https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-newsDaily car news summary from the editors of U.S. News Ranking & Reviewsen-usAuto NewsTue, 24 May 2011 11:22:59 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110524-toyota-to-launch-social-network-for-its-cars | U.S. News & World Report Social networks are evolving, and while you may currently be using Facebook or Twitter to keep in touch with family and friends, soon it might be possible to keep tabs on your car as well. Toyota and Salesforce.com announced yesterday in a press release that they have “formed a strategic alliance to build ‘Toyota Friend’, a private social network for Toyota customers and their cars. Toyota Friend will be powered by Salesforce Chatter, a private social network used by businesses, and will be offered, first in Japan, initially with Toyota’s electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) due in 2012.” U.S. News & World ReportTue, 24 May 2011 11:22:59 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110524-toyota-to-launch-social-network-for-its-carsAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110524-panel-cites-toyota-s-centralized-management-for-slow-recall-response | U.S. News & World Report An advisory panel appointed by Toyota released its report yesterday, which addresses safety concerns that have arisen in recent years. The panel, which is headed by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Rodney Slater, said that Toyota’s recalls since 2009 were due in part to centralized decision making that’s still too Japan-based. U.S. News & World ReportTue, 24 May 2011 11:18:18 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110524-panel-cites-toyota-s-centralized-management-for-slow-recall-responseAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110523-chevrolet-cruze-eco-trades-spare-tire-for-fuel-economy | U.S. News & World Report The Chevrolet Cruze has made headlines for its above-average fuel economy, especially for its fuel-sipping Eco model. But GM, Chevrolet ’s parent company, has announced that to make the Cruze Eco even more fuel efficient it must dropped pounds wherever possible. One thing to go was the Cruze’s spare tire. According to a GM press release , the 2011 Cruze Eco will not come standard with a traditional compact spare tire and wheel. Instead, Chevrolet will replace the spare tire, wheel and jack with an on-board tire inflator kit, which the automaker says will be able to re-pressurize tires and inject a sealant to close up any puncture holes. U.S. News & World ReportMon, 23 May 2011 10:49:26 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110523-chevrolet-cruze-eco-trades-spare-tire-for-fuel-economyAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110523-ford-considers-in-car-health-monitoring-app | U.S. News & World Report Cars can monitor tire pressure, track weather and traffic conditions and connect to the internet, and they keep getting smarter. Ford wants to take its cars monitoring systems to the next level. Last week, Ford announced that it will team up with health companies to create applications that would monitor medical issues like diabetes, asthma and hypoglycemia through its SYNC infotainment system. At a press conference in Michigan, Gary Strumolo, Ford manager of vehicle design and infotronics, said Ford plans to introduce health applications into its cars in the next one to two years, according to the Detroit Free Press . SYNC is available in most of Ford’s 2011 models, including the Ford Focus , the Ford F-150 and the Lincoln MKX . U.S. News & World ReportMon, 23 May 2011 10:29:03 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110523-ford-considers-in-car-health-monitoring-appAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110520-2012-audi-a6-avant-not-coming-to-u-s- | U.S. News & World Report If you’re in the market for a luxury wagon and live in the U.S., you can cross the new 2012 Audi A6 Avant off your list. Audi unveiled the new A6 Avant in Berlin recently, but says it will not sell this wagon in the U.S. U.S. News & World ReportFri, 20 May 2011 11:05:05 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110520-2012-audi-a6-avant-not-coming-to-u-s-Auto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110520-honda-voluntarily-recalls-2012-civics-for-fuel-leak-problem | U.S. News & World Report Honda is voluntarily recalling 1,156 Civics from the 2012 model year in the U.S. due to a potential problem with its fuel feed line. Honda will replace the fuel feed line, which could potentially leak a small amount of fuel. U.S. News & World ReportFri, 20 May 2011 10:58:56 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110520-honda-voluntarily-recalls-2012-civics-for-fuel-leak-problemAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110519-gm-to-increase-volt-production- | U.S. News & World Report The Chevrolet Volt will be available to nationwide and in Europe, Canada and China by the end of 2011. In preparation, General Motors is increasing production of its ground-breaking green car. U.S. News & World ReportThu, 19 May 2011 10:28:00 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110519-gm-to-increase-volt-production-Auto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110519-chrysler-starts-to-close-out-debt- | U.S. News & World Report Chrysler owes the U.S. government $7.5 billion, but the automaker is close to paying off its debt. U.S. News & World ReportThu, 19 May 2011 10:11:44 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110519-chrysler-starts-to-close-out-debt-Auto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110519-4-000-juke-owners-get-400-check-from-nissan | U.S. News & World Report The Nissan Juke , a new model for 2011, has front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The two drivetrains get different fuel tanks, but Nissan accidentally misrepresented the specifications to early Juke buyers. Some shoppers bought AWD Jukes thinking they got the same 13.2 gallon tank the front-wheel drive Juke has. The AWD tanks are 1.4 gallons smaller. U.S. News & World ReportThu, 19 May 2011 10:05:50 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110519-4-000-juke-owners-get-400-check-from-nissanAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110518-2007-11-toyota-tundra-recalled-for-tire-pressure-sensors | U.S. News & World Report If you bought a Toyota Tundra in the Southeast, your truck might be facing a recall for faulty tire pressure sensors. Motor Trend writes, “Toyota will recall 2007-2011 Tundras sold in the southeast because their tire-pressure monitoring systems may be faulty.” U.S. News & World ReportWed, 18 May 2011 10:56:54 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110518-2007-11-toyota-tundra-recalled-for-tire-pressure-sensorsAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110518-chevrolet-volt-resale-value-set-at-17-000-after-three-years | U.S. News & World Report With gas prices up, hybrid and electric vehicles look like great options for savvy consumers who want to save money at the pump. But according to Kelley Blue Book , the 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be worth just $17,000 after 36 months of ownership – a significant drop from its $41,000 sticker price. “Despite all the hype and multiple Car of the Year honors, Volt retains only 42% of its original value after three years of ownership -- a lower percentage than a 2011 Toyota Prius hybrid (46%) but more than a 2011 Ford Focus (37.5),” reports USA Today . U.S. News & World ReportWed, 18 May 2011 10:43:24 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110518-chevrolet-volt-resale-value-set-at-17-000-after-three-yearsAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110517-chevrolet-impala-gets-power-boost-for-2012 | U.S. News & World Report Compared to other affordable large cars , the Chevrolet Impala may be overdue for a redesign. Autoblog says, “The model has been on sale in its current configuration since 2006 and a full update isn't scheduled to land until 2014 at the earliest.” Still, that doesn’t mean that the Impala won’t see some powertrain updates for 2012. U.S. News & World ReportTue, 17 May 2011 10:46:05 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110517-chevrolet-impala-gets-power-boost-for-2012Auto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110517-most-americans-back-60-mpg-cars-by-2025 | U.S. News & World Report Gas prices are up , and according to a recent survey car shoppers want vehicles that are more fuel efficient. “The Consumer Federation of America said its survey of 2,000 Americans found both those identifying themselves as Republicans and Democrats think the government should require automakers to have their models average 60 miles a gallon by 2025,” writes USA Today . “Cars would cost more, but respondent said they'd be willing to pay more as long as the higher purchase costs could be recouped in gas savings in 5 years.” U.S. News & World ReportTue, 17 May 2011 10:40:10 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110517-most-americans-back-60-mpg-cars-by-2025Auto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110516-kia-adds-more-powerful-four-cylinder-to-2012-sorento | U.S. News & World Report Kia will make a new direct-injected 2.4-liter engine available in its Sorento crossover for the 2012 model year. “The new engine is almost certainly going to boost gas mileage on the Sorento,” writes USA Today . The Sorento’s current 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine already gets an EPA -rated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway in two-wheel drive models and 21/27 mpg city/highway in four-wheel drive models, which are both high for an affordable midsize SUV . Kia says that it will also give its biggest SUV the company’s new UVO hands-free infotainment system, and a manual transmission will now be available. The engine’s new direct injection system will up its horsepower from 175 to 200, according to Autoblog , who says that “with those new features, the big Kia crossover can really dance with the big guns from the likes of Ford.” U.S. News & World ReportMon, 16 May 2011 10:19:01 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110516-kia-adds-more-powerful-four-cylinder-to-2012-sorentoAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110516-nhtsa-investigates-ford-freestyle-for-lunging-problems | U.S. News & World Report The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 170,000 Ford Freestyle crossovers after receiving complaints that the vehicles were “lunging” at low speeds. The federal agency reports that 238 people have complained of “unexpected vehicle movement when the driver’s foot is not on the accelerator,” possibly resulting in 18 crashes and one injury. The unexpected lurches seem to be occurring only at low speeds, and can happen in both forward and reverse gears. Pressing the brake pedal overrides the sudden acceleration, which may seems to be made worse when the air conditioning is on or the steering wheel is turned, according to Bloomberg . U.S. News & World ReportMon, 16 May 2011 10:18:07 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110516-nhtsa-investigates-ford-freestyle-for-lunging-problemsAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110513-nissan-toyota-to-offer-more-incentives-in-u-s-as-production-starts-to-recover | U.S. News & World Report Nissan and Toyota are planning to introduce new sales incentives in the U.S., as production following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is starting to return to normal levels. U.S. News & World ReportFri, 13 May 2011 10:53:49 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110513-nissan-toyota-to-offer-more-incentives-in-u-s-as-production-starts-to-recoverAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110513-cadillac-relaunches-certified-pre-owned-program | U.S. News & World Report Cadillac announced this week that it is relaunching its certified pre-owned program, which it said aims to bring new shoppers to the luxury brand and help increase the resale value of Cadillac vehicles. Cadillac joins General Motors’ other three brands ( Chevrolet , Buick and GMC ) in offering certified pre-owned vehicles to shoppers. U.S. News & World ReportFri, 13 May 2011 10:39:08 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110513-cadillac-relaunches-certified-pre-owned-programAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110513-ford-f-150-toyota-tundra-named-iihs-top-safety-picks | U.S. News & World Report The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted its first roof strength tests of large pickup trucks. The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra were the only two full-size trucks that earned the top rating of “Good” in the roof strength test, which measures how well a vehicle protects occupants in rollover crashes. U.S. News & World ReportFri, 13 May 2011 10:17:06 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110513-ford-f-150-toyota-tundra-named-iihs-top-safety-picksAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110512-general-motors-recalls-2011-chevrolet-colorado-and-gmc-canyon | U.S. News & World Report General Motors is recalling 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyons for faulty windshield wipers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains, “Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.” The recall applies to 4,674 vehicles. U.S. News & World ReportThu, 12 May 2011 10:32:03 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110512-general-motors-recalls-2011-chevrolet-colorado-and-gmc-canyonAuto Newshttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110512-google-and-ford-team-up-to-customize-driving-experience | U.S. News & World Report Imagine owning a car that will ask you were you’re headed and optimize your powertrain to minimize the amount of energy you’ll use to get there. Such technology is a strong possibility, as Google and Ford are teaming up to produce cars that can predict a driver’s behavior to maximize energy consumption. U.S. News & World ReportThu, 12 May 2011 10:22:07 -0400https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/110512-google-and-ford-team-up-to-customize-driving-experienceAuto News