Tag Archives: NHTSA

New Car Financing: Ford Focus Earns NHTSA Five-Star Rating

2012 has been a great year for the Ford Focus. Back in September, the Focus was projected to outsell the perennial favorite, the Toyota Corolla, and become the world’s best-selling car of 2012. This week, the Focus got more good news when it earned a five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The NHTSA’s Overall Vehicle Score is a combination of the vehicle’s score on its front and side impact crash tests and a rollover resistance test. Broken down, the Focus scored four stars on the rollover resistance and front crash test and scored five stars for the side crash test, earning it the overall five-star score.

The Ford Focus’ high score can be attributed to the new safety technology utilized in the vehicle. Some of these features include the Safety Canopy curtain airbags which protect passengers during a rollover and driver airbags that better protect the chest and ribs in an accident. Also, the SYNC system includes hands-free calls and texting, and the new AdvanceTrac system helps reduce vehicle skidding and automatically makes adjustments to keep the vehicle on track.

While the Ford Focus has already been selling well in 2012, this distinction might give the Ford Focus that boost it needs to outsell the Corolla in the last few months of the year. We will have to wait and see how the numbers ultimately break down at the end of 2012, and we will keep you posted when we know which car will win out as the world’s best-selling car.

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CONSUMER ALERT: Jeep Recall on Certain Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty Vehicles

Last Friday, Chrysler announced that they will be recalling certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles after discovering an issue with the airbags system.

According to the NHTSA, the front and side curtain airbags in some vehicles have been deploying inadvertently which can cause the driver to be injured or to lose control of the vehicle. The affected vehicles are 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles that were manufactured between January 9, 2001 and March 28, 2003 as well as 2002, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees manufactured between February 13, 2001 and May 23, 2003. Chrysler has stated that any affected owners will be contacted, and owners can take their vehicles to their local Chrysler dealership to have their airbag system fixed free of charge.

If owners have any questions about the recall, go to http://www.safercar.gov or call Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

We at the Approved Loan Store want to keep our readers safe on the road, and you can get the latest auto news and consumer alerts by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube. Also, if you are looking for a new or used vehicle, we are ready to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you in the car you want at rates you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and we will contact you with the Approved Loan Store location nearest you!

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!

Image courtesy of Rawich / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CONSUMER ALERT: Counterfeit Air Bags

This morning, the NHTSA released a safety advisory to consumers regarding counterfeit air bags that were installed at repair shops not associated with a new car dealership. At Approved Loan Store, we want to keep our readers informed of any and all consumer alerts from organizations that could affect their driving safety, so we wanted to break down the advisory and give you strictly the information that you need to know.

First off, this is potentially only going to affect less than 0.1 percent of vehicles, but since they don’t have all the pertinent data, it could be more than that. Any consumer who bought their car new and never had their air bags replaced is not affected by this advisory, and consumers who had their car’s air bag installed at a repair shop associated with a new car dealership are also not affected.

If the following qualifications apply to you, then you should contact a local call center and get your car checked out at a new car dealership’s repair shop. You can get the number for your local call center at www.SaferCar.gov.

Replaced vehicle’s air bags within the past three years at a repair shop not associated with a new car dealership
Purchased a used car and are unsure of the car’s full history
Purchased a car with a title branded salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed
Purchased a replacement air bag from a non-certified source such as eBay

If you believe that your car might be affected, take care of it right away. The NHTSA has released a frightening video of what happens when these counterfeit air bags are deployed. Jalopnik is hosting the video here. This is not something to put off for a few days or a few weeks. If your car fits any of the categories listed above, get it checked out as soon as possible.

Are you looking for a new or used car you can rely on? Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a safe and affordable vehicle today! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and consumer alerts like today’s air bag advisory by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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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“Designated Texter” Hopes to Change Trend on Texting-and-Driving Accidents

In the past year, we have talked a lot about the dangers of texting and driving and new technologies designed to curb this deadly trend. Parents and educators have tried scaring teens with PSAs and real-life stories of people whose lives were ruined when a friend or family member decided to text and drive. The answer to texting and driving, though, might be a heck of a lot easier (and cheaper) than any of these high-tech bells and whistles and more effective than scare tactics.

“Designated driver” is a term that is very familiar to any driver old enough to drink. It means that when a person chooses to drink, they willingly give up their car keys to a sober driver or arrange for a taxi pick-up at the end of the night. Similarly, the new term “designated texter” indicates someone in the car other than the driver who will place any calls or send any texts for the car. For example, if a group of friends are driving to a party but get lost on the way, the designated texter can call or text to get directions.

Honestly, I am shocked that no one came up with this idea before. It is simple, doesn’t cost anything, and is purely common sense. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is hoping that the idea catches on, and at Approved Loan Store, we hope so too. We want all of our customers to be safe on the road and encourage our readers to use common sense whenever they get behind the wheel. Whether it means getting a designated driver or assigning a designated texter, do what you need to do in order to stay safe and keep others safe on the road.

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Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CBS News Picks 5 Best Cars Made in America

Yesterday, CBS News MoneyWatch named their 5 best American-built cars. With so many great American cars on the market today, we were curious as to what made the cut. The list is below along with our thoughts on each of their picks.

Cadillac CTS – Winner of Popular Mechanics’ Top 10 Car, Car and Driver’s 10Best, and Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value Award, CBS couldn’t really make the list without the Cadillac CTS. The Cadillac CTS’s latest tagline is, “If you’re going to make a statement, don’t mumble,” and with its combination of power and luxury, a driver won’t be able to blend in driving the Cadillac CTS.

Buick LaCrosse – In the past, the Buick LaCrosse has had no trouble racking up stellar reviews and awards, and 2012 is no exception. Already, it has earned five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. Kelley Blue Book reviewers also gave it a 4.5 out of 5 rating, making it popular with everyday drivers and car reviewers alike.

Ford Flex – The Ford Flex is probably the most underrated of the bunch here. It still isn’t a household name, but consumers and car reviewers who have driven it are hoping that changes soon. This cross-over is a seven-passenger family car with a completely different feel from the usual minivan or SUV.

Chrysler 300 – In 2012, the Chrysler 300 has already taken home some of the industry’s top awards. The 2012 Chrysler 300 was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines and Interiors as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. It was also ranked #1 in Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000 and made Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Best Family Cars list. Like the Cadillac CTS, it would be difficult to make a list of the best American-made cars without including the Chrysler 300.

Ford Focus – Edmunds claims that the Ford Focus the first American-made compact car to really give Japanese automakers a run for their money, and though that initial success might have gone to their head, Ford has made some big changes to the Focus that have made it a must-see American-made model. Edmunds specifically cited the 2012 Focus as a “monumental improvement,” calling it a “well-rounded, well-built car that is easy to recommend.”

We want to know what you think of CBS News’ list! Did your favorite car make the cut? What do you think got snubbed? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

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NHTSA Deciding on Rear-View Cameras by the End of Year

Rear-view cameras, a relatively new safety feature, might become standard in vehicles before the end of the year pending a decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

These cameras were first introduced in luxury vehicles, but they have started popping up in mid-level cars more often in the past year. The NHTSA is considering making them mandatory in order to decrease vehicle backover accidents and deaths. According to the NHTSA, backover accidents on average cause 183 fatalities and up to 7,419 injuries every year.

The NHTSA were expected to make a decision last month, but they delayed a decision until the end of the year in order to fully explore the issue. In an official statement, they reiterated their commitment to safety and said that they would be surveying thousands of drivers who currently have rear-view cameras to discover the benefits and any potential problems with the technology.

Critics of the rear-view cameras say that the cameras are expensive and problematic. Reflection on the video screens at certain times of the day can impair the driver’s ability to see, and responsible drivers will still want to use the rear-view mirrors in addition to the camera. Still, I am holding out to see what the NHTSA discovers in the next year. Rear-view cameras cannot stop someone from being a bad driver, but maybe it can help stop a capable driver from making a deadly mistake.

No matter what you are looking for in safety features, Approved Loan Store can help you get into a dealership and get a car payment plan that is right for you. Fill out our car application here, and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest auto news!