Acura TSX Sport Wagon is Nimble, Practical

The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is true to its name, offering sporty driving dynamics in an attractively designed wagon package.


This model arrives two years after the redesign of the TSX, and seems to be right on time, as sporty cars that can double as family vehicles seem to be growing in both supply and demand.

The engine is a  201-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder which is linked to a five-speed automatic  transmission.   Fuel economy is pretty good, at  21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg highway.

The wagon is a bigger vehicle than its TSX sedan sibling, with a longer and taller body. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels,  xenon headlights and mirror-integrated turn signals standard.

The TSX wagon comfortably seats five, and comes with such niceties as rear air conditioning vents, a very handy feature at this time of year to add to the comfort of those sitting in the back area. Acura has also added more insulation to dampen cabin noise. There is a nice list of standard features such as heated, power front seats, leather, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and USB/iPod integration.  Acura has updated is optional navigation system with a new screen and extended map coverage. Additionally you can get weather and traffic updates.

Acura has included a number of safety features on the TSX such as antilock brakes, front, side-impact, and side curtain airbags, an electronic stability system, and active head restraints for the front seats.   All are standard.

The TSX wagon sells from around $32,000.


It's probably safe to say that sales of the TSX wagon won't come near the levels of its sedan sibling, so you might not see a whole lot of these rolling around the streets of Atlanta or Macon.


But for those who choose this ride, they'll be getting style and functionality, and a bit of sportiness, in a very solid package. 

Electric Car Growth to be Modest in U.S., Study Says

Electric vehicles will sell better in Europe and China than they will in the U.S. over the next , a new study says. 

The increasing fuel efficiency of traditional gasoline engines is seen as a key reason for this, according to Boston Consulting Group. 

But electric cars are expected to be a growing factor in reducing dependency on fossil fuels in many nations, the group said, albeit with only modest growth in the next few years. 

Gas Prices Continuing to Drop in Georgia

Gas prices in central Georgia are continuing to decline, with the average price this week being 7 cents a gallon less than it was a week ago, according to atlantagasprices.com.

The average price of a gallon in greater Atlanta, was $3.50, the website said, and many places in the region had prices of less than $3.40.

Georgiagasprices.com had a range of prices in the Macon area from $3.30 - $3.46.

The statewide average is $3.47 a gallon, and the national average is $3.58.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Gas prices continue to drop - Macon automotive | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/automotive-in-macon/gas-prices-continue-to-drop#ixzz1QV27zNXm

Gas Prices Dropping in Georgia

Gasoline prices in Georgia are continuing a recent downward trend, following a decline in oil prices.
The average price of a gallon of gas in the the state is $3.58, AAA Auto Club South reported on its website. That's down from $3.62 a week ago and from $3.94 a month ago.
Meanwhile, oil prices have slid, closing last week at $93.01 a barrel, after closing at $99.29 the previous week. Poor economic forecasts have contributed to oil's slide, experts said.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Gas prices dropping in Georgia - Macon automotive | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/automotive-in-macon/gas-prices-dropping-georgia#ixzz1PpQCRmmF

Solid Forecast for Auto Suppliers

Auto suppliers, which took a huge tumble in the recession along with the automakers who purchase their wares, should see pretty good times ahead through next year, according to a new report.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Solid forecast for auto suppliers - Macon automotive | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/automotive-in-macon/solid-forecast-for-auto-suppliers#ixzz1PTWItF1a

Auto Sales Slip in May

Auto purchasing declined in May, helping lead retail sales to a decline for the first time in almost a year. Sales fell 0.2 percent, but wholesale prices rose 0.2 percent in May, which was the slowest rate in 10 months. Food costs declined and gas prices gained the smallest amount in eight months.

The drop in retail sales followed 10 consecutive months of gains, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Auto sales were off by nearly 3 percent, the sharpest drop since February 2010. Experts said fewer price cuts and a shortage of popular fuel-efficient vehicles caused the drop. Japan's natural disasters hindered transfers of vehicles and parts to North America.

Without the drop in autos, retail sales were up 0.3 percent.

The retail sales decline shows that the economy is struggling, as consumers face high fuel prices and continued weakness in the job market. 

Toyota Shows New Prius V

Toyota recently gave a glance at its new Prius V wagon, which goes on sale in the fall. Read more about it here

Ford to Sell Hybrid Minivan

 

Ford says that it will produce a minivan that will be its first U.S. vehicle sold only as a hybrid.
Ford offers hybrid versions of some of its cars, but none are exclusively hybrids.
Ford's minivan will be similar to a five-passenger van, the C-Max, which it currently sells in Europe, That model is gasoline-powered.
Ford reportedly had planned previously to sell a seven-passenger, gas-powered C-Max in the U.S. next year, but now ill offer it as a gas/electric hybrid only.
The company says the vehicle will get more than 41 miles per gallon. There will also be a plug-in version that will be similar to the Chevrolet Volt, which runs initially solely on electricity, then switches over to gasoline mode.

California Green Car Incentive Going Gangbusters

The rebate program in California offered to buyers of electric cars is nearly out of funds, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. 
The Golden State gives up to $5,000 to green-car buyers, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Chronicle says so many have applied during the current fiscal year, however, that the program's $5 million annual funding will probably be used up before the next fiscal year begins in July.
The state will likely appropriate more funding next month, but car buyers will still probably have to be placed on a waiting list.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/07/BUOS1JQRCA.DTL#ixzz1OitBrDgM

Kia Ramping Up for More Production in West Point

Kia Motors is launching a $100 million project to expand its West Point, Ga., factory to be able to produce an additional 60,000 vehicles a year as the company seeks to meet rising demand for its products, the Associated Press reports.

Kia has has hired 1,000 more workers and is set to add a third shift to make the Sorrento crossover vehicle, and starting in September, the Optima midsize sedan, Kia reportedly said in a statement.

Kia has seen strong sales of the redesigned Optima, and its Sorrento and Sportage crossovers have done well also.

106,000 Older Priuses Recalled

Toyota has announced a recall of 106,000 first-generation Prius hybrid cars globally on Wednesday, saying the cars have faulty steering caused by a nut that may come loose.

Toyota says one accident suspected of being related to the problem was reported in the United States.

 Toyota, which has been beset by huge global recalls recently, said the latest affects 48,000 Prius vehicles in Japan, starting with the first ones that went on sale in 1997, and those manufactured through 2003.

It also affects 58,000 vehicles sold internationally, including 52,000 Prius cars sold from 2001 through 2003 in the United States and some 1,200 in Britain and 800 in Germany, Toyota said.

Toyota says loose nuts in the electric-power steering can cause the vehicle, if operated over a long time, to steer with too much force.

The problem can be fixed by putting in better nuts and will take about four hours, the company said.