Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's Automotive Factoids - In Case You Weren't Paying Attention
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Each week Larry Nutson, The Auto Channel Chicago Bureau Chief will give you some automotive news you may have missed.
2012 Nissan Versa
The 2012 Nissan Versa is priced $240 less than the 2011. More features
have been made
standard. A better deal for U.S. buyers.
2012 Nissan Leaf
The 2012 Nissan Leaf has a base price $2420 higher than 2011. More
features have
been made 2012 standard. Although the cost of the batteries should be
coming down, it
is not uncommon to raise prices with a new model year.
2012 Toyota
Prius
Toyota will begin offering in Japan Prius vehicles with AC electric
outlets. You can park your Prius and brew a pot of coffee! U.S availability
has not
yet been announced.
AAA
AAA is launching a pilot-program in 6 metro areas with Roadside Assistance
trucks to charge stranded EVs. Range anxiety continues to be a major
concern
with EV shoppers.
2012 Toyota RAV4
EV
The Toyota RAV4 EV will be offered to the general public for sale.
Previously, it was thought that only fleets and car-sharing programs could
buy the RAV4 EV. More choices for the EV crowd.
National
Safe Driver Act of 2011
The National Safe Driver Act of 2011 is
supported by Ford and Chrysler.
The new legislation would prohibit throughout the U. S. the use of
hand-held cell phones in vehicles except in an emergency.
Fiat Buys U.S. Chrysler Ownership At $1.3 Billion
Discount
The U.S. government is now out of Chrysler. Fiat, now a 53% owner of
Chrysler, purchased remaining stock that remained in government hands.
Sergio Marchionne, CEO of both Fiat and Chrysler will now begin merging
their
operations.
Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter
Engine
Ford confirmed this week they will build a new high tech,
1.0-liter,
3-cylinder engine with the power of a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder to power the
Fiesta. With all of Ford's EcoBoost technology it will make about 120
horsepower.
Fewer cylinders with the same performance and higher fuel economy continues
to
be the industry direction.(Continuing the gasoline monopoly and Making Oil
Companies VERY HAPPY)
Shelby
SuperCars
Shelby SuperCars will produce a new Bugatti Veyron fighter called
Tuatara (pronounced twu-tar-ah), essentially a fresh iteration of the
Ultimate
Aero which, along with Veyron, shared honors as fastest production car in
the
world.
Mercedes-Benz 5 Cylinder is Really 4
Mercedes-Benz has developed a new 5.5-liter V8 engine with cylinder
deactivation allowing it to run on 4 cylinders when appropriate making
about a
30% fuel economy advantage over the existing AMG V8.
That's All Folks, More Next Week
Larry Nutson
Senior Editor
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel