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Nissan Divides Auto Enthusiasts Over New Steering System

Last month, Nissan held its annual Advanced Technology Briefing where they showed off the latest automotive technology that drivers can look forward to seeing soon. The two main attractions of the event were their Active Engine Braking and Autonomous Emergency Steering, and from the looks of it, these new systems could greatly improve driving safety and ease.

To put it simply, Active Engine Braking changes the way that people steer. A video released by Nissan explains that in a car with a traditional steering system, the car’s tires are controlled by a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and tires. To contrast, a car with Active Engine Braking converts steering input information from the steering wheel into electronic signals that turn the tires. Also, Active Engine Braking picks up information like rough terrain, a sloped road, or a cross-wind and automatically makes adjustments for the driver.

The Autonomous Emergency Steering works with the Active Engine Braking to prevent accidents caused by driver error. The system uses cameras in the car to detect any objects, people, or animals in its way and then map a route to avoid hitting any obstacles. It does not kick in unless absolutely necessary, so drivers still have plenty of time to steer clear, but the system could help a driver in a high-stress situation like avoiding a child that ran out into the street or a deer running onto the road.

Not everyone is happy about these new systems, though. Jalopnik’s headline read “The Amazing New Car Tech That Enables You To Drive Like A Moron,” and several commenters on Nissan’s YouTube video were disappointed with the changes. One said, “Goodbye steering feel,” and another accused Nissan of taking away the “joy of driving.” Some commenters came to Nissan’s defense and pointed out that while it might not be right for every driver or car, it would provide a smoother and safer ride for most drivers.

Readers, what do you think? Do you want Active Engine Braking and Autonomous Emergency Steering in your car? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Nissan Offers Employee Discount to Hurricane Sandy Victims

Hurricane Sandy might have come and gone, but she left behind a mess of destroyed homes and vehicles throughout New York and New Jersey. Many car owners are unable to salvage their flooded cars and have to rely on an already overburdened public transit system. Some car manufacturers and dealerships, however, are offering special discounts to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Nissan announced last week that employee pricing would be available for businesses and individuals whose cars were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. Consumers can take advantage of this offer through January 2, 2013, and if they have questions about qualifications and details of the offer, Nissan has set up this website so customers can get a VPP claim ID to take to their local dealership.

The employee discount is as follows:

$750 under invoice on Nissan Versa, Sentra, cube, and Nissan LEAF
$1,000 under invoice on Nissan Altima, Altima Coupe, Rogue, Xterra, Frontier, and Juke
$1,000 under invoice on Nissan NV Standard Roof, High Roof, and Passenger Van
$1,250 under invoice on New Infiniti models
$1,500 under invoice on Nissan 370Z Coupe and Roadstar, Maxima, Pathfinder, Titan, Armada, Quest, Murano, and Murano CrossCabriolet

Other car manufacturers including BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz have pledged donations to the American Red Cross, and Fisker has opened its Wilmington, Delaware factory for housing utility trucks and repair crews who are assisting with relief efforts.

We want to hear from our readers who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Will you take advantage of Nissan’s offer, and do you think these car manufacturers are doing enough? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you looking for a new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will go above and beyond to get you a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

2013 Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced

It isn’t even Halloween yet, and already auto enthusiasts are gearing up for the L.A. Auto Show which opens to the public November 30. While many people are excited for the more than 40 car debuts, concept cars from every major auto manufacturer, and celebrity guests, there are also awards up for grabs including the Green Car of the Year.

Yesterday, the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year award were revealed. The Dodge Dart Aero, Ford Fusion, Ford C-MAX, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota Prius will be battling out for the award which was previously won by the Honda Civic Natural Gas and Chevy Volt.

The line-up this year includes two non-hybrid vehicles as well as several plug-in hybrids. Based strictly on fuel economy, the Prius C is the top performer with 53 mpg city and 46 mgp highway, though the Ford C-MAX is very close with 47 mpg. The Dodge Dart Aero does very well considering it is one of the two non-hybrids nominated, but it still lags with a highway fuel economy of 41 mpg and combined highway/city fuel economy of 32 mpg.

Right now, the Ford C-MAX is an early favorite and the LA Times’ choice for the award, but the winner will not be announced until November 29. Stay tuned to Approved Loan Store to get more coverage of the L.A. Auto Show including the 2013 Green Car of the Year.

Looking for a more fuel efficient car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online application here, and be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Study: Drivers Waiting Longer Between Buying New Cars

A new study from Polk, one of the foremost automotive data and marketing firms, shows that your next car purchase could be more important than you might think.

The recession has changed driver’s attitudes and buying habits, and drivers are now sticking with their cars for much longer than they used to. Dealerships used to expect drivers to buy a new car or truck every three to four years, but that number has doubled to six to eight years.

Why the change? Well, cars are built to last longer. Drivers don’t have to replace their car as often. Unfortunately, that is not the only reason. The recession has left many consumers wary of major purchases like a new car, and if they can delay that purchase for a few years, they are more likely to put it off. To make matters worse, surveys have shown that American consumers hate negotiating auto pricing and financing. No wonder drivers are delaying that trade-in.

The only way that the auto industry can change this trend is by offering more affordable car buying options, streamlining the car buying process, and working to make the car buying process pleasant and simple. At Approved Loan Store, that is exactly what we are doing. We give our customers a better car buying experience. Whether they have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we work tirelessly to get them into a car that they want at terms they can afford.

Are you ready to try a different car buying experience? Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest news and car buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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SEMA Show: Chevy Pushing Compact Concepts, Z-Spec Options

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is coming up next week starting October 30 and running through November 2. Parts manufacturers from across the country will be descending upon Las Vegas to browse, network, and see the future of the auto industry. Prior to the show, however, some exhibitors like Chevrolet are giving early previews of what attendees can look forward to.

According to Autoweek, Chevy will be showing off 39 cars at the SEMA Show next week, and most of their focus will be on a number of compact concept vehicles. The Sonic Z-Spec 1, Sonic Z-Spec 2.5, Spark Sinister, Cruze Upscale, and Sonic B-Spec will all be on display, and Chevy will be officially announcing that Z-Spec options will be in production in 2013. Car shoppers can either purchase and install them, or if they are purchasing a new car, they can add the cost of the options onto the price of the car and have the dealership install them.

This news from Chevy shows again that car manufacturers are focusing on compact cars. It is especially telling that Chevy is pushing compact cars at SEMA Show, one of the biggest automotive shows of the year. Also, Chevy’s announcement that Z-Spec options will be available in 2013 proves that they are listening to car shoppers. People have latched onto the idea of their car being customizable and unique to their needs, something that has worked well for the Dodge Dart, and pushing the Z-Spec options is a smart move on Chevy’s part.

Are you looking for a car to meet your unique needs and financial situation? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to find something that you love and won’t break your budget! 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!

Nissan Leaf Follows Volt’s Lead, Drops Price

In what is perhaps the most “No, Duh” moment of the year, Nissan has realized that they can sell more Nissan Leafs if they lower the price.

Sales for the Chevy Volt, one of the Nissan Leaf’s biggest competitors, were disappointingly slow this year until Chevy offered some major discounts totaling about $10,000, a substantial price cut. Since these discounts were introduced this year, the Volt has outsold every other electric car on the market, including the Leaf.

As 2012 is reaching an end, Nissan probably wants to boost sales across the board but particularly for the Leaf. They expected to sell 40,000 Leafs this year, and right now, they are not on track to meet that goal. The question isn’t quality. The Leaf has received solid reviews, and not paying out the nose at the pump is tempting to many drivers. The Nissan Leaf’s problem has always been its price tag. America’s economy might be in recovery, but its base price of $35,200 is still steep.

As of this publication, Nissan has not stated specifically what incentives or discounts will be offered, but we will keep you up to date when those discounts when that information is available. In the meantime, Approved Loan Store is ready to get you into an affordable new or used car today, whether you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest news and auto buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Toyota, Chevrolet Sonic Earn High Marks in Brand Loyalty

When shopping for a new car, I want to know which brands and models inspire brand loyalty. I want to know which drivers are going back to their current brand or model to look for their next car. Buying a car is a commitment, and brand loyalty surveys are the best way to gauge which drivers have buyer’s regret and which drivers really love their car.

A recent report on brand loyalty from Experian Automotive had some fascinating results. The report looked at which vehicles had returning customers when they went to buy their next car. The top 5 vehicle brands and top 10 vehicle models are as follows:

Top 5 Brands

Toyota: 47.3 percent return rate
General Motors: 46.2 percent
Ford: 46 percent
Hyundai: 45.3 percent
Honda: 43.1 percent

Top 10 Models

Chevrolet Sonic: 60.3 percent
Ford Fusion: 59.9 percent
Ford Flex: 56 percent
Ford Edge: 55.1 percent
Ford Five Hundred: 53.1 percent
Toyota Prius: 51.8 percent
Chevrolet Cruze: 51.7 percent
Kia Forte: 51.6 percent
Ford Escape: 51.4 percent
Ford Fiesta: 51.2 percent

Toyota took the top spot for car brands even though it only had one vehicle in the top 10 models. Ford dominated the models list with the Fusion, Flex, Edge, Five Hundred, Escape, and Fiesta, more than half the list. Most surprising, though, was that the new kid on the block, the Chevrolet Sonic, came in first with model loyalty. The Chevrolet Sonic, formerly known as the Chevrolet Aveo, only premiered in the United States a year ago. The fact that it is already commanding such brand loyalty is really interesting and definitely something to watch in the coming years.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Did your favorite car make the top ten? When you look for a new car, what car makes and models stand out to you or draw you back again? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! 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!

Government Regulations Call for Lighter, Fuel-Efficient Cars

With new government regulations on fuel efficiency, auto makers are facing a difficult decision, a decision that will greatly affect how cars are built in the future. By 2025, their fleets need to average 54.5 miles per gallon, and they will only be able to achieve it by lightening their cars considerably. Steel has been the favored material for years, but now they must choose between high-strength steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber composites.

Of course, one of the biggest challenges facing these automakers is making these cars lighter with different materials while also ensuring that these cars are safe. How will aluminum cars hold up in an accident, particularly with older model cars made of traditional steel? Automakers and the NHTSA have assured drivers that these new models will have to undergo the same rigorous safety tests as any other car, and these new materials will not change their high expectations of quality.

Another question on people’s minds is how this change in materials will affect the cost of production. Luckily, most of these materials are either the same price or only slightly more costly than steel. Ronald P. Kurpitzer of the American Iron and Steel Institute has stated that a part that formerly weighed 100 pounds could now be produced as high-strength steel weighing only 75 pounds at no additional cost. Aluminum has been quoted as costing approximately $600 to $800 more to produce a body in white, and carbon fiber could cost an additional $1,200. These numbers could go down as manufacturers perfect the process, though.

The good news for drivers is that even though the cost of these cars might go up slightly in the next few years, consumers will be saving in the long run at the pump. Fuel efficiency will be improved so much that even if the car’s manufacturing costs several hundred dollars extra, that will easily be made up in savings on gas.

If you are looking for a more fuel-efficient car, Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to find you a car that fits your needs and your financial situation. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest car 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!

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Kia Announces Super Hero-Themed Line-Up

Last Friday, we told you about Kia’s custom Batman-themed Optima which was on display as part of DC’s Darkness & Light art exhibition. We thought it was a fun idea considering that New York Comic Con was also happening this past weekend, and maybe the exhibition would get some attention from the comic book crowd.

As it turns out, Kia has bigger plans with DC. Very soon, Kia will be offering custom cars themed after Batman, The Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman, Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. They will be revealed at special events across the country and then auctioned off for charity benefiting DC’s “We Can Be Heroes” initiative.

Reading over some of the coverage of Kia’s announcement, I think some people missed the point. Time Magazine’s Brad Tuttle called it an “odd” strategy and wondered whether Batman would have driven a Kia Optima. “The practical, commuter brand just wouldn’t be rugged (or bulletproof) enough to suit a Batman’s crime-fighting activities, and Kia’s reputation for affordability wouldn’t be a match for Wayne’s billionaire playboy mystique.” He also made the odd comment that the Wonder Woman car would be the “girliest” Kia model.

Do I need to remind Time Magazine that Batman isn’t real? The point isn’t that Batman would drive this car. If that were the case, it would be completely impractical for any normal American consumer to own and drive. The point is that Kia is increasing brand awareness while also supporting a good cause. The people bidding on the cars will be much more interested in having a piece of car and comics memorabilia and helping families in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

Besides that, there are a lot of words I would use to describe Wonder Woman. Girly is not one of them.

To learn more about “We Can Be Heroes,” check out their website here. If you are looking for a great new or used car, Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to be your automotive heroes! 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!

New Stereos Offer Smart Phone Technology in Older Cars

In the past year, new smart phone technology has advanced substantially and is available in many of the 2012 models. If you don’t have a new car or are looking to purchase a used car, though, never fear. You can still get smart phone technology in older car models with a simple stereo upgrade.

According to a recent New York Times article, some of the options for people looking for an upgrade include Pioneer’s AppRadio 2, the Sony XAV-701HD, the Alpine INE-Z928HD, and the Clarion NextGate. The price ranges from $270 up to $700, and depending on the model, these systems can stream Pandora, sync with most iPhones except the iPhone 5, give driving directions, and work with Bluetooth among other features.

Most of this technology is relatively new, and I was surprised reading over these stereo upgrades and then looking at the price tag. $270 is very reasonable for one of these systems, and I’m sure with some sales hunting that someone could find a system that is even less expensive. Besides that, the systems that allow for hands-free phone calls can help cut down on distracted driving accidents which could be an incentive for parents to get a low-cost system for their teen’s car.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Would you get one of these new stereo upgrades for your car, or do you prefer to keep your car disconnected? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

If you’re looking to get into a new or used vehicle, Approved Loan Store can help! We will work with you and find a car that fits your needs and your budget! 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!