Friday, 25 July 2014

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Shopping for a new Infiniti Q40?

The Basics:

In a rather unconventional move -- especially for a luxury brand -- Infiniti has opted to hold onto the old, by keeping the outgoing version of its mid-size sport sedan, formerly called the G37 Sedan, around for an extra year or two, as an entry model that will likely be popular for lease deals. And instead of calling it what it's known as, it's giving it a new badge for 2015 that fits in with the brand's new set of model names: Q40.

There's definitely a good argument for keeping the 2015 Infiniti Q40 née G37 Sedan around. While the new Q50 is a technological tour de force, and a world ahead in terms of refinement and cabin details, it's the Q40 that keeps its primary selling point: as a focused traditional sport sedan. Without much regard for interior refinement, the Q40 offers up extraordinarily well-balanced handling, nicely weighted steering, and perhaps most importantly, communicative steering -- all things that you'll find to some degree in the BMW 3-Series and Cadillac ATS, but not in such a full and proper place setting.

While those other models (and the Q50, if you count its Q50 Hybrid version) now offer fuel-efficient new powertrains, the Q40 moves forward with what it has -- that's a 328-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6, with, a seven-speed automatic transmission. The engine sounds raspy and simply isn't as smooth as most luxury-car powertrains, and the transmission feels at its best snapping off quick shifts, ordered through the paddle-shifters. Add that up with the excellent steering, dynamics, and poise, and the Q40 provides seat-of-the-pants thrills and a certain kind of driver satisfaction that's otherwise possessed only by sports cars and performance coupes.

Styling-wise, the Q40 still looks handsome and nicely proportioned; but with this version as it stands dating back to the 2007 model year, it's become a little dated in the details. Luckily, the sheetmetal was sculpted beautifully in the first place, and it's one of best, timeless designs in this class. We'd point to real sports cars as the G37 Sedan's main influence inside. With a low seating position and low center console between contoured bucket seats, with a strong beltline that wraps around to the doors, plus big, round dials in a hooded gauge cluster, the G37 sets a sporty tone that you won't forget. Top and center, a screen (and supplemental controls beneath) -- about the only interruption to the very purposeful design -- accesses audio and climate functions.

As much as you might expect the G37 sedan to feel like a luxury model--or even see it as one -- it's hard to overlook all the noise, vibration, and coarseness, from the road and from the engine, that you hear and feel in the cabin. The upgraded front seats you get in the Sport model are excellent, but back-seat space is a little tight in headroom -- due to that coupe-like roofline.

Infiniti hasn't yet fully outlined the Q40's standard-feature set, but it notes that the feature set will include leather upholstery, eight-way power heated front seats, Shodo aluminum trim, electroluminescent gauges, the Intelligent Key system, a Bluetooth hands-free interface, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Major options include a Bose Studio on Wheels system, a hard-drive-based navigation system with voice recognition, and a rear-view monitor.

The 2015 Infiniti Q40 will only be offered in four colors: Liquid Platinum, Graphite Shadow, Black Obsidian and Moonlight White.

Likes:

Great, communicative steering
Excellent handling
Strong brakes
Firm, supportive sport seats

Dislikes:

Too much road and engine noise
Unimpressive gas mileage
Lack of rear headroom
Lumpy shifts (automatic)

New Cuban Law Allows Car Purchases, But Prices Are Sky High ...

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:10 AM PDT

Cuba's 11 national car dealerships sold just 50 cars and four motorcycles in the first half of the year under a new law that removed limits on auto purchases for the first time in half a century. Cubans had welcomed the new law which removed limits on auto purchases, but many are in sticker shock at the 400-percent markup. Cuba has said it would invest 75 percent of the sales' proceeds for its public transportation system, but total sales at the country's dealerships reached just $1.28 million. A Peugeot dealership in Havana was pricing its 2013 model 206 at $91,000 when the new rules came into effect, and it wanted $262,000 for the sportier 508. Most state workers make around $20 a month. In 2011, Cuba started allowing people to buy and sell used cars from each other. Before then, only cars that were in Cuba before the 1959 revolution could be freely bought and sold, which is why there are so many U.S.-made, vintage 1950s cars on the streets.

--Reuters

IN-DEPTH:

U.S. Cubans Soften Stance on U.S.-Cuba Relations

Cuba Proposes New Law to Attract Foreign Investment

The Cuban Evolution

First published July 1 2014, 6:58 AM

Kentucky Mayor Attacks High Gas Prices by Opening City-Run ...

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 01:52 PM PDT

Right as we've lost all faith in our leaders, the folks running Somerset, Kentucky, have proved that government can actually do something good for the people it represents. In two words, here's what they have accomplished: Cheap gas!

Somerset, located about 130 miles southeast of Louisville, refurbished a shuttered municipal gas station and opened it to the public last Saturday. After complaints from some of the city's 11,000 residents about unfairly high gas prices during the summer, Mayor Ed Girdler decided to run his own station. City officials told the Associated Press that gas stations in surrounding areas have typically been charging 20 to 30 cents less per gallon and that a city-run gas station would bring more people to Somerset, which draws vacationers heading to Lake Cumberland. Almost immediately after the Somerset Fuel Center opened with a $3.36-per-gallon price, the major private gas stations a half-mile away cut prices by about 10 cents to try to match it.

The 10 pumps—all regular grade, plus one for compressed natural gas—are owned and operated by Somerset and the prices set by the mayor's office. To keep costs low, the fuel comes from a local refinery, there's no candy for sale and no bathrooms, and the 10 attendants (to handle cash) are city employees on rotation from other departments. The city spent $75,000 to upgrade the pumps and install credit-card machines, and that's it.

"We're not putting anyone out of business, we're just trying to lower prices," station manager Melody Price told us. "Everyone out here is happy."

But while drivers love it to the tune of 300 fill-ups per day, local gas station owners and petroleum groups are grumbling over the city's power play, even crying "socialism." Girdler says he doesn't care to make a profit and is charging only enough to cover costs. But there's no telling how cheap it'll stay. Unlike nearly every other state, Kentucky's gasoline excise tax varies with the average wholesale cost of fuel. Just this month, the tax shot up from 28.7 cents per gallon to 31.1 cents and likely will change again during the fall.

Although one little station in Kentucky isn't exactly fodder for a Venezuelan-style government gas monopoly, it does raise questions about how—or if—municipalities can compete in private spaces. Expect the next Somerset city-hall meeting to be packed.

Saturday, 19 July 2014

Tesla announces the Model 3: At half the price of the Model S, Tesla ...

Tesla announces the Model 3: At half the price of the Model S, Tesla ...

Tesla announces the Model 3: At half the price of the Model S, Tesla ...
Enterprise Rent A Car Calling For Transparency In Car Rental Prices
Pricing for 707-hp 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT ... - Car and Driver

Posted: 16 Jul 2014 05:30 AM PDT

Tesla's Elon Musk has revealed his company's plans to take on compact executive cars, such as the BMW 3-series and i3, with the Tesla Model 3. The all-electric Model 3 (which was originally going to be called the Model E) will be around 20% smaller than the Model S, and will have a shorter range of around 200 miles — but it will have "strong performance" like the Model S and start at just $35,000 (the Model S starts at around $70,000).

[The image at the top of the story is an unofficial render of what the Model 3 might look like. Tesla hasn't released any official imagery yet.]

While no one doubts the success of the Model S, there is one question that keeps popping up: When will Tesla make a cheaper version? At $70,000 for the cheapest Model S, and upwards of $90,000 for a tricked out version with 265-mile range, there simply aren't many people who can afford one. It's all well and good to have a fancy EV that millionaire early adopters are proud to show off to their friends — but if you want to really change the world, and to challenge the dominion of gas-powered cars, you need an EV for the mass market — and that means cheap.

The BMW i3, which Tesla will be targeting with the new Model 3

At $35,000, the Model 3 wouldn't be that cheap, but it would be cheap enough to grow Tesla's addressable market by at least a factor of 10. The BMW 3-series, which Tesla is explicitly and implicitly targeting with the Model 3, sold 500,000 units worldwide in 2013, versus around 30,000 total lifetime sales for the Model S. And then there's the Audi A4, Mercedes C Class, BMW 1-Series, Ford Focus… and so on.

Of course, with a lower price point comes lower specs. For a start, the Model 3 will have a range of 200 miles, down from 300 miles for the 85 kWh Model S. The car itself will be 20% smaller (and it won't be based on the Model S wheelbase), and I suspect it'll be a fair bit lighter too. According to Tesla's engineering chief, a lot of the price reduction will come from the use of more cost-effective batteries (possibly via Tesla's upcoming battery Gigafactory). Tesla's designer, Franz von Holzhausen, has said previously that the Model 3 will have a more distinctive design than the Model S (i.e. it will probably look like a funky EV, as opposed to a fairly standard sedan). Musk says the Model 3 will have "strong performance," but we wouldn't be surprised if it isn't quite the same as the Model S's 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

The Model X crossover utility vehicle will be the next car in Tesla's stable, due sometime in 2015

If everything goes to plan, the design of the Model 3 will be unveiled in 2016, and will go on sale in 2017. The Model X — a crossover utility vehicle based on the Model S, but with a higher roof and falcon-wing doors — is the next Tesla to go on sale, with a target delivery date of Q2 2015. If all goes to plan, the Model X and Model 3 should push Tesla from a boutique tens-of-thousands car seller into the hundreds-of-thousands mainstream.

Finally, as an amusing aside, you might be wondering why the Model E is now called the Model 3. Speaking to Auto Express, Musk explains:

"We had the model S for sedan and X for crossover SUV, then a friend asked what we were going to call the third car. So I said we had the Model S and X, we might as well have the E. We were going to call it model E for a while and then Ford sued us saying it wanted to use the Model E — I thought this is crazy, Ford's trying to kill sex! So we'll have to think of another name. The new model is going to be called Model 3, we'll have three bars to represent it and it'll be S III X!"

Enterprise Rent A Car Calling For Transparency In Car Rental Prices

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 02:32 AM PDT

We received an interesting press release from Enterprise Rent A Car about the unfair practices adopted by some car hire companies in Spain. We've written about this before, but the trick these unscrupulous companies use is to give potential customers an extremely cheap "headline" price for their car hire, without mentioning the obligatory "Additional charges" they will have to pay on collection, like:

A full tank of fuel at a massive premium over normal fuel prices
Additional insurance costs unless you opt to leave a huge deposit

You can read more about these practices here: Lanzarote car hire – watch out for the cheap option.

Enterprise have over 8,000 offices and 78,000 employees worldwide, and they are holding meetings with The Canarian regional government in a bid to have the sector regulated, and the issue has already been raised in the European Parliament. The company conducted a survey and found that around 17% of tourists had been caught with the fuel trap, paying an average of €80 for a tank full. It also revealed that 45% of hirers chose a particular company on price alone.

We completely agree with Enterprise CEO Karsten Summers who said:

"The routine application of a mandatory charge is, in our view, unfair to the consumer, is a problem for all regions, especially those in the tourism sector which is one of their main sources of income. These charges not only tarnish the image of the car rental sector but also convey a negative impression to tourists visiting The Canaries. We believe that the price offered must be the real minimum price, with no extras required, or at least to ensure greater transparency so that consumers know what they will have to pay before the book."

We know too many people who have had the start of their holiday spoiled by having to stump up some of their holiday spending money before they've even left the airport.

An Example

I decided to do a comparison on rentals with one of the companies that employs these practices on the island, Gold Car.

First of all, I looked at car hire through us, with Plus Car, using a VW Polo for the dates 14th until 21st August.

The price is €162.75, and as with all our quotes that includes everything – two drivers, no excess insurance, free child seats and a simple "return the car with the same fuel level as when you collected it" policy. To be clear, all you will pay is €162.75.

Looking at Gold Car's site, I've priced the same car for the same dates, and it comes to €151.25.

It's a saving of €11.50. It's not a huge amount, but why would anyone choose the more expensive quote?

Now let's have a look at their extras:

Fuel

It's not easy to find out how much you have to pay for their fuel charge system, but wading through the terms and conditions, it looks like it could be anything from €78 to €109 for the full tank. Let's assume the best case and use €78. A VW Polo tank hold 45 litres and our current fuel price is €1.22 per litre, which adds up to €54.90. So in the best case, you're paying €23.10 more than you need to for the fuel, and this assumes you're going to be able to use a full tank during the week, and deliver the car back completely empty, which of course is almost impossible.

Extra cost €23.10

Relax Cover

This is an additional insurance cover to give you recovery in the event of breakdown or accident, as well as additional coverage on various items on the car. It's not mandatory, but if you choose not to take it, they will insist on taking a large deposit on your credit or debit card.

Additional cost €77.35

It suddenly looks very different, doesn't it? The original quote of €151.25 actually becomes €251.70. So you'll end up paying €88.95 more than you would have with Plus Car.

It doesn't stop there either!

If you want two drivers you'll pay an additional €35.04, if you need a child seat, you'll pay a further €42. There's even talk of a "Diesel surcharge" of €14 if they decide to give you a diesel car.

If you're a couple, who both want to drive, and you have a baby, you could rock up at the airport expecting to pay €151.25 for the car you've booked, and actually end up paying €328.74.

You can get all this information from their website, but it isn't easy, and sadly most people don't invest time in looking at all the details and following all the links. And if you book through a broker, you may not be able to find out any of these things until you arrive.

We hope Enterprise are successful in their initiative.

Pricing for 707-hp 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT ... - Car and Driver

Posted: 16 Jul 2014 02:05 PM PDT

July 16, 2014 at 5:05 pm by Alexander Stoklosa

How much does one horsepower cost? If you're talking about the per-pony charge to get into the 707-hp 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, well, each unit of horsepower will require $86.27, tax not included. How do we know? Dodge has released pricing for the supercharged, hellacious Challenger SRT Hellcat, and it'll be the least expensive 700-hp-plus ride available, with an MSRP of $60,990.

So far, Dodge has released only the Hellcat's base price—no option prices or availability have been laid out yet. The $60,990 covers a base, manual-transmission Hellcat; the cost for the automatic wasn't specified in the press release. We'll bring you full details as soon as they become available, but one thing's for sure: Horsepower for horsepower (heck, quarter-mile for quarter-mile), the Challenger SRT Hellcat is one helluva bargain.

Monday, 14 July 2014

Manheim Reports Rise in Used Car Prices | Auto Credit Express Blog

Manheim Reports Rise in Used Car Prices | Auto Credit Express Blog

Manheim Reports Rise in Used Car Prices | Auto Credit Express Blog
Union Budget 2014 Live: Will car prices decrease with excise relief ...
Michigan Gas Station Offers Classic Prices For Classic Cars
Saudi Arabia Plans To Raise Fuel Economy--But Not Gas Prices
NY reaches price limit deal with car service Uber | Business ...

Manheim Reports Rise in Used Car Prices | Auto Credit Express Blog

Posted: 10 Jul 2014 12:51 PM PDT

The rise in wholesale used car prices could affect buyers with less than perfect credit.

Manheim Reports Rise in Used Car Prices

The fact is that most buyers with problem credit will end up financing a used vehicle. Because of this, at Auto Credit Express we believe that current market trends could affect the budgets of many looking to buy a used car, especially many of the credit-challenged car buyers we work with.

Manheim Used Vehicle Value Report

In its most recent report, Manheim noted that consumer demand for used vehicles, in particular the price range most attractive to problem credit buyers, drove up the values for used vehicles during the second quarter of 2014.

The press released noted that "the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, a measure of wholesale prices adjusted for mix, mileage and season, increased 1 percent compared to the first quarter and rose 3.6 percent on a year-over-year basis." It attributed this rise to the"readily available auto financing at attractive terms has made it possible for more consumers to buy a vehicle and afford slightly higher-priced models."

Car Buyers with Credit Issues

The report also pointed out that "The sweet spot in the market has also moved upward in terms of price. In June, the strongest pricing and lowest relative supply of vehicles in the wholesale market was in the $12,000 to $15,000 price range. In 2013 and early 2014, the strongest pricing was often found in the $8,000 to $10,000 price range."

In particular, this means the pricing of two vehicle segments most attractive to people looking to buy a car with bad credit where affected:

Compact Cars, which have underperformed for the year, showed an improvement in the quarter compared to other segments. Wholesale values for compact cars ended June up 3.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
Midsize Cars, the largest segment of the market, showed a slight decline from the previous quarter but values still increased 4.8 percent from a year ago.

None of this is particularly good news for families with poor credit or people in need of bad credit car loans, since higher vehicle prices translate to higher monthly payments and increased interest charges.

There was, however, also some good news. The report stated that car loan delinquencies have remained low, while an expected increase in the number of vehicles coming off lease should ease prices, although modestly, later on this year.

The Bottom Line

Lacking a crystal ball, it's difficult to determine the right time to buy a used car. And while used car prices may moderate this fall, there's always the chance that, despite the availability of loans, interest rates could rise. In other words, the money saved in holding off for a better price could be offset by paying more in increased in interest rates.

One thing we do know: Auto Credit Express helps buyers with damaged credit find those dealers that can offer them their best chances for a car loan approval. So if you're ready, you can begin the process now by filling out our online auto loan application.

Union Budget 2014 Live: Will car prices decrease with excise relief ...

Posted: 09 Jul 2014 11:00 PM PDT

car-budget

The Union Budget has always been crucial to the economy. In simple words, it involves the government's ideas and schemes to boost the economy. After an interim budget, which had made very few changes to the existing scenario, the Narendra Modi government is all set to present its first budget. After the phenomenal victory of the BJP, it is now time to see the government in action and there are huge expectations to boost the economy.

The Railway Budget left many people surprised, and with the introduction of many schemes and a few projects, the NDA government seems to have taken a difficult path. Budget 2014 has high hopes for the economy and the market. While the stock market broke down and is currently lying flat, the Budget can either boost the economy immensely or bring one of the biggest downfalls.

One sector in India that has seen great increase in investments has been the automobile sector. The interim budget helped boost this sector by bringing down the prices of automobiles. This was a result of the reduction in excise duty until 30th June 2014. For commercial vehicles, small cars and bikes, excise duty goes from 12% to 8%. SUVs get a huge cut as excise goes from 30% to 24%. For mid-segment cars, it's down from 24% down to 20%.

It would be interesting to see how the Modi government molds this scheme. The topic of excise and octroi has played a vital role in shaping the economy and there are high hopes that the government will reduce this burden that has been put upon the common man.

Get the live updates of Union Budget 2014 here

Watch the finance minister's Budget Speech Live here.

Modified Date: July 10, 2014 11:30 AM

Michigan Gas Station Offers Classic Prices For Classic Cars

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 03:08 AM PDT

Detroit isn't just where new of cars are dreamed up, it's also a place where classic cars are cherished. A Mobile gas station in Birmingham, Mich., in the heart of classic car country, offered up gas at classic prices for car owners in honor of National Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Enthusiasts paid per gallon the going rate of gas in the year their classic car was built. For many enthusiasts, that meant filling up for pennies on the dollar.

"They look up the price of gas for whatever year your car is," Russ Vorpagel told The Detroit News as he topped off his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air for $3.00. "It was 30 cents a gallon in 1957."

A line of classic cars formed down the street in the early hours as classic car owners waited to take advantage of the retro prices and atmosphere.

The cheap gas was organized by Hagerty Insurance, a company which specializes in insurance for classic and collectible cars, motorcycles and boats. Staff was on hand to service the cars like grease monkeys from a bygone era. There was even a waitress on roller skates offering free doughnuts to motorists.

Every August, a 16-mile stretch of the Detroit area's main drag, Woodward Ave, hosts the largest single day gathering of classic cars in the world.

Saudi Arabia Plans To Raise Fuel Economy--But Not Gas Prices

Posted: 09 Jul 2014 07:30 AM PDT

John Voelcker

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The Range Rover Sport takes on Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter

Enlarge Photo

Whether you call them fuel-economy standards or carbon-emission limits, new vehicles sold in North America, Europe, China, and elsewhere are subject to regulations that will require them to get more energy-efficient.

Now, another country is discussing new regulations that would require both new and imported used vehicles to meet minimum gas mileage standards.

That country is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

2015 Ford F-150

Enlarge Photo

Energy use exceeds growth

The reason for the proposed rules is simple: Energy demand in the kingdom has risen steadily by 4 to 5 percent a year due to economic growth, but the increase in energy use is exceeding the growth rate of the economy.

The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) was established in 2010 to coordinate and consolidate efforts between government and industry to rationalize energy use and boost efficiency.

Out of that work came the 2012 Saudi Energy Efficiency Program, which included initiatives applying to industry, buildings, and transportation--which together represent more than 90 percent of total energy use in the kingdom.

DON'T MISS: 2014 BMW i3: What A Tesla Driver Thinks Of New Electric BMW

In a briefing on the program presented in the May 2014 issue of Oxford Energy Forum (page 4), Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al-Saud offered more details of the program, and its provisions for improving the fuel economy of road vehicles.

Fleet MPG rules

On the transportation front, the program focuses on light-duty vehicles (passenger cars and light trucks), with two main thrusts: improve new-vehicle efficiency and cut fuel consumption by the entire fleet.

ALSO SEE: Saudi Arabia Uses Your Gas Dollars To Fund...Solar Energy

Starting next month, a fuel-economy label will be required on all new vehicles offered for sale.

2015 Cadillac Escalade

Enlarge Photo

The mix of vehicles sold in Saudi Arabia is similar to that of the U.S., with a significant proportion of full-size pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

Starting in the second half of next year or early in 2016, the draft regulations will require all new vehicles sold to comply with new fleet-average fuel-economy regulations.

The proposed levels for 2020 don't raise efficiency as high as North American or European standards: The fleet-average target for that year is 12 kilometers per liter, or roughly 28.2 miles per gallon.

The North American fleet average for 2020 is 40 mpg--or in the low 30s on the fuel-economy window stickers. China is higher, at 49.4 mpg, and the European carbon restriction translates to the highest level, 61 mpg.

Cash for clunkers?

Saudi regulators are also assessing the potential of financial incentives to vehicle owners to replace older, inefficient vehicles with newer, more fuel-efficient ones--similar to the 2009 "Cash for Clunkers" program in the U.S.

Cash for Clunkers banner with Mercury Sable, Albany, New York

Enlarge Photo

The program is also collaborating with various agencies to set up temporary mass-transit solutions in the period before a number of planned large public-transportation projects open for passengers.

As for heavy-duty vehicles, the regulators are assessing the impact of various initiatives for cutting their fuel use as well. Those include aerodynamic add-ons, regulations against idling, and incentive programs to retire the oldest and least-efficient heavy-duty vehicles as well.

Gas price untouched

It's worth noting, however, that the efficiency program has no plans to raise the cost of vehicle fuel in the kingdom. One gallon of gasoline costs roughly 45 U.S. cents in Saudi Arabia today.

In that respect, the Saudi approach is similar to that of the United States, in which the burden is placed on automakers to boost efficiency while fuel remains (by world terms) relatively cheap.

European and Asian regulators, on the other hand, have levied significant taxes on both gasoline and diesel fuel to incentivize consumers to select more efficient vehicles.

The draft standard for the new Saudi vehicle-efficiency regulations, first published last year, can be viewed online.

_______________________________________________

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NY reaches price limit deal with car service Uber | Business ...

Posted: 09 Jul 2014 06:47 AM PDT

Originally published July 9, 2014 at 6:47 AM | Page modified July 10, 2014 at 2:56 AM

ALBANY, N.Y. —

The car service Uber has agreed to limit prices during emergencies, natural disasters or other unusual market disruptions consistent with New York's law against price gouging, the company and state attorney general said Tuesday.

Uber, which uses a mobile application to connect riders with vehicles for hire, has its rates rise and fall with demand, but it has been criticized for "surge pricing" that's sometimes exponentially higher than base fares. Prices usually increase weekdays during rush hour in New York City, on Saturday nights, special occasions like New Year's Eve and during bad weather.

Under the agreement signed Tuesday, Uber will set a cap during "abnormal disruptions of the market," limited to the range of prices charged in the preceding 60 days and excluding the three highest prices.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the agreement between his office and Uber Technologies Inc. and Uber NYC will apply to UberX, Uber Black and Uber SUV statewide.

"This agreement represents the thoughtful application of long-established law to new technology," Schneiderman said. "It provides consumers with critical protections to which they are entitled under the law, and it provides Uber with clarity from government about how the law will be applied to its innovative pricing model."

Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick said the policy "intends to strike the careful balance between the goal of transportation availability with community expectations of affordability during disasters."

The San Francisco-based company said it is instituting the same cap policy for its services for each market nationally. Meanwhile, Uber said that during disasters and states of emergency that it will also donate commissions on surge trips, or 20 percent of the total fare on trips with elevated pricing, to the American Red Cross.

On Monday, Uber said it is temporarily cutting New York City prices in a bid to compete with taxis.

The New York law against price gouging, passed almost 36 years ago in response to escalating heating oil prices, defines abnormal market disruptions as "any change in the market, whether actual or imminently threatened, resulting from stress of weather, convulsion of nature, failure or shortage of electric power or other source of energy, strike, civil disorder, war, military action, national or local emergency, or other cause ... which results in the declaration of a state of emergency by the governor."

During those times, businesses are prohibited from charging "unconscionably excessive prices" for essential consumer goods or services.

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Sunday, 6 July 2014

Toyota Prices the New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car - June 26, 2014 ...

Toyota Prices the New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car - June 26, 2014 ...

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 03:30 PM PDT

Toyota Motor Corporation (TM - Analyst Report) has revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan. The automaker first launched the vehicle as a concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show last year.

Toyota plans to launch the vehicle in Japan by Apr 2015. The automaker will be charging around 7 million yen for the vehicle (excluding consumption tax), which will be available at Toyota and Toyopet dealerships in Japan.

Subsequently, Toyota is also planning to launch the vehicle in the U.S. and Europe by summer 2015. However, sales will be limited only to locations where hydrogen refueling infrastructure is established.

Toyota is increasing its focus on developing environment-friendly vehicles. For this it emphasizes on three principles – utilization of diverse energy sources; development of efficient, low-emission vehicles; and bringing about positive environmental changes by popularizing these vehicles.

Hydrogen, which can be produced from a wide variety of energy sources, like solar and wind power, is considered to be an efficient alternative fuel. Besides offering higher energy density than batteries, it is also easy to store.

Toyota has been developing fuel cell vehicles for over 20 years. These vehicles generate electricity through chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The automaker has undertaken several initiatives to improve the fuel cell systems. The new hydrogen fuel cell sedan's performance is similar to that of the gasoline engine vehicles. It provides a range of about 700 km and gets refueled within 3 minutes.

The emission is also not a problem as it emits only water vapor. Toyota believes fuel cell vehicles are ideal environment-friendly vehicles as they do not emit carbon dioxide.

Toyota currently holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Fox Factory Holding Corp (FOXF - Snapshot Report), Gentherm Incorporated (THRM - Snapshot Report) and Tower International, Inc. (TOWR - Snapshot Report) are some better-ranked automobile stocks. All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Saturday, 5 July 2014

New Cuban Law Allows Car Purchases, But Prices Are Sky High ...

New Cuban Law Allows Car Purchases, But Prices Are Sky High ...

New Cuban Law Allows Car Purchases, But Prices Are Sky High ...
United States Car Travel Fuel Costs and Averages | The Energy ...
Tesla Motors aims to keep next car's costs down | Digital Trends

New Cuban Law Allows Car Purchases, But Prices Are Sky High ...

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:10 AM PDT

--Reuters

IN-DEPTH:

U.S. Cubans Soften Stance on U.S.-Cuba Relations

Cuba Proposes New Law to Attract Foreign Investment

The Cuban Evolution

First published July 1 2014, 6:58 AM

United States Car Travel Fuel Costs and Averages | The Energy ...

Posted: 04 Jul 2014 07:00 AM PDT

map of national gasoline prices by county, as explained in the article text

Source: Provided by GasBuddy.com

On Monday, June 30, the national average retail gasoline price was $3.70 per gallon. Although this is the highest average heading into the Fourth of July holiday since 2008, gasoline prices in 2014 have remained well below the spring peaks reached in each of the previous three years (see graph).

Although prices are currently 20 cents per gallon higher than last year at this time, prices this year did not peak as high as in recent years because of relatively stable crude oil prices in 2014. The peak retail gasoline price this year was $3.71/gal on April 29, lower than last year's spring peak of $3.78, and lower than price peaks in 2011 and 2012.

graph of U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline, as explained in the article text

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

So far this year, the average price of gasoline has been $3.54/gal, the lowest for the first six months of the year since 2011.

Since April, the increase in wholesale gasoline prices is lower (in percentage terms) than the recent increase in crude oil prices: 3.5% for gasoline compared to 7.2% for North Sea Brent. Typically during this time of year, petroleum refineries return to service from seasonal maintenance outages, which tends to lower wholesale product prices, including gasoline. This year, crude oil prices have increased in part because of unrest in Iraq, a major crude oil producer. These factors have largely offset each other, leaving retail gasoline prices relatively unchanged. World crude oil prices have fallen by $4 per barrel from a 2014 peak of $115 per barrel on June 19. If sustained, this should help bring gasoline prices down in the coming weeks.

Principal contributor: Tim Hess

Authored by:

U.S. EIA: Today in Energy

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.

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Tesla Motors aims to keep next car's costs down | Digital Trends

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT

Tesla is preparing its third-generation electric car, and this time (relative) affordability will be as important as performance and technology.

The car will have very little in common with the Model S and upcoming Model X crossover Chris Poritt, the company's vice president of engineering, told Autocar. It's all about keeping the cost down.

The car formerly known as Model E (Tesla dropped that trademark a few months back) will compete with the BMW 3 Series, and that means it has to be more than a shortened Model S. Or rather, less.

It will do without the Model S' aluminum chassis, likely going with steel instead. Tesla will also try to keep costs down with its massive battery "Gigafactory", which will build lithium-ion cells on a large enough scale to keep prices down.

Tesla previously quoted a target price of around $40,000 for this latest model, with a range of around 200 miles per charge. It should also significantly increase Tesla's sales volume, just as the small luxury sedans from U.S., German, and Japanese carmakers form a broad base for their respective brands.

However, unlike the predominant trend of familial styling seen among those other cars, the Tesla probably won't look like a shrunken Model S. Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen previously said Tesla won't do a "unit face" for all of its cars.

Considering how different the entry-level Tesla may be under the skin from the Model S and Model X, that would be fitting.

Whatever it ends up looking like, this model likely won't appear before 2016. In the meantime, Tesla is expected to launch the Model X next year.

Wednesday, 2 July 2014

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester (From Worcester ...

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester (From Worcester ...

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester (From Worcester ...
Cuba Car Sales Fail over Sky High Prices - Havana Times.org
Toyota Prices the New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car - June 26, 2014 ...
2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Vans - The Car Connection

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester (From Worcester ...

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 01:47 AM PDT

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester

Updated 4:16pm Tuesday 1st July 2014 in News By Tom Edwards

Worcester News: Car parking in Worcester: reduced from July 21 Car parking in Worcester: reduced from July 21

A RAFT of new parking charges in Worcester can today be revealed - and will launch from Monday, July 21.

Your Worcester News can reveal how the new-look Conservative leadership has struck an agreement with city council managing director Duncan Sharkey for a series of big reductions.

The changes, described as "great news" by traders, include:

- £1 after 7pm across the city and just 40p for just minutes at eight selected sites, as your Worcester News revealed was likely last Friday

- 60p for half-an-hour at Copenhagen Street, Cornmarket and Providence Street, a 50 per cent reduction

- Four hours for £5 at Copenhagen Street, Cornmarket and Providence Street compared to the current price of £6, and six hours for £7.50 at the same sites compared to £10 now

- All three of those car parks will also charge £10 for 24 hours, down from £15

- Among the other reductions is £3 for six hours at Croft Road, compared to £5 now

The 40p for 30 minutes will apply to Cattle Market, King Street, Newport Street, St Martin's Gate, Clare Street, Commandery Road, Orchard House and Croft Road.

By law the council must wait 21 days for the charges to start, and is sorting out new signs to reflect the price changes.

The move means all the rises agreed by the old Labour leadership, which was ousted from office in June, have been reversed.

When the prices went up it led to criticism from city traders, with around 30 High Street names and 150 shoppers signing a petition.

Adrian Field, from Worcester's Business Improvement District, which represents the shops, said: "It's great news for the evening economy, excellent news for the city generally and I think it'll be universally welcomed.

"It's a bit of a no-brainer for us, nobody wants to see rises."

The promotion is a technically a temporary one until the end of October, but by then the city's Tory administration intends to ratify permanent changes at September's full council meeting.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, said: "This is something we campaigned on and we wanted to act quickly to help the city."

The opposition Labour group say the cuts come despite car parking income being 3.8 per cent up since April.

Councillor Richard Boorn, the party's finance spokesman, said: "More people are currently parking up despite the higher prices - there's no disagreement over trying to increase footfall but I do question the financial aspect of this."

DELIGHT FOR RIVERSIDE CAFE AS COACH AND LORRY PRICES COME DOWN

THE price reductions have also been welcomed by a Worcester riverside cafe - as it includes big changes for lorries and coaches.

After a revolt from holiday firms the council is slashing the current £10 price for coaches to use Croft Road car park back to £5.

Last month your Worcester News revealed how Chris Wise, who runs Cafe Severn on the Quay directly opposite the site, said coaches were threatening to boycott his business after the controversial rise.

On top of the reduction, prices for lorries to use it will go from £25 back to the original £5.

Mr Wise said the changes were "a positive step in the right direction" for the city.

Many of the lorry drivers and coach firms had signed a petition in his cafe criticising the old rises.

"Since the coach prices were put up to £10 in April the city has effectively been boycotted by coach parties," he said.

"That's hit my business and it's hit trade across Worcester."

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader and the cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: "I'm delighted that we're slashing prices just in time for the school holidays.

"We're confident these steps we're taking will give our great city a welcome boost at the height of summer."

Cuba Car Sales Fail over Sky High Prices - Havana Times.org

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:07 AM PDT

A 2011 used Hyundai Accent was priced at the equivalent of US 51,000.

HAVANA TIMES — Cubans purchased only 50 cars and four motorbikes after the reform last January that allows for the state car dealers to "freely" sell new and used vehicles, according to official media reported on Tuesday.

New vehicle sales no longer require a "letter of authorization" from the government, although state dealers offered from the beginning the new and used cars at astronomical prices.

The profits, according to the government, are to go to improve public transportation.

The 50 cars and four motorcycles sold the state reported revenue 1,283,000 convertible pesos (the US dollar equivalent), Radio Rebelde said on its website.

The average sale price of the vehicles was $23,800, with the vast majority being used cars.

The opening for new car sales announced by the government of Raul Castro in December 2013, came after decades of restrictions.

Market liberalization, however, caused unrest in the population due to the sky-high prices, which multiplied by up to eight times the price of the autos on the international market.

New 2013 Peugeot cars were priced up to $269,000.

Many new cars from European manufacturers were offered at prices of over $100,000 with a Peugeot 508 model topping the list at $269,000. The average wage in Cuba's state sector is around $20 a month.

In Cuba it was not possible to buy new cars for decades. The Castro government abolished the free automotive market shortly after the triumph of the 1959 revolution.

The State then maintained for decades a control on the purchase and delivery of vehicles, usually given as rewards for service to some officials or doctors.

Cars in Cuba are known for being one of the oldest in the world. On the streets of Havana abound American-made cars from the first half of the 20th century, and Soviet models like the Lada or Moskovich. Lately there are more Chinese-made cars.

Toyota Prices the New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car - June 26, 2014 ...

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 03:30 PM PDT

The emission is also not a problem as it emits only water vapor. Toyota believes fuel cell vehicles are ideal environment-friendly vehicles as they do not emit carbon dioxide.

2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Vans - The Car Connection

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 04:05 AM PDT

See more photos

Shopping for a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Vans?

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The Basics:

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is an iconic people mover, cargo hauler, and general utility vehicle, capable of an incredibly diverse range of duties and functions. For the 2015 model year, the U.S.-market gets a new feature: 4x4 drive with low-range function.

Paired exclusively with the 3.0-liter V-6 BlueTEC diesel engine, which generates 188 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, the new 4x4 option for the Sprinter increases its all-weather and all-terrain capability. The body is lifted by 4.3 inches in the front and 3.1 inches in the rear on 4x4 models as well, increasing ground clearance to afford 20 percent high slope-climbing ability. Activation of the 4x4 system requires a simple button push, which also activates the 4ETS electronic traction system with load-adaptive ESP to help improve its tractive ability. The low-range gear is an optional add-on that further enhances rough terrain and steep slope ability.

Aside from the new 4x4 options, the 2015 Sprinter carries forward the same equipment, features, and styling as the 2014 model. This includes the visual updates made last year, such as the new front bumper, higher hood, and revised tail lights. Upgrades to available safety technology also carry forward, including Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Highbeam Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist. Brake Assist Pro and Adaptive Brake Assist further improve accident avoidance ability.

For non-4x4 models, a second diesel engine option is available, a 2.1-liter four-cylinder rated at 161 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Four-cylinder models come standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its size and utilitarian roots, the Sprinter can be a surprisingly easy vehicle to drive, navigation sharp corners and offering good visibility thanks to intelligent design and layout. Likewise, it can be quite comfortable, both up front, where improved seat cushions enhance all-day comfort, and in the rear, especially when outfitted with some of the more luxurious configurations available from the Preferred Upfitter program.

Standard features on the versatile Sprinter van include a 5.8-inch color display, Bluetooth connectivity, SD media input, a USB 2.0 connection, and auxiliary input. A backup camera is available as an option, as is Parktronic parking assist. Navigation is also optional, provided by the Becker MAP PILOT system.

Unlike many vehicles on the market, the Sprinter is available in both standard form and in highly customizable "upfitted" forms. More than 80 of Preferred Upfitters are available to customize Sprinter configurations, from specialized work trucks to luxurious transportation vehicles. According to Mercedes-Benz, 75 percent of all Sprinters are sold with some form of upfitted modification.

The 4x4 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter goes on sale in the first quarter of 2015.

Likes:

Versatile cargo and passenger configuration ability
Preferred Upfitter program to ensure quality of customization
Available 4x4 with low-range function
Fuel efficient diesel powertrains

Dislikes:

Can be very expensive when properly outfitted for some tasks
Large, tall, and boxy--can be difficult to maneuver in some forms
No standard backup camera

Car Prices Blog

Friday, 25 July 2014

2015 Infiniti Q40 Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos - The ...

2015 Infiniti Q40 Review, Ratings, Specs, <b>Prices</b>, and Photos - The <b>...</b>

The Basics:

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Saturday, 19 July 2014

Tesla announces the Model 3: At half the price of the Model S, Tesla ...

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Monday, 14 July 2014

Manheim Reports Rise in Used Car Prices | Auto Credit Express Blog

Manheim Reports Rise in Used <b>Car Prices</b> | Auto Credit Express Blog

Manheim Used Vehicle Value Report

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Sunday, 6 July 2014

Toyota Prices the New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car - June 26, 2014 ...

Toyota <b>Prices</b> the New Hydrogen Fuel Cell <b>Car</b> - June 26, 2014 <b>...</b>

Saturday, 5 July 2014

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Wednesday, 2 July 2014

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester (From Worcester ...

It's official: <b>car</b> parking <b>prices</b> slashed in Worcester (From Worcester <b>...</b>

It's official: car parking prices slashed in Worcester

The Basics:

Likes:

Dislikes: