Auto Trend and Auto Insurance News

A teenage girl walking to school was seriously injured after she was struck by a sport-utility vehicle involved in a crash believed to have been caused by its driver speeding through a red light, police said.

The accident was reported about 7:25 a.m. at Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue when the driver of the SUV was traveling at well above city speed limits and ran into a four-door sedan with four passengers, said Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan.

The SUV overturned during the crash, and then struck the teenage girl, Gagan said. The SUV driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered critical injuries.

Occupants of the sedan were not seriously injured, Gagan said. Everyone involved in the collision was transported to local hospitals. Their conditions were not immediately available.

Gagan said the driver of the SUV was unlicensed and uninsured, making the collision an unfortunate prelude to a checkpoint being conducted in the area this evening targeting drivers who lack both a driver’s license and auto insurance.

“This accident is the type of incident we’re trying to avoid by going after any driver that is unlicensed and uninsured,” Gagan said.

Originally published by Robert Salonga , Contra Costa Times.

Tags: Carinsurance

Toyota introduced an all-new, sixth-generation Camry for 2007, and this model has retained its position of best-selling car in America. Camry is available in four-cylinder and V6 models, and as the Camry Hybrid equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive.

The Camry stands out in a competitive segment with its distinctive, athletic exterior design. It is built on a 109.3 in. wheelbase to provide outstanding interior room: 101.4 cubic feet of passenger space, including 38.3 inches of rear legroom. Changes for 2008 include new darker wood trim in the XLE grade. Classic Silver Metallic was added to the array of exterior colors, while Titanium Metallic was discontinued.
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Toyota announced today the nationwide launch*1 in Japan of the completely redesigned Alphard as two different vehicle series, the “Alphard” and the “Vellfire” *2.

Taking as their theme “stately presence—the ultimate minivan”, the new models represent a further decisive evolution in all aspects of product performance. The exterior of the Alphard emphasizes “elegance” and “refinement”, while that of the Vellfire accentuates “power” and “innovation,” thus creating two vehicles with individual identities.

A new platform allows for an innovative package, providing further expansion of the interior space and improved ingress and egress. Additionally, an extensive range of equipment—including Executive Power Seats for the second row and indirect LED interior lighting—is aimed at creating a supremely welcoming environment.  A revamped powertrain, along with enhanced aerodynamics and lightweight technology, allows the new models to achieve ample dynamic performance together with high levels of environmental performance, including, in particular, substantially improved fuel efficiency.  The new models also offer outstanding handling and cruising stability, as well as class-leading*² levels of safety performance, contributing to their status as Toyota flagship minivans.

*1 4WD models with a 2.4-liter engine are scheduled for an August 1 sales launch.
*2 Coined from “velvet” and “fire” to emphasize the vehicle’s “cool” and “passionate” characteristics.
*3 Compared to vehicles of similar engine displacement
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Ford of Europe’s business momentum continued with another strong sales month in April.

“Our sales volume grew in 14 of the Euro 19 markets, while our market share increased in 16 of those 19,” said Ingvar Sviggum, vice-president marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.

“These increases were achieved even after we had taken the strategic decision in some countries, particularly the UK and Germany, to limit our short-cycle business. In the UK, for example, this switch in emphasis has led to an increase in the number of vehicles sold to private retail buyers.
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• “Let’s Refuel America” available throughout the U.S. exclusively at Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008
• Three-year price protection from volatile gas prices available on compact, mid-size and full-size models, minivans, crossovers and pickup truck models
• Seventy-six percent of customers cite rising gas prices as “top concern”

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 5, 2008 - In response to direct customer feedback citing the prospect of rising gas prices as a top concern, Chrysler LLC today announces its own economic stimulus package: an exclusive gas price protection policy that eliminates the risk of further spikes in fuel prices. With the U.S. purchase of eligible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, customers can enroll in the “Let’s Refuel America” program and receive a gas card that immediately lowers their gas price to $2.99 a gallon, and keeps it there for three years. The offer is available at 3,511 U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008, and is available on vehicles ranging from popular new compacts, crossovers and minivans to full-size diesel-powered pickup trucks.

“Today we are proud to introduce an unprecedented program to help put customers’ minds at ease and do something to help working people who are worried about the volatility of fuel prices and vehicle cost of ownership,” said Jim Press, Vice-Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC. “The Let’s Refuel America Price Guarantee puts money in your pocket today, and allows our customers to better manage their fuel expenses. And you can’t get it anywhere else besides a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership.”

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General Motors Corporation and Isuzu Motors Limited announced their new joint venture, GM-Isuzu Camiones Andinos de Colombia Ltda., today. The purpose of which is to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand their truck and bus sales in Colombia.

The joint venture builds on the long-standing partnership that GM and Isuzu have enjoyed in the region by establishing a company that is dedicated to the marketing, sales, service and after-sales of commercial vehicles. The new partnership is the successful result of a 2007 agreement that studied the potential of a JV and will focus on strengthening the leadership that GM and Isuzu have built in this segment.
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Aside from performing specific functions, most of the automotive parts are equipped with safety features. These auto parts, like the suspension system and automotive lighting, enable the driver to safely operate the vehicle. The bumpers, however, were installed for the primary purpose of safety for both the passengers as well as the vehicle itself. Like any other auto part, a bumper may lose its wonder if external factors continuously affects it. An aftermarket part called the bumper covers were developed in order to protect the vehicle’s bumpers.
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If you’re like the average driver then you can expect to put 15,000 miles on your vehicle every year and average about 20 miles on a gallon of gas. What this means is that for every 10 cents that gas prices rise you can expect to spend an extra $75 a year. Unfortunately you can’t control the price of gas however, you can change some driving/car habits that will allow you to save money every time you visit a gas pump.

The biggest money waster when it comes to purchasing gasoline for your car is determined based on how well you maintain your vehicle. Since your automobile only uses 15% of the gas you pump into it with the rest expended for various other reasons in behooves you to take care of your car. Always perform the regularly scheduled maintenance on your vehicle in order to keep it running smoothly and most importantly efficiently. This will allow it to use the gasoline you put into it more economically and allow your car to become more pocketbook friendly.
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Suspension Lift Kits are a system of springs used to raise a vehicle by suspending the frame, body, engine and power train above the wheels. It is a modification, often done by Jeep, truck, suv and offroad enthusiasts to raise the ride height of their vehicle. Suspension lift kits have become tremendously popular among people who wish to give their automobiles a unique or beefy look.

You can spend a few bucks on some performance shocks and simple brackets to completely change your rig’s height and look. You can also opt to ditch the stock springs and shocks altogether for a set of adjustable air bags. Or, if so inclined, you can go with something like a 15″ body and suspension lift kit that requires an air-traffic controller to pull into your driveway.
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