Remember that post I wrote last week about driving without car insurance?  Well, it seems that in Dallas, the police are taking driving without insurance to a whole new level.  Under a new city-wide Dallas ordinance, the local police will be calling in the tow trucks if a driver can’t verify proof of vehicle insurance…

…and absolutely, positively no excuses, either…

“We just bought the car a couple of weeks ago,” one man said, according to a police report. “We’re going to get insurance tomorrow.”  The excuse didn’t fly. His 1992 Oldsmobile was hitched to a wrecker.

According to reports on Dallasnews.com, police reported that 20 vehicles were towed during the first 24 hours of the New Year and although the new ordinance was approved last May, the City Council decided to wait until January 1 to implement the new measures and also for a state database of insured motorists to be completed - even though the database isn’t running yet.  Officials say that data base is expected to be completed and up and running soon, however. 

According to the police, drivers who may be elderly, who have physical disabilities or who have young children with them may be able to get a reprieve, however drivers with vehicles headed to the impound lot will be taken to a location where they can call to secure a ride.

I’m not sure how this works if you are driving someone else’s insured vehicle and not your own. Hopefully proof of insurance cards will be kept within the vehicle, but the cards only list the name of the driver whose name is on the policy. For example, if my daughter is driving my car and gets involved in an accident in Dallas or gets pulled over and proof of insurance is requested, the proof of insurance card will only have my name listed as the insured even though my daughter is also listed on the policy as an insured driver. 

Hopefully Dallas - as well as other cities which may be considering a similar program - will get their data bases up and running as soon as possible. It would probably a good idea to wait until those data bases are completed before enforcing any towing.

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Volvo will be giving us a glimpse of its next generation S60 sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this month and although the S60 is still very much a concept car, its intended offerings will include a Collision Warning with Auto Brake technology and the ability to detect pedestrians.  Projected availability for the S60 sedan is in 2010, so we still have a way to go before we’ll be actually able to drive one home from the showroom, but it may be worth the wait.

From what we know, radar and cameras will be used to detect other vehicles as well as pedestrians and in the case of an impending crash, the system on the S60 will warn the driver of an impending collision.  If the driver doesn’t take any action to avoid the collision, the brakes will apply automatically.  True that while a crash is still possible – and maybe altogether unavoidable - reduced speed at impact could possibly mean less expense and physical injury to the parties involved.

Thomas Broberg, a safety expert with the Swedish auto maker told the Los Angeles Times:

“Up until now, we have focused on helping the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles. Now we are taking a giant step forward with a system that also boosts safety for unprotected road users. New sensor technology also makes it possible to advance from 50% to full-automatic braking power.”

Of course, all sorts of questions come to mind with this kind of technology, such as:

• What about broadsided crashes?
• What about pedestrians who suddenly step off a curb?
• What about small children who run out into the road?
• What about being hit from behind?

Obviously, while Volvo can’t prevent each and every kind of crash or accident, I give them points for trying to come up with new ways to incorporate even more safety features into their automobiles.  The fact that their safety measures have always been a distinguishing factor of the Volvo line is apparent in most every aspect of the company, however perhaps Volvo should be focusing more on reliability and dependability in order to increase sales.  Applying such technology to the S60 won’t be cheap by any means.

On the other hand, I believe we are entering an entirely different era of the automobile, one that has infinite possibilities.

I can only begin to imagine what the future holds for the automobile industry, especially when automakers already have the ability to include a variety of high tech sensors and use GPS technology to track our travels.  I have no doubt that in the future, vehicles will be able to use information, digest activity and movement of other vehicles and people, detect road construction and obstacles, and then assess the risk factors involved. 

Vehicles of the future may not only be able to react to avoid collisions, but perhaps  even utilize certain strategies which may allow them to be able to think faster than the driver behind the wheel.

What would you like to see in new car technology?

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Happy 2009 Everybody!  I hope that Cars for Girls readers have a prosperous and wonderful new year and I sincerely hope things improve for the auto industry, as well as for all of us.  We all deserve a bright and shiny new year filled with hope and new beginnings.

As I was making my travels around the web earlier, I ran across a few articles which were focused on how dealerships were coming up with new and unique ways to get customers back into the showrooms (or at least back onto the car lots), hoping to get some attention and to once again entice folks to buy.

Some of these ideas ranged from offering a “two for one” deal, like the Peterson Super Center in Boise, Idaho, which has been offering a Two-for-One Special; purchase a full size Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban or Chevrolet 2500 Diesel pickup truck at full price and drive away with a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan absolutely free.  At Peterson, buyers can also opt to take the $13,499.00 in discounts instead, which is good toward any new or used vhehicle in stock.   Although the ad on the website notes that this particular sale expired on December 24, I sent an email requesting information for Cars for Girls readers in the Boise area who might like to take advantage of the offer and received a very nice reply from Kurt Williams, who is the General Manager of Peterson Chevrolet.  He has assured me that the Two for One offer has been extended right on through this weekend, expiring on Monday, January 5 and he was also nice enough to attach an updated ad, which is currently running in the local paper today and Saturday (click on the image above to enlarge the new ad). Those interested can visit the website, petersonsupercenter.com, for more information, directions and contact phone numbers.

Ford is currently offering an employee-pricing promotion, which is offering some pretty hefty discounts, and GM has some mighty fine buying incentives, too - up to $10,000.00 on selected 2008 models.  They are also currently offering 0% to 4.9% financing through January 5 on selected 2008 models as well, while GMAC has agreed to extend low-rate loans to those who have less than perfect credit scores, which is welcome news to many buyers who may be planning a new car purchase in the New Year.

Have you noticed any dealerships in your area stepping up to the plate and offering enticing incentives?  Do you believe these incentives bring in more customers?  What would it take to get you back into the showroom?

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Using automaker provided sales numbers from January to November, Forbes recently announced the Worst Selling Cars of 2008. To find the worst-selling cars, Forbes looked at the lowest sales figures, as well as the percentage decrease in sales from 2007 and excluded all high-end luxury and performance vehicles which are normally produced in small numbers each year. The vehicles with the lowest sales made the list.

What was the worst selling vehicle of 2008? 

That dubious honor went to the Hyundai Entourage minivan, with only 5,405 units sold in 2008. Hot on its heels was the Chrysler Pacifica crossover, which has sold a dismal 6,671 total units so far this year, a major drop of 87% from 2007. In what could be classified as a good move by Chrysler, the auto maker announced earlier this year that production would end for the Pacifica, as well as for the Chrysler Crossfire and the Dodge Magnum.  I was sad when I learned the Magnum had met the end of the road; I was a bit partial to its looks and styling.

Not surprising, those vehicles with poor fuel economy – such as the Hummer H3 (15 mpg) and Dodge Durango (16 mpg) – made the list without much hesitation, most likely due to soaring fuel prices earlier in the year which had a major impact on spending habits.

The 10 Worst Selling Cars of 2008:

10. Toyota FJ Cruiser - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 25,500
Percent drop from 2007: 50.3%

9. Jeep Commander - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 25,406
Percent drop from 2007: 55%

8. GMC Envoy - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 22,716
Percent drop from 2007: 49.1%

7. Dodge Durango - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 19,985
Percent drop from 2007: 54%

6. Hummer H3 - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 19,152
Percent drop from 2007: 51.2%

5. Nissan Armada - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 14,753
Percent drop from 2007: 49.1%

4. Chrysler Pacifica - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 6,227
Percent drop from 2007: 87%

3. Hummer H2 - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 5,721
Percent drop from 2007: 49.3%

2. Mitsubishi Endeavor - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 5,687
Percent drop from 2007: 49%

1. Hyundai Entourage - 2008 sales (first 11 months): 5,405
Percent drop from 2007: 67.7%

Click here to visit Forbes.com to read the entire article and check out the Best Selling Cars of 2008, too.

To be honest, I’m a little surprised to find Toyota even on this list - how about you?  What do Cars for Girls readers think?  Do you agree with the vehicles on the list?  Disagree?  Thoughts?  Leave a comment below and tell me what you think!

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Over at MSN Auto, they may have been feeling a bit cantankerous about the Big 3 bailout before the brouhaha, but now it seems they’ve had a change of heart – or at least found something worth saving in the form of American made cars.

They’ve compiled a list of what they believe to be the 10 Best Cars Worth Saving (and one to watch, which makes 11) and while I agree with most of their picks, I want to know what Cars for Girls readers think, too.  

MSN Auto - 10 Most Worthy:

• Cadillac CTS

They like the Cadillac CTS because not only is it America’s best luxury sedan, but they say it’s “a car that can hang with any of the big names on Germany’s autobahn.”

• Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevy Corvette is another favorite, due to the 430-horsepower standard model to the 505-horsepower Z06 to the supercharged ZR1.  They also say the Corvette is a “bang-for-the-buck sports car champ.”  They also like the spacious luggage compartment and fuel economy, saying, “If every American car had the ‘Vette’s can-do spirit, the industry would be slapping the competition silly.”

• Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu is top choice.  The mid-size Malibu won the North American Car of the Year award and they believe it offers nice competition to the Honda Accord.

• GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia, with its smooth handling, fuel-efficient V6 and plenty of leg room make it a keeper.

• Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger makes the list based on the V6 version, which gets the best mileage and the lowest price. They say the SRT8 is a “bellowing monster with 425 horsepower but a major fuel appetite. The R/T trim, with its 370-horsepower V8, is the smart way to split the difference.”

• Chrysler Town & Country

The Chrysler Town & Country makes the list due to what MSN Auto says are features not found within the competition, such as second-row seats that face a pop-up table and Sirius satellite television.

• Ford Escape

Ford Escape Hybrid is a favorite because of its fuel-efficiency, getting 34/31 mpg in city/highway and for its quiet and comfortable ride.

• Ford Flex

Ford Flex makes the list due to its three big rows of seating, quiet interior and Ford/Microsoft voice-controlled Sync infotainment system.  Also not to be overlooked is its V6 power-train and 24 mpg on the highway.

• Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 gets singled out for its’ best-in-class V8 fuel economy, classy interior and big-load capability.

• Pontiac G8

MSN Auto says the G8 might just be America’s most overlooked car, liking it to a “true budget BMW.” They like the 361-horsepower V8 sport sedan for the price and note the V6 model has 256 horsepower with 25 mpg on the highway.

Go on over to MSN Auto to read the full article - and to find out which car they believe is the “one to watch” in 2009!

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