First Look at the New Hyundai Azera

Hyundai has been relentless in the past few years in rolling out new or improved vehicles. That trend continues this spring with the launch of the revamped Azera sedan.
For a while, the Azera had been somewhat neglected by Hyundai, relegated to the sidelines as the hugely popular Sonata, compact dynamo Elantra and luxury contender Genesis got most of the action.
Now, however, Azera has found its groove again.
Hyundai says it is filling a space in the market between the Sonata and Genesis, which are nearly $15,000 apart in price.
If customers see it in that space, Hyundai will have yet another big hit on its hands.
The Azera starts at $32,875 - pretty reasonable for what you get, which is a nice looking, solidly performing premium sedan.
The Azera is about four inches longer than Sonata and three inches shorter than Genesis, so physically it is also positioned between them.
The Azera also uses what Hyundai calls its “Fluidic Sculpture” styling, which made the Sonata, Elantra and Accent so popular.

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Rearview Cameras Might Become Mandatory

Federal regulators are expected to issue a new rule requiring automakers to include rearview cameras in all passenger vehicles by the 2014 model year, the New York Times reports.
The rule is expected to cost automakers about $200 per car.
Regulators estimate that more than 100 deaths and 8,000 injuries are caused each year by vehicles backing into pedestrians.


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Americans Holding onto their Rides Longer

New car owners in the U.S. are keeping their rides longer than they have in years, according to a recent report.
R.L. Polk conducted a survey in which it found consumer are holding onto cars for an average of 71.4 months, or almost six years, the longest period recorded since the survey began in 2003.
Used vehicles are being held onto for longer as well, with Polk finding an average of 49.9 months.
The survey said a number of factors are involved, including tepid consumer spending amid a still wobbly economy, longer-term auto loans and the increased quality of the cars made today.

Feds Look at Airbag Safety

The federal government is looking into a potential defect in side air bags in which they don't inflate upon impact.
The issue has so far resulted in more than 2,700 Toyota, Honda, Subaru and Nissan vehicles being recalled, and more could be recalled if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds the defective parts in other makes. 
The Associated Press reports that the recalled vehicles could have an ineffective mixture of the gas that inflates the side curtain air bags in a crash. That mix could mean air bags on one or both sides of the cars won't inflate in a crash, increasing the risk of injury, the agency said in documents posted on its website. No injuries have resulted so far.
AP said all four companies with recalled vehicles told NHTSA that the Americas unit of Swedish safety parts maker Autoliv Inc. made the propellant for the side air bags. The investigation was opened this month.

Gas Prices Gaining, Could Head Much Higher

Gas prices continue their worrisome rise, as the average price in Georgia this month is $3.51 a gallon, according to AAA. A year ago, the average price was around $3.09.

Analysts say the budding economic recovery, the European bailout of Greece and uncertain relations with Iran have contributed to rising oil prices, which have climbed over $100 a barrel in recent days. Higher oil prices, of course, lead to higher gasoline prices.


Analysts also warn consumers not to expect much of a break on prices soon, as spring approaches.

Some predictions call for gas to go above $4 a gallon in April, with potentially higher prices later.

Chrysler 200, Better Than You Might Expect

Among the Big Three U.S. automakers, Chrysler has seemingly had the toughest time coming out of the doldrums. Its product mix was heavy on big trucks and SUVs, and while it offered passenger cars, they haven't in recent years been the most highly regarded.
Enter the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan.
Introduced for the 2011 model year as a replacement for the Sebring, it comes as a five-seat sedan or a four-seat convertible. You can get a four- or six-cylinder engine.
Sounds very similar to the Sebring, you say?
Yes, perhaps, but the 200 has some styling changes that make it different. It has a sportier look now, and seems to take some cues from its big brother, the 300.
There are standard 17-inch steel wheels, and aluminum 17- or 18-inchers are optional.

The Chrysler 200, available as a convertible or sedan, offers improved styling over its predecessor and a solid list of available options.
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Toyota Yaris, Proudly Improved and Economical

Economy cars have become all the rage (thanks, high gas prices and interminable recession). So automakers have had to step up their game in this segment. The latest to do so is Toyota, which debuted its little Yaris in 2007.
The Yaris started off well enough, but as the segment became more popular, its plain looks and econobox feel made it a sales laggard in the category.
For 2012, Yaris gets a delightful makeover that restores its luster, giving it good looks and better driving quality.
The Yaris retains its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a gutsy little 106 horsepower.
The sedan version of the Yaris previously offered is a goner; now you get either a two- or four-door hatchback. There are three trim levels: L, LE and SE.
The base L has pretty much everything that we take for granted on a car (remember that Nissan Versa from a few years back that had no radio?). But it does have crank windows. Step up to the LE and you get power windows and some other stuff that is optional on some higher end cars.
The SE has a few more bells and whistles but still cloth seats, although a higher grade of cloth.

The Toyota Yaris has been restyled inside and out and is now much more competitive in the economy car class.

Credits: 

Toyota

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2012 Hyundai Genesis is a premium value

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Hyundai, one of the most dynamic automakers in the business today, recently revamped its Genesis premium sedan. Genesis debuted in 2008 as a 2009 model, garnering attention for its luxury-like features and, as usual for Hyundai, very reasonable pricing.
Once word got out, Genesis did pretty well, rising in sales by 33 percent from 2010 to 2011.
Now, the new 2012 version has more power, better fuel economy and improved technology. And it still carries big-time value, compared with its luxury competitors.

The Genesis competes very well against luxury sedans that are far more expensive.

Credits: 

Hyundai

Rating for Hyundai genesis:

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January Sales Were Strong

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2012 Toyota Camry SE. Toyota sold 28,295 in January for a 55.9% increase. Auto industry sales for the month totaled 913,287, up 11.4% from January 2011. Last year, sales started off strong then faded in the summer as gas prices surged. / Toyota

2012 Ford Explorer. Ford sold 9,966 in January, a 35.6% increase. / Ford

2012 Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors sold 15,049 Cruzes in January. / General Motors

2012 Volkswagen Jetta. VW sold 9,564 Jetta sedans in January. / Volkswagen

Consumers were in a buying mood in January, the Detroit Free-Press reported, pushing the industry's sales to the strongest level since May 2008 as the annual selling rate reached 14.2 million vehicles.
The sales rate exceeded the 14.1-million pace registered in August 2009 when the government's cash-for-clunkers incentive program successfully boosted sales while getting thousands of older vehicles off the road.
Industry sales for the month totaled 913,287, up 11.4% from January 2011. Last year, sales started off strong then faded in the summer as gas prices surged and political gridlock threatened the government's credit rating.
"It's the best start to a new year since 2008," said Toyota Group Vice President Bob Carter.
Sales gradually strengthened throughout the month after a weak beginning.
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Hyundais Might Be More Scarce

Hyundai CEO John Krafcik said recently that the fast-growing automaker will struggle to meet the production demands of its U.S. customers.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Krafcik's remarks came at a meeting of dealers at a J.D. Power and Associates conference in Las Vegas.
Hyundai made approximately 420,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year: 330,000 at its plant in Montgomery and nearly 90,000 at the Kia plant in West Point, Ga.
U.S. sales of Hyundai were pegged at 640,000 units last year.
Krafcik said the company will try to boost production in Georgia, as it did last year in Montgomery, but that is likely to still leave it short of demand, the Free Press reported.
Hyundai recently unveiled its Veloster compact (pictured above), which could be another hot seller.

List Eyes Future Collectible Cars

CNN/Money has compiled a list of cars that it predicts will someday become collectors items. At the top of the list is the Chevy Camaro. You can visit CNN/Money's list here

 

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Someday, you'll wish you owned these cars

Hagerty Insurance says these 10 relatively affordable cars will likely become collectibles and will sell for big bucks at car auctions decades from now.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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Check out the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on AOL Autos

Sticker price: $54,095

Of all the new cars that sell for under $100,000 today, these 10 are most likely to become highly collectible in the future, according to the expects at Hagerty Insurance, a collector car insurance company.
Most of the cars on this list are high-performance special editions. While relatively affordable, these cars are still rare and exciting.
Take the Camaro ZL1 for example. For some performance coupe buyers, only the most powerful version will do. For them, General Motors is providing the ZL1 with its 580-horsepower V8.

Woman Says She Won Mileage Case against Honda

A car owner who sued Honda Motor Co. over allegations the automaker overstated gas mileage for her 2006 Civic Hybrid said she won $9,867 in small claims court in Los Angeles, Bloomberg News reported.

“I am absolutely thrilled at the reports that I won, even though I won’t see the actual judgment until it comes in the mail,” Heather Peters said Thursday in an e-mailed statement. “It’s a victory for Civic Hybrid owners everywhere!” The award couldn’t be immediately confirmed in court records.

Peters, who is a lawyer, opted out of a proposed class action settlement over claims the Civic Hybrid doesn’t get 50 miles per gallon as the carmaker says and filed her own case in small claims court, where plaintiffs and defendants represent themselves.

The class-action settlement offered as little as $100 in cash and a $500 coupon toward a new car, Peters said before a Jan. 25 hearing.

Honda has not yet commented on the case.