Auto news and reviews from Car Buyer's Notebook.com: Video: August 2006 Archives

August 30, 2006

Video: GM's turn by turn navigation system

No More Stopping for Directions

GM To More Than Double In-Vehicle Navigation Systems in 2007

Who wants to stop for directions in the middle of a road trip? Now you won't have to. General Motors announced that nearly 2 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada will be equipped with the new OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system, making it easier than ever to navigate your next road trip. First introduced in May of this year, the service will be standard for the first year on a number of GM vehicles including nearly all Buicks and Cadillacs.

The simplicity of this navigation system allows drivers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their system. Audio directions are then automatically planed through the vehicle's stereo as they are needed, triggered by the system's GPS capabilities.

August 29, 2006

Video: Chrysler steps up to show the ugly truth about drunk driving

With an estimated 30 percent of all teen traffic fatalities related to alcohol, underage drinking and driving remains a top concern throughout the world.

To help raise awareness of this issue, officials from the Chrysler Group and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have created a photo exhibit – After the Crash – that educates parents and teenagers about the dangers of mixing alcohol with driving.

The pictorial display, which features the work of Pulitzer and Fulbright finalist Jeffrey Lamont Brown, depicts the lives of 10 families affected by underage drinking and driving. Starting on Sept.1, the exhibit will travel to 10 cities throughout the U.S., starting in Troy, MI.

August 25, 2006

Video: Honda Element spot featuring Gil the Crab

Pinch this.

August 22, 2006

Video: When your teen starts to drive

It's the day many parents anticipate with nervous energy - the day their teen gets behind the wheel on their own for the first time.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the crash rate per mile driven by 16 to 19 year olds is four times that of older drivers. As a result, every year more than 5,000 teen deaths occur from car crashes.

There are steps parents can take to make their teen a safer driver. A car is not a toy and it's important to reinforce that a vehicle is for transportation, not for social enjoyment. Also, teens should know the dangers of becoming distracted by cell phones, stereos, and passengers.

While your auto insurance rates go up when you add your teen to your policy, there are things that will help keep the costs down. Many insurance companies offer "good student discounts" if the teen driver maintains a certain grade point average and there may be discounts for completing safety programs.

August 18, 2006

Video: LaVar Arrington, other athletes in lipsynching car dealer ad

This ad was one of several in an MSNBC poll that received mention for being so annoying it was great ... in a bad sort of way. In this spot for Eastern Motors, the athletes sing the sonorous, "At Eastern Motors, where your job's your credit."

To download the song, right-click here.

The one I like however, also features LaVar Arrington, this time on a football field, where he tells a guy to "stay down, punk!"

Video: The 2007 Chevy Aveo

This video features running footage of the redesigned 2007 Chevy Aveo.

August 16, 2006

Video: Win a Dodge Challenger, Jeep Wrangler or Chrysler Sebring

* Chrysler Group Sweepstakes is next phase of popular "Ask Dr. Z" campaign

* Dodge Challenger T-shirts to be sold at Woodward Dream Cruise; proceeds to Gail Purtan Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

How can consumers win a Dodge Challenger — or an all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring or Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited? By asking Dr. Z, of course.

Consumers can enter the “Ask Dr. Z” Dream Car Sweepstakes between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4 by going to www.AskDrZ.com, after visiting any Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealer showroom. George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group, announced the Dream Car Sweepstakes here on Woodward Avenue, kicking off the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise.

Continue reading "Video: Win a Dodge Challenger, Jeep Wrangler or Chrysler Sebring"

Video: PT Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition

Video of the new 2007 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway [PCH] Edition.

To see the complete story, click here.

Video: Pontiac drives to get the excitement back

Mark-Hans Richer makes no bones about the size or complexity of the problem he faces as Pontiac's marketing director. His brand, he admits, has lost its mojo and needs to find a new identity and emotional connection with car-buying consumers.

"Pontiac's singular challenge is to reestablish our social credibility," he says in this video interview. "Consumers need to feel proud of it and talk about it at barbecues and be OK with having a Pontiac in their driveway and not have people ask 'Why'd you buy that?'"

The 39-year-old became Pontiac's top marketing officer in 2004 and was the carmaker's advertising director before that. He's been responsible for a series of colorful, high-profile brand promotions including the G6 giveaways on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," the design project for Pontiac's new Solstice roadster brochures on "The Apprentice," the Torrent giveaways on "Survivor Guatemala" and the giant "Pontiac Garage" billboard and music stage in Times Square.

Mr. Richer joined GM nine years ago and, prior to his move to Pontiac, was advertising director at GMC, where he came up with the "Professional Grade" brand positioning that helped change the fortune of that brand. Prior to that, he worked on the McDonald's, SC Johnson Wax and General Mills' Big G cereals accounts at DDB Needham in Chicago.

Link.

Video: Buying Certified Used Cars

Americans will buy nearly 17 million new cars and trucks this year. The question of whether to buy new or used will most certainly be pondered by many of us. But if you haven't been to a dealership in a few years, you might be surprised to learn there's another option.

A cottage industry within used cars has been created for the last couple of years, and we call it "certified cars," "certified pre-owned," or "certified used cars." What this offers in addition to the vehicle itself is peace of mind with the transaction.

To "certify" a used vehicle, a dealer must perform a comprehensive multi-point inspection, laid out by the original manufacturer. In addition, the vehicle must meet age and mileage requirements. If the vehicle meets all the required criteria, the dealer will then "certify" the vehicle and its warranty will be extended.

And because they've set high quality criteria for certification, many manufacturers offer new car-like financing along with the warranty, making a "certified used" vehicle even harder to pass up.

August 14, 2006

Ford Bold Moves #9: Go Fast

Can Ford’s "Go Fast" project team quickly bring a retail version of the Shelby GT-H to market?

Video: The new 2007 MINI Cooper

After the success of its original MINI, BMW is reintroducing the series beginning in late 2006 with the new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. In the first half of 2007, the auto manufacturer will also rollout the new MINI One and the new MINI Diesel.

The MINI's first generation change includes an all-new interior design and a larger front section to abide with future pedestrian safety legislation. The new MINI also features several advanced safety features, including the new EPAS (Electric Power-Assisted Steering) and a tire defect indicator to constantly monitor air pressure.

Volvo's mini, radio-controlled XC90 SUV

The Volvo Car Corporation has built a mini-Volvo to help during competitions at the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg. The car, which is a 1:5 scale model of a Volvo XC90, is being used to transport javelins, hammers or discuses back to the competitors after they've thrown them. Volvo Cars does not have any plans to mass produce the mini XC90 model.

August 8, 2006

Saving money on auto insurance

If you suffer from sticker shock every time you open up your auto insurance bill, then it's time to consider ways that may help reduce the cost.

Quite simply, being a good driver is one way to pay less for insurance. Insurance companies generally look at the past three years of your driving history. A minor traffic infraction can potentially impact your rates.

The type of car you drive also plays a role. If you're shopping for a new car, call your insurance agent and get an estimate of what your premium might be. If the car has a low risk of theft and has the latest safety gear, you may get a break.

Other ways to save: most companies offer multi-policy discounts if you have the same company carry more than one of your insurance policies; students may be eligible for "good student" discounts; and you can raise the deductible, which is your out-of-pocket expense on a claim.

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