Topic: Automotive Technology

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Beyond SpaceX: Five companies seeking to change space travel

During the past 10 years, Presidents George W. Bush and Obama have directed NASA to turn the job of transporting cargo and crew to the space station over to the private sector. As that process gathers pace, here is a list of the key players.
Earth Day: Five ways we affect the planet

The late Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D) of Wisconsin organized the first Earth Day in 1970 after the devastating oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif. The event started as an environmental teach-in, with some 20 million Americans taking part on college campuses across the United States. Today, 500 million people in 175 countries observe Earth Day on April 22 as a way to celebrate the natural world and raise awareness of the environment. How much do humans affect the earth? Click below to find out.
High gas prices: what presidential candidates say they'll do about it

Gas prices jumped 30 cents a gallon in February, and Republicans are blaming President Obama for not having a policy fix. Here's what Mr. Obama and the GOP presidential aspirants are saying on the campaign trail lately about their remedy for high gas prices.
Clint Eastwood Chrysler Super bowl commercial: Facebook fans respond

If you didn’t see it aired on TV during halftime of the Super bowl Sunday, you’ve likely heard about it by now: The Clint Eastwood Chrysler commercial. Amid all the debate on the ad's perceived political stance, we took this question to our Facebook fans: After watching this video, do you think Chrysler came out with a pro-Obama commercial, or a patriotic commercial? We’ve culled their 127 comments and grouped the best here.
Clint Eastwood in Top 6 Super Bowl 2012 car commercials (+video)

Sure, the New York Giants won the 2012 Super Bowl. But who won the battle of the Super Bowl car commercials? NBC says advertisers paid an average of $3.5 million for a 30-second spot in this year's Super Bowl. Last year, Volkswagon was the biggest crowd pleaser with their Darth Vader "The Force" ad which got millions of views online before it debuted on TV. This year, the early favorite was Ferris Bueller (aka Matthew Broderick) hawking a Honda. But Chrysler's Halftime in America ad, starring Clint Eastwood, is what everyone is talking about now. Here's one viewer's take on the Top 6 Super Bowl car commercials for 2012. Which is your favorite?

All Content

In Gear
Nissan electric vehicle: Van to be built in Spain. NYC next?

Nissan electric vehicle to be built in Barcelona will be a 100 percent electric delivery van. The Nissan electric vehicle will be the company's second, following the Leaf.
Jeep Wrangler recall: Are you eligible?

Jeep Wrangler recall hit nearly 87,000 SUVs. Chrysler says a fire risk in the 2010 model brought on this Jeep Wrangler recall.
In Gear
Jeep Wranglers recalled for potential fire hazard

Jeep Wrangler models from 2010 are being recalled by Chrysler due to a flaw in the design of the skid plate that protects the transmission, which could ultimately result in a fire.The problem affects 67,872 vehicles.
In Gear
Considering a plug-in, electric car? Consider your lifestyle.

Buying a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle is more than just buying a car. It's choosing a lifestyle.
In Gear
Do hybrids save money? Website lets you calculate it.

Hybrids cost more upfront but are cheaper to operate than nonhybrids. The federal government has launched FuelEconomy.gov so consumers can calculate the payback period for buying a hybrid.
Beyond SpaceX: Five companies seeking to change space travel

During the past 10 years, Presidents George W. Bush and Obama have directed NASA to turn the job of transporting cargo and crew to the space station over to the private sector. As that process gathers pace, here is a list of the key players.
In Gear
Honda recall: Acura TL sedans have potential fluid leak

Honda recall involves nearly 53,000 Acuras from 2007 and 2008. Deteriorating power-steering hoses sparked the Honda recall.
Honda recall involves 53,000 Acura TL sedans

Honda recall of nearly 53,000 sedans in the US is due to a problem with power steering hoses. Acura sedans from 2007 and 2008 are part of the Honda recall.
Parent warning: Hot weather coming, don't leave baby alone in car

Where's baby? Look before you lock: A new national parent warning ad campaign aims at the coming hot weather and parents who would leave a baby alone in a car. Heat killed 33 babies left in cars in 2011.
In Gear
Why I bought a Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf will save $1,000 a year in fuel bills. But the real reason I bought one? 9/11.
In Gear
Electric-car sales fall in April

Nissan Leaf sees biggest fall, with only 370 cars sold. Prius plug-in hybrids see biggest sales, with more than 1,600 sold in April. 
Earth Day: Five ways we affect the planet

The late Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D) of Wisconsin organized the first Earth Day in 1970 after the devastating oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif. The event started as an environmental teach-in, with some 20 million Americans taking part on college campuses across the United States. Today, 500 million people in 175 countries observe Earth Day on April 22 as a way to celebrate the natural world and raise awareness of the environment. How much do humans affect the earth? Click below to find out.
Modern Parenthood
Peer pressure is part of texting and driving – teens can’t say no

But teens should say no. Peer pressure, not wanting to ignore friends, leads to texting and driving. And a new study shows that 75 percent of young adults think there's nothing wrong with that.
Electric cars: Big climate aid in L.A., but not Wichita

Electric cars benefit the climate depending on where they're plugged in. In some cities, electric cars do no better than high-mileage gasoline-powered cars.
Are EVs worth it? Study helps calculate savings on emissions, fuel.

How much an EV saves on fuel or cuts greenhouse gas emissions depends on many variables, including gas prices and whether the local electric grid is fed mainly by coal power. The Union of Concerned Scientists helps out with the calculations.
Electric cars, hybrids see record sales

Electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt and hybrids like Toyota's Prius C and Camry are selling better than ever. Automakers sold a record 52,000 hybrids, electric cars in March.
Look ma, no helmet! Michigan repeals helmet law for motorcyclists.

The repeal of Michigan's helmet law for motorcyclists Friday could bring millions in motorcycle-tourist dollars to the state, advocates say. Critics say it will raise health-care costs.
Top Picks: 'Once' as a musical, 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,' and more

PBS's romance 'Birdsong' will appeal to 'Downton Abbey' fans, 'Revenge of the Electric Car' explores why the plug was pulled on the electric car, and more top picks.
Consumer Energy Report
Do energy subsidies actually work?

Governement subsidies are largely social experiments without any guarantee of success. Some pay off royally, while others are a waste of time and money.
GM: Explosion at battery research facility ‘unrelated to the Chevrolet Volt’

One person was hurt at the GM research site in Michigan during ‘extreme testing on a prototype battery’ unrelated to the Volt ‘or any other production vehicle,’ the company said.
Chevy Volt comeback: gas prices spur best-ever monthly sales

GM had temporarily closed a Chevy Volt plant because of slack demand. But that changed in March with a record 2,289 units sold. GM's new target: 3,000 a month.
Chrysler: Viper roars back to life

Chrysler Viper reemerges after two-year hiatus. Chrysler Viper to come with 640-horsepower V-10 engine – and will probably top $100,000.
Terrafugia flying cars cost $279,000 each, already have 100 pre-orders (+video)

Terrafugia flyng cars: The company said Monday that its flying car has completed its first test flight. The Terrafugia flying cars will be unveiled at the New York Auto show this week.
Readers Write: Pull the plug on electric car criticism

Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of March 26, 2012: Two writers argue that an op-ed critiquing electric cars for failing to reduce pollution is unfounded and outdated. Not so, responds the writer, citing another study.
Horizons
Akira Yoshizawa: Why origami matters

Akira Yoshizawa, honored Wednesday with a Google doodle on his 101st birthday, helped introduce to the world an art form that has proven very useful in mathematics and engineering.