Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo newspaper write Toyota is postponing the use of lithium-ion batteries in Toyota Prius because of safety concerns. As we know, Lithium-ion batteries are used in electronics because of their compact size and good storage capacity. Toyota was planning to use same kind of batteries in their Toyota Prius. After Sony had some troubles due to lithium-ion laptop batteries, exploding Sony batteries cost millions of dollars to Sony Corporation.
Toyota is still using nickel-metal hydride batteries in Toyota Prius. They follow the technology that the automotive industry has been searching for years. They’re agree about next generation batteries which is going to be lithium-ion but because of safety concerns, Toyota has put caution before deciding for today. We’re sure Toyota will be on consumers’ side in the safest way.

Next year we will see new designed cabs in New York streets.The Vehicle Group came with an idea to help physically challenged passengers.So customers get more space than classic Ford Crown Victoria cab.(Powered by a General Motors-sourced 4.3-liter V6, the Standard taxi is just 196.5 inches long) The company’s taxi prototype has shown at the New York auto show in April.

The Vehicle Group, based in Troy, Michigan, made a running prototype of the Standard taxi, a purpose-built cab with special emphasis on the needs of the physically challenged. . It is strong in another area — its versatile interior can accommodate a wheelchair.

Fred Drasner and Pat Corrigan of the Vehicle Group looked for suitable partners in the United States and then in Western Europe. After several choices, they have decided to be partner with a Turkish company called Karsan, Karsan is a leading manufacturer company of light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles like Fiat, Peugeot vans and light commercial vehicles based in Turkey.Whole deal is going to be $400 million and Karsan will export 20,000-plus taxicabs to the United States and Canada over the next 10 years, starting in 2008.

This design study by independent car designer Ruben Vela points to what future Aston Martins could be like. Taking traditional design cues from current Astons, like the front grill and the long hood, Ruben has created a very sleek and stunning update. His goal was to invoke dynamism even when parked. His use of sharp creases with smooth curved shapes reminds me of BMW’s current design style but done right.

When the time comes, Aston Martin should give this guy a call.He created the DB-ONE Concept you see above. Vela says that the design’s most important element is “dynamism”, kind of a subtle tension between the car’s surfaces and lines that gives it an energy even when static. The front grille is much larger than current Aston models and becomes the focal point of the DB-ONE’s front end, while the narrow slit headlights ensure that the massive expanse of sheetmetal presents a dominant front end. A true two-seater, the DB-ONE’s windshield extends up and over the cockpit to let the sun shine in, as well. The extremely tapered rear is probably the least production feasible element on the car, though it definitely adds to the “static motion” theme.

Ruben Vela has a Master Degree in Automotive Design (2004-2006, Polytechnic University - Valencia, Spain) and an Industrial Design degree (2000-2004) at U.P.V. (Politecnic University of Valladolid - Valladolid, Spain).In 2005 he has won the first prize in the VIII Nissan Design Contest with the Nova Concept.
source; dieselstation.com

Anderson Analytics took a survey of 1,000 college students from more than 375 universities in United States and asked questions about where are cars coming from?Finanlly they’ve discovered that many students thought Lexus was American. More than half of them thought Hyundai was Japanese, and at the same time, two-thirds of them think Korean products are no good. Almost half thought Volvo and Saab were German, and more than half thought Land Rover is American. Which, technically, it is, but probably not in the way they meant it.

The survey, carried out last summer, was actually a study of country-of-origin on brand perception. Carmakers weren’t the only ones to suffer from “They don’t make that here?” syndrome. Almost no one knew that Nokia is Finnish, and almost everyone thought that Motorola’s Japanese. But country origin doesn’t have the same effect on brand perception for cell phones that it does on cars. However, how important can it be to make sure people know your car is Swedish if those people can’t point Sweden out on a map? Just make sure they don’t think it’s Korean.

This will be the hottest Corvette ever and will be pitted against such super-sports cars as the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferraris. Blue Devil appears to be living up to the earlier hype. Eyewitnesses said the car sounds supercharged, confirming reports the engine is likely a blown version of the Z06’s 7.0-litre V8, producing upward of 600 bhp. Look for lightweight carbon fibre body parts to reduce weight. We hear 2005 Le Mans class winner Jan Magnussen is turning faster-than-Z06 laps in the Blue Devil at Nürburgring.

Pricing will likely start somewhere around 100,000 US-Dollars when the car makes production in 2008. There won’t be any official exports of the car to Europe.


Text: Automedia / Photos: Automedia

Statement for attribution to Glynn R. Birch, National President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is deeply saddened to learn that alcohol-related traffic deaths are at an all time high since 1992 and is asking the country to commit to the elimination of drunk driving.
According to NHTSA’s preliminary Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, alcohol-related traffic fatalities are up to 17,941 for 2006 versus 17,525 for 2005, representing a 2.4 percent increase. Fatalities involving a driver with a .08 BAC or higher rose from 13,613 in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing a 2.8 percent increase. At the same time, overall traffic fatalities are down slightly by 0.3 percent.
MADD is calling upon Congress to schedule immediate hearings and develop a plan of action that is built upon proven solutions. MADD’s National Board of Directors will meet with congressional safety leaders on June 7 to discuss its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and to lobby for an increased focus on drunk driving. As U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters stated in a press conference this afternoon, MADD will work closely with the Department of Transportation and Governors across the country to reverse these numbers.
The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is exactly what it says it is: a road map for a nation without drunk driving. The Campaign calls for intensive, high visibility law enforcement; mandatory ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers; exploration of advanced vehicle-based technology and community support.
MADD believes that the reason people continue to drive drunk, despite the devastating effect it has on families, is because they can. MADD is committed to changing that. Currently, there are several advanced technologies under development that may one day make it impossible for vehicles to be driven by drunks.
Until then, we must rely on proven techniques to reduce drunk driving: alcohol ignition interlocks and increased high visibility enforcement, such as sobriety checkpoints in all 50 states.
There are 1.4 million drunk driving arrests in this country every year and we must make sure these individuals never drive drunk again. Take a stand America. Ask why ignition interlocks are not mandated the next time you read the headline, “family of four killed by repeat drunk driver.”

Are we really need an another set of doors and a backseat? Mr. Bob Lutz (GM’s vice chairman) is agree with designers. GM thinks that most of customers are ready to buy sport sedans than they buy sport coupes.As we know, some people in Middle East, they are redesign their luxury cars. Adding automatic transmissions and extra doors for their higly priced performance cars. Corvette is giving you a chance to have a serious mid-size car with actual high-performance capabilities. So we will see the future changing trends. I hope it will not stay as an idea in the future.

Toyota’s top-selling hybrid sedan is headed for a redesign next year. The popular Prius four-door is expected to once again differentiate itself with unique styling and class-leading mileage.

Although our spy photo shows an evolutionary shape, it doesn’t represent the final design. It was one of three designs Toyota was considering, but we’ve heard the final decision went to a more conservatively styled Prius more along the lines of the Hybrid X shown in Geneva this year.

Toyota officials have said recently that they hope to bring down the cost premium of hybrids while continuing to improve their efficiency. With new less-hybrid-friendly EPA testing procedures, the 2009 Prius may not show huge gains in its stated fuel economy figures, but its real-world numbers should improve beyond the current 40-45mpg range.

What this means to you: If gas prices continue to climb, the 2009 Toyota Prius could be the hottest new car on the market next year.

The AP reported that Nissan said that cell phones rub some of Nissan’s “intelligent keys” the wrong way, the automaker is warning car owners. Complaints about some cell phones erasing Nissan’s I-keys for the 2007 Altima sedan and 2007 Infiniti G35 have the automaker advising customers to keep cell phones and the plastic fobs containing the starters “at least 1 inch apart at all times.”
A statement released Wednesday by Nissan North America Inc. says some cell phones, if allowed to touch the I-Key while sending or receiving a call, may alter it’s electronic code.
“When this happens the I-Key will not start the vehicle and cannot be reprogrammed,” the statement said.
Nissan said it is developing a modified I-Key to prevent the problem and will provide customers with the new keys in the early fall.
Nissan did not return telephone messages seeking additional comment.
Brent Adams, vice president and general manager at Action Nissan in Nashville, said the problem involves only a “certain type of phone and this particular service,” which he declined to specify.
He described the number of complaints as “minute.”
Ken Hunt, owner of Hunt Nissan in Chattanooga, said the dealership was including a warning in the vehicle packet for purchasers. He said no retail customers have complained.
“I have ordered extra keys in case,” Hunt said.

Top Trucks

1. 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT MSRP $54,145

2. 2007 Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X4 MSRP $18,125 - $26,015

3. 2007 Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 MSRP $14,180 - $23,945

4. 2007 Nissan Truck Frontier King Cab MSRP $16,050 - $25,600

5. 2007 Nissan Truck Frontier Crew Cab MSRP $20,800 - $27,500

Top Economy Vehicles

1.2007 Toyota Corolla MSRP $14,305-$15,515

2. 2007 Toyota Yaris MSRP $11,150 - $13,525

3. 2007 Scion tC MSRP $16,400

4. 2007 Nissan Altima MSRP $17,950 - $28,400

5. 2007 Mazda MAZDA3 MSRP $13,895 - $19,895

Top Vans

1. 2007 Honda Odyssey MSRP $25,645-$39,095

2. 2007 Nissan Quest MSRP $24,350 - $33,900

3. 2007 Toyota Sienna MSRP $24,155 - $37,665

4. 2007 Dodge Caravan MSRP $19,055 - $22,995

5. 2007 Chevrolet Uplander MSRP $20,205 - $33,050

Top SUVs

1.2008 Ford Escape Hybrid MSRP $25,075-$26,825

2. 2007 Honda CR-V MSRP $20,600 - $28,000

3. 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser MSRP $22,110 - $23,700

4. 2007 Lexus RX 350 MSRP $37,400 - $38,800

5. 2007 GMC Yukon Denali MSRP $47,780

Top Sedans

1.2007 BMW M5 MSRP $82,500

2. 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom MSRP $328,750

3. 2007 Toyota Prius MSRP $22,175 - $23,070

4. 2007 Audi RS4 MSRP $66,000

5. 2007 Lexus IS 350 MSRP $35,705

Top Sports Cars

1. 2007 Lotus Elise MSRP $43,990

2. 2007 BMW M5 MSRP $82,500

3. 2007 Audi RS4 MSRP $66,000

4. 2007 Lexus IS 350 MSRP $35,705

5. 2006 Ford GT MSRP $149,995