airbag Recalls Plague Auto Industry – Car Pro News
The escalating complexity of automobiles is led in part by the escalating complexity of safety systems. The once dumb airbag that lived all alone inside the steering wheel, for instance, is now a family of smart airbags that might be able to detect the location of the passenger they’re meant to protect and how best to inflate in order to protect him. Beyond the increased sticker price, the cost of that technology is more things going wrong. According to a story on AOL Autos there have been...
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Excuses People Give The Police – Car Pro News
Well, gosh, officer. I didn’t see that 35-mph speed limit. Or the yield sign. Or that no-turn-on-red. That’s the most common excuse drivers give when pulled over, according to a new survey by Insurance.com. Last February, the insurance comparison website polled 500 licensed drivers age 18 and older. Of those who said they tried to reason with the police officer — or just plain give an excuse — more than one-fifth said they couldn’t see the sign that prohibited their actions. “There were some...
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Cabin Air Filter Information – Car Pro News
The cabin air filter, a feature found on most late-model vehicles, cleans the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It catches dust, pollen and other airborne material that can make riding in a car unpleasant, particularly if you have allergies or other respiratory problems. Recommendations on when it should be replaced vary by manufacturer — some say every 12,000 or 15,000 miles, others longer — and how often can depend on how much...
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Parents Beware: Teen Driver Deaths Up – Car Pro News
As the nation heads into the deadliest driving period of the year for teens — between Memorial Day and Labor Day — we do so amid some unsettling statistics: Teen driving deaths are on track to increase for the second consecutive year following eight years of decline. That’s according to a study from the Governors Highway Safety Association, which shows that deaths were up 19% among 16- and 17-year-old drivers during the first six months of 2012 compared with the first six months of 2011,...
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Watchdog Group Looking At Vehicle Financing – Car Pro...
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau expanded its probe into the car loan industry by issuing subpoenas to auto lenders over the sale of financial products such as extended warranties, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the investigation. The consumer bureau is investigating whether terms and prices for auto loans, as well as additional products like extra insurance, are properly disclosed. The probe follows a similar investigation into deceptive marketing...
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New Datsun Coming, But Not Here – Car Pro News
Datsun will return to the automotive world in July, but only a part of it. Autocar India reports that the first vehicle from the reborn car company will be unveiled in New Delhi on July 15th. The five-door hatchback is to be powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine and be designed with a focus on comfort, fuel economy and affordability. The brand is being revived by Nissan to do battle in the low-priced end of the market. To that end, the vehicle is expected to be priced as low as $5,500...
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Satisfaction With Vehicle Insurance Drops – Car Pro News
According to a recent survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, overall customer satisfaction with insurance claims has declined 11 points from the last survey taken last year. Part of the blame lies with out-of-pocket expenses, which have increased to an average of $499. J.D. Power also noted that appraisal and settlement times have been taking longer, with claimants waiting between three and fifteen days for the results. Claimants who use body shops in their insurance network get...
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Bad Day For One Ram Truck – Car Pro News
Talk about a bad day. What you’re looking at isn’t photoshopped, and unfortunately for everyone involved, this Ram Power Wagon really did get sucked out into the Pacific Ocean. It happened during a Ram Truck commercial shoot near Moonstone Beach in Humboldt County, California and residents aren’t happy. Locals are concerned about the environmental impact the commercial had on Moonstone Beach and the wildlife that inhabits it. Many are questioning how the film crew even had permission to...
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Nissan Drops Prices Big Time! Car Pro News
Nissan is cutting prices on seven of its 18 models in the U.S., hoping its cars and trucks will show up in more Internet searches by shoppers. The price cuts vary with the amount of equipment on each model and run from 2.7 percent, or $580, on the top-selling Altima midsize car to 10.7 percent, or $4,400, on the Armada big SUV. Other models getting price cuts include the Sentra compact car, Juke small crossover SUV, Murano midsize crossover, Rogue small crossover and the Maxima full-size...
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New ‘Vette to Pace at Indy 500 – Car Pro News
The 2014 Corvette Stingray will be the pace car at this year’s Indianapolis 500. It’s the 12th time a Corvette will lead the traditional 33-car field around Indy’s historic 2.5-mile oval. The car will be painted Laguna Blue Tintcoat and the only modifications from the car sold to the public will be the safety features. The engine will not be altered. Chevrolet has a long history with the 500. In addition to being a regular on the pace-car list, Oldsmobile was the sole engine producer during...
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Texas Auto Writers Top Picks – Car Pro News
The Texas Auto Writers have completed the 2013 Auto Roundup where 53 vehicles competed in 19 categories. The weather at the Texas Motor Speedway complex was near-perfect, and 47 media members were on hand to evaluate the drivability, the functionality, and the overall experience of the vehicles from 13 different manufacturers. I am a TAWA member, but was unable to attend the event. Top honors at the Texas Auto Writers Associations’ 2013 Auto Roundup indicate that Texans like their...
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Maintenance Records Are a MUST! Car Pro Commentary
Like all Americans, the auto manufacturers have tightened their belts over the past few years. Most automakers remember the big profit losses of just five years ago, some recall the devastation of bankruptcy. I do not know of a single manufacturer that is not watching their bottom lines closer. For most people, they would not know the difference nor would they care. That is unless you have a warranty claim denied by the manufacturer. I got an email recently from a listener who had a Hyundai...
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The Car Pro Show Hour 1 5-4-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 2 5-4-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 3 5-4-13
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Automakers More Proactive on Recalls – Car Pro News
Automakers have recalled millions of vehicles worldwide in recent weeks, but that doesn’t mean the quality of cars and trucks is declining. In fact, industry experts say these recalls are a sign that quality is improving. High-profile problems, such as Toyota Motor Corp.’s issues with unintended acceleration in 2010, have prompted automakers to become far more aggressive in identifying potential problems and notifying consumers when they find them. “Protecting your reputation is really at...
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Honda Recalling Fit Sports
Honda is recalling nearly 46,000 Fit Sport small cars in the U.S. and Canada to fix a problem with the electronic stability control system. The recall affects cars from the 2012 and 2013 model years. Honda says the stability control system can let the car tilt too far before it applies the brakes to prevent a crash. The defect was discovered in government testing of models with a particular type of tires. Honda says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries from the problem. Honda dealers...
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Nissan Recalls Altima Sedans
Nissan Motor Co. is recalling 123,308 Altima sedans because their spare tires may be over or underinflated. Altimas from the 2013 model year that were made between March 21 and March 26 are affected. Tires that are significantly over- or underinflated can increase the risk of a crash. Nissan says it has no reports of accidents or injuries related to the defect, which was discovered by a dealer. Nissan blamed the issue on a malfunctioning pressure regulator at its Canton, Miss., plant. That...
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Subaru Recalls Forester SUVs
Subaru is recalling about 10,000 Forester SUVs to replace improperly made carpet floor mats that may curl up in the heat and interfere with the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals. The 2014 Forester vehicles were built during the first three months of 2013. The resin composition used for the floor mat backing was not made properly, causing the mats to curl up when exposed to heat, Subaru said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Subaru, a unit of Fuji Heavy...
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Fisker Closer to Bankruptcy
The travails continue for Anaheim, Calif.-based Fisker. Executives at the struggling plug-in-vehicle maker met with Congress Wednesday, and new details emerged on Fisker’s government dealings. It goes like this. The U.S. Department of Energy approved $529 million in low-interest loans to Fisker in 2010 as part of its $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which met political fire and ceased loans to any companies in 2011. The Detroit News reports Fisker received $32...
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2014 Toyota 4Runner Debuts – Car Pro News
Toyota has just pulled the sheet off its updated 2014 4Runner at the 2013 Stagecoach Music Festival near Palm Springs, California. Toyota is the title sponsor at the festival, and claims that this is the first-ever global reveal of a new automobile at a major music festival. We’re also guessing this is the first time that the 4Runner has seen duty inside what looks like a vintage circus act’s cage.We can see from the photos that the body-on-frame SUV has received a freshened look with new...
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Pulp Fiction Car Found After 19 Years – Car Pro News
Authorities say the classic Chevrolet convertible featured in the film “Pulp Fiction” has been found nearly two decades after it was stolen. The San Bernardino County Sun reports movie director Quentin Tarantino’s 1964 Chevelle Malibu was recovered in the San Francisco Bay area earlier this week. John Travolta’s character drove the cherry red car in the movie. Sheriff’s Sgt. Albert Anolin said an investigation into an old Malibu in the desert city of Victorville on April 18 led detectives to...
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Mercedes Played Role in Capturing Boston Bombers – Car...
Drivers often worry about new technology in their vehicles, and whether or not those GPS devices can end up acting like Big Brother. Early last Friday a week ago, Mercedes put its mbrace telematics system to the test, tracking down the two fugitives: Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.In a harrowing story told in The Boston Globe, a Chinese immigrant who said his new Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV was carjacked by the brothers, told a tale that sounded like a movie plot. He waited for the right moment...
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Price Is Right Offers Up a Ferrari
In case you haven’t been paying attention, it was “Big Money Week” last week on the long-running The Price Is Right televised game show. In a nutshell, it means that more than a million dollars in cash and prizes were up for grabs for those lucky enough to “come on down,” play some games and correctly guess product retail prices.Moments after opening the show Thursday, host Drew Carey broke the unexpected news. “Today you are going to see the single-most-expensive prize in the history of the...
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VW Passat Wolfsburg Announced – Car Pro News
Hoping to shore up weak Passat sales, Volkswagen is adding a new model to the sedan’s lineup. VW says the Passat Wolfsburg Edition “offers a number of additional convenience features for a competitive price.” The Wolfsburg Edition will slot between the base S ($21,640) and the midlevel SE ($24,740) trims and go on sale in mid-2013 starting at $24,290; all prices include a $795 destination fee. To the S model — which comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth...
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Ladies: Knowledge is Power – Car Pro Commentary
It is a bit of an oddity for an automotive show, but the facts are that we get more female callers to the Car Pro Show than we do men. The ladies want knowledge, and knowledge is power when it comes to buying a car. “Go get your husband little lady, and come on back” was a familiar phrase many women shoppers heard not too long ago at car dealerships. Auto salespeople often showed women the makeup mirrors in a car before they ever showed them where the ignition switch was. Luckily, those days...
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The Car Pro Show Hour 1 4-27-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 2 4-27-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 3 4-27-13
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The Car Pro Show Network Feed 4-27-13
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No Driverless Cars Anytime Soon – Car Pro News
Looking forward to hopping in your self-driving car, pulling out your iPad and watching the scenery go by? You may be in for a longer wait than you expected. Despite Google’s fleet of them and interest from Audi, GM, Toyota and others, self-driving cars won’t come anytime soon. Experts at the 2013 Society of Automotive Engineers 2013 World Congress said this week that the mass market won’t get them until 2025, the Detroit News reports. . SAE, whose standards influence everything from cargo...
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2013 Cadillac SRX Review & Test Drive
Visibly, I have always found the Cadillac SRX to be one of the best looking SUVs on the road, at least since this current version has been for sale. For 2013, General Motors has added some styling changes to the front and rear that made the SRX even better looking. My test vehicle is the all-wheel drive Premium Collection package. The 2013 comes in a Base package, Luxury, Performance, and Premium, with the Premium being the top of the line. For a powertrain, the SRX still has the 3.6-liter...
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Nissan Recalls 2013 Pathfinder & Infiniti JX SUVs – Car...
Nissan is recalling more than 19,258 model-year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX SUVs due to a problem that could result in reduced braking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles were manufactured between Dec. 3, 2012, and Jan. 29, 2013. In these impacted cars the front brake torque member was improperly cast, resulting in structural weakness; this can lead to premature failure and cracking. If the part fails, the brake caliper could move and contact...
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Honda Recall Notice – Car Pro News
Honda is recalling nearly 205,000 minivans and SUVs in the U.S. and Canada to fix a problem with the automatic shifters.The recall includes the Honda CR-V small SUV and Odyssey minivan from the 2012 and 2013 model years. Also covered is the 2013 Acura RDX SUV. Honda says the device that stops drivers from shifting out of park without a foot on the brake may not work properly. The problem occurs in below-freezing temperatures.The company says no complaints, crashes or injuries have been...
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Worst Selling Cars of All Time – Car Pro News
Today, Ford Focus is the most successful car in the world, which got us thinking… Polk data announced recently that Ford Focus is the best-selling car in the world for the second year in a row, with sales topping 1,020,410 globally. So, that begs the question: What were the worst-selling cars of all time? Here ya go:5. Cadillac Catera: 2001 Cars sold: 9,764 It’s hard to say if the Cadillac Catera, created to open the stodgy old brand to a younger demographic, suffered more from its numerous...
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NYC Launches Leaf Taxi Test – Car Pro News
To celebrate Earth Day, Nissan and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a new electric vehicle taxi pilot with the world’s best-selling electric car, Nissan LEAF. This pilot program, which puts six LEAF taxis into service beginning this spring, will help Nissan, the city, the taxi industry and the public understand how zero emission vehicles can be integrated into future taxi fleets. Joe Castelli, vice president, Nissan Commercial Vehicles said: “As part of our commitment to zero...
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Kia Flagship Starts at $35,900 – Car Pro News
Kia has set the starting price of its new range-topping Cadenza sedan at $35,900, including shipping, to target the high-end of the large sedan segment. When it arrives in showrooms this month, the Cadenza sedan will slot above Kia’s Optima mid-sized sedan in terms of size, price and content. It will compete with other large sedans such as the Toyota Avalon, Buick LaCrosse and the platform-sharing Hyundai Azera, all of which have a lower starting price than the Cadenza. Topping out at...
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Toyota Reaches Hybrid Milestone – Car Pro News
Toyota’s global sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have surpassed 5 million in a milestone for a technology that was initially greeted with skepticism.The Japanese automaker, which said it had sold 5.125 million hybrid vehicles as of the end of March, started selling the Prius, the world’s first mass produced hybrid passenger car, in 1997. Gas-electric hybrids deliver fuel efficiency by switching back and forth between a gasoline engine and electric motor depending on speed and other...
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Chrysler CEO: Too Much Government – Car Pro News
Fiat may now be producing electric vehicles, but CEO Sergio Marchionne apparently doesn’t think they represent the future for the automaker just yet — or, at least, the only future. Speaking at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit yesterday, Marchionne said that his company is losing $10,000 on every 500e car sold (a figure he first offered fully two years ago), and added that “doing that on a large scale would be masochism in its extreme.” Those comments came as...
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More Diesel Cars Coming Our Way – Car Pro News
To many car buyers, the green colored gas pump handle at the filling station is still a mystery, but that’s the pump for the diesel — a fuel for a growing number of family cars and SUVs. Indeed, more and more car buyers are choosing diesel for both fun and fuel economy.Jeep recently said it’s considering a diesel engine for the Wrangler. Mazda will soon be marketing a diesel version of its Mazda6. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes and Audi have been offering them for some time in the U.S. and Europe...
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Cruze Diesel Rated at 46 MPG – Car Pro News
General Motors Co. says the new diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze gets 46 miles per gallon on the highway, making it more efficient than some hybrids. GM announced the U.S. EPA’s fuel economy numbers for the diesel Cruze Wednesday. At 46 mpg, the diesel Cruze matches the highway fuel economy of the Toyota Prius C subcompact. But the regular Prius hybrid still does better, at 48 mpg. The Cruze beats its closest competitor, the diesel Volkswagen Jetta, which gets 42 mpg on the highway. The...
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GM Ready to Take on Toyota in Truck Market – Car Pro News
General Motors plans to roll out a line of completely revamped midsize pickup trucks, with gas mileage and features designed to take sales from Toyota’s market-leading Tacoma. The trucks will replace the aging Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Mark Reuss, GM’s North American president, said that the trucks will be able to do 95 percent of the work that a big truck can do. Sales of midsize and small pickups slumped after the recession as businesses curtailed spending. Ford Motor Co. stopped...
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Is The Time Right To Downsize? Car Pro Commentary
I am often asked when is the best time to buy a new car? That used to be an easy question, but no more. We can usually count on the end of December being a great time, but that timing does not work for everyone. With incentives moving constantly, you can just never tell what is going to happen. Most of the incentives are based on the level of inventory of a particular model, something that changes often and is hard to predict. The one constant over the years I have been in the auto industry...
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The Car Pro Show 4-20-13 Hour 1
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The Car Pro Show 4-20-13 Hour 2
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The Car Pro Show 4-20-13 Hour 3
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The Car Pro Show 4-20-13 Network Feed
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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Test Drive and Review
I have always been a fan of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and when I reviewed the new redesigned 2011, I became a bigger fan. One thing Chrysler has done a great job with is changing and updating the Grand Cherokee every year, and the changes are always an improvement. Now comes the 2014 version of the Grand Cherokee. It has a freshened exterior while still staying true to that classic Jeep look. The interior has been redone as well, and this 2014 has the updated Uconnect infotainment system,...
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Chrysler Announces Recall
Chrysler Group LLC is recalling more than 247,000 SUVs and cars for several problems, including faulty gas tank hoses, broken drive shafts and air bag warning lights that illuminate when there’s no problem. The largest of the recalls, posted Tuesday on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, covers about 139,000 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger sedans from the 2011 and 2012 model years. The automaker says that faulty wiring can cause the air bag...
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Global Recall for Honda, Nissan and Toyota
Toyota, Honda and Nissan are recalling more than 2 million vehicles globally for an identical problem with air bags on the passenger side whose inflator may burst, sending plastic pieces flying. No injuries have been reported related to the problem. The recall for air bags made by Japan’s Takata Corp. affects other automakers including non-Japanese manufacturers, and may be as many as 3 million vehicles, Takata spokeswoman Akiko Watanabe said Thursday. She declined to give details. Toyota...
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Smart EV to Offer Battery Rentals – Car Pro News
Smart USA will offer customers who buy or lease its new electric-powered ForTwo the option of renting the car’s lithium ion battery for a monthly fee. Smart wants to “minimize the anxiety” that the battery would give out before the car, said Tracey Matura, head of Smart USA. The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive goes on sale in the United States next month. It debuted last autumn in Europe, where about 97 percent of buyers and lessees have chosen to rent the battery, Matura said. “We thought, why...
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Ford, GM Team Up on Transmissions – Car Pro News
General Motors and Ford are putting aside their longstanding rivalry to work together to develop a new generation of fuel-efficient automatic transmissions. The companies said Monday that their engineers will jointly design 9-speed and 10-speed transmissions that will go into many of their new cars and trucks. When transmissions have more gears, engines don’t have to work as hard. That saves fuel. As long as the shifting is smooth, most customers don’t give much thought to their...
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Tesla Hints At Truck Plant in Texas – Car Pro News
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was in Texas this week, fighting for his company’s right to sell electric cars directly to consumers. He also hinted that Tesla might have big plans for Texas, if this one little law just goes his way.“I have this idea for a really advanced electric truck that has the performance of a sports car but actually more towing power and more carrying capacity than a gasoline or diesel truck of comparable size,” Musk told Automotive News. “That could be really cool, and I think...
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Old SUV Values Rise – Car Pro News
That old SUV cluttering up your garage may be worth some serious money. You know the one: the International Travelall under a tarp that once toted many a Boy Scout troop, or the Toyota Land Cruiser with the rusting winch on the front bumper. We suspect many old SUVs are just sitting around lots these days, driven little because of the high price of gas, but there is cash waiting for their owners. Reason: Auction watchers say that old SUVs are becoming classic-car collector items. At the big...
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Bugatti Retains Title After All – Car Pro News
Just like that, it’s like it never happened. Guinness World Records has returned the title of “World’s Fastest Production Car” to the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport after pulling it last week due to a suspected rules violation. The 267.8 mph record was invalidated by Guinness after pretender to the throne Hennessey Performance claimed the title for itself with a 265.7 mph run by its Venom GT, arguing that the only reason the Veyron could go so fast was that it had deactivated a 258 mph speed...
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Details of the 2014 Ford Raptor Special Edition – Car...
Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor, the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup truck, has a new Special Edition package customers can order that adds more unique touches to the hot-selling pickup.Ford reveals the 2014 F-150 SVT Raptor Special Edition, which adds unique new touches to Raptor’s existing Luxury Package, including a Ruby Red Metallic exterior color and box-side graphics. Interior upgrades include Brick Red seat bolsters with black inserts and cloth honeycomb highlights, console top...
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2013 Toyota RAV4 EV Car Pro Review
… Read moreThe post 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV Car Pro Review appeared first on Car Pro USA.
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New Chevelle on the Horizon? Car Pro News
According to a report from GM Authority, General Motors has applied for a trademark on the “Chevelle” nameplate, filing the request under the “exterior badges for vehicles” category of the “goods and services” section of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. While you certainly could argue that this is simply to protect the Chevelle nomenclature that represents a large part of Chevrolet history, GM Authority has a couple of good reasons why you might want to think otherwise. First...
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Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Results – Car Pro News
Barrett-Jackson announced that it generated more than $21 million in gross sales of rare, high-end collectible vehicles, exotics, customs, classics, hot rods and resto-mods, during its 11th Annual Palm Beach auction, held April 4-6, 2013 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Despite severe thunderstorms, nearly 55,000 car fans were in attendance to witness the comprehensive lineup of cars at the renowned auction and lifestyle experience. It was clear from the cheers of the standing-room only...
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Facebook & GM Back Together – Car Pro News
Facebook Inc. won back General Motors Co. as an advertising customer a year after the automaker said it would quit running marketing messages on the world’s largest social-networking service. The test ads, running on Facebook’s mobile applications and website, will promote the Chevrolet Sonic subcompact car, GM said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. It’s part of a broader GM mobile-marketing effort. Facebook has been introducing new tools and services to keep users engaged longer and lure...
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Car Information On The Internet – Car Pro Commentary
Every day, someone says to me something like “I read on the Internet that this car had this problem, and this car had this problem, etc”. After all, if it is on the Internet, it must be true, right? Not so fast. Many of the things you see on the Internet are false and scammers must doing something right, there does not seem to be a slowdown in people getting ripped off. Hopefully, most people are able to spot the scams these days, yet when it comes to automobiles and in some cases, car...
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The Car Pro Show 4-13-13 Hour 1
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The Car Pro Show 4-13-13 Hour 2
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The Car Pro Show 4-13-13 Hour 3
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The Car Pro Show Network Feed 4-13-13
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2013 Range Rover Evoque Car Pro Review
I reviewed the 2012 Range Rover Evoque almost two years ago, before it actually came out. This week brings the 2013 model, with a new package, a new grill, and more options. I have the 5-door, but there is also a 2-door offering and a new “pure” package for those who do not want a super-loaded compact luxury SUV. At a glance, you know you are looking at a Rover Evoque. It has the most unique lines of any SUV on the road. The 2013 Range Rover Evoque is also one of the lightest SUVs out there,...
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GM Issues Warning for 2010-12 Vehicles – Car Pro News
General Motors is warning owners of almost 800,000 2010-12 vehicles that they may need oil changes more frequently than their onboard oil monitoring systems are telling them. After high warranty claims on several models with four-cylinder engines, GM will reprogram software to make oil change warning lights go on sooner. The change only affects 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Buick LaCrosse and Regal models with 2.4-liter LAF and LEA four-cylinder engines. GM sent letters asking...
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Hyundai & Kia Recall Information – Car Pro News
Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling almost 1.9 million vehicles to fix problems with air bags and brake light switches. The switch recall covers almost 1.7 million vehicles — most of the automakers’ model lineups from the 2007 through 2011 model years. In addition, Hyundai Motor Co. is recalling about 194,000 Elantra compacts from 2011 to 2013 to fix an air bag problem. A faulty switch can stop the brake lights from illuminating when drivers press on the pedal, the U.S. National...
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Lexus Plans Small SUV – Car Pro News
Lexus plans to show a production-ready compact SUV to rival the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 at the 2014 Geneva motor show, a company source said. The hybrid model, which will be based on the redesigned Toyota RAV4, will slot below the Lexus RX 450h. It was unclear if or when the vehicle would come to North America. Toyota Europe declined to comment on future plans for the model. At the Detroit auto show in January, Lexus chief Kazuo Ohara said a concept version of the SUV would be unveiled at the...
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BMW X4 Coming to U.S. – Car Pro News
BMW, capitalizing on a surge in its U.S. light-truck sales, is expanding its new 4-series lineup with the X4 crossover that will be built in South Carolina and is expected to go on sale next year. BMW released images of the X4 concept today and will introduce the crossover at the Shanghai auto show this month. The X4 will join the 4-series coupe, which goes on sale this year, and the 4-series convertible slated for sale in 2014. All three vehicles are designed to attract younger buyers...
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Day Dreaming While Driving – Car Pro News
Are drivers lost in space? A study by the Erie Insurance company of the roughly 6,500 fatal accidents that occurred in 2010 and 2011 which involved distracted driving found that it wasn’t cell phones and texting that were mostly to blame, but simple daydreaming. According to police reports of the incidents, 62 percent of the accidents involved one or more drivers that were “lost in thought,” compared to just 12 percent who were using a phone to text or make a call. Things happening outside...
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Cadillac Driving GM Success – Car Pro News
At his Houston Cadillac store last weekend, Carl Sewell had an unusual experience: He helped a mother secure a baby seat into a car she was considering. Young-shopper sightings were once a rarity for Sewell. “It’s a pretty diverse group that’s coming through the door now,” said Sewell, who owns four Cadillac dealerships in Texas, all part of the Car Pro Show. “The new ATS is bringing in the ideal buyer: younger and better educated.” Cadillac’s $33,095 ATS small model drove a 49 percent rise...
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Safety Ratings for Senior Drivers -
Federal safety regulators are considering new vehicle safety ratings that would help older people and families choose the safest vehicles. In a notice posted Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is planning to update its New Car Assessment Program and is mulling a “silver” rating that would assess the safety of the vehicle for older occupants, and a “family” rating for how well it protects rear-seat passengers, including children. Both ratings would be in...
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Fisker Lays Off 75% of Staff – Car Pro News
Fisker Automotive announced today that it has laid off approximately 75 percent of its workforce indefinitely, as the troubled automaker attempts to recover from a number of challenges that have kept it from producing any cars since the middle of last year. The move follows a one week furlough of its entire staff in late March. In a statement released by an outside crisis management group, as the entire in-house public relations staff was included in the recent round of layoffs, the company...
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‘Eleanor’ Mustang On Auction Block Car Pro News
One of the original ‘Eleanor’ Mustangs created for 2000’s hit movie Gone in 60 Seconds is going under the hammer at the Dana Mecum 26th Original Spring Classic Auction taking place in Indianapolis this May.Eleven of the fictional Eleanor Mustangs were created for the movie, although only three of them were working cars, and two of those were destroyed during filming.The cars weren’t original Shelbys but replica versions based on modified Mustang fastbacks.As Mustangs Daily notes, the cars...
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Hogs Cause Serious Wreck on 85-MPH Texas Tollway – Car...
A North Texas family is lucky to be alive after rolling their vehicle 10 times along SH 130 near Lockhart. The family was traveling along the highway last Friday when they struck a pack of feral hogs. “We must have rolled and flipped for 300 feet before the car finally landed on the driver’s side,” David Anderson told KXAS, the Dallas NBC affiliate. The family was expecting a fast, smooth ride on the recently opened toll road down to South Padre. “I just remember, I’m not going to live...
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Most Drivers Can’t Pass Driving Test -Car Pro News
Most drivers don’t know when to stop for pedestrians and schoolchildren, results of a new quiz from CarInsurance.com show. The average score was 75 percent. Forty-four percent of the 500 drivers who answered 20 questions that are typically on a driver’s license test scored less than 80 percent, the passing grade in most states. “The rules of the road are meant to reduce uncertainty and risk,” said CarInsurance.com managing editor Des Toups. “All you have to do is meet another car at a...
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Ford & GM Make Gains in Owner Loyalty – Car Pro News
Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co., gaining ground over Japanese automakers with their most stylish sedans and small cars since the 1970s, are topping Toyota Motor Corp. in customer loyalty, researcher Experian Automotive said. Of Ford vehicle owners who returned to buy another auto in the fourth quarter, 47.9 percent bought a Ford or Lincoln, Experian said today in a report. GM’s loyalty rate was 47.7 percent, followed by Toyota at 46.9 percent. After decades of losing car buyers to...
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Ambulance To Get You Through Traffic? Car Pro News
I’m not sure how widespread the practice is, but the option is apparently out there: Russian police have discovered companies on the Internet offering rides in “ambulance-taxis” through notoriously bad Moscow traffic. For roughly 6,000 rubles per hour – about $193 US, which doesn’t sound like much for a wealthy Russian – the ‘customer’ will get to cut through gridlock in an ambulance with flashing lights and the proper paint scheme outside but a refitted, leather-lined interior.Police say...
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April is Car Care Month Car Pro Commentary
People who listen to my radio show know that I am a huge believer in doing maintenance to a vehicle. When I talk to listeners who have unusually high mileage cars, there is always one common denominator, and that is they are diligent with their maintenance habits. Every April, the Car Care Council brings attention to the importance of doing routine maintenance on your vehicle. Last year, they looked at cars all across the country, and an astounding 84% of them needed service or repairs. Some...
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The Car Pro Show Hour 1 4-6-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 2 4-6-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 3 4-6-13
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The Car Pro Show Network Feed 4-6-13
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2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Car Pro Review
For me, it doesn’t get any better than a large, rear wheel drive sedan that drives and rides great, doesn’t have a turbo or supercharger, is lightning fast, and sounds like a muscle car. The 2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 is all that and more. It is a retro throwback with the refinement of a modern luxury car.Let’s start under the hood, where you will find a 6.4 liter V8 Hemi that is putting out 470 naturally-aspirated horses. This beast of an engine is hooked to a 5-speed automatic that can be...
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Ford Recalls Various Models – Car Pro News
Ford is recalling certain 2012 Taurus, 2013 Explorer and 2012 Lincoln MKS models over fuel tank concerns. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicles built between July 19, 2011 and March 15, 2012 may have been built with fuel tanks that have a “marginally sealed seam” on the side. Those seams may not provide the strength necessary to protect the tank from rupture during a collision. They may also leak. The recall covers a total of 3,037 vehicles. NHTSA says...
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Nissan Adds 2013 Titan to Recall – Car Pro News
Nissan has added the 2013 Titan to the list of vehicles recalled over potential gearshift issues. Just a few days ago, the automaker recalled nearly 20,000 NV Vans for a problem with the shift lever assembly that could cause the gear selector to read inaccurately. Now Nissan is recalling certain 2013 Titan pickup trucks manufactured between December 17, 2012 and February 20, 2013 and equipped with column-mounted shift levers, though for a different fault. The pickups were built using certain...
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More Adults Texting than Teens – Car Pro News
Although they know they’re engaging in very risky behavior, adults are texting behind the wheel more than ever, according to a recent study by AT&T.The study surveyed 1,100 adult drivers and found that 49% of them admitted to texting while driving, compared to 43% of teens.That’s a troubling statistic. Perhaps even more troubling is the fact that 98% of respondents said they knew it was a dangerous activity and 60% said they were not doing it 3 years ago. This means that in spite of the...
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NHTSA Wants More Power – Car Pro News
When it comes to any new regulation that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deems “not controversial and therefore unlikely to receive adverse comment,” it would like the power to implement the regulation without the standard period of public comment. It seeks the change in order to be able to clear and finalize “routine” rules in a matter of days. If NHTSA is granted the power it seeks, people could still comment on such regulations and request changes, but the agency could...
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Tesla Takes On Texas Franchise Law – Car Pro News
In its latest battle with state dealer associations, electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors is trying to change existing franchise laws in Texas. Tesla is behind bills introduced earlier this month in the Texas Legislature that seek an exemption to current restrictions on factory-owned dealerships for electric vehicle makers that have never used independent franchised dealers. It is Tesla’s most direct challenge to franchise laws already on the books. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association is...
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The Shelby Raptor – Car Pro News
This ain’t no Cobra, but it can haul in more ways than one. Noted Ford tuner Shelby American has unveiled a high performance pickup truck at the New York Auto Show. The Shelby Raptor F-150 is a 575-hp supercharged take on Ford’s high speed desert runner. Along with the performance modifications, which include a Shelby-spec 2.9-liter Whipple blower strapped to the Raptor’s 6.2-liter V8 and a Stinger exhaust system, the truck gets boost and fuel pressure gauges, a set of heat extractors in its...
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New Cadillac CTS Unveiled- Car Pro News
The Cadillac CTS has a fresh set of clothes, and they’re even slicker than before. The all-new luxury sedan was unveiled in Manhattan just prior to its public debut at the New York Auto Show. With its LED-light tube enhanced face and sporty V-shaped rear end, it looks just like you’d expect the big brother of Cadillac’s new ATS compact would. It is longer, leaner profile featuring classic lines that are very suitable for a 21st century Mad Man, but it’s not all about the suit. The CTS is...
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Mustang Celebrates 50th Anniversary – Car Pro News
The Ford Mustang will soon become the newest member of a very exclusive club – vehicles in continuous production for 50 years. To help mark this milestone, 50 companies will sell products including watches, T-shirts, model cars and more that celebrate the Mustang’s first 50 years. “During its first 49 years of production, Mustang has come to evoke a variety of emotions in our customers – freedom, independence and being true to one’s self – just to name a few,” said John Nens, Ford’s team...
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Price Plan Revealed for New Infiniti Q50 – Car Pro News
Infiniti’s 2014 Q50 sedan will start at $37,355, including shipping, a $900 reduction from the base price of the 2013 G37 sedan it replaces. Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti Americas, revealed the price plan today at the New York Auto Show. He also said the redesigned sedan will offer “unmatched levels of connectivity and personalization.” The car goes on sale this summer. Infiniti is counting on a list of new technologies to take its volume leader to higher levels. Despite the lower...
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2014 Toyota Highlander Bigger and Roomier – Car Pro News
Toyota Motor Corp. will launch a larger, redesigned version of its Highlander crossover this summer, providing more room to occupants. The 2014 Highlander will be nearly three inches longer and a half-inch wider than the current version, Toyota said. Toyota will stay with a three-engine strategy for the Highlander: a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V-6 and a 3.5-liter hybrid. The four-banger and V-6 now come with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Highlander’s styling...
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Discontinued Cars Are Seldom A Bargain Car Pro Commentary
Last weekend on the syndicated Car Pro Show, I had a listener who asked about buying a Suzuki. I could tell that the price had him intrigued and I hated to burst his bubble by telling him it just wasn’t a good idea. Once a car company ceases to do business, or declares bankruptcy, a host of problems arise. The biggest ones include parts availability, places to service the car, and ability to finance a car like this. I recounted a story to the caller about me almost falling in this trap...
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The Car Pro Show 3-30-13 Hour 1
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The Car Pro Show 3-30-13 Hour 2
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The Car Pro Show 3-30-13 Hour 3
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Nissan Recalling 201213 NV Commercial Vans – Car Pro News
Nissan is recalling 18,880 model-year 2012 and 2013 NV commercial vans due to a problem with the transmission lever, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles were manufactured from Dec. 20, 2010, through Jan. 4, 2013, and are equipped with steering-column-mounted transmission shift levers. The transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip may have been installed incorrectly, and normal road vibration could make the gear position indicator not...
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Honda set to Recall Acura TSX Sedans – Car Pro News
Honda Motor Co. will recall 76,000 Acura TSX sedans in the United States to install a water-resistant cover over the electronic control unit to prevent corrosion that could ultimately lead to stalling. The action covers sedans built for the 2004 through 2008 model years in 22 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., the Japanese automaker said in a press release on Thursday. Road salt used in cold-weather states and water from the driver’s shoes could soak the carpet under the dashboard that covers...
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Ford of India Apologizes for Ad – Car Pro News
The Indian unit of Ford Motor Co. has apologized after print advertisements for the Ford Figo depicted women bound and gagged in the trunk of vehicles driven by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and pop culture princess Paris Hilton. According to a Business Insider report, one of the ads, to seemingly showcase the car’s ample trunk space, features Berlusconi in the front seat, his fingers posed in the universal victory sign, with crying women bound in the trunk. The tag line reads:...
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2013 Volvo XC60 Car Pro Review
We all want the safest vehicle we can buy, right? Well, at least that is what we say, but when it comes down to it, other things become a priority, like price and looks. Otherwise, Volvo would be the #1 seller of vehicles in the United States. With that said, it has been great watching Volvo evolve from their reputation for safety, to building some of the nicest vehicles on the road. There is no better example than the 2013 Volvo XC60, a 5-passenger crossover luxury SUV that I am reviewing...
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Large Cars Fading Away – Car Pro News
To look at automakers’ lineups these days, it would appear that America’s large car market is enjoying something of a resurgence. After all, Chevrolet has invested in a new Impala, Toyota has its new Avalon, Hyundai fielded an all-new Azera for 2012, and Nissan is working on a next-generation Maxima.Yet, according to the industry forecasters at Polk, the market for mainstream big sedans is cratering. According to Polk’s data, the large mainstream sedan segment has plunged from a 5.8-percent...
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Toyota Dealer Ordered to Pay 16 Million – Car Pro News
A jury has ordered a Toyota dealership in Philadelphia to pay six crash victims $15.7 million for its negligent maintenance and repair of the 2006 Toyota Sienna rental in which they were riding. According to the March 19 verdict, the jury accepted the plaintiffs’ argument that Central City Toyota failed to properly follow the manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance recommendations for the minivan, plaintiffs’ lawyer, Kenneth Fulginiti of Duffy + Partners in Philadelphia, told Automotive...
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Getting Your Car in Shape for Spring – Car Pro News
Winter can do a number on your car. Slush, salt and cold temperatures take a toll on everything from the tires to the wiper blades. So, with spring finally here, it’s a good idea to give your car a thorough once-over to undo winter’s damage if you are in an area that gets a lot of frozen precipitation. It won’t cost a lot. You can do the work yourself or visit a car wash and a garage. Goodyear, Firestone and other car care centers will rotate your tires, change your oil and fluids and...
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NHTSA Has New Safer Car App – Car Pro News
The Transportation Department is launching a free app for iPhones and iPods that gives real-time vehicle safety information. Consumers can use the “SaferCar” app to look for crash test ratings for vehicles by make and model. They can also use the app to file a vehicle safety complaint, find recall information, subscribe to recall notices and find the nearest car seat installation station. Vehicle safety information is also available on www.SaferCar.gov, run by the National Highway Traffic...
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1200-Horse Shelby Mustang Announced – Car Pro News
Billed as the “most powerful production, street legal muscle car in the world,” the 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C is headed to the New York Auto Show next week. Here’s your first look at it.Powered by the same 5.8-liter V-8 as the standard Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, but with extensive work done to bring it up to 1,200 horsepower, the 1000 S/C is, like its 662-horsepower donor, conservatively named. Last year, Shelby launched a similar 950-horsepower model, the Shelby 1000, at the New York Auto Show...
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Impala Hoisted To A Penthouse
How do you hoist a 3,800-pound car into a sixth-floor penthouse apartment on a congested city block? Very carefully, as the old saying goes. Chevrolet is showing off its new 2014 Impala in San Diego this week and it found the perfect gimmick to wow reporters. As if the breathtaking bay views aren’t enough from a penthouse where Chevy held an introductory dinner, there sat the point of the whole exercise, a new blue Impala. The wealthy architect and car collector who let Chevrolet borrow the...
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Buyer’s Remorse – Car Pro Commentary
You can have a kidney stolen when you stay in a hotel, Walt Disney is cryogenically frozen and will be defrosted someday, and you have three days to return a car after you purchase it. Those are three of the most popular Urban Legends that have been going around for many years. Laws vary from State to State, but when it comes to car purchases, there is no “cooling off” period, even in consumer-friendly California. Once you agree to purchase a car, and sign the papers, you are immediately the...
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The Car Pro Show 3-23-13 Hour 1
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2013 Buick Encore SUV Car Pro Review
For a good while, Buick has had a hole in its lineup. If you needed an SUV and the Enclave was too large, you had no choice, but that has all changed. The 2013 Buick Encore compact luxury SUV is a nice addition for those needing a small SUV that achieves really good fuel economy. Assembled in South Korea, the Encore is badged overseas as the Opel Mokka, a wildly popular SUV. Encore retains the roots of Buick, with a very nice interior, a super quiet cabin, and a terrific ride, even on rough...
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Audi A4 Diesel Slated to Arrive in 2014 – Car Pro News
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Audi has confirmed plans to offer a clean-diesel version of its A4 sedan in the US. Yes, you’re right, the same news came out almost exactly two years ago, but then things changed and the marquee’s last diesels-in-the-US update dropped the A4 from the list. Now, citing Audi of America President Scott Keogh, Automotive News reports the oil-burning A4 is back on the schedule for the US next year.The automaker will include a 2.0-liter TDI option on the...
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Chrysler Recalls 2013 Dodge Challenger V6 models – Car...
Chrysler has issued a recall for the V6 version of the 2013 Dodge Challenger over the possibility of a wiring harness that could short circuit and lead to a fire. Owners of these V6 Challengers built from November 2012 through January 2013 are being urged to contact dealers immediately and, in the meantime, not to drive their cars or park in or near any buildings.Chrysler estimates around 2,500 potentially affected Challengers are in owners’ hands, while another 1,900 are still sitting on...
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Toyota Recalls FJ Cruisers for Seatbelt Issue – Car Pro...
Toyota has announced that it will be issuing a substantial recall of the FJ Cruiser for a problem that could cause the front seatbelt retractors to separate from the vehicle body. This recall will apply to all FJ Cruisers – from 2007 through 2013 – totaling around 209,000 units. The problem stems from the FJ Cruiser’s pillarless door opening design that has the front-occupant seatbelts attached to the rear doors. Toyota says that when the rear doors are “repeatedly and forcefully closed,”...
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Honda and Acura 2005-06 Models Recalled – Car Pro News
A recall has been issued for nearly 183,000 Honda and Acura brand vehicles from the 2005 and 2006 model years. The problem stems from a potential malfunctions to the vehicles’ stability control and braking systems.Drivers have reported a malfunction to Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist system, though to date, no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of it. Some of the vehicles’ Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control units may have an electric capacitor that was damaged during...
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NHTSA Investigates GM Midsized Cars Brake Lights – Car...
Safety regulators in the U.S. are investigating whether to add more than a million General Motors midsize cars to a recall for brake light problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it’s checking into complaints about the 2004 to 2011 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2007 to 2009 Saturn Aura. The safety agency says the brake lights may not come on when the pedal is pressed, while at other times the lights can illuminate for no reason. In 2009, GM recalled about 8,000 Pontiac...
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Best Used Cars for Under $10,000 – Car Pro News
Sorry, you can’t buy a new car in the United States for ten grand anymore. The closest you can get is the bargain basement Nissan Versa sedan at $12,780. It’s a decent car that offers good fuel economy and a lot of room for the price, but for budget-minded shoppers hoping for something a little more substantial, maybe not quite the ticket. For them, a used car is the only way to go, and Cars.com has come up with a list of the best cars you can buy for $10,000 or less. Editors took into...
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Buckle Up Your Pooch – Car Pro News
It’s been more than 25 years since most states required front-seat passengers to buckle up, and for most of us humans, latching the seat belt before shifting into gear is pretty much second nature. Increasingly, our four-footed companions are hearing the click of a clasp on a safety tether when they come along for the ride. Auto accessories and travel items — particularly restraint systems — are a growing category among pet-product providers, says the industry’s trade group. “You have...
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Teen Driving Deaths are Up for 2012
Teen driving safety is one of those problems that is easy to ignore: So often the tragedies are spread out throughout small towns around the country. One lost life here, two lost there. We don’t often piece all those crashes together and realize what’s happening to our children. I am on a crusade to educate parents on the dangers of teen driving, so forgive me.Sometimes to get change, you need a tipping point. Maybe this week will be it: Since Sunday, 15 teenagers have died in major car...
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More Americans Texting and Driving – Car Pro News
It’s bad enough that 31 percent of U.S. drivers admit they’ve texted while driving over the past 30 days and that more than two-thirds say they’ve talked on their cell phones over the same period of time.It is worse that, despite public-awareness campaigns dedicated to eradicating distracted driving, the problem is growing more prevalent than ever.Results of the aforementioned study, released this week by the Centers For Disease Control, are similar to a 2010 study conducted by the AAA...
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Privacy vs. Insurance Discounts – Car Pro News
How much is your privacy worth? According to a new survey from Carinsurance.com, 64% of people polled said they’d allow the installation of a breathalyzer in their car if it meant getting a discount on auto insurance. The auto insurance data company surveyed 500 licensed drivers older than 18 and found that most were willing to give up some privacy in return for an unspecified discount on their auto insurance. According to Carinsurance.com: •64% would let an insurance company install a...
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New App Analyzes Blood-Alcohol Content – Car Pro News
Breathometer Inc. announced that it has developed the first-ever blood-alcohol content monitoring device for smartphones. The device, for use with both iPhone and Android phones, is the size of a typical car key and plugs into a smartphone’s headphone jack. When paired with a mobile app, the Breathometer helps drivers decide whether they’ve had too much to drink, according to a statement. In addition to helping users determine whether their blood alcohol concentration exceeds the legal...
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Dealer Sells Car to 89-Year Old Blind, Dying Vet – Car...
You know, people, getting through this life from one end to the other in one piece really does require just one rule: don’t be a crook. If you ever find yourself in a situation of dubious moral standing, take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I being a crook to any person or thing?” If the answer is “yes,” then stop what you’re doing, apologize and go home. One dealership in Wisconsin could possibly have benefitted from that course of action when it reportedly helped David McMurray con his...
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Group Says Crash Guards Not Effective – Car Pro News
Drivers who find themselves stuck behind tractor trailers on the highway or in traffic jams have probably noticed the metal bars that hang from the rear end of the trailers. They are there to prevent cars from slipping underneath, or under riding the trailers in collisions. If people are skeptical regarding the effectiveness of the under ride guards, they may have good reason to feel that way. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is releasing a report that indicates trailer...
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18 Cars Wrecked at Austin Dealership – Car Pro News
Police are investigating an accident which damaged more than a dozen vehicles at a Hyundai auto dealership. Officer Traver Stefan says a 911 call came in around 1:38 a.m. last Wednesday. A witness reported seeing a driver lose control of his car on the Interstate 35 frontage road. The car veered off the road and onto a grassy curb where it hit a light pole outside South Point Hyundai. The impact tore the light pole from its concrete base. The car then smashed into a row of vehicles at the...
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$4 Million Lamborghini Sold – Car Pro News
To say it was a good day at STL Motorcars is a bit of an understatement: The Chesterfield luxury-car dealership sold a $4 million Lamborghini. It’s called the Veneno, and only three of them will be manufactured, part of Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary celebration. The Veneno has a 750-horsepower V12 engine, a top speed of 221 miles per hour, and accelerates from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. The buyer was Kris Singh II, managing director of Tequesta Investments in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He bought it...
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A Career in Auto Sales – Car Pro Commentary
I hear from listeners all the time who are thinking about a career in auto sales. For the past three years or so, my advice has been to find another profession. I was seriously considering going back to encouraging people to jump in earlier this year, but wanted to wait to see how 2013 started off. As we head into the end of the first quarter of 2013, I am now comfortable telling people looking for a career change to consider selling cars. Things are now stable and on the rise. Sales were up...
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The Car Pro Show Hour 1 3-16-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 2 3-16-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 3 3-16-13
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The Car Pro Show Network Feed 3-16-13
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2013 Nissan Pathfinder Car Pro Review
Well, my job just got harder. I get a ton of questions on the radio show about midsized crossover SUVs with 3rd row seating. I always talk about the Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Toyota Highlander, etc. All of them are great choices. NOW, I have another one to add to the list, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. This is sort of big news, because in the past, the words Pathfinder barely crossed my lips, I was not a fan. My tester is the Platinum Edition two-wheel drive. It has the 3.5-liter V6,...
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Happy Five Star Carrollton Customer
Jerry, My son was buying his first car by himself. He had done his research and already knew which car he wanted and how much to pay. I suggested he get a hold of BJ to deal with him. Being the independent person he is, he tried 3 times at other dealers with no success, getting the run around, not getting it for the price he wanted, the vehicle not in stock, etc. It was at the point where he felt like he was not going to be able to get the car he wanted, with the options, for the price.…...
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Ford Recalling Several Models for Defective Lock
Ford plans to recall 7,150 vehicles built in November, including the 2013 Escape crossover, because some models are equipped with a defective child lock on the left rear door. Also included in the recall are the 2013 Focus and C-Max cars, the automaker said. The company will inspect 5,638 Escapes that were built in Louisville Assembly Plant between Nov. 14 and Nov. 24, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said in an e-mail. Ford is recalling 1,223 Focus cars as well as 283 C-Max vehicles. Both of...
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NHTSA Closes Investigation on Ford SUV Rollaway Issue
It has taken four years of study, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finally closed the books on its investigation into rollaway accusations surrounding 1.56-million Ford SUV models. The probe, which centered on the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator, ends without the federal agency calling for a recall. According to The Detroit News, the investigation was closed due to a “low number of complaints” – NHTSA documented...
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2004-2007 Ford Freestar & Mercury Monterey minivans...
The rust issue in the rear wheel wells of 2004-2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans has finally led to a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began an investigation into the matter in 2011, said investigation being upgraded to an engineering analysis a year later while NHTSA tried to figure out how many model years should be included in the assessment. Ford has decided to recall all of the 230,000 minivans potentially affected, namely those sold in salt-belt...
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Subaru Recall for Remote Starters – Car Pro News
Subaru of America is recalling more than 47,000 cars and SUVs with remote starters because the engines can start on their own. The recall affects some Legacy and Outback cars from the 2010 to 2013 model years. Also covered are the Impreza from 2012 and 2013 and the XV Crosstrek from 2013. Subaru says that if the key fob is dropped, it can malfunction and start the engine. The motor will run for up to 15 minutes, but could continue to start and stop until the car runs out of gas or the fob...
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BMW Regains Luxury Brand Race – Car Pro News
BMW regained the top spot in global luxury auto sales from Audi last month on demand for the 3 series and X1 SUV, while the Mercedes-Benz brand fell further behind its German rivals. Deliveries at the BMW brand, the world’s biggest luxury carmaker since 2005, rose 7 percent in February, beating the 3.2 percent gain posted by Volkswagen’s Audi. BMW’s bigger increase helped propel it back into the sales lead for the year, with the automaker delivering 407 more cars than Audi in the first two...
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Fuel Efficient Midsized Cars Are Hot Sellers – Car Pro...
After several big years for small cars, larger sedans and trucks are returning to the forefront, even as gasoline prices remain high. Sales of subcompacts such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris were down 7 percent year-over-year in January and February, while mid-sized cars were up 8 percent. Sales of compact cars were up 7 percent overall but down for the majority of individual models, including the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Honda Civic. Several new mid-sized cars, including the...
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Chinese Thwarting Seat Belt Law with T-Shirt – Car Pro...
If necessity is the mother of ingenuity, law enforcement must be the doting father. Drivers in China have taken to circumventing local seatbelt laws by purchasing and wearing special T-shirts. The shirts feature a graphic with a stripe that runs from shoulder to hip, creating the illusion that the driver is wearing his or her harness while seated. Police have reportedly begun cracking down on drivers for not wearing their belts after a rash of collisions resulted in occupants jettisoned from...
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Order Your COPO Camaro Now! Car Pro News
If you missed your chance to buy a drag-strip-ready COPO Camaro in 2012, here’s some good news: the car will be produced for 2013, but in the same production run of just 69 units, the same as in 2012. The number is significant as it pays homage to the 1969 Camaro ZL1, of which just 69 examples were ever built. The COPO name is also a nod to the past, as the Central Office Production Order (COPO, for short) allowed racing-savvy dealers to build Camaro models (like the ZL1) not otherwise...
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Watch Those Pickup Tailgates! Car Pro News
Anybody with a lick of sense knows you don’t mess with Texans and their pickup trucks, but some coldhearted, money-grubbing bandits aren’t taking that message to heart. Across the Lone Star State — and in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth — marauders are stealing tailgates by the thousands. A nationwide tally of tailgate theft insurance claims rose 18 percent from 2011 to 2012, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an Illinois-based nonprofit funded by insurance companies to...
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Government Cars: $1 Billion per year for Maintenance –...
It isn’t cheap to keep the federal government’s large fleet of cars and trucks out of the shop. The U.S. government spends nearly $1 billion annually maintaining its 588,000 vehicles, the Government Accountability Office said in an audit released Thursday. In the 2011 fiscal year, the administration spent $975 million on maintenance. The report looked at whether federal agencies use original or re-manufactured parts to fix vehicles and found that agencies have different policies on whether...
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Ford Wins NASCAR Business Award – Car Pro News
Ford is already on the NASCAR circuit with its latest sixth-generation Ford Fusion, now it has won a NASCAR award for applying its business skills as well. Ford just won its second 2012 NASCAR Driving Business Award, presented in Las Vegas at the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council, which aims to help companies and organizations get more out of NASCAR sponsorships. Ford is being saluted for creating more business-to-business relationships through the council, including having sold 5,500...
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Audi Stars in Iron Man 3 – Car Pro News
Once again, Iron Man’s alter ego, Tony Stark, will be tearing through the streets of a crime-infested city in an Audi. Moviegoers apparently aren’t getting tired of the Iron Man franchise and seeing Robert Downey Jr. behind the wheels of Audis. Such will be the case again when Iron Man 3 comes to theaters May 3. Audi has placed a lot of its hottest cars in the first two movies. They included the R8 supercar and its convertible version, the stately A8 big sedan, S5 sporty car and the Q7...
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Great Idea: Inflatable Car Cover – Car Pro News
He really loves his car. A man in Argentina became an internet sensation last week, and a hero of car enthusiasts around the globe, when he selflessly sacrificed his body to protect his Citroen sedan during a surprise hail storm. Writhing around awkwardly on the roof of the vehicle, the unidentified fellow was subjected to a good pelting by golf ball sized hailstones, all of it captured on a video posted to YouTube, as well as the Car Pro Show facebook page. The good news is, if you live in...
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Top Ten Towing Tips – Car Pro News
Over 15,000 people have been killed in crashes involving passenger vehicles towing trailers since 1975 with more than 65,000 crashes involving passenger vehicles towing trailers occurring in one year alone. Lack of knowledge of correct towing techniques is clearly a contributing factor – in fact, a recent study revealed that 71% of Americans who tow admitted to being only somewhat to not knowledgeable about proper towing practices and safety. As the Spring/Summer road trip and tow season...
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Five New Top Safety Picks – Car Pro News
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said that five new vehicles, including the first small cars, earned the group’s top safety awards in the face of a tougher frontal crash. The Arlington, Va.-based industry-funded group prods automakers to build safer vehicles and awards top-performing vehicles on its crash tests — “Top Safety Picks” — that are consulted by many prospective buyers. The Honda Civic two-door and four-door, both small cars, and the Volvo XC60, a mid-size luxury SUV, all...
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Senator Asks NASCAR to Reconsider NRA 500 – Car Pro News
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy wants NASCAR officials to reconsider calling one of the sport’s upcoming events, the NRA 500. Murphy, who has helmed the conversation on gun control in the US since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last December, sent a letter to NASCAR officials asking them to reconsider the move. According to reports, the senator addressed his correspondence to Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, saying the National Rifle Association...
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New Moms May Be Most Distracted Drivers – Car Pro News
New mothers aren’t immune to the dangers of distracted driving. In fact, with the demands of driving with a newborn baby on board, new moms may be among the most distracted drivers on the road. A recent survey of new moms that was conducted by American Baby and Safe Kids Worldwide points out how prevalent distracted driving is among new moms. The key evidence is that while the majority of moms surveyed said they are being more cautious in their driving habits since the birth of their child,...
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Should You Consider A Hybrid? Car Pro Commentary
$4-$5 per gallon gasoline made a lot of people think about a hybrid vehicle for the first time ever. I get calls on the radio show from people all the time considering a hybrid who really should not be. There are two reasons people buy hybrid vehicles. Most buy them to save money at the gas pump, while others buy them because they put out fewer emissions. Either reason is valid; it is important, however, for those wanting to save gas money that they understand the basics of how gas/electric...
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The Car Pro Show 3-9-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 2 3-9-13
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The Car Pro Show Hour 3 3-9-13
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The Car Pro Show Network Feed 3-9-13
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2013 GMC Terrain Denali Car Pro Review
In the crowded compact SUV segment, there are a lot of great choices. The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain have been success stories for GM and now they have taken it to another level with the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali. It is still extremely square in design, but much has been improved. Let’s start under the hood with the new 3.6-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic. This engine replaces the old 3.0 V6 and increased the horsepower to 301, from 268. They made this performance increase without...
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Hyundai Veloster Recall Expanded – Car Pro News
Hyundai is recalling 6,071 versions of the 2012 Veloster hatchback due to panoramic sunroofs that could crack, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is an expansion of a December 2012 recall that affected 13,500 Velosters with panoramic sunroofs. The affected vehicles were manufactured from July 4 through Oct. 31, 2011 (check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb), and are equipped with panoramic glass panels. In these cars, the...
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Porsche Recall – Car Pro News
Porsche is recalling 2,263 model-year 2012-13 versions of the 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 coupes and convertibles due to a problem with the exhaust system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles were manufactured from March 7 through Nov. 12, 2012 (check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb), and equipped with the 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine and standard exhaust system. In these cars, the tailpipe could fracture...
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NHTSA May Open Investigation on Toyota Prius Models –...
Federal investigators are deciding whether to open an investigation into a complaint about the steering on Toyota Prius hybrids. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is reviewing complaint from an outfit in Reston, Va., Automotive Systems Analysis, which says it found a defect in shafts on 2004 to 2009 Priuses. Potentially more than 500,000 cars would fall under the period under scrutiny, according to a filing on NHTSA’s website. The complaint centers on the upper...
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Chrysler Bringing Back Two Retro Colors for Challenger –...
Chrysler is bringing back two popular retro colors for the 2013 Dodge Challenger. The automaker recently announced it will soon reintroduce Plum Crazy and Hemi Orange — two hues that debuted during the muscle car era. According to Chrysler, both colors will be available on the Challenger R/T and the high-performance Challenger SRT8. Drivers interested in the paint schemes can order one now, though Challengers finished in these colors won’t begin arriving at dealers nationwide until March....
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Mercedes 66 Unveiled – Car Pro News
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a six-wheel version of its extreme luxury off-roader, the G63 AMG. Based on a military version of the decades-old truck that it created for the Australian army, the hand-built 66 has a pickup bed grafted onto its cabin to accommodate the extra axle, a total of five locking differentials, bead lock wheels and a compressed air system that allows the driver to adjust tire pressures remotely. Power comes from the standard G63s twin-turbocharged V8, which is good for an...
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VW Stays Loyal To Station Wagons – Car Pro News
Volkswagen AG, staying loyal to the traditional station wagon, will debut its next-generation wagon this week at the Geneva Auto Show, executives said during the automaker’s pre-show press conference. The wagon, which is identical to the new seventh-generation Golf from the front bumper to the B-pillar, is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in August and in the United States in late 2014. It will replace the current model, known as the Golf Variant in Europe and as the Jetta SportWagen in the...
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Stingray Convertible Pictures Released – Car Pro News
Over the weekend, Chevrolet released its first images of the new 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible. Now, ahead of the droptop’s official introduction tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show, the automaker has given us a few more shots of the softop C7 showing off the car’s rump albeit from a high, strategically positioned angle. From this angle, it’s hard to get a sense for how long and flat the deck lid really is, but we can easily see that, like the rest of the C7′s design, the new...
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American Suzuki Bankruptcy Approved – Car Pro News
American Suzuki received bankruptcy court approval of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan to wind down its U.S. auto sales operation and continue selling motorcycles, ATVs and boat engines. That means that if you own a Suzuki car, you should try your best to dump it now before the values plummet, which will happen in the next couple of weeks. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, Calif., approved the plan, leaving the company poised to complete its bankruptcy restructuring by March 31,...
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Forget 10 & 2 On The Steering Wheel – Car Pro News
Remember driver’s education training, and how you were taught how to envision the steering wheel as a clock? Remember that the best place to put your hands on that clock was at the 10 and 2 position? According to new research, that’s actually a bad idea. Studies have shown that holding the wheel that way is a serious safety concern. If a steering wheel airbag were to deploy, it’s much more likely that the driver’s arm would be blown into their face, causing serious pain and potentially...
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