Main page | September 4, 2007 »

Germans Land on Saturn and Things Shape Up

Saturn is making a comeback, but the cars aren’t really emanating from Detroit, according to the New York Times.

There is a good reason that some of the new Saturns — the no-apologies Aura sedan, the new Vue crossover utility wagon and a crisp Astra compact yet to come — are easily the best-looking, best-driving cars ever to grace a Saturn dealership: they’re German.

Specifically, they’re Opels, courtesy of G.M.’s Deutsche division. Sure, they’re wearing Saturn badges on their metal (no more plastic) lapels, and get a nip here and a tuck there from United States designers and engineers. But the Astra, Aura and Vue are near clones of the respective Opel Astra, Vectra and Antara models sold in Europe.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:55 AM to GM | Permalink | Comments 0

Car cameras get candid approval as buyers seek extra views

The video revolution is coming to a car near you, according to USA Today.

Automakers are finding new ways of using small cameras in vehicles in a quest for greater safety and security, including the first 360-degree cams that give drivers a view of blind spots in their surroundings.

The proliferation of uses for automotive video systems reflects their growing popularity. Chrysler finds nearly a third of buyers of its Pacifica family hauler opt for a backup-camera option, which costs $399 and up, spokesman Nick Cappa says.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:51 AM to Safety , Technology | Permalink | Comments 0

Elderly Australian drivers could be confined to six-mile radius after child is run over by pensioners - twice

Drivers aged 85 and over will be limited to a six-mile radius of their home under a scheme being studied in Australia, according to that nation's Daily Mail.

The restricted licence is being proposed by the New South Wales Traffic Authority as doctors predict a rise in eyesight problems and dementia.

With older drivers more frequently being blamed for collisions, the rules would also insist that 75-year-olds take an annual medical test. This currently applies at age 80.

For motorists living in the outback, where homes are located long distances from shops, the radius would be extended, with a "home to town" restriction being available to them, rather than a set six miles.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:44 AM to Safety | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil dips but holds above $73

LONDON - Oil retreated when the New York market opened on Thursday, handing back some of the previous session's two-percent gain, but analysts said declining crude stocks in top consumer the United States should limit losses, according to Reuters News Agency.

U.S. crude was down 40 cents at $73.11 a barrel by 10:09 a.m. EDT, having jumped $1.78 on Wednesday to its highest settlement in over three weeks.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:43 AM to Oil | Permalink | Comments 0