Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (Feb 13-18, 2012) Automotive News In Case You Were Sleeping

Auto Central Louisville KY February 19, 2012; Each week Larry Nutson, The Auto Channel's Chicago Bureau Chief, along with Steve Purdy and Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Detroit Bureau give you a nugget of the past week's automotive news you may have missed.
If you are a car nut like we all are, you can easily "catch up" on these stories as well as the past 16 years 901,102 automotive stories, articles, reviews, rants and raves by just searching for the subject you are interested in The Auto Channel's Automotive News Archive...be sure to check out The Auto Channel's Chicago Auto Show Press Pass Coverage , see ya next week L.N.

Automotive News Nuggets February 13-18 2012

* According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, average fuel economy of cars, light trucks, minivans and SUVs purchased in January was 23.0 mpg, which ties the all-time monthly record set in March 2011. That represents a 4% improvement or 0.8 mpg better than the average in December, which was the highest monthly increase since the institute's researchers started tracking fuel economy in late 2007. Compared with a year ago, average fuel economy of new vehicles bought in January was 0.5 mpg better and is a full 2.5 mpg better than four years ago.

* U.S. safety regulators are investigating reports of driver-side door fires in some 2006 and 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUVs. The preliminary investigation covers more than 309,000 vehicles.

* President Obama's proposed budget would increase the tax credit for buyers of electric vehicles -- from the $7,500 maximum to a $10,000 maximum -- and expand the credit to other "advanced technology vehicles." The proposed tax credit would apply to vehicles that operate primarily using an alternative to gasoline, as long as that technology is not currently widespread in the U.S. Some say this is a tax credit for the rich because to get the full amount of the credit a taxpayer must first have to pay at least that amount in taxes.

* We expected this to come along sooner rather than later. In the world of electric vehicles, Washigton State is proposing a $100 additional fee to register an EV. This is to provide equality to gasoline and diesel vehicles that pay a tax with a fuel purchase. Other states are considering the same since EV drivers have to pay their fair share to maintain roads.

* The latest Vehicle Dependability Study from J.D. Power and Associates shows that today’s cars, on the whole, are proving more reliable than ever. But the Power report also reveals that perceptions continue to lag reality for some brands that have made major gains in recent years. Of the 32 brands covered by the Vehicle Dependability Study, 25 showed improvements year-over-year, with five declining and one holding steady. The top ten are Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota, Scion, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln, Ford, Buick and Hyundai.

* Porsche has named it new small crossover SUV the Macan, a name it derived from an Indonesian word for tiger. Set to be the fifth product in the expanding Porsche line-up and falling in line under the Cayenne, it will begin production in 2013. Based on the Audi Q5 architecture, it won't share much more than the basic structure and is expected to have three unique powertrains.

* Hyundai continues on a roll as they introduced the all-new Azera large sedan (sized evenly between Sonata and Genesis Sedan) with a series of press events in Las Vegas. With pricing very close to the last Azera, content, style, and efficiency take a leap forward. Only one powertrain - 296-hp V6 with the new in-house 6-speed automatic rated at just about 30 mpg on the highway. Look for a complete report soon here on TheAutoChannel.com

* According to Comerica Bank's Auto Affordability Index purchasing and financing a new car took an average of 23.1 weeks of income in the fourth quarter of 2011. That's the lowest average in more than two years. That number may be an indication that there might be some credibility to those predictions we've been hearing about a strong showing for auto sales in 2012.

* We've been watching with great interest the trials and tribulations of Gibbs Technologies as they've developed and tried to get certified a fast, fun amphibious roadster along with a few other iterations of their unique design. We were surprised to see they were in Washington DC this week demonstrating and taking orders for a new amphibious truck that can do 80-mph on land and takes only 5 seconds to become water worthy. Way to go Gibbs! Google them.

* According to an Automotive News report, the province of Ontario, Canada employs more people in automobile manufacturing than any other province in Canada or state in the US.