If there’s one thing Americans would seem to hate more than regulations, it’s regulations that directly result in them …
fuel efficiency
Gas Prices Almost Never Decline in March—But They Did Last Month
Traditionally, gas prices have risen in the spring and peaked during the high-demand summer months. Last year, though, prices spiked starting in February and reached their highs in early May, before declining slightly in summer. …
Will the EPA Change the Way It Measures M.P.G. Ratings? Maybe Just for Hybrids?
It’s widely believed that the mileage ratings of many hybrid cars are inflated. Is it time for the ratings system to change?
How the New MPG Standards Will Affect Drivers, Automakers, Car Dealerships & More
This week, the Obama administration finalized new-car fuel economy rules that’ll nearly double the mpg standards for cars and light trucks by 2025. The new “CAFE” (corporate average fuel economy) standards mandate that automakers …
Yet Again, High Gas Prices Boost Sales of Small, Fuel-Efficient Cars
August 2012 is shaping up as another strong month for car sales, with the total number of new vehicles sold up nearly 19% compared to the same time last year. But some categories of vehicles are experiencing hotter sales than …
Losing Weight Is a Hot Trend – in the Auto Industry
Facing a government-mandated requirement of new cars averaging 54.5 mpg by 2025, automakers are going into overdrive figuring out ways to improve fuel economy. Some of the solutions are high-tech, with innovations and increased …
What’s the Point of High-Powered ‘Green’ Sports Cars?
The best argument for going green is that it’ll help conserve natural resources and money at the same time. The new breed of “green” supercars led by Ferrari and Porsche doesn’t really do either.
Driving like a Jerk May Cost You an Extra $100 Per Month in Gas
How can one driver average 37 m.p.g. and get 575 miles per fill-up, while another driver — driving the same model car — tops out at 21 m.p.g. and 325 miles per tank? The answer is that these two drivers drive very differently.
How the Heck Are SUV Sales Hot Again?
The conventional thinking had it that rising gas prices would stifle the sales of SUVs. Lane-clogging Suburbans and Explorers would slowly disappear with loads of drivers turning to smaller, fuel-efficient cars. And yet, even as gas prices remain relatively high, SUV sales have never been better. What gives?
What Drivers Can Learn from Two Highly Unusual Cross-Country Road Trips
Ever dream of taking off on the open road for a footloose and carefree trip around the country? Then don’t try to drive cross-country in an electric car. Don’t try to break the record for best gas mileage either.
The Automaker with a Problem Most Businesses Would Envy
Not long ago, Hyundai had a less-than-stellar reputation for quality and had to resort to gimmicks to sell cars. During the Great Recession, the South Korean automaker’s fleet included the cheapest car sold in the U.S., and it …
Size Matters: Now Automakers Brag About How Small Their Engines Are
Is all that classic macho car chatter about V8s, horsepower, and “muscle” disappearing? Now, amid $4 gas and government requirements for cars with better mileage, car manufacturers are pumping their own tires regarding how …
