Self-Driving Cars

Not too long ago self-driving cars were thought of as possible in the way faraway future or in futuristic cartoons like the Jetsons or in science fiction movies. Well, the way faraway future is here. Both Volvo Car Group and Google Inc. said that they have begun testing self-driving cars on city streets. Google has been testing self-driving on freeways for years. Freeways provide more predictable driving conditions than city streets. On Monday in a post on Google’s official blog the company stated that in the past year Google has shifted its focus to city driving. Also on Monday’s blog, Chris Irmson, director of Google’s self-driving car project wrote that “A mile of city driving is much more complex than a mile of freeway driving, with hundreds of different objects moving according to different rules of the road in a small area."

Google said while in self-driving mode its cars have not caused any accidents. The cars have driven more than 700 miles in self-driving mode in Mountain View, CA since 2009. Google did say that they still have many “problems to solve” one of which is teaching the car to drive more streets in Mountain View, before venturing out to the streets of a another town.

Volvo’s project “Drive Me” is a test program in which Volvo has begun testing 100 cars on streets close to its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden.  Erik Coelingh a technical specialist at Volvo stated that the test cars are now able to handle speed adaption, lane following and merging traffic all on their own. Coelingh also stated, “"This is an important step towards our aim that the final ‘Drive Me’ cars will be able to drive the whole test route in highly autonomous mode. The technology, which will be called Autopilot, enables the driver to hand over the driving to the vehicle, which takes care of all driving functions.”

In addition to Google and Volvo there are several other companies that are testing self-driving cars, including Toyota Motor Corp. Volkswagen AG’s Audi and Nissan. Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler Ag and Nissan both say they are planning to start selling self-driving cars by 2020.

Fiat will start making Jeeps in China in 2015

After coming to an agreement with local partner Guangzhou Automobile Group, Fiat Group is planning production of Jeeps in China. Three new Jeeps will be produce in the southern city of Guangzhou. China first assembled Jeeps in 1983 and after ending output of Jeeps in 2006 China will restart the production in late 2015.

America's First True Commercial Automobile Manufacturer

Dozens of “horseless carriages” were built in the 1890’s.  Credited as being America’s first true commercial automobile manufacturers are Charles and Frank Duryea.  They based their Duryea Motor Wagon company in Springfield, Massachusetts and in 1896 they sold 13 identical vehicles. 

Recall for 109,000 Mazda Tribute SUV's

In the United States Mazda Motor Corporation is recalling 109,000 of its Tribute compact SUV's for rust related issues. Sold originally in twenty states and Washington D.C. where road salts are used heavily in the winter. The issue with the Tribute is corrosion on a part of the SUV's frame that could result in the loss of steering control. Fortunately there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.

Vehicle owners will be notified of the recall beginning in May and a reinforcement brace will be installed on the bottom of the vehicle.

Ford had 386,000 of its Escape SUV's recalled earlier this month for the same issue. Both the Tribute and Escape are built at Ford's Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant.

The Ford Mustang Turns 50

Happy Birthday! The Ford Mustang turns 50. The Mustang set sales records in its two years of sales and luckily survived a near death experience several years ago. After 50 years and with millions sold the Ford Mustang still has enthusiastic buyers of all ages lusting for it.

Chevrolet Entering The Small Crossover Segment

Chevrolet throws its hat into the small crossover segment with the Trax. At the 2014 New York Auto show Chevrolet unveiled the 2015 Trax.

 The Trax is 7" shorter than the phased out HHR and about 19" shorter than the Equinox. The Trax is slated to arrive in dealerships in early 2015.

 The Trax uses the same 1.4 liter, four cylinder turbocharged engine and is built on the same platform as the Encore.

Small crossovers are being added to the luxury brands as well,  Audi's Q3, Lincoln MKC, BMW X1 and the Mercedes GLA. Currently the closes rival in size to the Trax is the Nissan Juke.

  Interiors Honored Ward's Announces its 10 Best Interiors for 2014

A vehicle must offer a new or significantly redesigned interior to be eligible for Ward's 10 Best Interiors

This year’s winners are listed here beginning with the least expensive.

1.    Kia Soul  $24,010

2.    Mazda 3  $30,415

3.    Volkswagen GTI Estimated  $30,695

4.    Chrysler 200C  $31,470

5.    Jeep Cherokee Limited  $37,525

6.    GMC Sierra Denali  $56,685

7.    Hyundai Equus Unlimited  $68,920

8.    Chevrolet Corvette Stingray  $71,960

9.    Mercedes-Benz S550  $122,895

10. Rolls-Royce Wraith  $372,800

Toyota Motor Corporation is set to release their long awaited powertrain overhaul.  14 new overhauled gasoline engines with improved fuel efficiency of at least 10% will be released through 2015.  Atkinson cycle engines has had a reputation of low power, however Toyota is claiming they have boosted the performance of the engines by increasing combustion ratios. The new technology will underpin engines by using direct injection and turbocharging.

Once reserved for electric-gasoline hybrids the clean burning Atkinson cycle engines will be used across the lineup of non-hybrid vehicles from compact to premium covering 30% of Toyota's lineup. Toyota has not announced which specific vehicles will get these engines.

This marks a couple of first for Toyota Motor Corporation. This will be Toyota's first Atkinson cycle power used in a non-hybrid and they are the first engines developed at Toyota's Powertrain Joint Development Building, a twelve story research and development center that opened last year.

Ford’s Luxury Transit Skyliner Unveiled

 The Skyliner infuses the spirit of luxury motor coaches into the heritage of custom vans proving Ford’s Transit can be transformed to meet the needs of high-end transportation services, limousines, commercial fleets as well as shuttle providers and small business owners. The spacious interior changes to support a business meeting or an entertainment experience all with the use of a smartphone.

 Ford’s Transit Skyliner can be transformed into four dramatic modes:

1.    Business:  Leather trimmed seats are positioned around a motorized unfolding table for face to face conversation.

2.    Travel:  Passengers have to ability to adjust their retractable footrests and reclining seats for the utmost in comfort and solitude.

3.    Theater: The reclining seats face a 52” retractable Stewart movie screen.

4.    Reception:  While parked the sliding doors open 4 feet wide with the seats arranged for entertaining.

These are just a few of the amenities available for the Transit Skyliner. 

Bendex Starter Drives

Vincent Bendix patented the Bendex drive for electric starters which was a vast improvement to the hand cranked starters in 1910.

Clinton administration crisis expert hired by General Motors for recall advice

Jeff Eller (former Clinton White House director of media affairs) crisis-communications expert has been retained by General Motors to add to the team General Motors is building to help with the small cars recall of faulty ignition switches that has been linked to 13 deaths.

Spring Break

Spring Break 2014 is in full swing. While driving please be extra cautious kids are going to be walking, running, bike riding, skate boarding and playing in the streets and around your neighborhood. Think about this, just backing out of your garage and or driveway can be hazardous to a child. All of us at 2carpros.com wish everyone a safe and fun Spring Break 2014!