11/25/2009

NOW ON PROJOCARS.COM
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily.

Developer encouraged China to sell more green vehicles
Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., the developer of an environmentally efficient suburb in Tianjin, says China should look to sell more green vehicles as ownership of cars soar.

Major elements of Rte. 195 relocation are done
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The state’s Route 195 relocation project has passed a milestone –– in fact, from the perspective of the interstate traveler, it’s done.

Toll-ending question fails to make Massachusetts ballot
BOSTON (AP) — Drivers won’t be getting a chance to vote on a proposed ballot question to eliminate tolls in Massachusetts.

Off-road rambles? Jeep Wrangler is on target
For decades, the name “Jeep Wrangler” conjured images of the cheeky-but-tough two-door, soft-top SUV that helped us win World War II.

All-electric Wheego Whip is tiny and slow
WASHINGTON — It’s a tough sell.

Stronger Hyundai, Kia aren’t likely to fade soon
Barring disaster, Hyundai and Kia are in the big time to stay

In the Pits: The final weekend of NASCAR’s long season closed with a bangfinale
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Denny Hamlin beamed from ear-to-ear as he gleefully explained his role in the latest round of bumper cars with nemesis Brad Keselowski.

Tiny Iowa town has the chargers, awaiting drivers
Businessman wants Elk Horn to play a part in the future of electric cars

Famous second-man Aldrin salutes NASCAR’s Johnson
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin checked out a new kind of orbit: watching some spins on a NASCAR track.

11/26/2009

URI’s lift on tailgating prompts older fans to come out and support football program
KINGSTON –– Allowing URI Rams fans to drink alcohol at tailgating parties this season has been a success, according to fans and officials.

Nissan Leaf: A electric car with the feel of tomorrow
This level of refinement, a struggle to achieve in conventional cars, is a birthright of electric cars

New-vehicle mileage rising, EPA says
The report uses real-world estimates, rather than the lab measure automakers use to craft their 35.5 mpg pledge

Ford, Subaru, VW top safe-cars list
Number of awards much lower for 2010 models because of tougher roof requirements

Students get lesson in texting while driving
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Orange cones were the victims in the texting-and-driving program at Mount Pleasant, N.C., High School.

11/21/2009

1912 Speedwell sports car is likely the last one around
The Speedwell sports car’s owner says it’s likely the last one around

DOT TRAFFIC REPORT
All construction and maintenance activities are weather-dependent and subject to change

Car Doctor: Here’s one way to figure out your mpg
Q: I leased a 2010 Toyota Camry last August and it’s supposed to be getting 19/28 mpg but I’m actually only getting about 15 miles per gallon. When I drive longer distances on the highway on a continuous stretch, such as from Providence to Foxwoods, the mpg goes up slightly. It’s been doing this since I’ve had it so I brought it in and they’ve hooked it up to the computer and it doesn’t show any problems. The dealer is suggesting I may be the problem. Do you know what the problem could be? I haven’t noticed any leaks underneath my car, and oil changes haven’t helped any. Gas prices seem to be going up and I want my car to get the mileage that is advertised.

More people to be driving over Thanksgiving holiday
WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading auto organization is projecting a 1.4 percent increase in Thanksgiving travel this year, although fewer people will travel by air due to budget concerns, reduced airline capacity and added charges.

ON THE CIRCUIT
All Times EST

NOW ON PROJOCARS.COM
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily.

F1 champion Button joins McLaren team
LONDON — Formula One champion Jenson Button signed with McLaren on Wednesday to partner with Lewis Hamilton, giving the English team a potent lineup for next season featuring the most recent title holders.

New Mazdaspeed3 a sporty car that won’t break the bank
Don’t be fooled by its size; this car rips

11/22/2009

Hybrids pay off over long haul
DALLAS — Hybrids will never be my mug of beer, but they may save you enough in the long run to buy several cases of the stuff, according to a new survey.

Final journey for a veteran traveler on Route 66
Now dying of cancer, Bob Waldmire, in his orange bus, was once a fixture along the road

Parking garages from the ground up
New exhibit at National Building Museum looks at the evolution of parking

Camaro muscling in on Mustang
DETROIT — The new Chevrolet Camaro is fast approaching its longtime rival, the Ford Mustang, as Detroit’s muscle car sales leader.

Test Drive: Mercedes launches a new Gullwing
The 563 hp engine boots the car to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 197 mph

A Bentley satisfied an owner’s particular requirements
David Wilkinson bought the 1956 S1 Continental Coupe at auction in 1971 for $6,300

Commercial bus operators may face new federal rules
Transportation Department proposes seat belts, ban on cell phone use by drivers

GM says 60-day guarantee is working
About 200 vehicles are being returned but most consumers exchange them for another model

Houston is taking plug-in automobiles for a road test
HOUSTON — The heart of oil country may seem an odd place to plant the seeds for a green energy future, but the City of Houston and Reliant Energy have started sowing.

Matching the right signs with the right road
Q: I-95 and I-295 are generally three-lane highways. Please consider the same signage for Route 146, north and south bound, between Lincoln and Providence. This section of road is a two-lane highway where “left lane huggers” force drivers who wish to get by to pass on the rightwhen possible. When I grew up in Connecticut we learned to keep right except to pass. Police enforcement works, but some signage would help, too.

11/18/2009

Dennis Gamba Sr. is taking Cranston Collision Center in a new direction
Dennis Gamba Sr. is taking Cranston Collision Center in a new direction

Ford Fusion is Motor Trend’s Car of the Year
DETROIT — The Ford Fusion midsize car has been selected as Motor Trend magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year, beating a field of nearly two dozen contenders.

Test Drive: Honda Insight hybrid is a green driving machine
Honda knows hybrid drivers are highly interested in doing it right

Environment: Makers of electric cars address the shortage of charging stations
A coalition of companies is asking the government for lots of financial support

Motor Sports: NASCAR hotshot Brad Keselowski is racking up a long list of enemies
Top NASCAR officials called the driver in for a little chat about aggressive driving

Test Drive: Honda Insight hybrid is a green driving machine
Honda knows hybrid drivers are highly interested in doing it right

11/14/2009

DOT TRAFFIC REPORT
All construction and maintenance activities are weather-dependent and subject to change

Ford analyst sees small-car segment growing
DETROIT (AP) — Small-car sales will continue to grow in the U.S. and likely will become the largest segment of the market by 2013, according to Ford Motor Co.’s top sales analyst.

Car Doctor: You can fix your own automatic door locks

Automakers are working hard to make cars safer for children
New seat belt design and power windows that reverse automatically will soon be introduced

Used cars are in high demand, commanding premium prices
Many traditional new-car shoppers are now considering used because of the economy

Former Renault boss accuses FIA of secret negotiations
PARIS (AP) — Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore says he has been suspended by the FIA as a result of secret negotiations.

ON THE CIRCUIT
All Times EST

Kia brings its style of production and management to small Georgia town
WEST POINT, Ga. — One can still easily imagine what life was once like in this remote community, 80 miles southwest of Atlanta. Nestled on the border with Alabama, it’s now the focus of change that’s best exemplified by the newest exit on I-85 Kia Boulevard.

Auto racing runs for generations in the Wilke family
Team has accounted for nearly 300 victories at all levels of racing

Test Drive: Toyota adds a four-cylinder engine to its new 4Runner
The base, SR5 four-cylinder model with two-wheel drive is $27,500

11/15/2009

A Porsche sedan? Blasphemy!
Styling aside, the 2010 Porsche Panamera is a startling good car

Auto leasing is making a comeback
Higher resale values let automakers offer lower lease payments without taking a loss when they sell the car

Ask DOT: New London Avenue traffic pattern to change

Air quality now an inside job
GM’s Cobalt has lowestlevels of toxic chemicals in its interior, study finds

Ford sold record number of Fusions
DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. says it has sold a record number of Fusion midsize sedans this year even though U.S. auto sales have dropped 25 percent.

Santa Monica Pier in California was never officially the end of Route 66 — but it is now
Santa Monica Pier in California was never officially the end of Route 66 — but it is now

11/11/2009

Senior transportation is a critical need
But state and local budget cuts have reduced services and increased fares

The Soul captures the heart of the young
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The Kia Soul parked in my driveway earlier this morning didn’t stay very long. In just a few hours it could be seen over at the local high school, where I left it after dropping off my daughter.

GM names new head for Opel
FRANKFURT, Germany — The president of General Motors’ international operations, Nick Reilly, will lead the Opel and Vauxhall European businesses during a search for a new chief executive officer, GM said Tuesday.

Renting an RV: A great open-road adventure
You might not save much money, but the kids will remember the RV vacation

When highway intersections become landmarks
As landmarks, they are getting more attention, and federal stimulus money

Peter C. T. Elsworth
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily.

Jimmie Johnson pitched in with Habitat for Humanity
FORT WORTH, Texas — Jimmie Johnson teamed with Samsung on Thursday to dedicate a Habitat for Humanity home for the Hodgson family in Plano, Texas. Johnson spoke Friday about what it is like to help hand over the keys to a new home.

11/01/2009

Ask projoCars: Green arrow will be reactivated at Route 37 and Pontiac Avenue
Q: Why doesn’t the green arrow light come on regularly at the traffic light when you’re getting onto Route 37 West off of Pontiac Avenue in Cranston? Monday-Friday afternoons the light changes and I have never seen that green arrow light come on. Can you fix it?

11/08/2009

Ask the DOT: Fruit Hill Avenue speed; Route 10 turns
Q: My question concerns the recent upgrade to the lower half of Fruit Hill Avenue in North Providence. Speeding has been a long time issue with that portion of Fruit Hill Avenue due to, in my opinion, the width of the street. The state has installed bump outs to curb speeding. Why is this a safe way to slow traffic? Who approved such a project and what was the rational behind it? — Stan D.

11/07/2009

Car Doctor: Mileage drop in Toyota Matrix should be investigated

Peter Elsworth
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily.

Building model race cars is local man’s passion
Paul Masse of Woonsocket became fascinated with the hobby in the early 1990s

Car buyers are coming back, but not in droves
The American love affair with cars seemed to come to a sudden end this year, when car sales became less important to the economy than at any time since the government began counting more than 40 years ago. So far, there are only limited indications of a renewal of the relationship.

TEST DRIVE
And there’s a $10,000 price difference from its closest crossover competitors

No more Formula One for Toyota
Current economic conditions leave the automaker ‘no choice’

ON THE CIRCUIT
All Times EST

11/08/2009

Ford putting mini air bags in its seat belts
DETROIT — Air bags have long been mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard and sides of vehicles. Now, they’re in the seat belts.

Peter Elsworth
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily.

Reaction mostly positive to Ford’s new Transit Connect
BETHLEHEM, N.H. — The Saturday morning craft and farmer’s market here attracts a wide variety of vendors selling everything from lettuce to chocolates to furniture. What better place to gather reactions to a new smaller van, the Ford Transit Connect, designed for just these sorts of small-business people?

Ford’s minivan is bold, tall
In August, its first full month of sales in the U.S., 2,200 Transit Connects were sold

Richard Petty Driving Experience shifts gears to Disney World
Marketing campaign will focus on fathers who want to drive while families visit the Magic Kingdom

11/04/2009

Car rental prices have increased, despite economy
If you to hope save a few bucks, do some homework and shop around

Auto sales show industry beginning to stabalize
The biggest winners were Hyundia, based in South Korea, and Japanese automaker Subaru

He loves his rare Buick Reatta
A sports car aimed at the mature buyer, the model never caught on

NASCAR forced to bide their time at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. — NASCAR will point to the 58 lead changes among 26 drivers as proof of a good race at Talladega Superspeedway.

A tip of the hat to the Pontiac Vibe
It’s just a good, well-developed little car that would run for a long time

Eight models that will disappear with the new model year
These eight cars will disappear with the new model year, but they merit more than a footnote for what they say about the auto industry and its buyers.

Lexus to unveil super sports car
It won’t go on sale until 2011, but will be debut at shows

Dealers running low on new and used cars
Many busy replenishing supplies after Cash for Clunkers program

10/31/2009

DOT TRAFFIC REPORT
Interstate Highway Restrictions

NOW ON PROJOCARS.COM
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily byJournal staff writerPeter C.T. Elsworth.

NOW ON PROJOCARS.COM
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily byJournal staff writerPeter C.T. Elsworth.

The diminutive Mini changed the automotive world, and that’s no small accomplishment
It was a different world 50 years ago. American cars were kings of the road. Layered in chrome, boasting enormous size, V8 engines and rear-wheel drive, their style was copied in miniature by other automakers. That changed on Aug. 29, 1959, when the British Motor Corp., or BMC, unveiled the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor, aka the Mini.

Shutting down the car thieves
More sophisticated anti-theft devices are making a dent in crime

NYC raises fine for unattended idling cars
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Council has voted to raise the fine for leaving a vehicle unattended with a key in the ignition.

Test Drive: Dodge Ram 1500: In the truck world, beauty is a beast
WASHINGTON — Beauty takes on new meaning at county landfill in Lorton, Va., where refuse from home and shop compete with nature for attention. It is a place where strength and brawn are honored, where practicality trumps gadgetry, where wheels that can’t haul or pull, or that do a lousy job of complying with those tasks, are so useless they border on silly.

11/01/2009

Classic Aston Martin sells at auction for $900,000
A 1950 Aston Martin that raced twice at Le Mans sold for 550,000 pounds ($900,000) at an auction in London.

Seattle hopes to be key market for electric cars
The project will make it practical to own an electric car

Ford calls for electric-car infrastructure
But he says government and utility companies have to do their part

Brand new Terrain for GMC
GMC’s replacement for the Pontiac Torrent is a compact crossover that fits five. The all-new GMC Terrain compact crossover utility vehicle is now on its way to dealers.

NOW ON PROJOCARS.COM
For the latest car news with local commentary, read projo cars blog at projoCars.com, updated daily byJournal staff writer Peter C.T. Elsworth.

Mechanic tampered with cars
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee police say a mechanic was drumming up business by tampering with parked cars, then charging to help start them.

Chrysler will offer live TV
DETROIT — For the ultimate television junkie, Chrysler Group has the perfect Christmas gift.

Very few GM customers are returning their cars for refunds
‘Less than 1 percent’ have even signed up for the 60-day money-back guarantee program

Competitors build their own car — for $2,009
Some just show up to have a good time, like the Colonel Sanders look-alike in a Saturn disguised as a chicken

Cash for Clunkers vehicles piling up
Auto parts companies can’t keep up with the load to be demolished

Choosing a name for a new model is tricky business
Nissan scores ‘minor miracle’ with Leaf name for new electric car

Chrysler is expected to introduce foreign brands
DETROIT — Chrysler’s future lineup of products, which will be disclosed this week in the company’s first major announcement since exiting bankruptcy protection more than four months ago, is expected to add two more foreign brand names to what is already a crowded U.S. market.