It’s one giant showroom at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with vehicles – domestic and foreign cars, trucks and SUVs – from more than 35 manufacturers and exhibitors.

Auto show officials say it also offers visitors the chance to preview coming attractions, a look at new models before they hit the dealers’ showrooms.

This year, the show runs from Feb. 17-20.

Hours:
Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday-Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission Information:
General Admission: $10
Seniors 60+: $8 every day
Children 12 & under: free
Military with ID: $8 every day

Other Information:

• Parking
• Auto Show Floor Plan (PDF)
• Featured Vehicles
• 2012 Red CARpet Gala

The family-friendly show features a number of attractions, including a Classic Car Display, a NASCAR Simulator, raffles, face painting, a balloon artist and visits from the Steely McBeam, Iceburgh and the Pirate Parrot, plus much more.

Some of the vehicles on display include the Ford Escape, Fusion, Mustang and Taurus, the 2012 Honda CRV, the new Toyota Camry Hybrid, plus motorcycles and ATVs and Herbie the Love Bug!

RELATED LINKS:
Pittsburgh International Auto Show
More Auto News

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Zac By Kennywood Parkview gallery

“I was five when I got my first dirt bike. I’ve been riding ever since.”

The Ride

The Driver: Zac

Car in Question: Custom Painted 2005 Pro Street Chopper

Spotted at: Kennywood Park, 101 Hoffman Boulevard, Duquesne, PA 15110

Odometer: 1,597

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Sarah Beth Martin

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

To listen to my review click below…

Photo Credit: Vinnie Richichi

Photo Credit: Vinnie Richichi

For more information http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class-CLS/model-CLS550C

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

Buy a gasoline 2012 Toyota Highlander crossover in the U.S., and the chances are it will have been made at Toyota’s Princetown factory in Indiana. Opt for the more fuel efficient 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid model, and your car will have been made a third of the way around the world in Japan.

Not for much longer, says Toyota Motor North America President Yoshimi Inaba. In a speech last night at the Economic Club of Chicago, Inaba explained U.S. market Highlander Hybrids will be made in the U.S. by the end of next year.

Toyota isn’t alone either, with other Japanese automakers switching production of green cars from Japan to the U.S. For example, Nissan will begin manufacturing its all-electric Leaf in the U.S. within the year, and Acura has already moved production of its 2012 ILX Hybrid to the U.S.

In order to make the necessary changes to the Princetown plant as well as increase Highlander production volume to 50,000 cars a year by the end of 2013, Toyota will invest $400 million in the Indiana plant. Producing the new model in the U.S. will also create 400 additional jobs, Inaba said.

The move — partly prompted by the strong yen and weak dollar — equates to lower production costs and hopefully a lower sticker price for consumers too. And with gas prices expected to rise in the coming few years, Toyota is hopeful sales of hybrid cars like the Highlander will in line.

There’s more. With production shifted to the U.S., Toyota becomes eligible to apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program — which could theoretically help provide funds to retool Toyota’s plant in preparation for building hybrid cars.

(Note: Toyota hasn’t confirmed or denied if this is the case. At the moment, we’re merely pointing out it could be a possibility.)

Finally, there’s an element of national pride to take into account. With more Americans than ever conscious of where their next car was built, Toyota stands to gain the custom of U.S. citizens who will only buy U.S.-made cars.

All told, the movement of Highlander Hybrid production to the U.S. starting with the 2014 model year should be good for everyone, including Toyota and the U.S. economy. And that is a good thing.

______________________________

This article originally appeared on Green Car Reports.

Critics of plug-in cars like the 2012 Nissan Leaf and 2012 Mitsubishi i often say their high sticker prices are just too expensive to make a sound economic case for making the switch from gasoline to electric.

Not so, says electric car advocate and BMW ActiveE driver Peder Norby. In fact, Norby argues, driving nothing but electric cars for 50 years could save you a massive $263,000 in fuel bills.

Examining the infrastructure and energy cost included in driving a 20 mpg gasoline car versus installing a 2 kilowatt peak photovoltaic solar array and using energy from it to charge an electric car, Norby passionately states his case.

For the first year, he points out, a gasoline car costs significantly less to run than a solar-charged electric car, partly because of the initial $8,000 investment in a solar array.

But as the years roll by, and the solar panels continue to function, the cost of running the electric car drops considerably.

Over 50 years, he claims, a solar-powered electric car would cost just $12,000 to run. In contrast he explains, the gasoline car would have a net fuel cost of $275,000 over the same period. While we agree that over a 50-year period, electric cars will most certainly cost less to run than gasoline ones, there is just one caveat.

Just as range per charge of electric cars is likely to increase over the coming years, so too will gasoline gas mileage — something not taken into consideration in the calculation. Since it’s unusual for someone to own the same car for 50 years, we have to assume multiple cars will be owned during that period with each one benefiting better gas mileage compared to its predecessor.

Although that equates to smaller quantities of fuel being used, increasing gasoline prices may negate any benefits improved gas mileage has over the 50 year period. But then, by Norby’s own admission, the purpose of his calculations wasn’t scientific accuracy.

Instead, he points out, the graph is meant to be simple to understand, and to help explain how much cheaper electric cars are to run than gasoline ones.

“It does not include external cost such as the protection(sic) of oil, propping up oil supplying countries, clean up of oil, environmental or healthcare cost, nor does it include the cost of grid electricity at night when an electric car normally charges,” he writes. “Nor does the graph include the price of the cars themselves. A reasonable argument can be made for both the gasoline car and the electric car as to which will be cheaper to own and maintain for the next 50 years. I’m betting on the electric car.”

______________________________

This article originally appeared on Green Car Reports.

While alcohol-related fatalities are a frighteningly real statistic, the fact is that ignition interlock devices used as a preventive measure to keep hard core drunk drivers (HCDDs) from killing or seriously injuring others isn’t failsafe. Now, a number of states are adding another safety precaution: adopting alcohol anklets for DUI offenders.

States have been moving to pass progressive legislation that seeks to substantially shift the focus of DUI laws from penalizing cars to required and enforced sobriety for the most dangerous drivers on the road, the hard core drunk drivers. In June 2011, with the passage of North Carolina’s “Laura’s Law,” the state became the eighth in the nation to pass tougher legislation aimed at curbing HCDDs from injuring or killing others on the road.

Other states that have passed laws in the past year that hit hard on HCDDs include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Montana, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Tennessee. New Mexico, long known as a state on the leading edge of interlock laws and policies, introduced “sobriety bill” legislation that’s been currently tabled until the upcoming congressional sessions.

The state of New York is the latest to get on the tougher legislation bandwagon, as it seeks to incorporate required 24/7 alcohol monitoring for DUI offenders who may be skirting the ignition interlock requirements as part of the state’s tough Leandra’s Law.

Just this week, New York Transportation Committee Chairman Charles Fuschillo (R-Nassau County) and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Nassau County) are reportedly working to introduce legislation that imposes sobriety monitoring for felony offenders who may be slipping through the cracks of New York’s tough interlock laws. One example of such a system is the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, or SCRAMx, an alcohol anklet monitoring system.

Alcohol anklet versus ignition interlock

The number of currently installed ignition interlock systems in the U.S. is estimated by the industry to be 212,000. That’s nearly double the number found on vehicles just six years ago.

The Traffic Injury Research Foundation says that 71 percent of offenders “blow fails” while ignition interlocks are installed on their cars. This means that they attempt to start the vehicles while they’re intoxicated.

Experts point out the importance of interlock systems in preventing people from driving drunk and the fact that 71 percent of these offenders likely have what could be defined as alcohol abuse or addiction issues. Even though they know that technology is monitoring their behavior, nearly three-quarters of them still try to drive after drinking.

The focus of the new sobriety monitoring laws is to address how to change long-term behavior.

As such, besides legislating policy changes mentioned above, North and South Dakota and Montana have implemented statewide 24/7 sobriety programs that apply to every DUI offender, regardless of whether or not they’ve had previous DUI offenses.

Facts about HCDDs

When you first hear the term, hard core drunk driver, you might conjure up the image of someone with repeated DUI arrests, a person who continues to drink and drive even after his or her license has been revoked.

To a large extent, this image is accurate, according to research on the subject of hard core drunk drivers. But it doesn’t paint the entire picture. There are other contributing factors, according to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Century Council, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation.

-      Record of arrests and sentencing. HCDDs have multiple DUI arrests and convictions. One-third of all drivers who are arrested, convicted or adjudicated for DUI are repeat offenders.  HCDDs are more likely to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) that is excessively high at the time of arrest (0.25 or above). The HCDD has, on average, over seven DUI convictions.

-      Highly resistant behavior. As the name implies, a hard core drunk driver frequently drives (at least once a month) with a 0.15 BAC or above. The HCDD is highly resistant to any change in behavior, despite previous sanctions, treatment or education. With a high recidivism rate, plus a personal history of alcohol abuse and dependence, the HCDD is also more likely to have family members who drive drunk and models that kind of behavior. What’s even more troubling is that the HCDD believes he or she can consume large quantities of alcohol and still drive safely.

-      Impact on society. The HCDD will admit to drinking and driving a few times a month, although some drive drunk every day. HCDDs are responsible for two out of every three alcohol-related traffic fatalities. The most frightening statistic of all is that, on average, the HCDD drives drunk 87 times before their first DUI arrest.

The average profile of the HCDD is a male, 35.7 years old, with less than a high school education, employed full time, typically in the building trade industry, and with significant relationship loss (separated, divorced or widowed).

Bottom line: mandating use of alcohol anklets for repeat DUI offenders gives the courts one more tool to help curb the senseless tragedies that all too often occur when HCDDs get behind the wheel after drinking.

______________________________

This article originally appeared on the Family Car Guide.

For more information go to http://www.infinitiusa.com/qx/

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Keara At SouthSide Worksview gallery

“She’s a lot like me. She is cute, energetic and a lot of fun.”

The Ride

The Driver: Keara

Car in Question: White 2010 Kia Forte

Spotted at: SouthSide Works, South 27th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Odometer: 4,823

Car’s Nickname: Lola

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Sarah Beth Martin

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos.

The 2012 Avoider Study, now in its ninth year, looks at the reasons consumers fail to consider, or avoid, certain models when they’re shopping for a new vehicle. But it also provides valuable insight into why consumers narrow in on a particular model and wind up buying it.

What most influences purchase decision

Jon Osborn, research director for J.D. Power, said in a phone interview that gas mileage is the number one driver for vehicle purchases today. “It varies by brand,” Osborn said. “Gas mileage is more important in a small and compact car.” The top five most influential reasons for buying a particular vehicle, as reported by the 2012 survey respondents, were as follows:

• Gas mileage – 17%
• Reliability – 11%
• Exterior styling – 10%
• Quality of workmanship and the “deal” – tied at 9%
• Performance – 8%

Comparing this to the 2010 Avoider Study, Osborn said that the most influential reasons for purchase then were, in order, reliability (14%); the “deal” (12%); exterior styling and gas mileage (tied at 10%); quality of workmanship (9%), and performance (8%).

Going back to pre-recession and the 2007 Avoider Study, the reasons were: reliability and gas mileage (tied at 13%); exterior styling (10%); performance and quality of workmanship (tied at 9%), and the “deal” (6%).

Study results showed that among all brands, Hyundai buyers (35.62%) are the most likely to purchase due to good gas mileage. Other makes most mentioned by survey respondents who indicated that gas mileage was their most influential reason for purchasing included Volkswagen (30.43%); Chevrolet (24.00%); Ford (21.76%) and Kia (20.04%). The industry average is 17.16 percent.

Biggest reasons for not buying

As for the biggest reasons consumers said they didn’t buy a particular vehicle, Osborn said that 35 percent of survey respondents said exterior styling was the number one turn-off. That was followed by purchase price (22%); reliability (19%); interior design (18%); online ratings/reviews (15%)

Number six on the reasons for not buying: foreign/import vehicle (14%). This is an increase of five percent from the 2010 survey. In contrast, only six percent said they avoided a vehicle because they didn’t want to buy an American/domestic vehicle. This is a historically low level.

Chevy Volt vs. Toyota Prius vs. Nissan Leaf

The study also found that with certain alternative fuel vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf, the two most-often-cited reasons for buying were gas mileage and environmental impact. There were, however, marked differences in the next-most-cited reason. Volt buyers said the image of the vehicle was a prominent reason to purchase, while buyers of the Prius and Leaf cited reliability and low maintenance costs, respectively.

The biggest reason not to purchase the Volt was purchase price, while exterior styling was a turn-off for buyers who didn’t purchase the Prius and Leaf. Study respondents also cited the small size of both the Volt and the Leaf as a prominent reason not to buy, while a primary avoidance reason for Prius was performance.

Perception lags reality

“It takes a long time for perceptions to change,” Osborn said. “But the past three years, things changed dramatically. The domestics are meeting the needs in the marketplace better than they used to.

“There are no shoddy cars in the market today,” Osborn said. “There are a lot of great products.”

Osborn added that consumers today are considering an average of 3.1 vehicles, meaning they consider three and buy one. That’s a small shopping list, but it’s increased from last year when it was 2.9 vehicles considered.

“This translates into huge consideration rates and a large number of shoppers,” Osborn said.

_____________________

This story originally appeared on Family Car Guide.

An eBay seller looking to capitalize on President Barack Obama’s former ownership of a 2005 Chrysler 300C with a starting price on the car’s auction of $1 million has ended up with nothing to show for it but a healthy spate of media coverage.

The car’s auction history shows no one bid on the car, despite the seller’s declaration that the $1 million starting price was “not a joke,” and subsequent comparison to sales of the cars of other political notables, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Popes Benedict and John Paul II, and Adolf Hitler.

As we noted in our original story on the sale, Obama pedigree or not, $1 million is a lot to ask for a 2005 Chrysler 300C, even if it does have a mere 19,000 miles on the clock.

File this one in the “better luck next time” and/or “keep dreaming buddy” bins at will.

(credit: Motor Authority)

_____________________

This story originally appeared on Motor Authority. 

While the necessity of protecting young children riding in vehicles by using a child safety restraint is widely known and most parents of young children use them when transporting the youngster(s) in their own car, it’s quite a different story when children are in a car with another driver while carpooling.

That’s according to a new study conducted by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and published in the online version of Pediatrics.

Study findings

The study found that while most parents say they typically require that their child use a booster seat, more than 30 percent of those surveyed said they didn’t enforce this rule when their youngster rode with another driver.

Also disturbing is the finding that 45 percent of parents said they don’t require their kids to use a booster seat when driving other children who do not have one.

Dr. Michelle Lacy, a clinical researcher at the University of Michigan Medical School and an investigator with the U-M Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, highlighted her concerns in a university press release. “The majority of parents reported that their children between the ages of four and eight use a safety seat when riding in the family car.

“However, it’s alarming to note that close to 70 percent of parents carpool, and when they do, they’re often failing to use life-saving booster seats.”

Researchers suggested that the reasons parents may fail to use booster seats may include limited vehicle space and difficulties encountered or perceived in making arrangements with other drivers in the carpool.

State laws were seen as important and associated with higher safety seat use, whether carpooling children or not. But half of the parents surveyed didn’t know the age cited in their state booster seat law, and another 20 percent guessed incorrectly.

See the full text of the study published in Pediatrics here.

Recommendations

Study authors noted that state booster seat laws may help set social norms, as parents are motivated to follow the guidelines required by law. In fact, most state laws require a booster seat for children, many until they reach the age of eight years. Meanwhile, national recommendations encourage booster seats be used until a child reaches a height of 57 inches, about the height of the average 11-year-old.

Placing a child in an adult seat belt too soon can negate the seatbelt’s effectiveness at preventing injury.
Parents should consistently use booster seats for kids who are shorter than 57 inches.
Click here for further information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on how seat belts should fit and on choosing the right type of child restraint.

For car seat laws by state, car seat recommendations, car seat safety ratings, inspection stations, recalls and more, see Child Safety on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

Finally, learn more about child passenger safety from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

_____________________

This story originally appeared on Family Car Guide. 

(credit: Thinkstock)

With every New Year’s Day come the inevitable resolutions that many of us never quite get around to carrying out. As parents and drivers, however, there are five areas that we can and should pay attention to concerning our driving behavior, and what we model for our children.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has issued a pretty straightforward challenge to all motorists to adopt safe driving techniques as part of their overall New Year’s resolutions. There are five key areas of concern where drivers can make a significant difference. We’ll look at each of them from the family perspective.

No texting or cell phone use while driving. Findings from the AAA’s just-released 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index show that a huge majority (94 percent) of American drivers consider texting and driving a serious threat to safety, yet more than a third say they continue to do receive texts and 26 percent say they’ve sent a text while driving in the past month. Regarding talking on the cell phone, taking or making calls, 68 percent admit to doing so, while 31 percent say they do so regularly.

Texting and cell phone use are examples of distracted driving and, as parents, we should be cognizant of the fact that distracted driving results in many tragic injuries and deaths each year. Although there are texting bans on drivers in 35 states and the District of Columbia and research shows that a majority of Americans (71 percent) favor bans on hand-held cell phones, this is an issue where each of us can take personal responsibility.

Put away the cell phones and texting devices. Turn them off so we’re not tempted to pick up a call or take note of a text message. Above all, be aware that our behavior is closely watched by all our children, especially youngsters under five who are beginning patterning and modeling behavior.

No more drinking and driving – ever. With designated drivers, stay-at home events, tipsy-tow services and the like, there’s simply no good reason to drink and then get behind the wheel. Is it really so necessary to tip back a few beers and then drive home? Even if we think we’re perfectly capable of driving after a couple of drinks, research shows that our reaction time and judgment are already affected.

And the blood alcohol content (BAC) laws are not very forgiving in many states. In California, for example, you can be pulled over and cited for DUI with a BAC of above .03, even though the legal limit is .08. As for drivers under age 21 in California, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .01 and above.

This resolution to not drink and then drive may take some practice, but the potential tragedy isn’t worth the risk. Besides not drinking yourself and driving, be sure to stress to your children that such behavior is not only dangerous, it won’t be tolerated.

Slow down to live. We’ve all been late for work or school or some appointment. It seems to be in some of our natures to wait until the very last minute to get up or get out the door, even though we’re well aware of our obligations. As a result of our own tardiness, we are prone to speeding through that intersection, making a floating or no stop, jackrabbit starts at lights, going 10 mph or more above the speed limit, taking chances on curves and so on.

This type of behavior is foolhardy and something that we can and should change. By adding 15 minutes to our daily schedule, and those of our children as well, we can help cut down on the tendency to speed. It’s a good resolution that we can easily adopt for the New Year.

Know when we’re tired and don’t drive. If we’ve been staying up late to catch up on work at home, watching movies, tending to sick or colicky babies or couldn’t sleep well ourselves because of health reasons, we may be too tired to drive. Ditto if we’re trying to make a long distance trip in one sitting rather than pace it out over a couple of days.

When we haven’t gotten enough rest, we’re putting our lives, those of our children, and drivers and passengers in other vehicles at risk as well. Our determination to stay awake won’t keep our eyes from closing. Neither will caffeine. At some point, our eyelids will simply close and we may cause or get in a crash.

Parents can spell each other at the wheel, if necessary, or bring along a friend who can share driving duties. If we’re alone, perhaps coming home from a business trip after a long flight, maybe pull over to a safe place off the road for a quick nap or get a room for the night.

Always buckle everyone up. Every state has seatbelt laws in place, including car safety seat laws for children. Make it a practice to make sure everyone in the vehicle, including the driver, is buckled in before you start the vehicle. It should become a habit, and it’s a life-saving one that is simple and easy to do.

________________________________________

This story originally appeared on Family Car Guide.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Rhonda At Grandview Parkview gallery

“It’s been a good family car.”

The Ride

The Driver: Rhonda

Car in Question: Laser Blue 2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Spotted at: Grandview Park, 499 Bailey Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

Odometer: 59,503

Car’s Nickname: Blue

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Sarah Beth Martin

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

Some of the biggest crowds at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit were gathered around small Fords, Chevys and Chryslers.

The Chevy Sonic is one of those vehicles that has folks looking and thinking domestic once again when they go small car shopping. A small, very safe car that comes in under $20,000 and has some personality is what people expect and the Sonic delivers big time in either sedan or hatchback versions.

Click below for my review:

For more information, check out this link!

Listen to Vinnie on The Vinnie and Cook Show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on SportsRadio 93-7 The Fan

No one likes changing a flat tire. In fact, just storing the spare can be a problem: if it’s inside the vehicle, it may take up valuable storage space, and if it’s kept outside, it may prevent you from using bike racks or other accessories. But AAA says that thanks to new fuel economy regulations, we may not have to worry about either of those things much longer, since spare tires could soon disappear altogether.

We’ve spilled a lot of ink discussing the new fuel economy rules handed down by the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Those regulations will require average fuel economy to hit 34.1 mpgs by 2016 and 54.5 mpgs by 2025.

Automakers have a number of tools at their disposal to help them reach those goals — for example, hybrid and electric powertrains. But reducing the weight of vehicles is also important, because as every carbon fiber fan will tell you, reducing weight is an easy way to boost fuel efficiency.

In recent years, much of that weight has been coming out of the trunk. It’s increasingly rare to find full-size spares in many vehicles, and in their place are lighter “donuts”, which aren’t meant to travel long distances or at high speeds. AAA says that the new fuel economy rules could make even these pint-size spares go the way of the dodo, leaving vehicle owners with run-flat tires (which can go limited distances when punctured) or fix-a-flat kits (which work fine on small holes, but do little or nothing for bigger problems, much less blowouts).

Worse, as AAA points out, owners may not even notice the absence of a spare tire when they’re purchasing a vehicle. We encourage shoppers to make a checklist of things they want in a new car, and to put “spare tire” on it. Even if you’re comfortable with run-flat tires, you should know in advance what you’re getting (or not getting) for your money.

In fact, it’s probably a good idea to check your current car, just to make sure that everything’s up to snuff. Do you know where your spare is? Is it inflated? Do you know how to remove it? Can you locate your jack? If you don’t have a spare, do you have fix-a-flat on hand? Given the lousy weather that we’ve seen over the past few weeks, we’d hate to see anyone caught in the rain or snow unprepared.

___________________________

This article originally appeared on The Car Connection.

Whether your proposed winter road trip is to visit relatives or go on a weekend getaway, if you’re bringing your children along, it’s better to be prepared than trying to deal on the fly with tantrums, spills, arguments, boredom and bellyaching. Here are some FamilyCarGuide tips on keeping the peace – and your sanity – during long family road trips.

Anticipate everything, and have a plan in place

This isn’t the first long journey you’ve taken with your offspring, so make a quick list of what’s happened before and how you effectively dealt with it (or not). Did you fail to bring the favorite DVD or stuffed animal or not enough snacks? Was the trip just too long for anyone, including the adults, to comfortably tolerate in one unending sitting? Were you too cranky yourself and, thus, quick to anger when back seat disputes broke out? Did you make the mistake of telling the kids you were just going on a “little drive?”

With a repertoire of past experiences, good and bad, surely you have amassed some knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. As you look forward to your next road trip in the family sedan, minivan, crossover or SUV, keep what you’ve learned in mind and put a plan in place that gives you more-or-less-failsafe options when the unexpected happens.

Be creative

No one likes the same routine over and over again. If you regularly make a trek across the state or drive more than three hours to a particular destination, it can become a real buzz kill for the kids, whose attention span and tolerance levels fluctuate from short to decidedly less than what’s needed to last through the journey.

How do you counter the sameness? How do you make this road trip different than the others before? In other words, how can you make the time fly for your kids so they’re entertained, calm, well-rested and argument-free for the duration? Short of a miracle, it does help to be a little creative with carry-along games, DVDs, music, books, puzzles, snacks, toys and other goodies.

A few days before the trip, start gathering items or make a list of what your kids currently enjoy spending time doing. There may be a new DVD that’s coming out that they’d like to watch for an hour or so. Maybe you have a favorite movie they never tire of watching. With dual-screen rear-seat entertainment systems, like those on the 2012 Honda Odyssey, the kids can watch two separate movies at the same time.

Buy some new coloring books and washable crayons for younger tykes. How about a wardrobe case for your little girl’s Barbie stocked with different outfits you might pick up at a garage sale or buy on eBay? There’s also any number of apps to download on smartphones or tablets that may be age-appropriate for your other children.

Something for everyone

If sharing is a problem in your family, don’t expect your kids to happily give up a particular game or item just because you say it’s time to let the other sibling have a chance to use it. Instead of the inevitable squabbling, bring multiples of whatever they’re likely to fight over. That is, if this is not a financial burden. Some items may just need to be rationed, probably during a rest stop or quick fill-up at the gas station.

A better strategy is to make sure to bring along something that’s just right (or worked before) for everyone. Think of this as a constantly evolving scenario, since children’s interests change quite rapidly. Most newer family vehicles have lots of storage bins and cubbyholes to keep little surprises just that until needed.

Split up the trip

You know your children. You also know how far you’re going to be traveling. If the road trip will take more than six to eight hours, maybe the smarter decision is to split it up into two days, instead of trying to drive straight through. While this isn’t always possible, due to time constraints and other considerations, doing so now and then on regular long-distance family road trips will help keep the peace and make for a more enjoyable journey.

Where this really makes sense is during vacations. Sure, you’re en route to a certain destination, but there are likely dozens of spots along the way where you could spend the night and get in a little fun or educational side-trip at the same time. Remember that anticipation helps whittle away the hours. If your kids are looking forward to visiting a mid-way spot on your journey, even if it’s just for a few hours, it’s likely time well-spent in the long run.

The next-to-last stop before turning in

Sometimes the best strategy for getting the kids into bed, once you reach your day’s destination, is to dress them in their pajamas on your next-to-last stop. Savvy moms know that overtired, cranky youngsters aren’t easy to get ready for bed after hours on the road. During the last gas stop or meal, getting the small ones comfy in their jammies and prepared for sleep with their favorite pillow and blanket can make a world of difference. Once you get to your destination, they’re already ready for bed and you can likely just carry them inside and tuck them in without even waking them up.

___________________________

This article originally appeared on FamilyCarGuide.

No, it’s not a laptop computer, but new interactive window technology that General Motors is exploring with the help of researchers and students at Israel’s Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. The “windows” in question are those in the rear of family vehicles.

The idea is an intriguing one: to provide new ways of informing and entertaining backseat passengers, especially children, during extended trips. GM calls the project “Windows of Opportunity,” or WOO.

It’s important to point out that GM has no immediate plans to put any of this into production vehicles, but there may come a time when it will make sense.

Our sister publication MotorAuthority has all the details on WOO and how it works, so definitely go there to check it out. Needless to say, we’re fascinated by Otto and Foofu and Pond and Spindow.

After all, today’s 20-something buyers, the so-called Millennials, grew up more familiar with computers than their parents. A recent Gartner study found that younger consumers are obsessed with technology. Their younger siblings live in a world where tablets and smartphones are the go-to medium for everything from entertainment to news to information and communication. Even school textbooks via iBook may soon be the preferred educational route.

Think of how much time children spend in the traditional family people movers like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country and the like, as well as SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia and crossovers like the Ford Explorer and Flex, Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and others.

Any parent who’s transported assorted offspring, the family pet, and various and sundry games, juice boxes, snacks and gear on trips of any great length knows that it’s not always easy to maintain peace and quiet in the second and third rows. And finding enough outlets for all those portable devices sometimes creates a problem as well.

Why not utilize existing real estate in the vehicle, the backseat windows, for purposes other than just looking out at the passing landscape? Imagine all kinds of games, interactive lesson plans, movies, and instant chat, all played out using the high-tech equipped interactive windows of the future?

While there are many hurdles that have to be overcome before any such design project like the one GM is involved in could become a reality and show up on family cars, things like safety considerations, build complexity, pricing threshold and more, but such an idea isn’t totally unrealistic, is it?

Maybe this will never fly, but it’s good to know that designers are going beyond the normal constraints and literally thinking out of the box. When and it interactive windows do come to pass, please make the activity invisible to drivers and passengers in other passing vehicles. No need to wonder what in the world that little kid is drawing on the window to the point where an accident ensues.

Of course, there’ll still be the inevitable fights over who gets the window seat.

___________________________

This article originally appeared on FamilyCarGuide.

Comfortable, reliable, not too fancy but not too bland the Camry is a great way to get the family from point A to point B.

For 2012, Toyota went out and tried to improve every part on the car and from my view they did just that while actually adding a little excitement to their moneymaker.

Now, I’m not going to say that this is a race ready NASCAR ride but it seems like they might have slipped a little of the racing DNA into the new and improved 2012 Camry.

Click below for my review…

For more information: http://www.toyota.com/camry/?srchid=K610_p439254544

Listen to Vinnie on the Vinnie and Cook Show weekdays 10am-2pm on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan

Roomy haulers that can serve a lot of different types of businesses from ambulances to ice cream trucks and delivery vans and be economical to operate are the backbone of many small businesses.

The Sprinter and Ford’s Transit Connect have a strong foothold in the market but Nissan is making a run at them with it’s NV series.

Photo Credit:(Vinnie Richichi/KDKA)

It’s big and bouncy but is it meaty enough to make the grade? Listen to my review below to find out:

For more information: http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/vehicles/vans

Listen to Vinnie on The Vinnie and Cook Show daily 10am-2pm on Sportsradio 93.7 FM

Well did you ever think they might know something you don’t? Like what a good mid $20,000 sports sedan the Jetta GLI is.

Volkswagen made the Jetta GLI a bit bigger and a lot more muscular and with the 6-speed a flat out fun to drive ride.

Spending a week in the Jetta GLI I found that this was a car that still appeals to women but any guy would be proud to drive. Kind of a meeting place in the automotive battle of the sexes!

Click below for my review:

For more information: http://www.vw.com/en/models/jetta/gallery.html

Listen to Vinnie weekdays 10am to 2pm on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Kelly At Big Dog Coffeeview gallery

“My car does not have very many fancy things because I had to stay within my budget.”

The Ride

The Driver: Kelly

Car in Question: Silver 2010 Jeep Compass

Spotted at: Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Odometer: 12,221

Car’s Nickname: Jeepy-Jeep

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Sarah Beth Martin

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

Fueled by record worldwide sales of its Chevrolet brand, General Motors has achieved 2011 sales of 9.03 million units, surpassing both the 8.16 million sold by Volkswagen and the 7.9 million estimated by Toyota. Like other Japanese automakers, Toyota was impacted by inventory shortages caused by the twin disasters in Japan.

That puts GM back on top of global sales, which is a remarkable achievement given the automaker’s financial health in 2009. GM hasn’t sold that many vehicles worldwide since 2007, prompting GM’s stock to rise slightly on the news. In early afternoon trading on January 19, the stock was selling at a high of $24.93 per share.

The Chevrolet brand accounted for 4.76 million sales worldwide last year, breaking sales records in 15 markets (including the United States). Chevrolet sales in the U.S. totaled nearly 1.78 million units, representing a growth of more than 13 percent compared to prior year.

Leading sales for Chevrolet globally was the Cruze compact sedan, which sold more than 670,000 units around the world last year. Global platforms, such as the Sonic and Spark contributed to Chevrolet’s success, and the brand has big expectations in 2012 for the global launch of the 2013 Malibu.

GM picked up four-tenths of a point of market share worldwide last year, and now accounts for 11.9 percent of global vehicle sales. Its largest market is China, which made up 28.2 percent of sales last year (including joint ventures with Chinese partners), followed by the United States, which produced 27.7 percent of sales.

________________________________

This article originally appeared in The Car Connection.

If it seems like there are a lot of old Fords, Chevys, Hondas, and Toyotas on the roads today, the fact is that there are. The average age of American vehicles is now 11 years old, according to new research from R. L. Polk. Polk also says that this figure, which is actually 10.8 years, is an all-time record for vehicle age.

How it breaks out

Passenger cars showed a slight increase in age since 2010, from 11 years to 11.1 years (at the end of June 2011). So, that would mean 2000 model year cars like the 2000 Chevy Impala or Ford Taurus or Toyota Camry and the like. Light trucks, including pickup trucks and SUVs showed more of a gain during the same timeframe, from 10.1 to 10.4 years. Maybe that’s why there are a growing number of 2001 Ford Explorers, Chevy Tahoes and GMC Suburbans still on the road. Overall, the average age of the American vehicle has been moving steadily upward since 1995 when it was 8.4 years, but it’s been “quickly” increasing over the past five years.

What’s the reason for the aging of the American vehicle population? Polk’s data points to weak sales in 2008 and 2009. While sales have improved since that two-year dip, especially the strong rebound in sales last year, it hasn’t been in sufficient numbers to correct the situation.

What the future holds

While predicting the future is always an iffy proposition, two things seem reasonably possible, given the Polk findings. One, there’s good business potential for dealer service facilities and independent repair shops, as well as aftermarket parts suppliers, as consumers seek to extend the life of their vehicle with needed repairs. Two, the popularity of crossovers and SUVs shows no signs of abating, and may well help end, or at least slow down, the aging rate of American vehicles seen in the market over the past three years.

For consumers in the market to replace the old family sedan with a more fuel-efficient model, or need the passenger and cargo space and utility of a crossover, there are many new or redesigned models to check out. These include the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion and Ford Escape, the all-new 2012 Prius C, the redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry and 2012 Honda Pilot, the all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5, and more.

________________________________

This article originally appeared in Family Car Guide.

A growing number of family vehicles of all kinds have rear view cameras. Consumers in the market for one of these safety and convenience technologies have a lot to choose from. But which rearview cameras are the best and which 2012 family vehicles have them? Here we take a look at a few of what we consider to be some of the best rearview cameras.

2012 Infiniti FX: Around View Monitor

The 2012 Infiniti FX35 and FX50 luxury crossover SUVs have one of the best rearview camera systems available in the Around View Monitor with front and rear sonar system. Infiniti’s Around View uses four exterior wide-angle cameras, located on the front and rear bumpers and both side mirrors, providing the driver with a virtual birds-eye 360-degree view of the surroundings and an enhanced 180-degree rearward view. When backing up, if you get too close to an object, there’s a warning displayed on the 7-inch in-dash monitor screen and an audible tone also sounds. Around View is available as part of the $3,950 Premium Package on the 2012 Infiniti FX35 (and FX35 AWD) and standard on the FX50 AWD. Other Infiniti vehicles with Around View either standard or available include the large seven-passenger QX56 (standard on two- and four-wheel drive models), and the compact EX35 Journey and EX35 Journey AWD (part of the $2,700 Premium Package).

2012 Honda Odyssey: Multi-Angle Rearview Camera

In the 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan, the Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with guidelines is available as standard equipment on the Odyssey Touring and Touring Elite models and optional on the Odyssey EX-L model with Honda Satellite-Linked navigation system, with starting price of $36,875. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera provides visual guidelines and multiple views (wide, normal and top) to help enhance visual accuracy when backing up or parallel parking. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera is also standard on the 2012 Honda Pilot EX-L (two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive) mid-size SUV models with Honda Satellite-Linked navigation system, with starting prices of $36,570 (2WD) and $38,170 (4WD) and 2WD and 4WD Touring models.

2012 Toyota Sienna: Panorama Camera

Available on the eight-passenger FWD XLE and seven-passenger Limited models of the 2012 Toyota Sienna minivan, the Panorama Camera is Toyota’s answer to the best rearview cameras. The Panorama Camera features an integrated backup camera with two views (regular and wide-angle) and on-screen backup guides. Of course, it’s part of an optional navigation package or more expensive premium package that costs $3,295 and $6,225, respectively, on XLE and $2,500, $4,915 and $6,715 on Limited (navigation, and two premium packages), respectively.

2012 Chrysler Town & Country: ParkView Back-up Camera

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan comes in three models: Touring, Touring-L and Limited. In the base Town & Country Touring model, a ParkView Back Up Camera is standard, while the Touring-L and Limited models include SafetyTec as standard. The ParkView Rear Back Up Camera displays a wide-angle view of the area behind the Town & Country and displays it on the media center radio screen with on-screen.

SafetyTec adds Rear Cross Path Detection that monitors left and right when the driver is backing out of a parking spot, alerting when cars are passing by but ignoring parked vehicles, and Blind Spot Monitoring, ParkSense Park Assist and more. SafetyTec is also available as a $1,500 option on the Touring model.

The ParkView Back Up Camera is also available on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, a $695 media center option on SXT and standard on Crew and R/T models. It’s also available on the 2012 Dodge Durango mid-size SUV, part of a $1,395 popular equipment package on Durango SXT, and standard on Crew, R/T and Citadel models. Citadel also includes Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Path Detection standard.

2012 BMW X3: Rearview Camera (Top View)

The 2012 BMW X3 compact luxury crossover offers a rear view camera with top view as part of an optional $3,200 technology package on both the X3 xDrive28i and xDrive35i that also includes a navigation system and park distance control, among other features. The rear view camera with top view is automatically activated when shifting into reverse gear, or manually by pressing the parking assist button. The color display shows a real camera image that may include static or track lines to help when parallel parking or backing up. The camera also has a zoom function as well as a docking line guiding the approach to a trailer towing hitch. The rear view camera with top view is also available on the larger 2012 BMW X5 line, part of optional packages that range from $3,200 in the X5 xDrive35i Premium to $3,500 in xDrive35i Sport Activity, xDrive35d and xDrive 50i.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: Surround Camera

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque compact luxury crossover features the surround camera system with towing assist as a $1,900 Vision Assist package on the base Evoque model called Pure. Vision Assist is standard on Prestige and Dynamic models.

________________________________

This article originally appeared in Family Car Guide.