Vehicle Research

In the newly developed small overlap frontal crash test, 25% of a car's front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph.

Tags: IIHS, NHTSA, 2012-MY, Volvo S60, Acura TL

The Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that protect people in front, side, rollover and rear crashes, based on 'good' ratings in IIHS test results.

Tags: 2012-MY, IIHS Top Safety Pick, Hyundai Azera

The company said the vehicle is available at dealerships now.

Tags: 2012-MY, Nissan NV, passenger van, Nissan NV3500HD Passenger Van

The new model package is powered by a standard 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine that’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Tags: Chrysler, 2012-MY, Dodge Avenger

The company is currently taking fleet orders and expects to deliver the first vehicles in July 2012.

Tags: CNG, heavy-duty trucks, 2012-MY, bi-fuel, Ram Truck, Ram 2500

The Versa joins the Leaf, Juke and Nissan cube as IIHS 2012 Top Safety Picks.

Tags: 2012-MY, IIHS Top Safety Pick, Nissan Versa

The SXT is also available with the Pentastar V-6 engine, which delivers 283 hp and 25 mpg on the highway, according to Chrysler. V-6 models are also available with an all-wheel-drive system.

Tags: Dodge Journey, 2012-MY

Additional features include link-coil rear suspension, heavy-duty cooling, a Class IV receiver hitch, four- and seven-pin trailer connectors, in-floor storage on crew cab models, forward-opening doors on the Quad Cab models, power windows, and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and audio input jack.

Tags: Light-Duty Trucks, 2012-MY, Ram Truck, Ram 1500 Tradesman

Twenty vehicles were included in an online ballot and voted on by professional fleet managers, who were asked to consider which medium-duty truck model best fit their fleet requirements, including application effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance and lifecycle costs.

Tags: Utilimaster, Commercial van, 2012-MY, Isuzu Reach, Medium-Duty Truck of the Year Award

DETROIT – Being green-minded has its advantages in California, particularly for operators of the MY-2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car. California has authorized a $1,500 state rebate and will allow drivers to use the state’s carpool lanes while traveling solo.

Tags: Rebate, California, Chevrolet Volt, HOV Lane, 2012-MY

DETROIT - Toyota introduced the latest addition to its Prius vehicle family, the Prius c, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The automaker said it plans for the vehicle to go on sale in March, 2012, and that MSRP will start below $19,000.

Tags: Toyota, hybrid, 2012-MY, North American International Auto Show, Toyota Prius c

TORRANCE, CA - Price changes include increase of 2.0% to 4.3% for the Prius, an 0.4% increase for the base-model RAV4, and price decreases for select RAV4 models.

Tags: Prius, Toyota RAV4, 2012-MY

WAYNE, MI – Ford announced its Michigan Assembly Plant is starting production of the new 2012 Focus Electric. The company said it expects the vehicle to achieve 100 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) in fuel economy performance.

Tags: Ford Focus Electric, electric vehicle, 2012-MY