The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released Hot Wheels −its list of the 10 most-stolen vehicles in the United States. The report examines vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen in 2011.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53841-nicb-names-10-most-stolen-vehicles-2011-key-code-thefts
Today, Valvoline™, a brand of Ashland Inc., announced the wide-scale availability of NextGen™ motor oil. The new formula is made from 50 percent recycled oil and delivers 100 percent Valvoline engine protection. NextGen motor oil is great for engines and better for the environment, exceeding industry specifications with reduced environmental impact compared to non-recycled motor oil.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/valvoline-nextgen/49478/
Only 3 of 11 midsize luxury and near-luxury cars evaluated earn good or acceptable ratings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s new small overlap frontal crash test, the latest addition to a suite of tests designed to help consumers pick the safest vehicles.
The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced its first-ever, national advertising campaign aimed at parents of children ages 8-14 to make sure their kids are consistently and properly wearing their seat belt every time the car is moving.
“Buckling up is an important habit to instill in children at a young age. As parents, we need to lead by example and reinforce the message to make sure it sticks,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This campaign urges parents to never give up until their kids buckle up.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7467951-psa-kids-seat-belt-safety-ad-council/
Lexus just added a new layer to its compelling 2013 ES marketing campaign with an advertisement that, like the entirely new ES, merges next-generation technologies with stunning visuals. The result is a never-before-seen convergence of print and digital advertising. Starting today, readers can bring an ES print ad (found in the Oct. 15 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine) to life by simply placing the ad over the screen of an iPad® while running the Lexus-created video found in this week’s iPad edition of Sports Illustrated or at Lexus.com/stunning. With a single touch, users will see a static Lexus ad take off for a stunning test drive.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58391-lexus-sports-illustrated-ad-style-technology-together-like-never-before
Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast-lube category more than 30 years ago, changing the way millions of drivers service their vehicles. Today, Jiffy Lube officially introduces a new approach to oil changes that helps customers access and understand their vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, and choose the oil change schedule that is best for their needs.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/jiffylube/48287/
Vehicles are doing a better job of protecting people in crashes, but a new crop of advanced technology aims to prevent many crashes from happening altogether. A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds that one kind of advanced forward collision avoidance system is working to prevent about a quarter of the common low-speed crashes that happen in everyday commuter traffic.
The study of insurance claims found that Volvo XC60 midsize SUVs outfitted with a standard collision avoidance feature called City Safety are far less likely to be involved in low-speed crashes than comparable vehicles without the system. City Safety is designed to help a driver avoid rear-ending another vehicle in slow-moving, heavy traffic. Claims under property damage liability coverage — the insurance that pays for damage to vehicles that an at-fault driver hits — were filed 27 percent less often for the XC60 than other midsize luxury SUVs.
For more information: www.iihs.org
The aluminum-body 2015 Ford F-150 crew cab swept the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s full slate of crashworthiness evaluations to qualify for a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK award. The F-150 extended cab turned in a good performance in 4 of 5 assessments but stumbled in the small overlap front test. The results are the first ratings for large pickups in a group the Institute is evaluating this year.
The F-150 crew cab, which Ford calls the SuperCrew, earns good ratings for occupant protection in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations. The extended cab, or SuperCab, earns good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations but just a marginal rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash.
Six of 13 small cars recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety earn the TOP SAFETY PICK award, and none earn a poor rating in any of 4 tests. This is a turnaround from a few years ago when small cars struggled to earn top safety ratings. The new tests include hybrids and gasoline-only models that are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in the U.S. market.
The ratings are based on performance in front, side, rollover, and rear impact evaluations. Cars that earn the top rating of good in each test and have available electronic stability control (ESC) qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK. Winners are the 2012 Ford Focus and Honda Civic, along with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, Lexus CT 200h hybrid, Nissan Juke, and Toyota Prius hybrid. The Civic, CT 200h, Elantra, Focus, and Prius have at least one version with a government fuel economy rating of at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The Dodge Caliber, Honda CR-Z and Insight hybrids, Nissan Sentra and Versa, Scion xD, and Suzuki SX4 also were rated but didn’t earn TOP SAFETY PICK.
Honda will launch the new Civic at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. In the build-up to the reveal of the new Civic, Honda is releasing a series of short form films detailing its development. Developed specifically for the European market, the new Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/51356-honda-motor-europe/
