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Automotive X Prize: Finals race results, officials closer to naming winners
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Automotive X Prize: Finals race results, officials closer to naming winners</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="entry-body"> <div class="blog-video-right"> <object height="234" width="312"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jbVvK2bKz0k&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="234" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jbVvK2bKz0k&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="312" /></object></div></div> Results are in for Tuesday&#39;s final race for the Automotive X Prize, the $10 million competition to create a viable automobile that can deliver 100 MPGe, or miles per gallon equivalent. The <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d702533424374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431313830253236616d702533425f4c692d496f6e5f4d6f746f72735f576176652532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Li-ion Wave</a>, a bright-green tadpole of a car run by a team of friendly, down-home North Carolina guys, is the race winner, putting them at the head of the pack to win the $2.5 million prize for the Alternative class with side-by-side seating. <br /><br />Finishing that race just 0.18 seconds behind them is Finnish university team, <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d702533424374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431313938253236616d702533425f5261636561626f75745f4173736f63696174696f6e5f5261636561626f75742532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Raceabout</a>, with their low-slung beige sports car. Team <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d702533424374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431323033253236616d702533425f54573458505f54573458502532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">TW4XP</a>, a German team that sprang from the makers of the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e7477696b652e636f6d253246656e676c697368253246686f6d65253246686f6d652e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Twike</a>, placed a distant third, more than 11 and a half minutes behind Raceabout. <br /><br />The race was 50 laps around Michigan International Speedway, with a large &quot;bus stop&quot; chicane on the back straightaway. Cars had to maintain at least 45 mph and not exceed 70 mph, yet it was very much a race for time and efficiency.<br /> <br />There are two remaining teams in the class didn&#39;t finish the race. The <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d702533424374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431313737253236616d702533425f5a41505f416c6961732532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">ZAP Alias</a> exhausted its batteries two laps before the end. And the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d702533424374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431313833253236616d702533425f4170746572615f65312532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Aptera</a>, made by a California startup company that has been working on its electric car since 2006, suffered a breakdown 18 laps into the 100-mile race. <br /><br />The teams all managed to achieve more than 100 miles per gallon equivalent during the race. TW4XP returned 138.9 MPGe, Li-ion 125, and Raceabout 100. All five cars competing in this category are electric vehicles that run only on batteries. Three of them, TW4XP, Alias, and Aptera, are three-wheelers.&#0160; <br /><br />There were a few penalties assessed for speed violations:<br /><ul> <li>Team Li-ion received 1 penalty for driving under 45 mph</li> <li>Raceabout received 2 penalties for exceeding 70 mph</li> <li>TW4XP had 4 penalties for driving under 45 mph</li> </ul> Cars competing in the other two prize categories did not race. There is only one team left in each category and those teams both have two more-or-less identical vehicles. In the Mainstream category, competing for a $5 million prize purse, is Edison2, with two cars running on E85 ethanol. X-Tracer, a team with two enclosed electric motorcycles (with outriggers that deploy at stops) is the last team in the Alternative tandem class, for &quot;cars&quot; with two seats in a row. <br /><br />Results from the combined performance/efficiency race:<br /><br /> <table bgcolor="#666666" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#eef1f6"> <td align="center"><strong>Team/Car</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>Class</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>Race results</strong></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Edison2 #97</td> <td align="center">Mainstream</td> <td align="center">-</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f6f6f6">Edison2 #98</td> <td align="center">Mainstream</td> <td align="center">-</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Li-ion Motors Wave</td> <td align="center">Alternative side-by-side</td> <td align="center">1st place</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center">Raceabout</td> <td align="center">Alternative side-by-side</td> <td align="center">+0.18 sec.</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">TW4XP</td> <td align="center">Alternative side-by-side</td> <td align="center">+12 min., 37 sec.</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center">ZAP Alias</td> <td align="center">Alternative side-by-side</td> <td align="center">-2 laps</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Aptera</td> <td align="center">Alternative side-by-side</td> <td align="center">-18 laps</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center">X-Tracer E-Tracer 7009</td> <td align="center">Alternative tandem</td> <td align="center">-</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">X-Tracer E-Tracer 7002</td> <td align="center">Alternative tandem</td> <td align="center">-</td> </tr> </tbody> </table><br /> All of these teams will now move on to the Validation stage, where their fuel economy and emissions are retested on a stationary dynamometer at Argonne National Laboratory. If they make it through validation, with fuel economy averaging 100 MPGe or more between their on-road and lab results, they will be on track to win the X Prize. <br /><br />For <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d7025334243747970652533444d61696e73747265616d253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431313834253236616d702533425f456469736f6e325f566572795f4c696768745f4361722532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Edison2</a> and <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c54797065253344253236616d702533424374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c69737473253236616d70253342494425334431313934253236616d702533425f582d5472616365725f452d5472616365722532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">X-Tracer</a>, they are competing only with themselves. Should they pass the Validation phase next month, they win their classes. What is less clear at this point is what team will win the Alternative side-by-side, as that will come down to the details.<br /><br />The Alternative side-by-side class winner will be Li-ion, Raceabout, or TWX4P.<br /><br />After analyzing the data, including assessing penalties, to determine the best in each class, the winners in each class will be announced on September 16th. <br /><p>Follow our Auto X Prize coverage here in the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246636172732532466175746f2d782d7072697a652532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Cars blog</a>, as well as in our special <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a652532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Auto X Prize section</a> and via Twitter <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246747769747465722e636f6d2532466372636172732533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">@CRcars</a>. </p> <p> —<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d657269632d657661727473253246696e6465782e68746d253346494e544b4559253344493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">Eric Evarts</a></p> <p><em>See our <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532467265736f757263652d63656e7465722532466675656c2d65636f6e6f6d792d6775696465253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">guide to fuel economy</a> for advice on saving gasoline. Learn about future technologies in our <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532467265736f757263652d63656e746572253246616c7465726e61746976652d6675656c2d6775696465253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c">guide to alternative fuels</a>.</em></p></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f2d782d7072697a652d66696e616c732d726163652d726573756c74732d77696e6e65722d6c69696f6e2d776176652d74773478702d7261636561626f75742d6170746572612d7a61702d616c6961732e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Fauto-x-prize-finals-race-results-winner-liion-wave-tw4xp-raceabout-aptera-zap-alias.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Save the Manuals! A spotter's guide to this endangered species
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Save the Manuals! A spotter's guide to this endangered species</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="entry-body"> <div class="blog-video-right"> <object height="234" width="312"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KWa6Is2XkLA&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KWa6Is2XkLA&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="234" width="312"></object></div></div> Inspired by a <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636172616e646472697665722e636f6d253246666561747572657325324631307133253246736176655f7468655f6d616e75616c7325323532312d6361725f616e645f6472697665722533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Car and Driver</a> campaign called "Save the Manuals," <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663617273253246323031302532463037253246736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">we recently espoused the virtues of operating a manual transmission</a>. As car enthusiasts, our Cars staff appreciates having more direct control over the car and the entertainment that provides. <br><br>Consumer Reports tests have shown that manual transmissions typically use about 10-percent less fuel than their automatic counterparts and allow cars to accelerate quicker, as well. Factor in typical purchase savings of about $1,000 over the cost of an automatic, and what's not to love?<br><br>(OK, admittedly manuals can be tedious in congested metropolitan areas.) <br><br>Due to dwindling popularity, it has become increasingly difficult to find new cars with a manual transmission. Even if it is technically offered, many dealers may not carry them. <br><br>To help with the search for this endangered species, we have put together this spotter's guide to current, mainstream models. <br><br> <strong>Current new cars available with a manual transmission:</strong><br><strong>Acura</strong> TL, TSX<br><strong>Audi</strong> A3, A4, A5, R8, S4, TT<br><strong>BMW</strong> 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X3, Z4<br><strong>Cadillac</strong> CTS<br><strong>Chevrolet</strong> Aveo, Camaro, Cobalt, Colorado, Corvette, Cruze, HHR<br><strong>Dodge</strong> Caliber, Challenger, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Viper<br><strong>Ford</strong> Escape, F-250, F-350, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Mustang, Ranger<br><strong>GMC</strong> Canyon<br><strong>Honda</strong> Accord, Civic, CR-Z, Element, Fit<br><strong>Hummer</strong> H3<br><strong>Hyundai</strong> Accent, Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tucson<br><strong>Infiniti</strong> G<br><strong>Jeep</strong> Compass, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler<br><strong>Kia</strong> Forte, Optima, Rio, Sorento, Soul, Sportage<br><strong>Lexus</strong> IS<br><strong>Lotus</strong> Elise, Evora<br><strong>Mazda</strong> B-Series, MX-5 Miata, RX-8, Tribute, Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6<br><strong>Mercedes-Benz</strong> C-Class, SLK<br><strong>Mercury</strong> Milan<br><strong>Mini</strong> Cooper, Cooper Clubman<br><strong>Mitsubishi</strong> Eclipse, Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Outlander Sport<br><strong>Nissan</strong> Altima, Cube, Frontier, Juke, Sentra, Versa, Xterra, Z<br><strong>Porsche</strong> 911, Boxster, Cayenne, Cayman<br><strong>Saab</strong> 9-3, 9-5<br><strong>Scion</strong> tC, xB, xD<br><strong>Subaru</strong> Forester, Impreza, Impreza WRX/STi, Legacy, Outback<br><strong>Suzuki</strong> Equator, Grand Vitara, Kizashi, SX4<br><strong>Toyota</strong> Camry, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, Matrix, Tacoma, Yaris<br><strong>Volkswagen</strong> CC, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, New Beetle, Tiguan<br><strong>Volvo</strong> C30, C70, S40, V50<br> <p>—<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6a6566662d626172746c657474253246696e6465782e68746d253346494e544b4559253344493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Jeff Bartlett</a> and Mike Leung</p> <div class="next-steps"> <h2>Next Steps</h2> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736d616c6c2d63617273253246736d616c6c2d6361722d627579696e672d616476696365253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Small Car Buying Advice</a>: </strong></li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736d616c6c2d63617273253246736d616c6c2d6361722d627579696e672d616476696365253246636f6d706172652d736d616c6c2d63617273253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Types of Small Cars</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736d616c6c2d63617273253246736d616c6c2d6361722d627579696e672d616476696365253246736d616c6c2d6361722d6665617475726573253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Small Car Features</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736d616c6c2d63617273253246736d616c6c2d6361722d627579696e672d616476696365253246736d616c6c2d6361722d6272616e6473253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Small Car Brands</a></li> </ul> <div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="next-steps-inner"> <div class="left"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736d616c6c2d63617273253246726174696e67732d72656c696162696c697479253246726174696e67732d6f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">All Small Car Ratings</a> <div>Subscribers can view and compare all Small Car Ratings.</div> </div> <div class="right"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736d616c6c2d636172732532467265636f6d6d656e6465642532467265636f6d6d656e6465642d6f766572616c6c2e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d612d73706f74746572732d67756964652d746f2d746869732d656e64616e67657265642d737065636965732e68746d6c">Recommended Small Cars</a> <div>Look at the ones that we chose as the best of the best.</div> </div> <div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> </div> </div></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a 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Despite escaping CFPB authority, dealer financing could face greater regulation
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Despite escaping CFPB authority, dealer financing could face greater regulation</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau-tire" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2b3400d970b " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2b3400d970b-pi" title="Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau-tire" /></div></div> Even though most <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d6f6e6579253246323031302532463037253246636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d6e65772d6c61772d6578656d7074732d6c6f616e732d6361722d6175746f2d6465616c6572732d7374696c6c2d726567756c617465642d6674632d706f77652e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c">car dealer-assisted financing escaped regulation by the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a> (CFPB), it could face additional oversight by federal authorities.<br /><br />As a result of intense dealer lobbying, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed by President Obama on July 21, gives the CFPB authority to regulate only direct dealer lending. Most dealers act essentially as brokers, providing loans from third-party lenders, such as banks and credit unions. The lenders and loans themselves will be under CFPB authority.<br /><br />The new law increases the speed under which the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can pass new regulations in that area, shortening the agency&#39;s rulemaking process from an average of about seven years to about one. Those lengthy procedures have discouraged the FTC from rulemaking in the past.<br /> Consumer groups, who had lobbied to give the CFPB jurisdiction over dealer-assisted financing, say the FTC&#39;s improved rulemaking power may mean that dealers face stronger and quicker regulation than had they been placed under CFPB jurisdiction. <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663617273253246323031302532463036253246636f6e73756d6572732d756e696f6e2d6164766f63617465732d696e636c7564696e672d6361722d6465616c6572732d696e2d636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d62696c6c2d636670612d2e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c">Consumer Reports has been actively engaged</a> in the<br />debate and strongly supported the Bureau having full authority to regulate all aspects of auto lending.<br /><br />The issue involves a variety of practices some dealers engage in when arranging for new and used car financing. Some of them already are illegal. (Read: &quot;<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d6f6e6579253246323031302532463036253246636f6e67726573732d6175746f2d6465616c65722d6175746f2d6c6f616e2d636670622d636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6361722d62757965722d70726f746563742d616761696e73742d68696464656e2d74726170732d6261642d6465616c2e68746d6c253346494e544b4559253344313935424d45302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c">How to avoid hidden traps in dealer-financed auto loans</a>.&quot;)<br /><br />It remains to be seen how the FTC responds to its improved power. The agency has not said whether it plans new regulations involving dealer financing, although it has said that the protracted rulemaking process imposed on it by law has discouraged it from pursuing new regulations in other areas. It points out that it has long had the authority to pursue dealers under its general authority to fight deceptive acts and has done so.<br /><br />The financial reform law also requires the FTC, Federal Reserve Board, and the CFPB&#39;s Office of Service Member Affairs to work together ensure that military service members and their families aren&#39;t victimized by car dealer financing abuses, especially by dealers located near military bases. Such abuses have been common, the Defense Department and military groups have said.<br /><br />Going forward, Consumer Reports will work closely with the FTC to ensure that consumers are protected for deceptive and abusive auto lending practices.<br /><br />—Anthony Giorgianni<br /><br />Related:<br /><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663617273253246323031302532463036253246636f6e73756d6572732d756e696f6e2d6164766f63617465732d696e636c7564696e672d6361722d6465616c6572732d696e2d636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d62696c6c2d636670612d2e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c">Consumers Union advocates including car dealers in consumer financial protection bill</a></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f636f6e73756d65722d66696e616e6369616c2d70726f74656374696f6e2d6275726561752d646573706974652d6573636170696e672d636670622d617574686f726974792d6465616c65722d66696e616e63696e672d636f756c642d666163652d6772652e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Fconsumer-financial-protection-bureau-despite-escaping-cfpb-authority-dealer-financing-could-face-gre.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

BMW 5 series earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>BMW 5 series earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="BMW-IIHS" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2b31934970b " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2b31934970b-800wi" title="BMW-IIHS" /></div></div> <p>The redesigned BMW 5 Series is the first BMW to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award since the organization added a rollover test to its scoring criteria. The Top Safety Pick award recognizes vehicles for earning the highest score of Good on the front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection. To earn this distinction, vehicles must also have electronic stability control, which is standard on the 5 Series.</p> <p> The Good rating on the side test of the BMW is an improvement over the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246626d77253246352d7365726965732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">previous generation</a>, which only scored Marginal. The 2011 model has standard side air bags. </p> <p>In the rollover evaluation, the 5 Series earned a Good rating. The 4.04 score means the roof can withstand a force of above four times the vehicle weight. </p> <p>The 5 Series joins the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246627569636b2532466c6163726f7373652532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Buick LaCrosse</a>, <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246666f72642532467461757275732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Ford Taurus</a>, <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466879756e64616925324667656e657369732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Hyundai Genesis</a>, <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466c696e636f6c6e2532466d6b732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Lincoln MKS</a>, <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466d657263656465732d62656e7a253246652d636c6173732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Mercedes-Benz E-Class</a>, <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246746f796f74612532466176616c6f6e2532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Toyota Avalon</a>, and <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246766f6c766f2532467338302532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Volvo S80</a> in the large car category for Top Safety Picks for 2010.</p> —<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6c697a612d62617274682532466f76657276696577253246303631315f62617274682e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c"><font color="#176fcc">Liza Barth<br /><br /></font></a> <div class="next-steps"> <h2>Next Steps</h2> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Sedan Buying Advice</a>: </strong></li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246636f6d706172652d736564616e73253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Types of Sedans</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246736564616e2d6665617475726573253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f626d772d352d7365726965732d6561726e732d696968732d746f702d7361666574792d7069636b2d61776172642e68746d6c">Sedan Features</a> | </li> <li><a 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Recall: Toyota Avalon and Lexus LX for steering problems
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726563616c6c2d746f796f74612d6176616c6f6e2d616e642d6c657875732d6c782d666f722d7374656572696e672d70726f626c656d732e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Recall: Toyota Avalon and Lexus LX for steering problems</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="2001-2002-Toyota-Avalon" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2b0eb0e970b " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2b0eb0e970b-800wi" title="2001-2002-Toyota-Avalon" border="0" /></div></div> <p>Toyota is voluntarily recalling 373,000 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon sedans and 39,000 2003-2007 Lexus LX 470 SUVs for steering problems. </p> <p>The Avalon recall is to address the possibility that the steering lock bar could break due to improper casting. A crack may develop on the surface and expand after repeated lock and unlock operations. This could eventually lock the steering wheel and increase the risk of a crash.</p> <p>Toyota will replace the steering column bracket on the vehicles at no charge. The repair is estimated to take two hours. Owners can contact Toyota at <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e746f796f74612e636f6d253246726563616c6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726563616c6c2d746f796f74612d6176616c6f6e2d616e642d6c657875732d6c782d666f722d7374656572696e672d70726f626c656d732e68746d6c">www.toyota.com/recall</a> or 1-800-331-4331.</p> <p>The Lexus recall involves a steering shaft condition on 2003-2007 Lexus LX 470 in which the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle has an impact to the front wheels like hitting a pothole. </p> <p>Lexus dealers will replace the snap ring and install a newly designed component to prevent separation of the steering shaft free of charge. Owners may contact Lexus at <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e6c657875732e636f6d253246726563616c6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726563616c6c2d746f796f74612d6176616c6f6e2d616e642d6c657875732d6c782d666f722d7374656572696e672d70726f626c656d732e68746d6c">www.lexus.com/recall</a> or 1-800-225-3987.</p></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726563616c6c2d746f796f74612d6176616c6f6e2d616e642d6c657875732d6c782d666f722d7374656572696e672d70726f626c656d732e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726563616c6c2d746f796f74612d6176616c6f6e2d616e642d6c657875732d6c782d666f722d7374656572696e672d70726f626c656d732e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726563616c6c2d746f796f74612d6176616c6f6e2d616e642d6c657875732d6c782d666f722d7374656572696e672d70726f626c656d732e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Frecall-toyota-avalon-and-lexus-lx-for-steering-problems.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Save the Manuals! The virtues of shifting gears yourself
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Save the Manuals! The virtues of shifting gears yourself</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="entry-body"> <div class="blog-video-right"> <object height="234" width="312"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KWa6Is2XkLA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="234" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KWa6Is2XkLA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="312" /></object></div></div> Car and Driver has started a campaign to protect the manual transmission from extinction called, not surprisingly, “<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636172616e646472697665722e636f6d253246666561747572657325324631307133253246736176655f7468655f6d616e75616c7325323532312d6361725f616e645f6472697665722533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c">Save the Manuals!</a>” I couldn’t agree more. We’ve found in our testing that manual transmissions typically use about 10-percent less fuel than their automatic counterparts and allow cars to accelerate quicker, as well. Plus, the best manual transmissions can make the driving experience much more fun and engaging. All of this, and you save money, too -- opting for a manual transmission typically cuts about $1,000 off the sticker price. <p>Sadly, fewer Americans learn to drive stick shifts each year, the sales figures of manual-shifting cars continue to dwindle, and the skill of rowing through the gears is fast becoming a lost art. Manual transmissions are disappearing from entire market segments. Today, they’re mostly found in only smaller or sporty cars. </p> <p>Our tests show that there remains a performance difference between automatics and manuals. One example is our tested Volkswagen Jetta TDI. It was equipped with a dual-clutch six-speed automated manual gearbox, technology that is touted to be very efficient. Thus equipped, the Jetta returned 33 mpg overall in our tests. However, when we later tested a Golf TDI equipped with a conventional six-speed manual, it got 38 mpg overall--matching the fuel economy of Honda’s CVT-equipped Insight hybrid. </p> <p>But the extra 5 mpg is not the entire difference. Opting for the manual made the car quicker, more fun to drive, and about $1,000 cheaper than the automatic. (The Golf is a hatchback version of the Jetta, and our test cars weighed in within 75 lbs. of each other).</p> <p>And it isn’t just diesels that benefit. We have tested several similarly equipped vehicles--identical all except for the choice of transmission. (The Mini Cooper/Clubman was the exception; the Clubman is a bit longer and heavier, but both had the same engine.) As the table below shows, getting a manual can yield big improvements acceleration and fuel economy.</p> <table bgcolor="#666666" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#eef1f6"> <td align="center"><strong>Model</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>Fuel economy overall-manual</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>Fuel economy overall-automatic</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>0-60 mph (sec)-manual</strong></td> <td align="center"><strong>0-60 mph (sec)-automatic</strong></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Ford Focus SES</td> <td align="center">29</td> <td align="center">26</td> <td align="center">9.0</td> <td align="center">10.1</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f6f6f6">Honda Accord LX-P (4-cyl.)</td> <td align="center"> 26</td> <td align="center">23</td> <td align="center">8.4</td> <td align="center">9.8</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Honda Civic EX</td> <td align="center">31</td> <td align="center">28</td> <td align="center">8.6</td> <td align="center">10.1</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center">Mazda3i</td> <td align="center">30</td> <td align="center">27</td> <td align="center">8.6</td> <td align="center">9.6</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Mini Cooper/Clubman</td> <td align="center">33</td> <td align="center">29</td> <td align="center">9.1</td> <td align="center">10.5</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f6f6f6"> <td align="center">Scion xD</td> <td align="center">34</td> <td align="center">29</td> <td align="center">9.0</td> <td align="center">9.7</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td align="center">Subaru Forester 2.5X</td> <td align="center">24</td> <td align="center">22</td> <td align="center">9.1</td> <td align="center">10.4</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>There are downsides to stick shifts. Congested traffic conditions can make rowing a manual and working a clutch pedal a tedious chore. Manual transmissions do have a learning curve, but like riding a bike, it becomes natural after a few days. While starting out on hills can be a bit nerve-wracking at first, many modern manuals have a hill-holder function so you don’t roll backwards. </p> <p>So if you are looking to shave some money off the purchase price of your new car, save fuel, and have a more enthusiastic driving experience, consider doing the shifting yourself with a manual transmission. Buying making this choice, you will help save the manuals.</p> —<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6a616b652d666973686572253246696e6465782e68746d253346494e544b4559253344493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c">Jake Fisher</a></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f736176652d7468652d6d616e75616c732d7468652d766972747565732d6f662d7368696674696e672d67656172732d796f757273656c662e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Fsave-the-manuals-the-virtues-of-shifting-gears-yourself.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Automotive X Prize: Video highlights from the Finals competition
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Automotive X Prize: Video highlights from the Finals competition</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><DIV class=entry-body> <DIV class=blog-video-right> <OBJECT width=312 height=234><PARAM NAME="movie" VALUE="http://www.youtube.com/v/jbVvK2bKz0k&amp;hl=en_US&fs=1&"><PARAM NAME="allowFullScreen" VALUE="true"><PARAM NAME="allowscriptaccess" VALUE="always"> <embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="234" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jbVvK2bKz0k&amp;hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="312" /></OBJECT></DIV></DIV> The Finals phase of the <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a6525324644656661756c742e6173702533466374797065253344253235323725323532372532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Automotive X Prize competition</A> is coasting down, literally. This third major phase in the $10 million contest to build a market-viable car that could achieve 100 MPGe began with 15 cars from 12 teams. Since the technical inspections began on July 19th, the field has been culled down to seven cars. Along the way there was much drama and excitement, as these talents finalists vied for bragging rights and a big check.<br><br>There were some real upsets, with <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c5479706525334425323643747970652533444d61696e73747265616d253235323046696e616c697374732532364944253344313138342532365f456469736f6e325f566572795f4c696768745f4361722532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Edison2</A> blowing an engine on its Alternative class car, <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c547970652533442532364374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c697374732532364944253344313138332532365f4170746572615f65312532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Aptera</A> and <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c547970652533442532364374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c697374732532364944253344313137372532365f5a41505f416c6961732532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Zap</A> being unable to complete the combined performance/efficiency race, and <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c547970652533442532364374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c697374732532364944253344313138312532365f436f6d6d757465725f436172735f54616e676f2532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Commuter Cars' Tango</A> failing to meet the minimum fuel-economy requirement. These are all respected teams that made it through significant challenges to make it this far. And there were triumphs, such as the <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a65253246322d4d6f64656c2e6173702533464c547970652533442532364374797065253344416c7465726e6174697665253235323046696e616c697374732532364944253344313139382532365f5261636561626f75745f4173736f63696174696f6e5f5261636561626f75742532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">RaceAbout</A> university team from Finland making a very strong showing in the race. The results from this phase are still being analyzed by X Prize officials, and we hope to share them soon.<br> <br>While Consumer Reports engineers conducted several performance tests, our CRTV team captured the action, with all the twists and turns. Now back in the studio, this is the first video from Finals.<br> <P>The teams approved to advance to the Validation phase are now at a coast down event at Chrysler Proving Grounds. The next step will be dynamometer testing at Argonne National Labs in Chicago in August. Then, the winners will be announced mid September.</P> <P>Learn more about the <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e70726f67726573736976656175746f787072697a652e6f72672532467072697a652d64657461696c73253246636f6d7065746974696f6e2d6576656e742d64657461696c732533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Finals testing</A>. See the <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246636172732532463230313025324630372532466175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d706572666f726d616e63652d726573756c74732d66726f6d2d6b6e6f636b6f75742d74657374696e672e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">results from the Knockout phase</A>.</P> <P>Follow our Auto X Prize coverage here in the <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246636172732532466175746f2d782d7072697a652532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Cars blog</A>, as well as in our special <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f7773253246787072697a652532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Auto X Prize section</A> and via Twitter <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246747769747465722e636f6d2532466372636172732533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">@CRcars</A>. </P> <P>—<A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6a6566662d626172746c657474253246696e6465782e68746d253346494e544b4559253344493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">Jeff Bartlett</A></P> <P><em>See our <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532467265736f757263652d63656e7465722532466675656c2d65636f6e6f6d792d6775696465253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">guide to fuel economy</A> for advice on saving gasoline. Learn about future technologies in our <A href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532467265736f757263652d63656e746572253246616c7465726e61746976652d6675656c2d6775696465253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c">guide to alternative fuels</A>.</em></P></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6175746f6d6f746976652d782d7072697a652d766964656f2d686967686c69676874732d66726f6d2d7468652d66696e616c732d636f6d7065746974696f6e2e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Fautomotive-x-prize-video-highlights-from-the-finals-competition.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Redesigned 2010 Saab 9-5: Larger, still some quirkiness
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Redesigned 2010 Saab 9-5: Larger, still some quirkiness</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="2010-Saab-9-5-front" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2a50974970b " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e20133f2a50974970b-pi" title="2010-Saab-9-5-front" /></div> </div> Redesigned for the first time in 13 years, the new <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e657725324673616162253246392d352532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Saab 9-5</a> is the largest car in company history. The Swedish carmaker says is the upsizing is intended to better differentiate it from the 9-3 and make their flagship a more viable competitor with the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466175646925324661362532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Audi A6</a> and <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246626d77253246352d7365726965732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">BMW 5 Series</a>.&#0160; <br /><br />Designed when General Motors owned Saab, the 9-5 shares its platform with the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246627569636b2532466c6163726f7373652532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Buick LaCrosse</a>. But company officials are quick to say that&#39;s where the similarity ends. For example, the 9-5 has its own powertrains and suspension tuning. It also has a distinctly Saabish look and obligatory quirkiness, with the traditional ignition between the front seats now updated to a push-button start.<br /> <br />Two trim levels and two turbocharged engines will be offered, with only the top-of-the-line Aero available at launch this summer. Powered by a 300-hp, 2.8-liter V6 matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, the all-wheel-drive Aero will be priced at $49,900. A 220-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder model arrives early next year, available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Four-cylinder models are expected to start at around $39,000. Saab claims the 9-5 will offer class-leading fuel mileage, with 27 mpg overall for six-cylinder models and 34 mpg for the four cylinder. (The EPA rates the base six-cylinder Audi A6 at 22 mpg combined and the BMW 528i at 21 mpg combined.)<br /><br /> A raft of safety features will be offered, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning system, stability control, and curtain air bags. <br /><br /> <div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="2010-Saab-9-5-rear" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e2013485c92321970c " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e2013485c92321970c-pi" title="2010-Saab-9-5-rear" /></div> </div> We had a chance to drive a new Aero, and found it to be a pleasant car, roomier, quieter, and more refined than the old 9-5. The six-cylinder engine provides quick, smooth acceleration, and the car handles nicely, with a comfortable ride. Some GM switchgear remains as a reminder of the past, but the upside is the 9-5 inherited OnStar from its ex-parent.<br /><br />Saab is aiming high with the 9-5, and it faces some stiff competition from more mainstream luxury brands. Thirteen years is an eternity for a model to go without a redesign, and it&#39;s long enough to take a brand that was always a bit on the fringe off some buyers&#39; radar altogether. But Saab still has a loyal following, and it is good news for Saabophiles that the 9-5 is making it to showrooms at all. <br /><br />Between the GM bankruptcy proceedings, failed attempts to sell the company, and a couple of years of tanking global sales for all cars, Saab nearly passed into oblivion. <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663617273253246323031302532463033253246736161622d7370796b65722d6175746f6d6f62696c65732d726573756d65732d736161622d70726f64756374696f6e2d74726f6c6c68617474616e2e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Under new ownership</a>, Saab is looking ahead with several new and redesigned models planned for the next few years, including a next-generation 9-3 and 9-4x crossover.<br /><br />If you&#39;re one of the Saab faithful chomping at the bit for the new car, we suggest you hold out for the 2011 9-5 due in a few months, as it may have additional features and refinements, as well more models to choose from. Company officials told us prices won&#39;t go up.&#0160; <br /><br />—<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6a696d2d74726176657273253246696e6465782e68746d253346494e544b4559253344493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Jim Travers</a><br /> <div class="next-steps"> <h2>Next Steps</h2> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Sedan Buying Advice</a>: </strong></li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246636f6d706172652d736564616e73253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Types of Sedans</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246736564616e2d6665617475726573253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Sedan Features</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246736564616e73253246736564616e2d627579696e672d616476696365253246736564616e2d6272616e6473253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f726564657369676e65642d7370796b65722d323031302d736161622d392d352d736564616e2d6c61726765722d7374696c6c2d736f6d652d717569726b696e6573732e68746d6c">Sedan Brands</a></li> </ul> <div style="clear: both; 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Nissan announces roll-out plan for electric Leaf
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Nissan announces roll-out plan for electric Leaf</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="Nissan-Leaf" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e2013485c68542970c " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e2013485c68542970c-800wi" title="Nissan-Leaf" /></div></div> <p>Not willing to let the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466361727325324632303130253246303725324670726963696e672d323031312d63686576726f6c65742d766f6c742d77696c6c2d626567696e2d61742d34313030302d766964656f2e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c">Chevrolet Volt</a> grab all the attention yesterday for its pricing, Nissan announced more details on when its <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532466f6e6c6f636174696f6e2e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466170706c69636174696f6e7325324643524f53484f57532532464175746f53686f77732532464e65772d4361722d50726576696577253246322d4d6f64656c2e61737025334649442533443939362532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c">Leaf hatchback</a> will be available to the nearly 17,000 people who placed early reservations for the electric car. The first Leaf will be turned over in December to drivers in Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington; these states represent 55 percent of the total reservations. In addition, these states are part of the EV Project--an electric vehicle infrastructure program partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to bring charging stations to these areas. The early reservations are expected to morph into firm orders in August.</p> <p>Next, the Leaf will be available in Texas and Hawaii in January, then Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in April 2011. The rest of the states will rollout beginning next fall through the end of 2011. </p> <p>Nissan also announced that the lithium-ion battery will have an eight year, 100,000-mile warranty, matching the protection offered for the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466361727325324632303130253246303725324670726963696e672d323031312d63686576726f6c65742d766f6c742d77696c6c2d626567696e2d61742d34313030302d766964656f2e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c">upcoming Volt</a>. </p> <p> Through the reservation process, Nissan has been able to reveal other details on what future Leaf drivers want: </p> <ul> <li>The most popular color is blue with 30 percent of the reservations for that shade. Silver comes in second with 26 percent. </li> <li>Seventy-five percent chose the SL trim level, which includes a rear-view camera, solar panel spoiler, fog lights, and automatic headlights. </li> <li>About three-quarters of the people who placed reservations own a single family home and 68 percent have attached garages, helpful for home charging. </li> </ul> <p>Nissan is still continuing to accept reservations through its Web site for a $99 (refundable) fee.</p> —<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d61696e74656e616e63652d6163636573736f726965732532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6c697a612d62617274682532466f76657276696577253246303631315f62617274682e68746d253346494e544b45592533442532353230493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c" lid="Liza Barth" lpos="">Liza Barth</a> <p>For more on the Leaf, see our related reports:<br /> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663617273253246323031302532463036253246766964656f2d6e697373616e2d6c6561662d6e6f6973652d7065646573747269616e2d7761726e696e672e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c">Video: Nissan Leaf gets a soundtrack</a> <br /> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470253341253246253246626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466361727325324632303130253246303325324670726963696e672d323031312d6e697373616e2d6c6561662d656c6563747269632d6361722d7374617274732d61742d32353030302d776974682d696e63656e74697665732e68746d6c2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c">Pricing: 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car</a> </p></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6e697373616e2d616e6e6f756e6365732d726f6c6c6f75742d706c616e2d666f722d656c6563747269632d6c6561662e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Fnissan-announces-rollout-plan-for-electric-leaf.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Just In: All-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Just In: All-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1"><div class="entry-body"> <div class="blog-video-right"> <object height="234" width="312"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NyIUrP47C1A&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="234" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NyIUrP47C1A&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="312" /></object> </div></div> We&#39;ve finally managed to put our hands on the long-awaited redesigned <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466a6565702532466772616e642d636865726f6b65652532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee</a>. Anticipation has mounted for some important reasons: The new model is Chrysler&#39;s first post-bankruptcy product, the first launched under Fiat&#39;s stewardship, and the first to feature the new Pentastar V6. Also, the Grand Cherokee is one of the few American vehicles you see routinely in the far corners of the world, so it&#39;s important for Chrysler&#39;s global reputation and profitability to get this thing right.<br /><br />The new Grand Cherokee shares a platform with the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466d657263656465732d62656e7a2532466d2d636c6173732532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">Mercedes-Benz ML</a> and, as such, it employs unibody construction (which it always has) and a fully-independent suspension. Initial development dates back to the days when Chrysler was known as Daimler-Chrysler and was a division of Mercedes-Benz.<br /><br /> <div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="2011-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Consumer" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e20133f29c1a4f970b " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e20133f29c1a4f970b-pi" title="2011-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Consumer" /></div> </div> The SUV landscape has shifted since the Grand Cherokee was introduced back in 1992. The Grand Cherokee used to be a mainstay of the market, and it competed with only a handful of big sellers in the class. But these days there are many more automakers competing in this segment and the bulk of mid-sized SUVs sold are car-based. Today, the Jeep now competes against a wide array of entries, ranging from the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466e697373616e2532466d7572616e6f2532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">Nissan Murano</a> to the <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e65772532466c6578757325324672782532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">Lexus RX</a> and perhaps offers a less flashy alternative to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466d6f64656c732532466e6577253246626d7725324678352532466f766572766965772e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">BMW X5</a> and Mercedes ML intenders.<br /><br />We bought a typically equipped mid-trim Laredo V6 4WD. With the 26X package (leather, power seats, and auto climate control), a supersized sunroof, and a trailer tow package, our SUV came to $39,010 -- not inexpensive, but in line with its new peers. Past Grand Cherokees were known to have low-rent interiors, but even our fairly basic 2011 version has a soft-touch dash, tasteful leather and wood, solid-feeling controls and nicely-tailored seats.&#0160; <br /><br /> <div class="image-with-caption-right"> <div class="image"><img alt="2011-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-rear" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451e0d569e2013485c061de970c " src="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e2013485c061de970c-pi" title="2011-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-rear" /></div> </div> Initial impressions? The new Grand drives like no Jeep ever has. On the road it feels stable and planted, and it has a firm, yet compliant ride. Handling is responsive, with restrained body roll. The cabin is quiet. And that new 290-hp, 3.6-liter, Pentastar V6 is smooth and refined, but the new engine has its work cut out for it hauling the GC&#39;s hefty 4,900 pounds around. The 5.7-liter (Hemi) V8 is still available and boosts the tow rating from 5,000 to a maximum 7,400 pounds.&#0160; <br /><br />Our car also has the Quadra Trac I AWD system, which needs no driver intervention and lacks low range. The system relies on traction control to minimize wheel spin in slippery situations. It&#39;s fine for light off roading, which is all most owners will ever encounter. Those planning to go farther off the beaten path can select the alternative Quadra Trac II system that offers low range, hill descent control, and a &quot;Selec-Terrain&quot; system similar to Land Rover&#39;s effective arrangement. It&#39;s a $950 stand-alone option. There&#39;s also an optional air suspension to further improve off-road capability.<br /><br />We&#39;re looking forward to fully testing this new, substantially evolved Grand Cherokee. With more agility, comfort, and refinement, it has moved away from being a utilitarian, discount product. It now feels like a vehicle that can compete on equal footing with its sophisticated peers, whether car-based or off-road ready. Time and testing will tell.<br /><br />—<a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=487474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d636172732532466175746f2d746573742532467468652d70656f706c652d626568696e642d7468652d74657374732d6761627269656c2d7368656e686172253246696e6465782e68746d253346494e544b4559253344493935424345302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">Gabe Shenhar</a><br /> <div class="next-steps"> <h2>Next Steps</h2> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246737576732532467375762d627579696e672d616476696365253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">SUV Buying Advice</a>: </strong></li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246737576732532467375762d627579696e672d616476696365253246636f6d706172652d73757673253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">Types of SUVs</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246737576732532467375762d627579696e672d6164766963652532467375762d6665617475726573253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">SUV Features</a> | </li> <li><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f726725324663726f253246636172732532466e65772d63617273253246737576732532467375762d627579696e672d6164766963652532467375762d6272616e6473253246696e6465782e68746d2533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c">SUV Brands</a></li> </ul> <div style="clear: both; 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float: none;"></div> </div> </div></font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534330&i=727373696e3a687474703a2f2f626c6f67732e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f636172732f323031302f30372f6a7573742d696e2d616c6c2d6e65772d323031312d6a6565702d6772616e642d636865726f6b65652e68746d6c"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=rssin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fcars%2F2010%2F07%2Fjust-in-all-new-2011-jeep-grand-cherokee.html" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Best new car deals
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e65772d636172732f7265736f757263652d63656e7465722f626573742d6e65776361722d6465616c732f6f766572766965772f696e6465782e68746d"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Best new car deals</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1">A great price isn't necessarily a good deal if the vehicle doesn't measure up. This month's featured vehicle has an attractive customer rebate that can save you extra money, and it is recommended by Consumer Reports, as are all models detailed below. See all current deals on recommended cars. Other trims on the vehicles listed may also present good deals. The full information is found in the New Car Price Reports. Then, continue your research by comparing ratings, reliability, reviews, fuel economy, performance, and much more with our New Car Selector (available to online subscribers). How this information can help A complete list of current deals Click here to receive an RSS feed with the latest New Car Deals. &nbsp; 2009 Ford Focus $1536 total saving available (expires Oct. 5) The Ford Focus was a top selling vehicle in this summer's Cash for Clunkers program and Ford is looking to continue the sales by offering a rebate on the outgoing 2009 model. The Focus has agile handling, a composed ride, and a roomy interior, but fit and finish and noise are weaknesses. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine returns 26 mpg overall, which is just mediocre for its class. ABS and stability control are optional for 2009, but become standard in the 2010 model. Model MSRP Invoice price Total Available Savings CR Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Ford Focus $17,865 $16,552 $1,536 Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ Get the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price on more than 1,100 models. &nbsp; How this information can help you get the best price The key to getting the lowest price on a car is to know how much negotiating room you have. That means knowing all of the current sales incentives, including behind-the-scenes dealer perks. That information is what makes the CR Bottom Line Price the best place to begin your new-car negotiations. It's calculated by subtracting any rebates, dealer incentives, or holdback amounts from the dealer-invoice price. That gives you a good idea of how much negotiating room you have below the car's sticker price. Armed with those figures, you can often save thousands of dollars when buying a new car. Get the CR Bottom Line Price on your next new car through Consumer Reports' New Car Price Reports. Learn more about buying a new car and access calculators in our step-by-step guide to new car buying. &nbsp; All current deals Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Acura MDX 3.7 11/2/2009 $40,990 $37,252 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Acura RDX Technology Package 10/9/2009 $37,195 $34,190 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Acura TL 3.5 AUTO 11/2/2009 $34,955 $32,136 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Audi A6 3.2 multitronic FrontTrak 11/2/2009 $45,100 $41,943 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Audi A8 4.2 L quattro Tiptronic 11/2/2009 $77,900 $72,448 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 BMW 3 Series 328i Sedan 11/2/2009 $33,600 $30,910 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 BMW 5 Series 535i 11/2/2009 $51,100 $47,010 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 BMW 6 Series 650i 11/2/2009 $78,200 $71,945 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Cadillac DTS 5 Pass. Luxury Collection 9/30/2009 $49,730 $46,746 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche 4WD Avalanche LT1 9/30/2009 $39,380 $36,427 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Chevrolet HHR LT 9/30/2009 $20,720 $19,788 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 9/30/2009 $26,880 $25,402 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 Crew Cab 9/30/2009 $34,295 $31,723 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2010 Ford Edge SEL AWD 10/5/2009 $31,770 $29,551 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L 4WD 10/5/2009 $25,205 $23,381 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 EL 10/5/2009 $45,970 $42,688 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew 157-in 10/5/2009 $34,760 $31,303 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Ford Focus SES Sedan 10/5/2009 $17,865 $16,552 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2010 Ford Fusion I-4 SE 10/5/2009 $20,900 $19,260 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Ford Mustang GT Premium 10/5/2009 $30,995 $28,471 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Ford Taurus Limited FWD 10/5/2009 $30,670 $28,053 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Ford Taurus X Limited AWD 10/5/2009 $34,175 $31,272 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB 9/30/2009 $41,855 $38,716 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Hyundai Azera Limited 9/30/2009 $28,920 $26,856 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Hyundai Elantra 2.0 Auto SE 9/30/2009 $17,820 $17,090 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3 Auto Limited AWD 9/30/2009 $30,545 $28,657 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS I4 A/T 9/30/2009 $19,900 $19,056 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2009 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Auto GLS 9/30/2009 $19,970 $19,322 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 5%+ 2009 Infiniti G 37x AWD 9/30/2009 $35,750 $33,029 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Kia Optima EX V6 AT 9/30/2009 $21,695 $20,095 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Kia Rondo 2.7 AUTO EX 9/30/2009 $22,295 $20,865 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Kia Sportage 2.7 EX AWD 9/30/2009 $23,400 $21,850 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2010 Lincoln MKZ V6 10/5/2009 $34,115 $31,423 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Lincoln Navigator Luxury 4x4 10/5/2009 $56,020 $51,383 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Mazda CX-7 2.3 Auto Grand Touring AWD 9/30/2009 $28,400 $26,561 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Mazda CX-9 3.7 Auto Grand Touring AWD 9/30/2009 $35,205 $32,567 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Mazda RX-8 2.6 Grand Touring 9/30/2009 $31,000 $28,681 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2009 Mazda Tribute 2.5 Auto i Touring 4wd 9/30/2009 $24,690 $23,110 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Mercedes C-Class C300 Sport 4Matic 9/30/2009 $36,200 $33,666 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Mercedes E-Class E350 Sport 4MATIC 9/30/2009 $54,700 $50,871 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 25%+ Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Mercedes M-Class ML350 4MATIC 9/30/2009 $47,100 $43,803 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2009 Mercedes S-Class S550 4MATIC 9/30/2009 $92,350 $85,886 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2009 Mercury Mariner Premier V6 FWD 10/5/2009 $25,765 $23,916 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Mercury Milan I4 10/5/2009 $21,535 $19,866 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Mercury Sable Premier 10/5/2009 $29,380 $26,917 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander 3.0 XLS Auto 4WD 9/30/2009 $25,980 $24,492 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Grand Touring 6MT 9/30/2009 $41,570 $38,495 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE Auto 9/30/2009 $25,680 $23,800 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Nissan Frontier 4.0 LE Crew Cab 4X4 AT 9/30/2009 $29,270 $27,120 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Nissan Murano SL AWD 9/30/2009 $30,830 $28,401 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 LE 9/30/2009 $38,510 $35,664 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Nissan Rogue SL AWD 9/30/2009 $23,010 $21,450 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2009 Nissan Sentra 2.0 FE+ S CVT 9/30/2009 $17,760 $16,567 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Nissan Titan SE 4X4 Crew Cab LWB 9/30/2009 $33,800 $30,603 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 25%+ 2009 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Auto 9/30/2009 $16,100 $15,528 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Nissan Xterra S 4x4 AT 9/30/2009 $27,470 $26,029 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Pontiac Vibe 2.4L 9/30/2009 $17,445 $16,660 yes yes Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2009 Saab 9-3 2.0T Sport Sedan Sport 9/30/2009 $37,140 $35,394 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Saab 9-5 2.3T 9/30/2009 $40,405 $38,183 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ 2009 Saturn Aura 3.6 XR 9/30/2009 $27,250 $25,479 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 20%+ Model Name Expires MSRP Invoice Price Customer Rebate Dealer Incentive Bottom Line Price Potential Savings Below MSRP 2009 Subaru Tribeca Limited 7-Passenger 9/30/2009 $33,595 $31,483 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport AT LE 9/30/2009 $15,889 $15,253 yes no Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2010 Volvo C30 T5 M 9/30/2009 $24,100 $22,654 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Volvo C70 T5 M 9/30/2009 $40,000 $37,600 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 10%+ 2010 Volvo S80 3.2 FWD A 9/30/2009 $39,200 $36,848 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ 2010 Volvo XC90 V8 AWD A 9/30/2009 $47,500 $44,650 no yes Get the Bottom Line Price 5%+ &nbsp;</font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e65772d636172732f7265736f757263652d63656e7465722f626573742d6e65776361722d6465616c732f6f766572766965772f696e6465782e68746d"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a 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Best new car buys for President's Day
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e65772d636172732f6e6577732f323030372f30322f626573742d6e65772d6361722d627579732d666f722d707265736964656e74732d6461792f6f766572766965772f303730325f707265732d696e63656e746976655f6f766572766965772e68746d"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Best new car buys for President's Day</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1">&nbsp; Best new car buys for President's Day Consumer Reports cuts through the ad clutter to find best deals on good carsAs the United States goes through the Primary process for selecting candidates for the presidential election, the media is awash in promises and hyperbole. The next competition to wave the American flag in advertising will come from automakers and car dealers pitching their President's Day sales. As with the politicians, these print and broadcast ads will pledge change and offer a better life. But not all candidates will deliver.With some research, you can make a smart, informed decision, saving money along the way. As the sound bites fly, the multimedia propaganda can sidetrack you from choices that might be a better fit for your needs and distract you from thoroughly researching your prospective purchase. It is important to note that beyond the advertised promotions, dealers might be more willing to negotiate during this sales period, as winter weather can often mean fewer serious buyers are visiting showrooms in some parts of the country.Consumer Reports Auto Price Service has cut through the marketing oratory to highlight the best deals for February. As they do each month, our analysts scrutinize the available incentives on Consumer Reports recommended vehicles to assist shoppers in finding good deals on good cars. To be recommended, those vehicles must perform well in our testing program, have average or better reliability according to our latest subscriber survey, and demonstrate good overall crash protection if crash-tested. SUVs and pickups must either have been included in the government's dynamic rollover test and not tipped up or be equipped with electronic stability control. (For the monthly best new-car deals for Canada, visit crcanadacars.org.)Below, we highlight three solid vehicles with at least a $1,500 rebate. The complete Best New Car Deals list has 37 models with rebates up to $5,000. When factoring in dealer incentives and holdbacks, as included in the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price, we find that those 2008 models offer potential savings of 5 percent to 15 percent below manufacturer suggested retail price. (Get the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price and potentially save thousands.)THE BEST NEW CAR DEALS FOR FEBRUARYAs you might expect, the biggest incentives typically go to models that are the least in demand, although each model highlighted below has scored well in our testing and has met the Recommendation criteria, as is the case with each model featured in our Best New Car Deals list. Still, it's important to weigh their pros and cons against the savings they offer.2008 Acura RL. This luxury sedan achieved a Very Good rating in Consumer Reports' testing, but ranks only mid-pack in the competitive luxury sedan class. All-wheel drive is standard. It provides good acceleration and excellent fit and finish, but has complex controls and a wide turning circle. The RL will be significantly updated for 2009.2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab LT V8 4WD. This redesigned Silverado has a selectable, full-time, four-wheel-drive system and generous load capacity. Electronic stability control is standard in the crew-cab model, but optional in the extended cab. The truck has a very good ride and it's fairly easy to get into the cabin, but its braking distances were long.2008 Saturn Aura XE V6. The Aura uses the same platform as the new Chevrolet Malibu. The XE model has a coarse 3.5-liter V6 paired with a four-speed automatic and returned 20 mpg overall in our testing. Our tested XE was nimble and responsive and had well-weighted steering. But the Aura easily slid its tail at its handling limits. Side-curtain air bags and ABS are standard, but ESC is standard only on the XR and the hybrid version. We only recommend the XE; the XR trim line has below-average reliability.See the complete list of best new car deals.DEEP DISCOUNTS OFTEN CARRY CAVEATSUnderstanding the reasons why a model is likely to be heavily promoted will enable you to decide if any compromises are worthwhile and might empower your showroom negotiations. Simply put, large incentives are seldom offered on the most-popular models. Typically, discounted cars are at a competitive performance disadvantage and/or are models that haven't been updated in a while.The same can be said for the leftover 2007 models, if you can find any. Buying a year-old vehicle can have real appeal for high-mileage drivers, because resale value will matter less if you typically drive your car into the ground. The short-run depreciation will be balanced out over time by being spread across more model years.THE BOTTOM LINEA review of the highlights of this month's best deals reveals the importance of thoroughly researching your next automotive purchase. To understand the real deal, it pays to have the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price, which can aid shoppers by providing an optimal starting point for negotiations, with information such as the hidden profit known as dealer holdback and current incentives. Providing consumers with information on what dealers actually pay for a new car and its options and on packages of incentives, rebates, and holdbacks, the Bottom Line Price equips consumers to negotiate a fair price. The Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price is part of Consumer Reports' New Car Price Service, available at www.consumerreports.org/aps.Before you vote with your checkbook, keep in mind that a good deal on a bad car is no deal at all. Historically, President's Day weekend is a rare time of year when dealers might be more willing than usual to work with customers on price. Even if you find other intriguing models without big rebates, go to the dealership prepared with complete pricing and CR test-performance information so you can improve your odds of driving home happy, with the right car at the right price.</font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e65772d636172732f6e6577732f323030372f30322f626573742d6e65772d6361722d627579732d666f722d707265736964656e74732d6461792f6f766572766965772f303730325f707265732d696e63656e746976655f6f766572766965772e68746d"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e65772d636172732f6e6577732f323030372f30322f626573742d6e65772d6361722d627579732d666f722d707265736964656e74732d6461792f6f766572766965772f303730325f707265732d696e63656e746976655f6f766572766965772e68746d"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e65772d636172732f6e6577732f323030372f30322f626573742d6e65772d6361722d627579732d666f722d707265736964656e74732d6461792f6f766572766965772f303730325f707265732d696e63656e746976655f6f766572766965772e68746d"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=xmlin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumerreports.org%2Fcro%2Fcars%2Fnew-cars%2Fnews%2F2007%2F02%2Fbest-new-car-buys-for-presidents-day%2Foverview%2F0702_pres-incentive_overview.htm" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Car buyer survey show satisfaction with dealer experience
<table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="170" style="padding-left: 15px;"><a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e6577732f323030372f31312f6175746f2d70756c73652d7375727665792d31312d30372f6f766572766965772f6361722d62757965722d7375727665792d73686f772d736174697366616374696f6e2d776974682d6465616c65722d657870657269656e63652d6f762e68746d"><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/x/img/Consumer-Reports-small_bigger.jpg" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15px" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p><b>Car buyer survey show satisfaction with dealer experience</b></p> <font color="#333333" size="-1">Survey shows that many consumers could save more money Most car buyers satisfied with their dealership experience&nbsp; Overall, car buyers are largely satisfied with their dealership experiences when buying a new or used car, according to a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. But understanding key negotiating strategies could help shoppers get better deals.Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they were very satisfied with their experience, with another 31 percent saying they were somewhat satisfied. Satisfaction rates increase with age and household income, which are probably influenced by the consumer&#8217;s accumulated experience with the car-buying process and possibly by the purchase of higher-end models. Ten percent said they were somewhat or very dissatisfied.Despite this high level of satisfaction, the survey results reveal areas where car buyers could save more money when negotiating. With better understanding of the basic car-buying steps, consumers could get a better deal and possibly be even more satisfied with their experience.To learn about consumers&#8217; buying experiences at new-car dealers, the Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a random, nationwide telephone survey from Oct. 4-8, 2007, contacting 2,000 households. The survey data was collected from those adults who had purchased a new or used car from a new-car dealership in the last 12 months.WHEELING AND DEALINGVirtually all (96 percent) car buyers said they got at least a fair deal on their vehicle purchase, with 33 percent citing a good deal and 33 percent boasting that they received an excellent deal. The youngest, least-affluent buyers were more likely to say they got a bad deal. No men reported a bad deal, though 7 percent of women did.Still, 35 percent of respondents stated that during the negotiations, the member of the sales staff asked them what they could afford to pay per month. This common sales tactic is the first step down a slippery slope of being manipulated with numbers and overpaying for your vehicle. Using the monthly payment as the focus, the salesman can lump the new-vehicle price, trade-in value, and financing or leasing terms together, giving him or her too much latitude to give you a "good price" in one area while making up for it in another. We recommend that you don't take the bait. Instead, insist on negotiating the vehicle price, trade-in value, and financing terms, as appropriate, individually, so you can keep things simple and understandable.Another common pitch respondents received was for an extended warranty. Seventy-two percent said the dealership tried to sell them one. Men got the pitch more frequently than women, yet a greater percentage of men rejected the warranty. Only 15 percent of those consumers offered an extended warranty bought the protection for the price quoted; 29 percent accepted the warranty after negotiating the cost.In general, Consumer Reports does not recommend buying an extended warranty unless you plan to keep a trouble-prone vehicle for an extended time after the original warranty runs out. Many of the 44 percent of respondents who bought an extended warranty might have wasted hundreds of dollars that could be either saved or applied toward a vehicle with a better predicted reliability rating. If you want an extended warranty, those offered by auto manufacturers are typically better than those offered by third-party companies.While about a quarter of respondents used dealer financing, only about 10 percent felt pressed to do so. In order of popularity, financing was otherwise secured through a bank other than own, credit union, or own bank. More than a quarter did not finance the vehicle. That indicates that shoppers are smartly considering their finance options. We recommend that consumers compare interest rates at several banks, credit unions, and loan organizations before checking the dealer's rates.In the end, 68 percent said they paid what they expected, with 16 percent spending more and 15 percent paying less. As a group, lower- and middle-income buyers and those in the Northeast were more likely to say they spent more than they expected.To get the lowest price on a new car, we recommend that you don't negotiate down from the sticker price. Instead, negotiate up from the dealer's cost. For example, the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price subtracts any dealer sales incentives, holdbacks, and rebates from the dealer-invoice price to give you a good starting point for your negotiations.SIZING UP THE SALES PERSONNELMost shoppers found the new-car dealer&#8217;s sales staff to be informed and helpful (90 percent), supplying all the information they wanted (87 percent). Lower-income and younger buyers were more judgmental. Only about one third of the buyers felt that the sales staff lacked expert knowledge of competing models. Disproportionately, these consumers were lower-income, from the Northeast, or female.Of course, consumers should not rely on the dealership for complete, accurate, and balanced information on competing models. After all, it is not in their best interest to steer potential customers toward a better, more affordable model down the block. We recommend that consumers conduct thorough research before they buy by reading expert reviews, comparing data and ratings, and even reading owner forums to get a well-rounded picture of a model.FINDING THE RIGHT VEHICLEWhen the shopper visited the new-car dealer&#8217;s lot, the new or used model they sought to purchase was available 72 percent of the time. That figure proved consistent across age and income, but there were regional differences. Those in the Northeast had better luck, at 76 percent, with the West leading, at 81 percent.When the desired model was unavailable, 49 percent bought something else from the dealer&#8217;s lot and 32 percent had a car transported from another dealership. In the Northeast, 70 percent had the model brought in from another dealership--far exceeding the national average. Older buyers were more particular, requesting transport more often (46 percent) and ordering a model built to their requirements from the factory at a relatively high rate (20 percent). Overall, 11 percent of the buyers ordered from the factory.A POSITIVE APPRAISAL, PLEASEAfter the sale, 55 percent of car buyers received a dealership survey asking them to rate the experience. An honest appraisal was compromised for many, with 32 percent being asked by the dealer to fill out the survey favorably. Of greater concern is that 18 percent were offered an incentive, like a free oil change, to respond favorably. That tactic draws into question the value of the feedback and the awards such satisfaction ratings can produce.THE BOTTOM LINEA high 89 percent satisfaction rate with the dealership experience reveals that consumers are driving away with a smile on their faces, even if they might have paid more than expected. But those who do their research and learn about sales strategies could leave with even more money in their pocket.Learn more in our step-by-step guide to buying a new car and guide to buying a used car. Check the latest incentives on CR-Recommended cars: Best new car deals.</font> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px;"> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=68747470732533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532466d61696e253246636f6d6d6572636525324661677265656d656e742e6a73702533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e6577732f323030372f31312f6175746f2d70756c73652d7375727665792d31312d30372f6f766572766965772f6361722d62757965722d7375727665792d73686f772d736174697366616374696f6e2d776974682d6465616c65722d657870657269656e63652d6f762e68746d"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>Subscribe now!</b></font></a><br/> <font size="-1">Subscribe to <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=687474702533412532462532467777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672532462533464558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e6577732f323030372f31312f6175746f2d70756c73652d7375727665792d31312d30372f6f766572766965772f6361722d62757965722d7375727665792d73686f772d736174697366616374696f6e2d776974682d6465616c65722d657870657269656e63652d6f762e68746d"><font size="-1" color="#4682B4"><b>ConsumerReports.org</b></font></a> for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.</font> <hr/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left: 15px; "> <a href="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/l?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&he=6874747025334125324625324673696d706c65666565642e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f7267253246702532467375627363726962652533467325334431303030303373323761316b333838306b69302532364558544b455925334449373252534e43&i=786d6c696e3a687474703a2f2f7777772e636f6e73756d65727265706f7274732e6f72672f63726f2f636172732f6e6577732f323030372f31312f6175746f2d70756c73652d7375727665792d31312d30372f6f766572766965772f6361722d62757965722d7375727665792d73686f772d736174697366616374696f6e2d776974682d6465616c65722d657870657269656e63652d6f762e68746d"><font color="#4682B4" size="-1" weight="bold">Update your feed preferences</font></a> </td> </tr> </table><img src="http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/iop.gif?s=100003s27a1k3880ki0&r=unknown&i=xmlin%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumerreports.org%2Fcro%2Fcars%2Fnews%2F2007%2F11%2Fauto-pulse-survey-11-07%2Foverview%2Fcar-buyer-survey-show-satisfaction-with-dealer-experience-ov.htm" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>