Did you know that in the United States…
End-of-life vehicles are the most recycled consumer product both in terms of percentage and volume.
More than 95 percent of all end-of-life vehicles go through a market-driven recycling infrastructure with no added costs or taxes to consumers.
And more than 84 percent, by weight, of each end-of-life vehicle is recycled.
Materials processed from end-of-life vehicles go back into making new cars, roads, buildings, consumer products and even garden mulch.

Nissan’s new Mixim concept shows what a future electric-powered city car might look and act like, the Japanese automaker said as it previewed its concept prior to a Frankfurt auto show introduction.

The Mixim is powered by a “Super Motor” electric powertrain, which Nissan promises will give the concept “unusually rapid performance” and a “usefully extended range.” Since one motor powers the front wheels and one, the rears, the Mixim is all-wheel driven.

The use of lithium-ion batteries will likely be the hot topic at the Nissan press conference in Frankfurt. Both GM and Toyota are experimenting with the high-capacity batteries, but neither has approved them for production – and reports have indicated Toyota would not delay its next-generation Prius hybrid in expectation of using lithium-ion batteries in it.

In terms of its packaging and shape, Nissan says the coupe shape applied to the Mixim will make it appealing to a young driver and two passengers, each sitting on either side of the driver seat. A fourth seat is tucked in beneath the hatchback.

From the outside, the Mixim is said to resemble the visor of a crash helmet, with its staggered roofline and choppy rear end. Diamond shapes are found all around the exterior, from the air intakes to the rear door shape to the LED driving lights. Inside, the steering wheel and controls are patterned after video games.

The Mixim rides on a 99.6-inch wheelbase, is 145.7 inches long and 70.9 inches wide, and 55.1 inches high. More compact than Nissan’s Micra, it weighs about 2100 pounds.

Britax Child Safety Inc., a leading child seat manufacturer, has announced the addition of the Diplomat(TM), a compact child seat with True Side Impact Protection(TM).

“A growing number of people are driving compact cars,” said Jeanna Rimmer of Britax Child Safety Inc. “The Diplomat has been created to meet the demand of those parents and caregivers with automotive space constraints, while maintaining Britax’s dedication to safety and side impact protection – all trademarks of the Britax brand.”

Research has shown that 23 percent of vehicle crashes are side impact, crashes in which the most common injuries are to the head and face. Britax has continued its dedication to safety by creating True Side Impact Protection(TM) with deep expanded polystyrene foam lined side walls and deep side wings. This patented protection barrier is designed to absorb vehicle crash forces, minimize lateral head movement, contain the head and body and shield the child from vehicle intrusion.

The Britax Diplomat(TM), which is modeled after Britax’s best-selling child seat, the Boulevard(TM), is approved to hold children who weigh up to 40 pounds. This compact child seat has a quick-adjust headrest and harness for easy and accurate adjustment, and includes body pillows, offering children greater comfort, positioning and sleep support.

The Diplomat(TM), which will be available in late August 2007, will retail at $259.99 and will be available in a variety of fabrics with vibrant colors and sophisticated patterns. The Diplomat(TM) can be purchased nationwide at independent retail shops and mass retailers.

NOTE: Product photos are available upon request. For more information: http://www.britaxdiplomat.com/

Britax Child Safety Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Britax Childcare, a global leader in the child seat and travel-system markets. Founded in 1996, Britax Child Safety, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. The company produces and distributes quality child-safety restraints ranging from rear- facing infant seats to seat-belt-positioning boosters for older, larger children. Britax is the only child-restraint manufacturer with five state-of- the-art crash-test labs that can certify restraints to global government requirements. For more information, visit www.BritaxUSA.com.

source;autochannel

Nissan announced a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,070 for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, which is on sale now at Nissan retailers in the eight states that have adopted California emissions regulations — California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The Altima Hybrid has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service as meeting the requirements for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, thereby qualifying for a tax credit of $2,350.

Enhancements to the 2008 Altima Hybrid include standard splash guards and Diversity Antenna, along with an available factory-activated XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) monthly subscription required, sold separately).

Altima Hybrid is offered in one model and with four available option packages — Convenience Package, Connection Package, Power Sliding Glass Moonroof and Technology Package.

The 2008 Altima Hybrid ’s EPA fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway. It is rated as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and emits almost no evaporative emissions. Combined with Altima’s standard 20-gallon fuel tank, Altima Hybrid has a projected driving range of over 600 miles between fill-ups.

The Altima Hybrid features a high level of standard equipment, including 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

Altima Hybrid also features a standard dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered air conditioning system that continues to provide cooling when the gasoline engine is stopped.

Every Altima Hybrid offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), front seat-mounted side- impact supplemental air bags for chest protection, roof-mounted curtain side- impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection and front seat Active Head Restraints.

For 2008, Altima is also available in 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter inline 4- cylinder gasoline engine models in 4-door Sedan and 2-door Coupe body styles.
source;autochannel

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced it will begin testing of a new technology to prevent drunk-driving in cooperation with local prefectural authorities in Japan.

Nissan is actively engaged in developing a wide range of technologies to improve road safety through the prevention of drunk-driving. In June, Nissan introduced a new message alert against drunk-driving through its Carwings navigation system.

Nissan will test a new on-board breathalyzer system that can detect the alcohol level on a driver’s breath. If the system detects the presence of alcohol above the specified level, the ignition will be disabled through an “interlock” mechanism.

The tests will be conducted in partnership with Kitakyushu city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Tochigi Prefectural Government and Kaminokawa town, as well as Atsugi city in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The system is installed on daily-operating vehicles where the drivers will monitor various factors such as functionality and alcohol-detection reliability. Nissan will use these test results to further its research and development in preventive drunk-driving technology.

Globally, Nissan is committed to build safer vehicles equipped with advanced safety technologies. In Japan, the company’s safety vision is to halve the number of traffic fatalities or serious injuries involving Nissan vehicles by 2015 compared with the level in 1995.

Nissan is taking holistic approach towards safety that extends beyond the technology built into its vehicles. To achieve a “safe driving environment”, Nissan has embarked on the Intelligent Transport System Project (ITS) in Kanagawa Prefecture – aimed at helping to reduce road accidents via the analysis of traffic data collected from on-the-road vehicles and traffic beacons. In addition, Nissan is engaged in various road safety campaigns targeted at both adults and children, and continues to collaborate with partners from the government and private sectors.
source:autochannel

Chrysler has shelved plans to build a production version of the Imperial concept it introduced at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Citing increasing fuel costs and more stringent fuel economy standards expected from Capitol Hill, Chrysler said that the Imperial project was off, as a viable business case could no longer be made for the car.

Chrysler will still invest in the Brampton, Ontario plant that had been earmarked for Imperial production, but that focus will be on the next-gen 300 instead. Regarding the Imperial, Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff said that given the current climate, bringing the Imperial to production would have been “irresponsible.” A side benefit of the cancellation is that we will be spared the sight of the “poor man’s Phantom’s” ghastly front end on American roads.

Source: Detroit Free Press

After months of testing, BMW’s pending X6 has finally shed some of its anti-spy cloaking, giving Brenda Priddy’s spy shooters a glimpse at its true shocking form.

A radically sloping backlight was predicted, and BMW’s engineers haven’t disappointed, as the X6 clearly has a coupe-like profile, which looks dynamic but likely seriously eats into storage and rear-seat passenger space. Bimmerphiles won’t like this analogy, but it rather reminds us of a modern AMC Eagle (a car that is arguably the progenitor of the whole crossover movement in the first place).

The X6 promises to be at once longer and lower than the current X5, but it is expected to deliver a more overtly sporting driving experience, and only seat four. It is expected to be assembled at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina facility, alongside the Z4 and X5.
source:windingroad

Yachiyo Industry Co. Ltd., a Honda consolidated subsidiary in Japan, announced it has determined to acquire the land adjacent to its Yokkaichi Factory to build new production facility in the effort to further strengthen its mini-vehicle business.
The purpose of the land acquisition is to establish the optimal production system for mini-vehicles, including engines and parts, in order to further improve the competitiveness of mini-vehicles that the company produces.

Although the detailed plans are still to be finalized, the company plans to begin with the establishment of an engine assembly facility, which will enable the company to achieve synchronous production of automobiles including the engine and the complete automobile, which in turn will help the company improve the efficiency of production and logistics.

source;autochannel

Recent teen driving tragedies involving text messaging while driving are evidence that driving distractions are becoming as prevalent as drinking and driving in terms of inhibiting teens’ driving abilities.

According to recent teen driving research by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, instant and text messaging while driving leads the list as the biggest distraction while driving for teens.

In a national survey of more than 900 teens with driver’s licenses from 26 high schools, teens rated the following behaviors or activities as “extremely” or “very” distracting:

Instant or text messaging while driving – 37 percent
[The teen driver's] emotional state – 20 percent
Having several friends in the car – 19 percent
Talking on a cell phone – 14 percent
Eating or drinking - 7 percent
Having a friend in the car – 5 percent
Listening to music – 4 percent
SADD and Liberty Mutual have collaborated on seven years of research on teens’ attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making behind the wheel. Study results include data on cell phone use while driving, alcohol and drug use, seat belt use, and speeding, as well as comparative data between teens and parents.

SADD Chairman and CEO Stephen Wallace and SADD Executive Director Penny Wells are available to further discuss study results, including texting while driving and teen behavior in general behind the wheel.

What Can Concerned Parents Do?

While most states have adopted or are adopting legislation around teen driving, the restrictions of teen driving laws vary from state to state. Based on the extensive research over the past seven years, SADD and Liberty Mutual have set forth the following all-encompassing recommendations for concerned parents of teenagers.

Know your state’s Graduated Driver License laws and restrictions, including unsupervised driving, time of day, and passengers in the car, and enforce them. The Governors Highway Safety Association provides a description of each state’s laws at www.statehighwaysafety.org.
Set family rules about driving and outline clear consequences for breaking the rules. Liberty Mutual and SADD suggest some rules if they are not covered by your state laws:
No use of alcohol or other drugs
No cell phone use, including text messaging
Limit or restrict friends in the car without an adult
No driving after 10 p.m.
Keep two hands on the wheel – No distractions while driving, including eating, changing CDs, handling iPods, and putting on makeup
Enforce consequences if a family rule is broken . The SADD/Liberty Mutual studies show that parental enforcement bolsters safe driving habits. More than half (52 percent) of teens who say their parents are unlikely to follow through on a consequence if they break a driving law report they talk on a cell phone while driving, compared to only 36 percent of teens who believe their parents would indeed penalize them.
Do as you say . Exhibit behaviors in the car that you would like your teen to emulate. And, don’t engage in behaviors you have established as off limits for your teen. While young people say overwhelmingly their parents are or will be the biggest influence on how they drive, almost two thirds (62 percent) of high school teens say their parents talk on a cell phone while driving; almost half (48 percent) say their parents speed; and almost a third (31 percent) say their parents don’t wear a safety belt.
Sign a teen driving contract. SADD’s Contract for Life can be found at http://www.sadd.org/contract.htm.
source:sadd.org