2014 Corvette Stings with 460 Horsepower

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray / Photo courtesy of General Motors

Lead-footed drivers have yet another car to add to their wish list. On Tuesday, Chevrolet announced the official power figures for the 2014 Corvette Stingray in a press release. The Corvette’s 6.2-liter V8, called LT1, produces 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. An optional performance exhaust system raises output to 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
By comparison, the 2013 Corvette produces 430 horsepower (436 with the optional performance exhaust) and 424 pound-feet of torque (428 with performance exhaust). Some publications, including Autoblog, are impressed with the LT1’s output, noting that the new engine is down only five pound-feet of torque from the 2013 Z06 model, which produces 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.
The new Stingray should hit 60 mph in less than four seconds, according to Chevrolet. Chevy also predicts that highway fuel economy will be rated at 26 mpg or more, though that has yet to be validated by the EPA. For reference, the 2013 Corvette is EPA-rated at 16/26 mpg city/highway, while the Z06 model is rated at 15/24 mpg.

2014 Corvette Stingray's LT1 V8 / Photo courtesy of General Motors

Chevrolet partially attributes its fuel economy prediction to the use of cylinder deactivation, which General Motors calls Active Fuel Management by GM. In more easy-going driving situations such as cruising at a steady speed on the highway, half of the engine’s cylinders shut down, requiring less fuel to operate the car. While no publications have yet had any time behind the wheel of the new Corvette, Car and Driver expects the system to operate smoothly, based on a recent test drive of the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray has a starting price of $51,995. Due to its performance capabilities and price compared with other luxury sports cars, the Corvette is often billed by auto journalists as one of the best-value sports cars available. The redesigned 2013 Porsche Boxster starts at $50,400 and has a 265-horsepower flat-six engine. The 2014 Audi R8 starts at $114,900 and features a 430-horsepower V8. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 starts at $54,800 and has a supercharged V8 with 662 horsepower. While the prices and power figures for each of these cars vary widely, reviewers say that each of these models excel in some performance arenas more than others, so deciding which one is best based only on price and output is difficult to do.
Chevrolet says the Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, and the convertible will hit dealerships by the end of the year.

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QR Codes on Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Can Help Save Crash Victims

Photo Courtesy of Daimler AG

Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, announced that it will be putting two QR codes on new Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The QR codes will be there to help emergency workers view rescue sheets, which show the best way to get occupants out of a crashed vehicle safely.

A QR code is commonly used so consumers can bring up a specific website on their smartphone or tablet without having to type in that web address. In this case, after taking a picture of the QR code on their mobile device using a QR reader app, first responders will be able to bring up the rescue map for that particular automobile.
Daimler says the rescue maps show major components of the vehicles, such as the battery, air bags and electric cables, so first responders can use the Jaws of Life and other tools properly. They add that having a QR code on the vehicle will make it faster to locate rescue information.
A QR code will be added to the fuel tank flap and on the B-pillar on the opposite side of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Daimler notes that “it seldom occurs that both these parts are badly damaged at the same time in an accident, and they are furthermore easily accessible from the outside.”

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Are Mitsubishi and Volvo on the Way Out?

2013 Volvo S60/Photo courtesy of Volvo

A new report predicts that Mitsubishi and Volvo are among 10 brands that will disappear from the U.S. marketplace before 2014. “Car sales are growing in the United States, but brands with market shares under half a percent cannot compete with companies that either produce high-luxury models like Mercedes-Benz or multiline giants like General Motors,” says 24/7 Wall St.
The financial news site surmises that Mitsubishi and Volvo will stop selling vehicles in the U.S., much like Suzuki did last year. A number of factors go into the report’s predictions, which include declining sales, losses, rising costs that probably won’t be recovered through higher prices, and a declining market share.
The report notes that Volvo competes with higher-end offerings from companies like General Motors and Toyota, as well as entry-level models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. 24/7 Wall St. writes, “With all that competition, consumer demand just is not there for Volvo cars.” Volvo’s sales are down 8 percent this year compared with the first four months of 2012. In contrast, Toyota sales are up 5.4 percent, while Audi and BMW sales have increased 14.2 and 5.7 percent, respectively.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport/Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi has also been in a sales slump compared with last year. The Japanese automaker’s sales are down 15 percent compared with the first four months of 2012, which is a larger decline than any other brand sold in the U.S. The report indicates that a small model lineup, as well as poor brand perception and lackluster performance in J.D. Power’s 2013 Vehicle Dependability Study aren’t helping Mitsubishi sales.
Some automotive journalists say that Mitsubishi and Volvo still have a fighting chance. Autoweek writes, “We'd say the jury is out on both automakers right now, but corporate parents Geely and Mitsubishi have deep pockets, so don't be surprised if these two are on the site's list of missed predictions in 2015.”

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Diesels Save Fuel, But Do they Save Money?

Diesel-powered cars have a reputation for being loud, smelly and slow, but they also get very good highway fuel economy. However, just because diesels save fuel doesn't mean they always save their owners money.

85 percent of Jetta Sportwagen sales are of diesel models. Image courtesy Volkswagen

According to the Diesel Technology Forum, a non-profit that raises awareness of diesel engines,  diesel car registrations increased 24.3 percent between 2010 and 2012, even though car registrations overall only increased 2.75 percent during that time.
USA Today writes, "Every time we've driven a new diesel car lately, we've been amazed at how indistinguishable they have become from conventional gas cars. No clatter. No smoke. No rattling engine noise."
Doug Skorupski, Volkswagen's alternate fuels technical strategies manager, said in an interview that "Diesel engines are inherently more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines." That's because there's 14 percent more energy in a unit of diesel fuel than the same unit of gasoline. Volkswagen is a leading manufacturer of diesel passenger cars in the U.S. market. Twenty-one percent of Volkswagen models for sale in the U.S. are diesel.
According to Skorupski, diesel is "one of the few technologies where customer expectations are being met or exceeded." He cites the high fuel economy of diesel engines as one of the main reasons diesel owners are positive about their cars. In many cases, Skorupski says, diesel owners are able to far exceed EPA fuel economy estimates. That's because fuel economy tests are conducted at 55 miles per hour. In a gasoline engine, as speed increases, fuel efficiency drops off. However, because diesel engines have higher compression ratios, they don't experience the same drop-off in efficiency as gasoline engines. Skorupski also says that because diesel engines use less fuel, they have fewer carbon emissions.
Volkswagen has good reason to tout the benefits of diesel engines. The automaker reports that 72 percent of all diesel passenger car sales in the U.S. in 2012 were Volkswagens. When diesel sales from Volkswagen's sister brands of Audi and Porsche are added in, the company accounted for 80 percent of diesel sales in the U.S. in 2012, Skorupski says. "We are the market, no question about it," he says.
Diesel vehicles typically cost more than their gasoline counterparts, and the higher cost of diesel fuel can make it seem like a diesel car will cost more in the long run. Volkswagen says that 85 percent of sales of the Jetta SportWagen are of the diesel model. Based on highway mileage alone, it would take 16,091 miles of driving to break even on the diesel Jetta SportWagen's $1,400 price premium. Twenty percent of Jetta sales are diesel models; the Jetta diesel has a $4,040 price premium over a comparably equipped gasoline-powered Jetta. That means that based on highway driving alone, it would take 46,436 miles of driving to break even on the price different. That's better than the break-even period on the Jetta hybrid, however, which would take 96,200 miles of city driving or 110,763 miles of highway driving to make up its $7,975 price difference with the gas-only Jetta.
If you do a lot of highway driving, a diesel car can save on fuel eventually, but that doesn't mean a diesel will be cheaper to own in the long run. A 2012 analysis by Vincentric, a company that provides cost of ownership data, looked at 23 diesel models and found that only nine had lower total ownership costs than their related gasoline models. According to Vincentric, the diesel models cost more to own because "the diesel vehicle had a higher market price than its gas alternative, which causes several cost factors to increase including depreciation, finance, opportunity costs and fees and taxes. The 2012 study also shows that diesels typically have slightly higher insurance, repair and maintenance costs."
Purchasing a diesel car, truck or SUV can be a great way to save fuel, especially if you do most of your driving on the highway. As you do your shopping, however, make sure you factor in the added costs of owning a diesel to get a full picture of how the diesel vehicle will fit into your budget.

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Volkswagen Will Alter Diesel Models to Avoid Misfueling

2012 Volkswagen Golf / Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

Volkswagen is retrofitting about 260,000 diesel models in North America with a special fuel filler neck cap to help keep owners of diesel-powered models from accidently refueling with regular gasoline. The cap will shrink the diameter of the fuel neck and thus prevent gasoline pump nozzles from fitting into the fuel neck of a diesel vehicle. Automotive News (subscription required) learned of the service action through a memo that was sent to Volkswagen dealers.
The service action applies to TDI-equipped Jetta, Golf and Jetta SportWagen models from the 2009 to 2012 model years. About 210,000 models in the United States and 52,000 models in Canada are affected. Affected owners will receive notification of the service action starting May 28.
The dealer memo states that as diesel vehicles have become more prevalent, there have been more incidences of accidental refueling with gasoline, according to Automotive News. The publication says that all 2013 and newer diesel VW models are already equipped with the new diesel-only fuel neck cap. The retrofit for the affected models will be performed free of charge.
The Chicago Tribune says, “Gasoline in a diesel engine will stall the car and cause all sorts of problems, the biggest of which is that it voids the warranty.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation and then an engineering analysis into Volkswagen’s diesel models for failed fuel pumps, according to Kicking Tires. The publication says that many of the complaints NHTSA received involved gasoline in the fuel tank of a diesel vehicle.
Kicking Tires says that more information can be obtained by calling Volkswagen at (800) 822-8987.

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Wheels Could Fall off Some Cadillac SRX SUVs

Image courtesy of General Motors.

“Drive it until the wheels fall off.” This is probably not what General Motors had in mind for its Cadillac SRX SUV. The automaker is recalling almost 19,000 SRX crossovers in the U.S. from the 2013 model year with 18-inch wheels because their wheel nuts might not be tightened sufficiently, which could cause the wheels to fall off, the Associated Press reports.
Reuters writes, “GM said on Wednesday it knows of no crashes or injuries due to the issue and that no wheels have separated from the sport utility vehicles built on car-based platforms.”
According to The Detroit News, drivers might hear “creaking, rattling or grinding noises from the wheels or steering vibrations” due to the loose wheel nut problem. The automaker will contact owners of affected 2013 Cadillac SRX crossovers starting early next month, and dealers will rotate the vehicle’s tires and properly install and tighten the lug nuts free of charge.

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It's on a Boat: The Refreshed 2014 Hyundai Equus

John Krafcik and the 2014 Hyundai Equus/Copyright USN

Sixty-one heavily refreshed 2014 Hyundai Equus sedans are currently en-route to the U.S., but Hyundai Motor America President and CEO John Krafcik says that they’re not exactly where he’d like them to be. All of them are on the Morning Spruce, a cargo ship that's stuck near the Kamchatka Peninsula on the far east coast of Russia with a blown motor.
The Equus makes up a small percentage of Hyundai vehicle sales, but there are other models on the ship, which puts a strain on Hyundai’s already-tight supply. “We’re just tapped out from a local production standpoint; we make about 60 to 70 percent of the cars that we sell in the U.S.,” says Krafcik. U.S.-built Hyundai models include the Elantra, Santa Fe and Sonata, and Krafcik says that its Alabama plant is the third-highest-producing plant in the country, churning out more cars than competing General Motors, Ford and Chrysler plants. “We cannot get a single car, which is very frustrating when a boat loses an engine off of the Kamchatka Peninsula.”

2014 Hyundai Equus Center Stack/Copyright USN

While Hyundai is figuring out a way to get its stranded vehicles to the U.S., the automaker brought a pre-production version of the 2014 Equus to our office to showcase some of its capabilities. Krafcik says that the new Equus has a number of updates compared with the 2013 model, including an interior that’s almost completely redesigned. New features include motorized self-closing doors, a 9.2-inch center screen for the infotainment system, a TFT display for vehicle gauges and two rear-seat 9.2-inch displays. “I think when you add all the screen dimensions up we may have more screen than any car in the industry,” says Krafcik. “I’m almost positive of this.”
From a performance standpoint, the Equus’ suspension has also been re-tuned in an effort to provide a ride that’s both sportier and more comfortable. A snow mode for winter driving is also new, along with a smart cruise control system that can bring the Equus to a full stop if necessary. Krafcik says, “You’re going to see that technology trickling down to a lot of our cars in the near future.”  

2014 Hyundai Equus Rear Armrest/Copyright USN

When asked if the Equus’ updates will boost consumer perception of car buyers coming over from luxury brands, Krafcik says that the Equus buyer likes “the idea that it’s not a Mercedes or BMW, but the car still has to pass muster from a feature and content standpoint for them to consider it.” He tells us that Equus buyers are quite similar to the original Lexus buyers from the late 1980’s, and that aside from the Hyundai Genesis, the Lexus LS is the number one trade-in vehicle of Equus buyers (followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class).
Many automotive journalists suspect that a Hyundai badge isn’t prestigious enough to attract a luxury buyer. Hyundai has sold 1,075 Equus models so far this year. In comparison, Mercedes has sold 4,180 S-Class sedans, while BMW has sold 3,209 7-Series models. We asked Krafcik about the advantages of selling a super luxury car from a mainstream brand. “When we thought really deeply and in a really big way about it, the thought was, this is better for the company if our very best cars have Hyundai logos on them, and think of the confidence that inspires in the owner of every Hyundai.”

2014 Hyundai Equus/Copyright USN

Hyundai’s CEO says that it’s a challenging time for the automaker. “If the market’s going to grow 10 percent or 15 percent this year, we can’t. We’ll be lucky to grow 5 percent if we can eek out a little bit more production here and there.” Tight supply often means higher prices, but Krafcik says that the automaker has coped with the demand with lower incentives. “It’s not our style to raise prices. It is our style to have a very low incentive level. In fact, for the last couple of years, we’ve had the lowest incentive level in the industry by quite a margin.”
As a result, Krafcik says that Hyundai vehicles now have the second or third highest residual values in the industry. “We talk a lot about transitioning Hyundai from a value brand to a valuable brand. A brand you want because you love the design; yes it has a great value proposition and the car’s also going to have a high asset value in future years.” Hyundai didn’t make Kelley Blue Book’s 2013 list of Best Resale Value Awards. However, TrueCar and ALG ranked Hyundai as having the second-highest residual value across mainstream automotive brands, right behind Honda. Additionally, ALG reports that the Hyundai Azera, Elantra and Santa Fe Sport each offer the best resale value within their respective segments.

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Automobile Magazine Releases 2013 All-Stars

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is an Automobile Magazine All-Star. Photo Courtesy Chevrolet

Automobile Magazine released its 2013 All-Stars list today. The magazine calls the 11 cars on the list "the Best Cars in America."
According to Automobile, to be eligible for the All-Star honor, a car, SUV or truck must be on sale in America when the magazine does its fall testing. The current Automobile Car of the Year, the Tesla Model S, is ineligible for the All-Star list. Automobile also says it usually excludes exotic cars from the awards, which for 2013 were voted on by 16 Automobile Magazine editors and contributors. Forty-four models from 25 brands were tested for the All-Star list. The magazine didn't elaborate on what the criteria for judging is, beyond writing, "We bring no score sheets, just open minds and a desire to recognize the best and most significant vehicles."
Of the 11 All-Stars, four are sports cars. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Porsche Boxster, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S all made the list, with Automobile writing, "This is the golden age of sports cars." The winners, it adds, "are part of a wave of high-performance sportsters that are coming from automakers in every country, as high performance has become an accepted approach to marketing and selling significant numbers of street cars."
For the more practical-minded, the Honda Accord, Ford Focus, Mazda CX-5 and Ram 1500 also made the All-Star list. The Audi A7 and BMW 3-Series make up the luxury names on the list, and the Volkswagen GTI balances utility with better performance than the typical small car.
Any time automotive awards are released, debate follows. However, many of the cars on this year's All-Star list are unlikely to generate much controversy. The Ford Focus, BMW 3-Series, Porsche Boxster, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Accord, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are not only on Automobile Magazine's All-Star list, but were also named to Car and Driver's 2013 10Best list.
Our rankings take the awards a car wins into account. In addition to the Automobile All-Star list, the awards that impact our scoring include the North American Car and Truck of the Year, Automobile's Car of the Year, Car and Driver's 10Best, Motor Trend Car of the Year, Edmund's Editors Most Wanted, Consumer Guide Best Buy and Consumer Reports Recommendation. When a car wins one of these awards or is recommended by a publication, it gets a bump in its Critic's Rating score. Read more about how U.S. News ranks cars.

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Production of 2014 Jeep Cherokee Delayed

Photo Courtesy of Chrysler Group

Chrysler Group confirmed with the Detroit Free Press on Thursday that the launch of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee has been pushed back a month. However, shoppers should still expect to see the Cherokee in dealer showrooms by the fall.
Mark Chernoby, Chrysler Group’s senior vice president of engineering, tells the Detroit Free Press that the delay is caused by a list of problems that are associated with producing new vehicles. “Manufacturing the Cherokee is more complex than most new models because it is designed on an underbody adapted from Fiat, Chrysler’s majority owner,” Chernoby says. “The Cherokee also is the first Chrysler vehicle to feature a nine-speed transmission developed with German supplier ZF Group.”
Left Lane News reports, “Each of the Detroit Three have been placing an increased emphasis on quality control measures late in the development process in order to ensure smooth new product launches.” For example, Ford has started to reassess its launch process due to problems after introducing the redesigned Ford Escape and Lincoln MKZ. In addition, General Motors has delayed the introduction of its all-new full-size SUVs to catch any quality concerns.
Automotive.com says that the setback could negatively affect Chrysler Group’s earnings. The automaker had a rocky start in the first quarter, with profits that declined 65 percent from the previous year, according to Automotive.com. This was reportedly due in part to Chrysler Group discontinuing sales of the Jeep Liberty.

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Redesigned 2014 Mercedes S-Class Revealed

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the redesigned 2014 S-Class sedan Wednesday at a press event in Hamburg, Germany. “Stylistically, the S-class is more evolutionary than revolutionary,” writes Autoweek. “It shows obvious heritage in many places, but the surfacing treatment is contemporary enough to give it a modern appeal.”
The automaker seems confident that the 2014 S-Class will stack up well against competing super luxury cars. "Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, in a press release. “No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class."

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The new S-Class will be available in S550, S550 4MATIC and high-performance S63 AMG models when it hits showroom floors in September. The 2014 S550 will have 26 more horsepower than the outgoing 2013 model, thanks to a revamped twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 455 horsepower. A seven-speed automatic transmission will also come standard. Mercedes says that the redesigned S550 will have a top speed of 130 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 4.8 seconds. A new Magic Body Control suspension system will be optional on the 2014 S-Class, which anticipates road conditions and adjusts the suspension by using cameras to scan the road ahead.
Kicking Tires reports that the 2014 S550 will offer an updated infotainment system, new heated seats with massage, four-zone climate control and an available Burmester stereo system. On the safety front, the redesigned S-Class will offer an updated Pre-Safe collision system, which can automatically stop the S-Class at speeds up to 31 mph if a pedestrian is detected. Rear seatbelt air bags will also be available to reduce the risk of ribcage injuries if a collision occurs.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes hasn’t announced pricing for the 2014 S550 yet, but the current 2013 S550 starts at $95,000, plus a $905 destination charge. The automaker says that the average S-Class buyer is 61 years old with an annual income of $371,000.

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Only Two Compact SUVs Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus Designation

The 2014 Subaru Forester earned the highest score in the IIHS' small overlap frontal crash test. Image courtesy IIHS.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluated compact SUVs in its latest round of crash testing, and only two of the 13 models tested were named Top Safety Pick Plus vehicles. The IIHS put the vehicles through a moderate front overlap crash test, a side crash test, a rear crash test and a roof strength test, as well as its new small overlap frontal crash test, which is designed to see how well a vehicle performs in front-impact crash tests where the front corner of the vehicle hits an object. The crash test simulates the vehicle hitting a tree or pole, by sending them at 40 mph toward a 5-foot-tall solid barrier.
The 2014 Subaru Forester earned the top rating of Good in the small overlap crash test, and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport earned the second best rating of Acceptable. The other 11 models earned either a score of Marginal or Poor in the small overlap test.
“This is not the first time that the Forester has stood out in a new IIHS crash test,” the IIHS says in a statement. “When the Institute first rated small SUVs for side protection in 2003, the Subaru model performed the best and was one of only two to earn good ratings.”
The 2013 Nissan Rogue and Jeep Patriot performed the worst in the small overlap frontal crash test. “… the front pillar of the Nissan Rogue's door frame was pushed far inside the occupant compartment and after the crash was almost touching the driver seat,” the IIHS says. “The Jeep Patriot was among the worst for restraints and kinematics. The dummy's head slid off the frontal airbag as the steering wheel moved 8 inches up and nearly 6 inches to the right. The side curtain airbag didn't deploy, and the safety belt allowed the dummy's head and torso to move too far forward.”
To date, the IIHS has tested affordable and upscale midsize cars, as well as this latest round of compact SUVs. A vehicle is named a Top Safety Pick Plus if it earns the top score of Good in moderate overlap front, side, rear and rollover tests, and earns either a Good or Acceptable score in the small overlap frontal test. A total of 20 vehicles have earned the highest Top Safety Pick Plus award so far.

The 2013 Nissan Rogue was one of the worst performers in the small overlap frontal crash test. Image courtesy IIHS.

Among the recent compact SUV test group, IIHS Top Safety Pick awards were given to the BMW X1, Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan. To earn a Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must earn the top score of Good in moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear tests. The Toyota RAV4 is also a Top Safety Pick, but did not go through the small overlap frontal test yet. “Toyota asked for the delay so it could make changes to the RAV4 to improve performance in the test,” the IIHS says.

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2014 Acura ILX Gets More Standard Features, Higher Price

Photo courtesy of Acura

The Acura ILX, which was all-new for 2013, is getting more standard features, improved interior materials and a $1,000 price bump for the 2014 model year.
Updates include new wheels, new leatherette door liners and new leather seating upholstery. The 2014 ILX also gains an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats and a multi-angle backup camera as standard equipment, according to a press release. Other standard upgrades include a new stereo subwoofer and an active noise cancellation system. The $1,000 price increase raises the ILX’s base price to $26,900.
Autoblog notes that Acura is upgrading the ILX just one year after its release, mirroring the refresh of the 2013 Honda Civic after being fully redesigned for 2012. The publication speculates that part of the motivation for upgrading the ILX was that with the upgrades performed on the Civic for 2013, there wasn’t enough in the way of features or luxury content to distinguish the ILX from the Civic.

Photo courtesy of Acura

USA Today is disappointed that the updates don’t go farther. Specifically, they would like to see the inclusion of an automatic transmission option with the larger engine available in the ILX. The ILX comes standard with a 150-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The larger engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower, which is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
The ILX competes with other upscale small cars including the $24,200 2013 Volkswagen GTI, $23,080 2013 Buick Verano and $27,270 2013 Audi A3. While the GTI and Verano’s prices undercut the 2014 ILX’s price, neither comes with as many standard features. For example, the Verano comes standard with a backup camera, but both it and the GTI offer leather seats only as an option.

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NEMPA/MIT Conference Looks at Fuel Economy and Vehicle Weight

The challenge of balancing vehicle weight with fuel economy was the central topic at a New England Motor Press Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology conference last Thursday. Panelists representing auto manufacturers, academia and government affairs spoke about the impact of increased fuel economy standards on new car construction, materials and price.

The Cadillac ATS uses aluminum to save weight and fuel. Graphic courtesy of General Motors.

Over the past 30 years, cars have become heavier. A 1983 Honda Accord has a curb weight of 2,300 pounds. The 2013 LX sedan model with an automatic transmission weighs 3,254 pounds. The growth in vehicle weight comes as a result of demand for larger cars with more entertainment and safety equipment.
While everyone likes a safe, comfortable car, automakers are facing the fact that increasing vehicle weight decreases fuel economy. In 2012, the federal government mandated that all automakers must reach a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard of 54.5 mpg for cars and light trucks by 2025. That means that the average fuel economy for all cars and light trucks that an automaker sells must be54.5 mpg or more. Automakers must now find a way to meet the fuel economy standards while still building safe cars that have the features consumers expect at a price they can afford.
Dave Leone, executive chief engineer, GM Global Performance Luxury Cars, said that while General Motors and other automakers are working to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy, the result is that vehicle costs are rising. He pointed out that roughly 4 percent of the new car market is made up of hybrid and electric car sales, on which most car companies lose money. "We can afford to do that because of [profit] margins on other products," he said. However, shrinking profit margins on all cars means that prices will rise. "Cost will go up," as a result of higher fuel economy standards, he added.
Mike Stanton, president and CEO of Global Automakers, an industry lobbying group, agreed, but pointed out that the increased fuel economy standards would lower total ownership costs. "The initial purchase price is growing, but the total cost of ownership is going down, particularly as cars last longer," he said. His concern is that with higher purchase prices, not all consumers would be able to qualify for new car financing, since car loans don't take total ownership costs into account.
Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, general manager, Volvo Monitoring & Concept Center, U.S., said that Volvo is working to reduce its costs by creating interchangeable platforms for its entire model line. By reusing engines and platforms for different models, Volvo says it will be able to reduce research and development costs and pass those savings on to consumers.
While automakers are working with lighter materials, such as aluminum and carbon fiber, and saving research dollars, they are also developing alternative fuel powertrains to help meet the vehicle standards. Professor Tomasz Wierzbicki, director of MIT's Impact and Crashworthiness Lab, said that the new fuel economy standards are "ambitious, but achievable." Two major factors in helping automakers reach the new CAFE standards, he said, are hybrid and electric cars. However, he pointed out that battery technology can be quite heavy and brings additional safety concerns. Today's lithium-ion batteries, he said, need to be able to "accept more abuse." He said that because there has been no "spectacular accident" in an electric car, the battery industry has been slow to build batteries that can handle being in a crash with little risk for short circuit or fire.
The panelists agreed that meeting the new CAFE standards is possible.  However, the new technology and materials needed to build lightweight, fuel-efficient cars that are safe, will cost more, and those costs will be passed on to consumers. The panel estimated that the new CAFE standards will result in new car price increases of anywhere from $1,800 to $4,000 per model. However, they also agreed that the long-term savings in fuel and other ownership costs should help consumers offset the higher sticker price.

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Chrysler Recalls More Than 300,000 Jeep and Ram Vehicles in U.S.

Photo Courtesy of Chrysler

Chrysler is recalling about 295,000 Jeep Commanders and Grand Cherokees in the United States for software issues that affect the transmission, as well as approximately 5,330 Jeep Wranglers to install a dust shield and 498 Ram 1500s for windshield defrosting and defogging problems.
The largest recall concerns 2006-2009 Jeep Commanders and 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees. A software error means the transmission could shift from park into neutral when the driver starts up the vehicle. This could allow the car to roll away and cause a crash. Chrysler dealerships will perform a software update to fix the issue.
Eric Mayne, a Chrysler spokesman, told The New York Times that 26 accidents and two injuries have occurred due to the transmission fault. Chrysler also told The New York Times that they first learned of the issue about 16 months ago when a customer complained about their Grand Cherokee with remote start suddenly shifted into neutral. Chrysler finished testing the new software to fix this issue in March.
Chrysler is also recalling 2013 model-year Ram 1500 models to replace components related to the coolant system that may have become corroded, resulting in limited visibility for the driver. This fix will help ensure that the windshields will defrost and defog correctly. NBC News reports that a third of these trucks are still on dealer lots.
The recall of approximately 5,330 Jeep Wranglers will only affect those 2008 to 2012 models with right-hand drive. Chrysler says the affected Wranglers are primarily used to deliver mail in rural parts of the country. The new dust shields will prevent dust getting into parts of the vehicle that could risk airbag deployment.
Chrysler will notify customers that have any of the vehicles mentioned, but those who think this recall affects their vehicle can call 1-800-853-1403 or contact your dealer.

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Technology Boosting Both Fuel Economy and Horsepower

2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (Photo courtesy of Ford)

With concerns about greenhouse gases, importing foreign oil and the government’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirement of 54.5 mpg looming, fuel economy is getting unprecedented attention from automakers and consumers. It may seem surprising, then, that while fuel economy is rising, so is the horsepower rating of many cars.
Paul Eisenstein of The Detroit Bureau noticed this phenomenon last month at the New York International Auto Show. He noted that alongside hybrid models such as the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid and Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid stood cars like the 500-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and 950-horsepower Ferrari LaFerrari.
Eisenstein credits the rise in horsepower and fuel economy to “powertrain breakthroughs such as eight- and nine-speed gearboxes, direct injection and turbocharging.”
One example that shows how technology is giving us the best of both worlds is the Ford Mustang. The 2010 V6 Mustang has 210 horsepower and achieves an EPA-estimated 16/24 mpg city/highway with an automatic transmission. The V8-powered GT has 315 horsepower and achieves 17/23 mpg city/highway. The Shelby GT500 has 540 horsepower and gets 14/22 mpg city/highway. For 2013, horsepower and fuel economy on all models have increased. The V6 model has 305 horsepower and achieves 19/31 mpg city/highway with an automatic transmission, while the GT has 420 horsepower and gets 18/25 mpg. The GT500 has 662 horsepower and gets 15/24 mpg city/highway.

2013 Hyundai Sonata (Photo courtesy of Hyundai)

The technology that is allowing for more power and better fuel economy isn't just limited to muscle cars, though. From 2010 to 2013, the base Hyundai Sonata with an automatic transmission jumped from 175 horsepower and 22/33 mpg city/highway to 198 horsepower and 24/35 mpg. The 2010 V6-powered Sonata has 249 horsepower and achieves 19/29 mpg city/highway. Hyundai redesigned the Sonata in 2011, and in the process, dropped the V6 option in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The current Sonata Turbo has 274 horsepower and achieves 22/34 mpg city/highway.
The BMW 3-Series also follows this trend. The 2010 BMW 335i, with a turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine has 300 horsepower and achieves an EPA-estimated 17/26 mpg city/highway. The 2013 model has the same engine and horsepower, but with two extra speeds in its automatic transmission, achieves 23/33 mpg city/highway.
“The good news,” according to Eisenstein, is that today’s cars are “both faster and more powerful than ever while still meeting tougher emissions and mileage mandates.” Better fuel economy, of course, also saves owners money at the pump.

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BMW, General Motors and Toyota Issue Recalls

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

BMW is recalling 42,080 3-Series models for a potential issue with the front airbag on the passenger side. The recall affects 2002-03 3-Series convertibles, coupes, sedans and wagons, as well as M3 coupes and convertibles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the airbag “may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the airbag.” In the event of a collision, metal fragments from the inflator could strike vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of serious injury.
BMW will notify owners of affected 3-Series vehicles in May, though replacement parts aren’t expected to be available until July. When parts are available, BMW will follow up with owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag at no charge. If you think your 3-Series is affected, you can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Photo courtesy of General Motors

A faulty hybrid charging system has prompted General Motors to recall a total of 42,904 vehicles. NHTSA says that the Generator Control Module (GCM) in 2012-13 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco sedans may malfunction, which “could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.” If the condition is ignored, the vehicle could stall, fail to start or a fire could occur in the vehicle’s trunk.
GM will contact owners of affected vehicles, who can have the GCM tested and replaced (if necessary) by dealers at no charge. If you have questions about the recall, you can contact GM at 1-800-521-7300 and mention recall campaign number 13136.

Photo courtesy of Toyota

Auxiliary driving lights that don’t comply with government safety standards have prompted Toyota to recall 11,489 FJ Cruiser SUVs from 2007-13 model years. NHTSA says that when the driving lights are used in conjunction with the headlights, the FJ Cruiser surpasses “the maximum light output allowed for an upper beam headlamp.” As a consequence, the driving lights may cause too much glare for approaching traffic, which could increase the chance of a collision.
Toyota will start contacting FJ Cruiser owners in late May, and dealers will rectify the issue by replacing the 55-watt driving lamp bulbs with 35-watt bulbs at no charge. If you own an FJ Cruiser, you can contact Toyota directly at 1-800-331-4331

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The Best New Car Deals in May

The 2013 VW Passat has a sign then drive lease deal this month. Image courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.

If you plan on buying or leasing a new vehicle this month, we’ve tracked down lots of great car deals that can help you save money. We found interest-free financing, low interest rates, thousands of dollars in cash back rebates, low monthly payment leases and lease deals that don’t require a down payment. Automakers had strong new car sales last month, and these May car deals should help keep the sales momentum going.
Lease Deals
Check out May lease offers from Kia, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru and Toyota if you want a lease deal with low monthly payments. These brands have lease offers with payments ranging from about $100 to $300 a month when you put several thousand dollars down. For example, the 2013 Ford Focus can be leased for $99 a month for two years with $3,543 due at signing in some areas. The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is available for $149 a month for three years with a $2,469 down payment. The redesigned 2014 Mazda6 can be leased for $219 to $229 a month for three years with about $2,000 due at signing, depending where you live.
If you don’t want to make a down payment, there are quite a few zero-down lease deals available this May. Keep in mind that these lease offers generally have higher monthly payments. No money down leases can be found at Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan and Acura dealerships this month. The 2013 Volkswagen Passat is available for $249 a month for 39 months. The 2013 Honda Fit can be leased for $220 a month for three years and Acura’s 2013 RDX is $420 a month, also for three years. In addition, the 2013 Nissan Sentra is available for $229 a month for three years this May.
Purchase Deals
Are you planning on financing a new vehicle in May? Take a look at the interest rates available at Subaru, Ford, Mazda, Dodge, Chrysler, GM and Hyundai dealerships if you’re looking to finance your new vehicle with a low- or no-interest car loan. The 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan can be purchased with zero percent financing for up to five years plus up to $1,000 cash allowance, or shoppers can take up to $2,500 cash allowance. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra has interest-free financing for five years, or 0.9 percent for six years. Truck shoppers can save money on the 2013 Nissan Titan and GMC Sierra 1500 by taking advantage of zero percent financing or $2,500 cash on the Sierra and $3,500 cash on the Titan.

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Could Ford Overtake Toyota in Total Hybrid Sales?

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Since the early 2000s, Toyota has dominated the hybrid vehicle market, with a 71 percent market share last year, according to The Detroit News. However in the last year, Ford has introduced the all-new C-Max along with an electric version of the redesigned Ford Fusion, the Fusion Energi.
The Detroit News says Ford Fusion hybrid sales (not including the Fusion Energi) beat out sales of the Toyota Camry hybrid in April. In particular, Fusion sales are high in the Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Chicago markets.
In April, the Toyota Prius’ sales dropped 21 percent and the Camry’s dropped 26 percent compared to April of 2012, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Ford has already surpassed General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Kia in total hybrid sales.
The Detroit News says Toyota’s 71 percent of the hybrid market has already dropped to 58 percent this year. However, Ford still has a long way to go to catch up. Ford’s market share is at 18 percent, which is a 3 percent increase from where they were a year ago.
Erich Merkle, U.S. sales analyst for Ford Motor Company, tells Bloomberg that Ford sold 8,841 hybrid vehicles in April, and totals 29,561 hybrids sold for this year. Ford’s hybrid sales for 2010 totaled 35,496. Merkle added, “We’re turning, conquesting and growing our sales the fastest in the largest hybrid markets in the country.”
Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America, told the Detroit Free Press last month that lower gas prices have had a negative impact on Toyota's hybrid sales. Originally, Toyota had forecasted 250,000 U.S. hybrid sales for 2013, but analysts have been speculating that Toyota may drop their forecasted number.

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Are Car Radios on the Way Out?

Photo courtesy of General Motors.

If you remember when cars came with eight-track or cassette players, you know that technology has had an impact on how you listen to music in your car. Tape decks gave way to compact disc players, and now, many drivers listen to music through their smartphones or MP3 players. Radios have been available in cars since 1930, according to Car and Driver, and unlike these newer audio technologies, AM/FM radio has endured through the audio technology changes of the past 80 years.
That may be changing, however. The Detroit News recently spoke with Thilo Koslowski, a vice president at research firm Gartner Inc., who says that “AM and FM as a delivering mechanism isn't going to be the most important in cars anymore.” An increasing number of smartphones, along with in-vehicle Internet connectivity, mean that more and more music listeners will stream music through a mobile device or infotainment system rather than an AM/FM radio. “By 2020, I feel very confident that many consumers will consume radio content through avenues other than terrestrial broadcast,” Koslowski says.
Satellite radio has played a role in the shift away from AM/FM. Many new cars are available with satellite radio, and most automakers include free trial subscriptions with a new vehicle purchase. Marketplace says, “Half of listeners coming off of a trial subscription stay on to become paid subscribers.” Additionally, many of these customers are vehicle buyers. Marketplace also writes that Internet radio services like Pandora and Spotify have gained traction as in-vehicle music platforms.
However, some experts say that AM/FM radio will endure. Strategy Analytics Senior Analyst John Canali, who focuses on automotive multimedia, tells The Detroit News, “You don’t want to alienate customers.”
In further defense of AM/FM radio, Autoblog says that “current technology doesn't produce a reliable high-speed cell signal everywhere, whereas AM and FM signals are largely reliable over vast distances.”
What do you think? Do you still primarily use your car’s AM/FM tuner, or do you stream music through your car’s infotainment system or another source?

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Nissan Drops Prices to Boost Web Searches

Nissan Murano - Image courtesy of Nissan.

Nissan has lowered the price on seven models in its U.S. lineup to increase sales, despite reporting a double-digit sales gain last month.
“Nissan is hoping that the change will help the cars and SUVs show up more prominently on shopper search websites such as AutoTrader, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book,” the Los Angeles Times reports. The automaker is hoping to become “more price competitive for online shoppers.”
Kicking Tires says that consumers will see lower prices starting tomorrow on the Nissan Sentra, Altima, Murano, Rogue, Maxima, Armada and Juke. Prices will reportedly drop about 3 to 11 percent, depending on the vehicle. “The sticker reductions vary by model and, in some cases, trim level and will be applied to new vehicles, including those already in dealer inventory.”

Nissan Altima - U.S. News and World Report

Buyers can expect savings of about $580 on the Altima to about $4,400 on the Armada, Automotive News reports. The publication notes that in 2012, Nissan North America saw a decline in market share in the U.S. “for the first time since 2006.” Total 2012 Nissan North America sales were up 9.5 percent over 2011, though. By lowering the prices on its high-volume models, Nissan hopes to show up more often in online price category searches, where consumers can narrow down vehicles by price bracket. “Such screens can leave models off the consideration list because of a few dollars difference in MSRP,” Automotive News writes.
Nissan North America saw a sales increase of 23 percent last month compared with April 2012, with the Nissan brand selling 25 percent more vehicles and the Infiniti luxury brand experiencing a 10 percent jump. So far this year, Nissan North America’s sales are up 3 percent over last year.

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2013 Toyota RAV4 Named IIHS Top Safety Pick

U.S. News and World Report

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the redesigned 2013 Toyota RAV4 a Top Safety Pick Tuesday. The 2013 RAV4 joins the ranks of other affordable compact SUVs that have won the award, including the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.
The redesigned RAV4 earned the institute’s top score of Good in moderate overlap front, side impact and rear crash tests, as well as roof strength tests. Motor Trend points out that since the 2013 RAV4 “was not tested in the new small overlap front test, the car isn’t eligible for the Top Safety Pick + designation.” So far, the only SUV to earn a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS is the Volvo XC60.
The new RAV4 earns better safety ratings from the IIHS than the 2012 model. The IIHS reports that the 2013 RAV4 “withstood a force equal to 5 times the SUV's weight.” The 2012 RAV4 earned an Acceptable rating in roof strength tests, withstanding 3.46 times its weight in roof strength tests.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the redesigned 2013 RAV4 an overall score of four out of five stars, which is comprised of a four-star rating in rollover and front crash tests, and a five-star rating in side crash tests.

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How to turn your old worn-out car in the car donation is tax deductible

If you are considering a charity car donation, I will describe some of the details that you should know. You can get a great IRS tax deduction for your old car or used vehicle and to support someone wants to strategy. It's called car donation or charity car donation when you give to charity car - car, automobile, truck, ATV, RV, airplane or other vehicle, which may or may not be in working order. Within the U.S. for charity car donations to provide a large tax benefit to the donor and quickly gaining recognition. The very first task you need to learn any charity you take into account. If you have a specific charity in mind vehicle donation do some research about it, especially if you are not sure how reputable charity. There are many national and close to the charities that advertise in newspapers or on television and openly declare they are trying to find a car donations. You've probably noticed a few of these, but they are the best choice for you? Often, charities used car donations themselves everyday to charity - often carried by people. Maybe they could use it to transport people should visit a doctor, social worker appointments, tests, hospitals, and so on. Much more common, even though the vehicles are likely to be sold at auction or outside the car lot to raise money for charity programs of their initial fund. Yes, it is not representative of the knowledge that many charities have their own car lots. Many Goodwill stores have their own industry. Many men and women do not want to donate used and unwanted cars, so that you can help other people. If you buy a brand new car or own a car that is not in use, it is possible to think that donating a car, truck or other vehicle. You can also donate boats, RVs, ATVs, aircraft, and other vehicles, or even real estate, depending on what the charity will accept. Tax-deductible donation to help you and the organization that you donated a car. Day in and out, charitable organizations providing services and appropriate assistance to people in different parts of the country. Although some may possibly get government grants or private donations, this is by no means enough to take care of the many reasons they are pursuing. Charity car donations is designed for part of the charity's price range. These car donation can make the difference between the different services they can offer. So should you donate your car to help organizations to continue to In short, an automatic donation to buy old cars for donors and donating them to charity. You'll find the car donation companies, which are mediators or hyperlinks between donors, people who have benefited from these donations. They are a great help in funding charities. Some companies also support organizations that do not have their own charitable programs. Car donation companies can auction the donated car or any other car on the market and give the money to charity, or can be used as a vehicle to charity or sold at a used car lot. When you give your car to charity you can receive voluntary donations to the IRS tax receipt. Car donation then produced a reputable and genuine charities are tax-deductible. The IRS allows the donor to claim a tax deduction the taxpayer an estimated value of the vehicle up to $ 500. The sensor car or the car must have a title, so make sure you have it ready when you begin the procedure. Make sure to ask for charity dealing with car donations - has its own system of charitable car donation or pay for an external company to complete it. If a non-profit organization dealing with the car or the car donations, find out how much money the charity receives from the sale and how much you are visiting for-profit companies. You can view system car donation in almost every major city in every state in the United States, such as California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Michigan. You will find no laws stopping charities to accept such donations. Some charity car donation you can see are: Target, Purple Heart, Kidney Foundation, Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, and various types of cancer organizations. In any situation, you can tremendously benefit from the charity car donation, as well as claiming a large car donation tax deduction, or benefit from, and to help charitable organizations continue so that they can support individuals in need.

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Techniques of how to donate car for tax deduction.

All donations are tax deductible legally, must comply with the IRS. Smart people make to provide a vehicle for tax depreciation. From a survey conducted in 2001, and 733,000 taxpayers could hold 654 million dollars in taxes.




The most important factor to release tax credits would ensure necessary documentation is completed. When you donate a car, get a receipt. Without this confirmation, you will not be entitled to a tax deduction.
 When you donate a car, the car is considered to estimate its sale value. It is really an exception to significantly increase the value of tax depreciation. This is the way the body uses your vehicle. If it happens that the car is used for the function of tax approved by charity, so it is possible to affirm the value of total market revenue vehicles.

 Car donation scams happen to be identified to exist. Take time to look at where you are going to prepare for the establishment of a donation as substantial.

 When you donate always take a picture with your request to back to the IRS. Large objects can also be arranged for you. When you give always request a receipt from any employee of the charity. To estimate the value of the items supplied. Check all elements that have a value of at least 25% of its original
 worth. Make sure the amount received will be the same amount of the grant. Keep the donation receipt and images, as well as tax revenues for evidence of tax cuts.

 It is much better to have all paperwork completed on the same day you donate your car. Just wait a few months before the collection of necessary documents to donate vehicles to leave tax debts can cause a loss of opportunity lost documents and thus get a tax deduction.

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The benefits of donating a car for tax deduction.

 

 Because a lot of people using this deduction harmful way the IRS still has to create change. The unit can not blame the IRS too, when you hear the testimonies of people who communicate about '98 Chevy Celebrity for $ 10,000 in tax returns. The latest guidelines tend to be much more complicated, which makes the car lender can not be aware of a certain amount of deduction to make a car donation.

 Under the new program, not about the car is estimated at $ 500 does not have anything to worry about, the IRS requires at least almost no questions to make sure you have the right documents you provided charytatywny car. If the vehicle exceeds $ 500, it will be tough.

 Deduction of more than $ 500 is now on the value of the car, and the use of the crush was the result. For example, if you take a car worth $ 2,000 for the charity Kidney Car usually immediately sell it for $ 1,500, then this may be the maximum tax credit. The charity must notify within 30 days of purchase and make sure that you really just need to give tax filing.

 But in the case of charitable uses exactly the same car for the patients and for several months before selling it for $ 1,500, he can certainly ask for a cost of $ 2,000 per return. Thus, a love that car more tools that are not fully reflected in the sale price.

 New tax has at least a few recipients. If you have a very low cost car ($ 500), which can often say that the minimum contribution amount. To illustrate love transforms payments and offering a $ 400 vehicle, usually you may still declare $ 500 when filing a tax return, and there is no problem.

 As with any donation receipt tends to break down, do not forget to watch the charity before signing with the car. If they do not really count as a non-profit organization, under the guidance of the IRS deduction, is likely to be exactly $ 0th Ask them to determine their status document nonprofit, government, or call the IRS to confirm the identity of the charity at 800-829-1040.

 When the car donation tax reduction is noted in the list and form 1040. Please note that the discount is not just an addition to the tax refund, but simply reduce the price of taxable income. For example, if a person makes $ 30,000 a year and donate a car, resulting in $ 2,000 of taxable income in the year will be $ 28,000 per year, less any more.

  Discover exactly where to make an online car donation. Understand the way to donate employed automobiles for tax reduction purposes at Cars4Causes.

Everyone has seen the ads to donate car to charity and get a good tax return at the end of the year. In the past this was true, and it was very easy to find out how much you want to improve your tax return. You used to be able to judge a book by Kelley Blue and subtract the value of trading in your car without any problems. He is no longer at present.

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Benefit Come Tax Season

  If you are among those who get the most out of each scenario happen to be like, then you should think about the benefits of giving cars to charities. If you donate a car to charity, someone can get more use out of your car or truck, even if you can not, and do it, do something extraordinary for others.

 What is wonderful is to donate cars for a good cause, that if you are looking for, Yow will discover companies that engage in car donations that can perform the work for you important. These companies also contribute to the whole process easier than it used to donations of cars, what motivates people to try to donate their cars and trucks left their cars are no longer effective or good condition.

 If you have a car that is old and you have to get rid of them think, then you should know how easy it is to your car to charity donate. There are several cases in which to consider it at the time, could donate cars. The following is a situation that you can donate your car or truck to charity thinking:

 Examine the total cost that you can take to repair your old car and a recent change. If it will cost more to fix it than it is really worth to think it may be easier for you to look at car donations to charities as an alternative for repair, you can save energy and money.

 If you are difficult to go through the entire process of selling your car to find it, then maybe it'll ease your mind if you can donate instead. When you donate your vehicle, you can still get tax benefits for your donation.

 If you have been thinking about a car donation, you can not be there the end of his love. You can also donate other types of vehicles such as vans, RVs and boats. Even if your car does not work anymore, most companies, their current status, which expects that the charity can take to help. If you look in some charity groups, some also approved the other vehicles, so you might be able to use in the garden or farm.

 If you have an old car that does not work without attention and towing loads alone probably is not worth it for you. Instead, consider donating your vehicle, you can do something good for society at the same time. When donating a car to charity, many companies charge fees associated with towing, so you need not worry about it. As an added benefit, donate your car or truck to charity can finally this piece of junk away from your garden or in your car door with the room.

 If you want to donate cars to charity, there are many details that you need to consider, such as tax benefits, the safety of your car or truck for current use and the costs of trying to maintain in its current state. However you have to take a step back and remember that your donation helps people in need.

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Car Donations That Are Tax Deductable

With the start of the New Year and tax time right around the corner you are probably looking for items that you can deduct to reduce your taxable income. Since the laws on what can be claimed vary from state to state and country to country there is a lot of confusion about what a deduction can be. In the US the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has many documents that can be use to determine what can and cannot be a deduction.

 One aspect of tax deductions that is increasing in popularity has been car and vehicle donations. A simple process that both the donor and the charity can benefit from. A perspective donor gives a vehicle to a registered charity. That charity does one of several things with it.

  They can sell off the vehicles in running order and use the proceeds to fund their organizations.

  If the vehicle is not on running order it may be repaired or sold as scrap.

 Either way the charity benefits from the donation and so do the worth while causes they support.

 It is a simple process, however, as a donor you have to determine a couple things before you can legally write off any contributions made by donating your car.

 First you have to be eligible to receive the tax deduction. This can be as simple as itemizing the deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040. However there are other limitations that you must be aware of before simply deducting the donation.

  Does the vehicle you are intending to donate qualify as a tax exempt vehicle? This is obviously important and there is a good chance that it will. Most vehicles that are legal for public roads are able to be used as a tax deductible donation. This also includes boats and planes plus some all terrain vehicles.

  The percentage you can claim. Since you are only able to claim up to 50% of your current gross yearly income you are limited if you are donating a vehicle such as a plane that can be worth thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.

  For contributions between $250 and $500 there is less information required to deduct the donation. The acknowledgement form from the charity will have to contain the following.

 o Name of the charity
 o Vehicle Description
 o Plus one of the following

 - A statement saying you never received any goods or services for your donation. Or

 - A statement provided from the charity with a description and fair market value of goods or services they may have provided to you. Or

 - If goods or services were provided in the form of non-tangible services (ex: :religious advice) this must be stated.

  For donation amounts that exceed $500 you will need to gather additional information before trying to deduct the donation amount. When you receive the written acknowledgement from the charity it must contain additional information.

 o Your name and Tax Identification Number
 o The vehicle identification number must be present.
 o The date of the vehicle donation must be included
 o One of the following must also be included with the date of the donation

 - A statement saying you never received any goods or services for your donation. Or

 - A statement provided from the charity with a description and fair market value of goods or services they may have provided to you. Or

 - If goods or services were provided in the form of non-tangible this must be stated.

 -The charity itself must have tax exempt status with the Federal Government. Most education and religious organizations are tax exempt. The IRS maintains a particle list of those organizations that have tax exempt status. Go to the IRS website and search for Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations. This will be your best place to start for determining which charities you can donate to and receive a tax write off.

 The charity itself must have tax exempt status with the Federal Government. Most education and religious organizations are tax exempt. The IRS maintains a particle list of those organizations that have tax exempt status. Go to the IRS website and search for Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations. This will be your best place to start for determining which charities you can donate to and receive a tax write off.

 By following the guidelines provided by the IRS and the charity you choose to donate to you can help out those organizations in need plus you are able to help yourself out with a tax deductible donation. Just remember to follow the rules and both parties involved will win.

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Benefit Both Donor And Charitable Organization

There is nothing better than the feeling felt, immediately after helping others. It can give you a sense of pride knowing that you served someone in need. It might be volunteering at the soup kitchen or perhaps a food drive. It can be equally as satisfying to support people by donating items such as household furniture, clothing and cars that you simply don't need. I know from experience that helping out on the weekends at different charitable events makes me feel like We are making a difference on this planet. It really is much better than spending time watching T.V. It's no surprise that car donations are turning out to be so popular today in America.

 #1 Purpose To Donate Your Vehicle To A Good Cause

 The main reason to donate your car to charity is it helps someone in need of assistance. Car donation organizations provide the proceeds of one's car sale towards the charity of your choice. Additionally, your donated car will probably be purchased by somebody who needs a car to get to work as well as to drive their children to school. It does not definitely matter if your car is older or unsightly. It's really a method of transportation that can make their life easier. They may not be able to afford buying a car or truck coming from a dealership.

 #2 Reason To Donate Your Car To A Nonprofit Charity

 I despise clichs , but donating your car on the internet is as simple as 1-2-3! In all honesty, the car donation procedure is a total of 3 steps! Before you begin to donate an auto, choose what charitable cause to donate to. There are car donation programs that support homeless and disabled Vietnam Veterans, Purple Heart Veterans, abandoned veterans, children, cancer research and animal shelters. Pick what cause may be the nearest to your heart.

 1. Complete an auto donation form online. You simply need a title and free from all liens. The web based form may also ask for the year, make, model and general condition of the car. Best of all, most nonprofit car organizations accept all type of vehicles such as trucks, vans, trailers, RVs, boats and motorcycles.
 2. Plan the absolutely free pickup of your car donation. Schedule the tow of your vehicle at any given time that is convenient for you personally. Bear in mind, towing cost nothing! Lastly, most car donation organizations acknowledge donations nationwide. Therefore it makes no difference where you reside in the United States.

 3. Donate your vehicle for a tax break. Finally, car charitable donations to nonprofit are 100% tax deductible. The towing company will then present you with an IRS tax deductible donation receipt. This is exactly what all donors will have to use when they file their tax returns. The maximum that a donor can receive for a car donation is $500.

 Bottom line: Donating Your Car Helps All In Involved

 Donating your car can eliminate the annoying hassles of selling it. If you have ever attempted to sell a car, you know what I am talking about. Due to the car donation industry, you may get rid of your vehicle and not leave your living room. Additionally, you can help someone in need of assistance. There is certainly so much to love about car donations! Be part of to make it successful!

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Luxury Car Market Hits Six-Year High

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class/Image Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Almost 400,000 new luxury vehicles were sold during the first quarter of 2013. This is the highest sales volume of luxury vehicles since 2007, Kelley Blue Book announced Thursday. In its New-Car Market Report, KBB.com says the average price luxury buyers paid for their new vehicle also increased.
Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst, automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book, says, “The luxury crossover segment improved 26.4 percent in the first quarter, thanks to new models such as the Infiniti JX and BMW X1. In addition, the recently redesigned Acura RDX helped as sales more than tripled from last year in March.”
The report also showed that Cadillac had significant gains in the first quarter. The brand had a 38-percent gain in sales over the previous year, which Kelley Blue Book attributes to the new Cadillac ATS and XTS. Cadillac says in a statement that both luxury vehicles posted their best sales month in March.
Even though Cadillac showed the largest increase in the luxury market, Mercedes-Benz still holds the largest portion of the market and had its largest first quarter sales thus far. Kelley Blue Book predicts that Mercedes-Benz has a good chance of keeping its lead because of its impending CLA-Class that will start at less than $30,000, as well as the redesigned E-Class.
According to KBB.com’s report, luxury car shoppers are paying more for a new vehicle. In March, they paid an average of $47,791, compared with $46,629 the same time a year ago. Kelley Blue Books says, “New and improved introductions combined with healthy demand have allowed manufacturers to increase both sales and prices.” All the positive growth in the luxury vehicle market means that luxury shoppers looking for a good deal may not find one.

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