The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reversed its previous interpretation of federal lighting standards and has virtually cleared the way for vehicle headlamp replacement systems that are not from original equipment manufacturers of lamps and components. The NHTSA had previously asserted that replacement headlamps must meet all appropriate photometry requirements and use the same light source as the original equipment.

This earlier decision would have disallowed the replacement of a halogen-based system with high-intensity (HID) lamps that would otherwise have met all FMVSS 108 standards. NHTSA issued its first interpretation in draft opinion subject to public comment back in 2003 and stuck with it in a final October 2004 letter despite the objections of over 25 organizations and businesses.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association immediately appealed for reconsideration reasoning that the decision will inhibit the ability of aftermarket businesses to improve their vehicle lighting equipments. Finally, in a Nov 1, 2005 notice, NHTSA reversed its previous decision and agreed with the challenge from SEMA that the FVMSS 108 or Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 is a performance standard that allows for replacement variations provided that an overall system will comply with specified photometry and functionality requirements.

Excellent quality replacement headlamps and headlight from Parts Train are available here

For many years, SUVs have been regarded as the most dangerous vehicles on the road because of their natural tendency to rollover. Well, there is some truth to this, because SUVs indeed have greater tendencies to overturn because of their ride height. But despite these rollover tendencies, it is surprising that SUVs are not the most fatal type of vehicle on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is the compact vehicles.

In a report released Monday, NHTSA revealed that compact cars are the most fatal vehicles on the road in 2004, registering a fatality rate of 17.76 per 100,000 vehicles. This is followed by compact pickup trucks at 16.87 and by subcompact cars at 16.85. SUVs, on the other hand, registered some 15 cases per 100,000 vehicles while full-size vans rated the least at 9.34. In cases involving rollovers, however, mid-size SUVs still rated the highest, registering some 10 fatalities per 100,000 registered vehicles.

So what implications do these figures have? Because of skyrocketing fuel prices, many auto manufacturers are cashing more on developing lighter vehicles like compacts and subcompacts while avoiding the heavier ones. This trend was clearly witnessed on the recently concluded North American International Auto Show where various auto manufacturers displayed their new compact and subcompact vehicles.

In recent years, the sales of economy cars have also increased, outmaneuvering that of the SUVs which have been selling well in the ’90s and early 2000s. But with the report just recently released by NHTSA, it makes us think whether our auto manufacturers and car buyers are really making the right decisions.

The NHTSA report, however, is not all bad news because it revealed that fatality rates in vehicles have been declining since the late 1990s. From a fatality rate of 16.9 per 100,000 in 1997, the rate has dropped to 14.2 in 2004.

The sales of SUVs in the past two years have seen significant drops and a change in this trend is not likely to happen because of the still unstable price of fuel. But as if not taking a hint from these, Ford unveiled another one in the Houston Auto Show. The new SUV is the 2007 Ford Expedition and it is expected to hit the showrooms this fall.

Entering the showrooms as a fully revamped full-size SUV, the 2007 Ford Expedition will be available in two wheelbase lengths, with the regular model simply called the Ford Expedition and the long-wheelbase model to be called the Ford Expedition EL (Extended Length). Both models would come with a standard 5.4-litter V8 engine coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission.

So what could have been the reason behind Ford’s re-introduction of a fuel thirsty vehicle? Apparently, Ford has found a reason to sell the SUV for 2007, and that reason has nothing to do with fuel economy. According to the company, “Many customers demand the kind of capability for hauling people and cargo that can only come from a full-size SUV.” And that makes sense. Further, Ford has to give an answer to the challenge being provided by the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL, and the 2007 Ford Expedition seems to be ready enough for the challenge.

So what else can we expect from the Ford Expedition and Expedition EL when they hit the showrooms this fall?

• More cargo and passenger space from the Ford Expedition EL.
• A new exterior style with design cues from the best-selling Ford F-Series and the Super Chief concept that the company unveiled during the Detroit Auto Show.
• A new level of comfort, refinement and quality for the interior with fully redesigned seats, steering wheel, door panels and console, and various other upgrades for individual Expedition trim levels.
• Added safety and security with standard features like the AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and dual-stage front air bags.

These are but a few of the new features that we can expect from the 2007 Ford Expedition and Expedition EL. For a complete and more detailed list of features and specs, just visit Ford’s official site.

For most new car buyers, price is still the most important consideration when buying a new car, revealed a survey conducted by NADA (National Automotive Dealers’ Association and Progressive Insurance. Almost 46% of the respondents said that purchase price is still the most important factor to consider when checking out showrooms and dealers. Meanwhile, fuel economy was at the bottom of the survey with a measly 3% saying they consider a car’s fuel economy as a big concern.

The make and model of the vehicle is the second most important consideration with 31% saying so. Safety and performance was the third most important new car attribute to consider. But, fuel economy lagged behind all these other aspects. In fact, eleven percent signified that fuel efficiency is their “least important” consideration.

This survey results tells a lot about how Americans feel about the dwindling fuel resources and the skyrocketing oil prices abroad. It seems that people are more preoccupied with the initial cost of the car itself rather than the actual cost owning and operating it, much less the effect it will have on the environment and the increasingly limited fuel resource.

At the recently concluded 64th annual Washington Auto Show, one of the panel discussions was about “Sustaining Personal Mobility in an Energy Challenged World”. Panelists from the industry and the federal government discussed about the need for sacrifice when it comes to fuel consumption. However, all the panelists conceded that it would be difficult to turn the current American mindset towards the concept of sacrifice.

Ford goes green, yet again. As part of the automaker’s restructuring plan called “Way Forward”, Ford promised more fuel-efficient vehicles in its line up. This week, Ford unveils a new hybrid prototype that will be the first vehicle to utilize two of the increasingly popular gas-saving technologies today: hybrid electric technology and E85 ethanol fuel. Ford has sold E85-capable vehicles in recent years but this vehicle is the first to use a hybrid motor.

What is ethanol, you may ask. Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced from corn and other starch crops. It is commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline.

E85 ethanol fuel is 85% ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 qualifies as alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Vehicles which run on E85 and other alternative fuels are called flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs). Ford’s prototype Escape hybrid is a flexible-fuel vehicle.

The prototype was unveiled at the Washington auto show. Ford says that that the FFV is nothing more than a research vehicle at the moment. There are still a number of technical obstacles to overcome before it goes into production. One of the bigger obstacles is controlling evaporative emissions. Apparently, flexible fuel vehicles don’t meet the same emission standards when running on ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. Also, the Escape hybrid prototype’s fuel economy was not exactly impressive.

Nevertheless, the Ford Escape Hybrid E85 is a step in the right direction. Ford plans to build 250,000 hybrids annually by 2010 including 250,000 vehicles this year that are E85-capable. Ethanol could prove to be a promising technology that can reduce harmful exhaust emissions and eventually cut oil imports. However, it also must overcome two obstacles: worse fuel economy and evaporative emissions.

It’s another record sales year for Honda. American Honda Motor Corp. recently announced that the company has achieved a new all-time record in automobile sales for both Honda and Acura divisions for 2005. This is the 12th consecutive year of sales increases for the automaker. Sales climbed 5.2 percent or 1,462,472 vehicles. Just last December, 132,800 vehicles were sold with light trucks totaling 65,894, an increase of over 14 percent over 2004. This is a new record for the month and the 13th consecutive year of record light-truck sales.

The Honda Division’s sales were up 5.1 percent to 1,252,862 vehicles. The all-time high December and year-end records were fueled by brisk sales of Honda’s perennial best sellers Civic, Odyssey and Element despite fierce competition in their respective segments. The record was also jacked up by excellent sales of the Pilot and Ridgeline pickup, each posting their best sales months ever.

Honda’s three hybrid vehicles also saw an upward trend in sales with a 1.5 percent increase totaling 25,864 Civic Hybrids. Total hybrid vehicle sales for Honda reached 43,356 vehicles with the addition of the Honda Accord hybrid. The Acura Division also had good news with a 5.7 percent increase or 209,610 cars and SUVs from last year with the RL, TL and TSX luxury performance sedan enjoying record sales. This is the first time Acura sales broke through the 200,000-unit mark.

Visit the Official Honda Website for more details

As Japanese automakers continue to increase their market shares, the Big Three are definitely feeling the heat. After General Motor’s announcement of its restructuring plans in November last year, now comes another restructuring plan from Dearborn. As part of its massive restructuring plan to stem the $1.6 billion loss in North American operations in 2005, Ford Motor Company announced that it will shut down 14 facilities and cut at least 25,000 jobs or close to 25 percent of the company’s entire North American workforce by 2012.

Ford, the second largest automaker in America has been gradually losing market share, now at 17.4 percent the smallest since 1920 and down from 25 percent in the 1990s. Last year, Ford earned only US$2 billion, down 42 percent from a year earlier but still the company’s third consecutive yearly profit. The restructuring plan, dubbed as “Way Forward” is an effort to stop this downward trend and improve the company’s profitability.

Ford’s executive vice president and President of the Americas, Mark Fields, engineered the sweeping restructuring plan which aims to strengthen the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands as well as achieve a more competitive fixed-cost structure and foster an environment of innovation. The plant closures will reduce the company’s assembly capacity by 1.2 million units by late 2008. Fields hopes that this action will significantly improve the assembly capacity utilization rate. However, this also means the loss of almost 30,000 jobs from 2006-2012.

Fields further said that, “Rest assured, our Way Forward is not a retrenchment. It’s about taking back our future; Cutting our own path; Having a clear point of view, and being bold, American and innovative.”

The racing circuits of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) will see a new competitor with the entry of Toyota. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that it will start running cars on NASCAR’s premier stock car series the Nextel Cup and the Busch Series starting 2007 by fielding the Toyota Camry. This will be the first time a foreign auto manufacturer has competed in NASCAR’s top series since the ‘50s when Jaguar ran several races. Until Toyota’s entry, only America’s Big Three automakers – Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford - have campaigned cars in the premier Nextel Cup.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France made the announcement together with Dave Illingworth, senior vice president and chief planning and administrative officer for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. last Monday at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, NC. He says that the arrival of Toyota as the fourth competitor in the circuits is a good for drivers, teams and fans. “This move provides for even more intense competition on the track between drivers and manufacturers, which will provide more excitement and fan interest. Toyota’s entry also provides more options for drivers and teams, which will increase the competition between manufacturers” announced France.

Illingworth said that Toyota has competed and won in different series and tracks across the country for 24 year and said that“…if you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR”. Previously, Toyota has participated successfully in the Goody’s Dash Series for 4-cylinder sedans as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fielding the Tundra in 2004. “We look forward to February of 2007 when the green flag waves to start the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup features the Toyota Camry”, Illingworth enthused. 2007 will be a stellar year for Toyota as the automaker will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United States.

The Toyota Camry, built in Georgetown, Kentucky will represent the automaker at the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. The Camry has been the bestselling car in America for eight years with more than 6.5 million Camry’s sold.

“Don’t take our word for it, Google Pontiac and discover for yourself”

That was the closing statement of a latest TV commercial advertising Pontiac’s new G6 sedan. Google’s familiar user interface was also featured right in the middle of the ad. As the internet search giant expands its reach beyond the internet and into reselling magazine and newspaper ad space and eventually venturing into radio and television ads, some automakers are recognizing the impact that the trusted Google brand name will have on their products. Mark LaNeve, GM sales and marketing chief says that “… [GM is] touting Google, frankly because it stands for credibility and consumer empowerment, and we like the association”.

Consumer Reports, the most trusted and respected name when it comes to consumer product recommendations, has released its annual report on the best and worst SUVs, Trucks, Minivans, and Wagons for 2006. The report identifies the best and worst vehicles in terms of fuel economy. The gas guzzlers and fuel sipping SUVs, trucks, minivans and wagons are determined through a series of tests run by Consumer Reports’ engineers.

The best and worst in fuel economy are based on overall miles-per-gallon performance verified during the real world fuel economy tests. The results are calculated by averaging city, highway and one-day trip mpg ratings. For further details and explanation of Consumer Report’s fuel economy tests visit their website. Fuel economy is a very important factor to consider by new car buyers as well as other factors such as purchase price, safety, performance, insurance cost and overall reliability.

After a series of rigorous real-world fuel economy tests through city streets and highways, the following vehicles stood out in each category as the best and worst:

Small SUVs:

Best: Ford Escape Hybrid, 26 mpg, Honda CR-V EX, 21 mpg, Subaru Forester 2.5X, 21 mpg
Worst: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (6-cyl.), 14 mpg, Jeep Liberty Sport (V6), 15 mpg, Kia Sorento EX (V6), 15 mpg\

Midsize SUVs

Best: Lexus RX400h, 23 mpg; Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited, 22 mpg; Nissan Murano SL, 19 mpg
Worst: Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT LT (V6), 13 mpg; Land Rover LR3 SE (V8), 13 mpg; Hummer H3, 14 mpg.

Large SUVs

Best: Consumer Reports’ testing results found that no vehicles garnered unusually good ratings for fuel economy in this category.
Worst: Dodge Durango Limited (5.7), 12 mpg; Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 12 mpg; Chevrolet Suburban LT, 13 mpg.

Pickups

Best: Subaru Baja (4-cyl.), 20 mpg; Toyota Tacoma (V6), 17 mpg; Chevrolet Colorado LS (5-cyl.), 16 mpg
Worst: Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (5.7), 11 mpg; Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (4.7), 12 mpg; Chevrolet Avalanche (5.3), 13 mpg

Wagons and Hatchbacks

Best: Toyota Prius, 44 mpg; Scion xB (AT), 30 mpg; Pontiac Vibe (FWD), 27 mpg
Worst: Volvo XC70, 18 mpg; Dodge Magnum SXT (V6), 19 mpg; Mazda6 s (V6), 19 mpg

Minivans

Best: Honda Odyssey EX, 19 mpg; Mazda MPV LX, 19 mpg; Toyota Sienna XLE, 19 mpg.
Worst: Consumer Reports’ testing results found that no vehicles garnered unusually poor ratings for fuel economy in this category.