Using the new Mercedes-Benz In-Vehicle Hot Spot, passengers, including those in the rear-seat, can use their laptop, tablet or smartphone as they would in their home or office – from gaming and streaming movies to surfing the net. The In-Vehicle Hot Spot is enabled by a router securely installed in the vehicle trunk and allows up to four devices to connect at once.

The Mercedes-Benz In-Vehicle Hot Spot can be ordered with new vehicles or installed in existing models and comes with a six-month complimentary service, courtesy of Autonet Mobile. After the initial six-month complimentary service, Autonet Mobile offers convenient additional services that customers may choose from.

Below are the highest and lowest manufacturer and brand rankings by TrueCar.com:

Overall, the top manufacturers on the Scorecards in February were Hyundai, BMW, and Ford. Near the bottom of the list were Mazda, Jaguar and Smart. The brands that received the highest grades were Hyundai, Scion, Kia, and BMW. The brands with the lowest grades were Mazda, Jaguar, and Smart.

The manufacturers with the largest gains, from January 2012 to February 2012 were:

Ford moved from a C to an A-
GM moved from a B- to an A
BMW moved from a B to a A

The manufacturers with the steepest declines, from January 2012 to February 2012 were:

Porsche moved from an A to a C-
Mazda moved from a C+ to a D+
Honda moved from an A to a B+
Subaru moved from a B+ to a B-
Daimler moved from a B to a C+

Generation Opportunity focuses on issues related to increasing economic opportunity and advancing American competitiveness and organizes young people through online voter registration, online training guides, and other tactics.

Generation Opportunity’s grassroots team has heard first-hand in several states how rising gas prices have already forced young adults to change behavior and make financial sacrifices. For example, during recent organizing trips in Michigan and Virginia, Generation Opportunity met and listened to young people from a wide range of backgrounds and occupations including young parents, college students, young entrepreneurs and those working in various trades. Overwhelmingly these young people cited rising gas prices as the reason why it costs more to get to work, get to school, see family, and pay other bills.

Generation Opportunity commissioned a poll with the polling company, inc./WomanTrend (April 16-22, 2011, +/- 4% margin of error) and a highlighted result for all young Americans ages 18-29 appears below:

Energy Dependency is Top National and Economic Security Issue:

– Greatest threats to national security: National Debt (62%), Energy Dependency (61%) and Indebtedness to Foreign Powers (50%)
– 70% would increase production of domestic energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal.

Delayed Dreams from a Poor Economy and the Lack of Opportunity:

– 77% of young people ages 18-29 either have or will delay a major life change or purchase due to economic factors:
– 44% delay buying a home;
– 28% delay saving for retirement;
– 27% delay paying off student loans or other debt;
– 27% delay going back to school/getting more education or training;
– 26% delay changing jobs/cities;
– 23% delay starting a family;
– 18% delay getting married.

Washington Out-of-Touch on the Economy:

– Just 31% of 18-29 year-olds approve of President Obama’s handling of youth unemployment.
– 69% say the current leadership in Washington fails to reflect the interests of the younger generation.
– 59% of overall Millennials agree the economy grows best when individuals are allowed to create businesses without government interference.

New cars usually mean new car insurance costs. But while most consumers are prepared to pay a little extra for auto insurance when they get a new car, some are surprised to see their insurance rates continue to rise with each policy renewal — usually either because the driver had an accident or the insurance company increased its rates.

Erie Insurance says enough is enough. ERIE Rate Lock gives customers control over their auto insurance, potentially for years, by locking in insurance rates until they change a driver, vehicle or address. That means a driver’s rate stays the same even if overall insurance rates rise, or he or she gets a ticket or files a claim.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th largest automobile and homeowners insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 20th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has over 4.3 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company. Erie Insurance is proud to be named a J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Customer Service Champion and is only one of 40 companies so named in the U.S. Erie Insurance has also been recognized on the list of Ward’s 50 Group of top performing insurance companies. The Ward’s 50 award analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding financial results in safety and consistency over a five-year period (2006-2010).

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.

Elements of the partnership include a mentoring program between Jeep brand employees and students, field trips to several Chrysler Group facilities, including the Jefferson North Assembly Plant and the Jeep Design Studio, development of a marketing project and sponsorship of the academy’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.

The program kicked off in February and will continue for the next seven months. The Jeep brand also will award $100,000 in college scholarships to the first graduating class of the academy.

Focusing on educational empowerment and the development of leadership skills, Jeep brand employees will partner with select students from the school to participate in a seven-month long mentorship program. Each session will focus on personal improvement skills such as goal setting and career planning.

Participating students also will embark on a series of educational excursions that will include a trip to the Chrysler Group’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and a trip to the company’s World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., where the students will visit the Jeep Design Studio and meet the designers.

Select academy students will participate in a marketing competition where they will be given an assignment to compete amongst each other and win an all-expense paid trip for a family of four to a USA Basketball exhibition game in Washington, D.C.

The Jeep brand will also sponsor the school’s boys’ and girls’ basketball team. The sponsorship will provide funding to support their team fees, uniforms and equipment.

Getting an independent inspection is vital in ensuring that the car you are spending your hard-earned cash on is fit for purchase.

This doesn’t just mean that it is roadworthy, though of course the parts need to be in good working order. If you are planning to buy any kind of used car, then it’s worth bearing in mind that a car’s history may have hidden pitfalls, from outstanding finance that you may be liable for, to damages through being written off.

And even if you have bought it innocently, if there is outstanding finance on the vehicle it remains the property of the finance company. Only by checking the vehicle yourself can you ensure you are covered.

As reported on the BBC ‘One Show’, an Experian VehicleCheck [https://www.vehiclecheck.co.uk ] will guarantee you cover for the data uncovered in the report, and can give you the peace of mind that you have made the right purchase – even if the paperwork a dealer gives you seems to show the car is clean. It runs 26 checks and carries out searches for finance agreements.

Experian data shows that one in four used cars for sale have outstanding finance, one in eight cars are recorded as an insurance write off and one in 14 cars showed significant mileage discrepancies.[1]

“Whatever the value of the car you’re buying, getting a VehicleCheck reduces the risk of buying a car that then gets repossessed or is unsafe to drive,” said Peter Turner, managing director of Experian Interactive.

“One in three used cars have a hidden history[2] , so consumers need to check before they buy to ensure there are no finance agreements still outstanding or it hasn’t been scrapped or written off in the past. Consumers are also covered by our optional GBP30,000 data insurance* for the vehicle purchased, on the rare occasion that a piece of data is missing.”

1. https://www.autocheck.co.uk/

2. Based on an analysis of checks made via Autocheck as at March 2011

Subject to terms and conditions

February new-vehicle retail sales are projected to come in at 857,400 units, an increase of 5 percent from February 2011. This represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 12.0 million units, which is more than a million unit increase in the selling rate from January 2012. Retail transactions are the most accurate measurement of true underlying consumer demand for new vehicles.

In addition to pent-up demand due to an aging fleet, factors driving this optimism include a rebound in leasing and availability of consumer credit and long-term financing. Through the first 17 selling days of February 2012, lease penetration is at 20 percent, up from a low of 13 percent in 2009. Meanwhile, 72-month loans account for 23 percent of all retail sales in February 2012 — the highest level in five years — up from 19 percent in February 2011. In fact, 72-month loans have increased in 20 of the 27 vehicle segments, with the largest increases in the compact sporty, sub-compact conventional and large utility segments.

Automobile aficionados know Audi was in the top of their game once they announced their 2012 lineup. Those searching for a midsized executive car ought to appear no additional than the Audi A6. The newly redesigned A6 features a bold, sporty new look influenced by the A7. The redesigned interior and exterior give the driver the distinctive mixture of sport and class they anticipate from the German automaker. If a convertible is much more your speed (or for all those who just adore well-designed cars), checking out the new A5 coupe convertible is a should. A mid-generational refresh has served the A5 a stunning new headlight and grille mixture that should be seen in individual. California Rent-A-Car is excited to become offering these new Audis for rent at competitive prices.

However the need for automobile rental at LAX indicates customers with much more on their thoughts than luxury, and California Rent-A-Car has new vehicles for those who mix design with practicality. The 2012 Subaru Outback is a great, all-around automobile for all those looking for the versatility of an SUV and the size and profile of a station wagon. No have to worry a previous renter damaging this off-road capable car, because California Rent-A-Car’s maintenance guarantees that when you sit in your rental, you will usually get the experience of a clean, seemingly brand new automobile.

The Volkswagen Passat for 2012 is poised to tempt buyers of midsize cars away in the Japanese and American models that dominate the marketplace, and with this redesign it’s no wonder. Automobile rental customers can get acquainted with this new contender by renting it, and whilst they’re at it, they can’t beat the service at California Rent-A-Car.

Of course, additionally to these brand new models, California Rent-A-Car still boasts one in the best fleets of rentals out there. From luxury to green, from SUVs to compacts, there is no beating the experience of LA’s premiere Rent-A-Car company.

Those that don’t want to sacrifice luxury for environmental improvement are in to get a deal with once they sit down inside a Lexus CT200. Get behind the wheel and you will know this really is no Prius. The design in the interior components screams “fun” not “fuel economic climate.” Utilizing some of the same engine elements because the Prius, and providing similar mileage and even much better performance, the advantage right here is for those who prefer to stay low-key concerning the mileage their car is getting. This looks like any sleek fashionable Lexus, and that’s a very great factor. This really is as great for the Earth as luxury vehicles get, but when you’re in the mood, the CT200 can provide you with an added efficiency edge. The Lexus brand will be the option for those who want a business with expertise, because they have more hybrid models below their brand than anybody else. As for where to get it? Trust MPG Car Rental’s skilled customer service and upkeep, so whenever you push the “on” button, you’ll know you are in the hands in the best automobile rental company for yourself as well as your planet.

And speaking in the planet, MPG Car Rental’s Check Drive system is really a cutting edge concept aimed at getting drivers into the cars everyone’s considering these days: green vehicles. It’s not possible to deny that this revolution is all around us, but intelligent customers know a dealership test drive is not enough to create a conscientious choice about a large choice like this. That is why MPG wants drivers to expertise green for a week. Once they do, they will find out the benefits of driving with out stopping to fill up the gas tank. It is also an excellent method to attain out to the community with the green automobile ideal, and inform the world about this varied and fun-to-drive new category of automobile. The best component? Using the check drive system, if a consumer decides to purchase, the price of renting can be taken out of the buy price. MPG has significantly more to provide the clients, and also the planet, than any other Automobile Rental by LAX .

For info about the test drive program, rentals, or just to locate out more about green vehicles, examine out their website at www.mpgcarrental.com.

Previously, dealers were able to advertise that special offers were available for their vehicles, but the Price Markdown feature takes that to the next level by enabling them to markdown the advertised price of their vehicles, moving the vehicle into a lower price bracket online. With an easy-to-use tool, dealers can select to have special offers of any type—OEM offers and custom offers—systematically applied to their listings by vehicle make. For each make, dealers can also select whether the offer amount is subtracted from the MSRP or retail price.

A November 2011 survey of shoppers on AutoTrader.com showed that price is by far the most important factor consumers consider when deciding what vehicle to purchase. A full 88% of respondents selected “price” when asked to indicate their top three most important factors in that survey.