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Ford Focus Challenges Corolla for World’s Top Seller

For years, the Toyota Corolla has reigned as the world’s best-selling car, but this year, the reigning champ might have some competition.

Ford has projected that based on their current sales numbers, the Ford Focus will outsell the Toyota Corolla worldwide in 2012. According to their press release, the Ford Focus is leading the Toyota Corolla, 489,616 to 462,187. Volkswagen also has its sights set on the top spot with the new VW Golf, though it is not expected to overtake the Corolla this year.

While it would be exciting to see a shake-up with the top rankings, I think Ford is being a little premature in their celebrating. After all, they have been close to beating the Corolla before and have ultimately lost in the final sprint to the end of the year. I’m not a superstitious person, but I do believe that Ford might have jinxed itself with this press release. Maybe they should have focused a little less on press releases over a projected win and focused on selling their Focus.

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The Paris Motor Show: What’s New and Shiny from Land Rover

The Paris Motor Show is coming up later this week, and all the major car manufacturers are giving auto enthusiasts an early sneak peek at what they can expect to see from the show. Up until the show, we are going to bring you the latest news and announcements coming out of the Paris Motor Show.

The new Range Rover has already made Autoblog’s list of their top 10 Paris Motor Show debuts, but two weeks ago, Land Rover customers got a sneak peek of the new Range Rover at the beautiful former Frick estate.

Those who were lucky enough to get an invite got to preview the new vehicle, tour the grounds and mansion, and enjoy catered food and cocktails. For longtime fans, there was a lot to admire about the model’s updates. Changes to the Range Rover included the fully automatic “Terrain Response 2” system, a more aerodynamic design, and an all-aluminum unibody structure that is 700 pounds lighter than the previous model. Such a dramatic drop in the weight of the car will create better fuel efficiency for the Range Rover, making it more appealing to the environmentally conscious and those who would rather pay less at the pump.

Attendees at the Paris Motor Show will get to see the new Range Rover soon enough, but it was a nice gesture for Land Rover to show their appreciation to their most loyal customers by hosting this event prior to the show. Ultimately, they gave their fans exactly what they wanted, which was a new Range Rover that improved on the past model. Everything else (cocktail hour included) was just an extra perk.

To see more of the upcoming show, stay tuned to the Approved Loan Store and check out the event’s official site here. Also, get the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

The Paris Motor Show: What’s New and Shiny from Fiat

The Paris Motor Show is coming up in a little over a week, and all the major car manufacturers are giving auto enthusiasts an early sneak peek at what they can expect to see from the show. Up until the show next week, we are going to bring you the latest news and announcements coming out of the Paris Motor Show.

Fiat won’t be officially premiering their new Panda 4X4 five-door hatch until the Paris Motor Show next week, but a few weeks ago, they released a few promo pictures (and a rather lengthy press release) to pique our interest.

The Panda 4X4, dubbed the “Super Panda,” practically screams “off-road” in its design, though Fiat claims it is a versatile car that can tackle the “urban jungle” as well as rough terrain. The exterior is a dark forest green, and the interior color scheme reminds me of army camo with a mix of light tan and dark green. Buyers will have their choice of two different engines, either the new 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo or the 75 HP 1.3 MultiJet II diesel, and the interior will come with a standard manual climate control system, CD/MP3 radio, electric rear view windows, and more as well as other optional accessories.

I wouldn’t say that the Panda 4X4 is the most exciting addition to the Paris Motor Show, but it does offer something that none of these other off-road vehicles do not offer. Fiats have this adorable charm to them that is really hilarious when paired with the rough-and-tumble off-road vehicle culture. Even the dark green and tan color scheme doesn’t toughen up its image. When I look at the “Super Panda,” it reminds me of a roly-poly baby panda dressed up in army camo and trying to growl ferociously, and I can’t think of a single other off-road vehicle that offers that charm.

The Paris Motor Show: What’s New and Shiny from Lexus

Lexus’ big headliner at the 2012 Paris Motor Show will be a new concept car making its debut this year. The LF-CC will have a lot to live up to after the unveiling of the LF-LC at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year with its sporty look and bold tagline, “The Pursuit of Perfection.” How will Lexus make the LF-CC stand out in an already large number of concept cars at the Paris Motor Show?

The first pictures of the LF-CC look slick, classy, and more understated than the LF-LC. On the outside, the bodywork is designed for maximum traction, and the mesh grille and LED 3-light headlights give it a decidedly cool modern look. On the inside, there is a new 2.5 liter full hybrid powertrain with a high-output electric motor. Like other concept cars coming to the Paris Motor Show, lower carbon dioxide emissions are a concern, and their new hybrid powertrain gives out less than 100 g/km. According to a press release from Toyota, Lexus is planning to integrate this hybrid powertrain in its other models in the next few years, so while the model is a concept car, the technology it brings will be available soon.

Lexus did not include any pictures of the car’s interior, but they are putting emphasis on their Human Machine Interface, or HMI, design philosophy. They claim that the layout of the interior creates a better driving experience that will keep the driver focused and comfortable. The interior color scheme is described as a “warm, elegant amber leather finish” and compliments the outside’s contrasting metallic finish.

I will be looking for the LF-CC at the show, but right now, I am not as excited for the LF-CC as some of the other concept cars. The new hybrid powertrain sounds interesting, and I really love the exterior shots. The problem is that they are playing up the car as a “superior driving experience,” and a huge part of a luxury car is its interior. If they had included even just one picture of that “elegant amber leather finish,” I could get more excited for its premiere, but as it is right now, I feel like I’ve only seen half of a car.

The Paris Motor Show: What’s New and Shiny from Kia

Kia’s line-up for the Paris Motor Show is a bit more modest than BMW or Nissan. They are only pushing two new vehicles, and neither car is flashy or futuristic or have promotional pictures with Lady Gaga’s rejected back-up dancers. The new Carens is a family-oriented compact car, and the new pro_cee’d is a souped-up hatchback that was actually a pretty popular model for Kia.

What they lack in pizazz, though, they make up for in practicality. Kia loves to tout its value, and the newest upgrades to both models make them an even better deal for buyers on a budget. For the environmentally conscious, Kia has also worked to reduce carbon dioxide emissions with the new pro_cee’d down to 97 g/km. I predict right now that Kia isn’t going to make any big headlines this year, but their new and improved Carens and pro_cee’d will quietly rack up some great sales for Kia.

The Paris Motor Show: What’s New and Shiny from BMW

BMW’s line-up for the Paris Motor Show is squarely focused on the future of the industry, specifically electric car and hybrid technology. Their headliner is the BMW Concept Active Tourer which consumes less than 2.5 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers, or 0.66 gallon per 62 miles. They will also be showing off the BMW i3 Concept which is entirely electric drive and built with environmental sustainability in mind. Materials used in the car’s interior were chosen carefully including the eucalyptus wood for the instrument panel and the olive leaf treatment used on the leather seats.

BMW will be showing off more than just concept cars, though. The new BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, and 7 Series will all be premiering at the Paris Motor Show, and BMW’s new ConnectedDrive feature will also be on display. ConnectedDrive is a built-in three-dimensional navigational system and dictation service which allows drivers to write e-mails and text messages without their eyes ever leaving the road. The system is available for all BMW models.

While I’m sure the concept cars will be an interesting peek at what lies ahead, I am more interested in seeing how ConnectedDrive stacks up against other voice recognition/navigational systems. Does the voice recognition actually work, or will the first model have problems? I hope that BMW has not cut corners with the technology like other manufacturers have done in the past few years. We have covered the dangers of distracted driving, and if ConnectedDrive works the way it is intended, it could keep more drivers’ eyes off their phones and on the road.

The Paris Motor Show: What’s New and Shiny from Nissan

At the Paris Motor Show, just about every car brand is premiering something new and shiny. It can be tough to keep track of everything and know which cars to keep a look out. While it is impossible for us to cover everything from the show, we want to give you the highlights, including the new models premiering at the show. Today, we’re bringing you what is new, shiny, and standing out in Nissan’s announced line-up.

Imagine a zero-emissions car that can handle tough terrain. Imagine the future of city transportation in London and New York City. Imagine a car designed in collaboration with one of the most famous fashion magazines in the world. All of these cars (and more) will be on display by Nissan.

The TeRRA, NV200 Taxi, and Micra ELLE are only a handful of the vehicles that Nissan will be showing off. Personally, I’m excited for the Juke with Ministry of Sound, a limited edition model that Nissan worked on in collaboration with the aforementioned Ministry of Sound. It comes in Metallic Black or Solid White, and the Juke Box, which will be at the Nissan stand, will show off the “world’s ultimate sound system.”

Crosswalk Pong Encourages Pedestrians Not to Jaywalk

Last month, an ad agency got bar patron’s attention with a “drunk mirror” which warned against the dangers of drunk driving in a very clever way. Earlier this month, the NHTSA introduced the idea of a “designated texter” to encourage drivers not to text or talk on the phone while driving. Continuing the trend of cleverly disguised public safety measures, a couple of German students came up with a great idea for preventing jaywalking.

Sandro Engel and Holger Michel wanted to get people engaged at the most unlikely of places, the crosswalk. They created a short video “StreetPong” demonstrating two people standing on opposite sides of a crosswalk and playing against each other in a pong-like video game. The idea is that while people are waiting for the light to change, they will be less likely to jaywalk if they can play pong against a real-life player across the street. Engel and Michel even added a fun detail to the game. The pong screen backdrop is actually a picture of a city street, so it is like the players are having an actual game of ping-pong across the street.

The game hasn’t actually been installed at the crosswalk since the video is only meant to be a demonstration of how this pong game could work. Engel and Michel created the effect in the video using a small green screen on the crosswalk pole. A lot of people already wish it was real, though. The video has been watched 614,000 times, received 737 likes on Vimeo, and was featured on Autoblog. They have clearly come up with an idea that people are latching onto, and I do wonder if we will start seeing less jaywalking and more pedestrians gaming at the crosswalk.

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Car Shopping in the Golden Years

Each car buyer has very different needs. Families need a different car than a college student. Different models offer more space, a better speaker system, leather seats, more cup holders and spaces for toys and books. Similarly, older drivers definitely need a different car than younger drivers. For young car shoppers, car buying means how much flash and bang you can get for your buck. When you are shopping for a car post-retirement age, however, there are more factors that must be taken into consideration for both comfort and safety.

Visual impairments, arthritis, and other degenerative conditions are the biggest factor that retirees should keep in mind while shopping for a car. By choosing the right car now, they won’t have to deal with potentially costly upgrades and modifications later. Keyless entry and thicker steering wheels would be a good choice for someone dealing with arthritis, plus they should look at the height of the car and whether they can climb in comfortably. Some trucks and SUVs are taller, and they might be tougher to climb into depending on the driver’s height. Also, drivers with vision issues might benefit from having a rear-view camera in addition to larger side mirrors. It might be helpful before going into the dealership to read up on models that offer features that will suit your specific needs. This way, you can narrow the field before even walking in the door.

While you can certainly read up and research makes and models before getting to the dealership, though, there is nothing that replaces a test drive. Car buyers are doing test drives less these days, but for older car buyers, it is imperative so that any potential problems are caught before any money is put down. Also, if you really like a car but you want something customized, don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson. They might not always be able to accommodate, especially if you are looking at used cars, but it is better to ask than question your car buying decision later. The great part about buying through Approved Loan Store is our large inventory of pre-owned vehicles. Our locations offer a wide selection at low prices, so you might not have to compromise on what you want, what you can afford, and what will suit your specific driving needs.

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Good credit, bad credit, no credit, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Classic Car Horn to Get an Upgrade

Ah, the car horn. Classic and almost completely unchanged over the years, it is still the most satisfying way to let other drivers know that they are doing it wrong. Car manufacturers have said recently, though, that the car horn might finally be due for an upgrade.

Designing a car horn is actually much more complicated than it seems. First, they have to decide what musical note combination will be used the horn’s sound. They want a combination that is not overly irritating but will also catch a driver’s attention. Also, manufacturers have to produce a horn that will comply with state and international noise laws while also improving on the current models.

What can consumers expect from these new car horns? Well, designers want them to be lighter to increase fuel efficiency. At the same time, they should be stronger and able to hold up to higher usage while at the same time staying low cost. It is uncertain when these new car horns will be integrated into new car models, but it is not likely to be anytime soon. Until then, you can walk down the street of Manhattan and enjoy the cacophonous symphony of A and F-note car horns.

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you, whether you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net