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What's up with gas prices?

Gas prices across the nation are $2.95 a gallon, the highest level since August, while the price of crude oil is averaging around $68 a barrel this morning on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
What's going on? It's a mix of greed, politics and supply and demand, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Posted by   at 2:49 PM to Gas prices | Permalink | Comments 0

Ten E85 vehicles available now

Ethanol-powered vehicles aren't just coming to a showroom near you. Vehicles that run on an ethanol-gas (E85) blend are already here, and automakers are ramping up production of them to cut our use of imported oil and thecarconnection.com provides a list of 10 vehicles available now.

Posted by   at 2:42 PM to Alternative fuels | Permalink | Comments 0

Backseat Driver: Buying a new used car

Last Friday was my birthday and I decided to treat myself to a new car. My favorite exotic - and I am not alone - is the Lamborghini Muira, the first great super car that hit the roads in 1967.
I was a student in France at the time and became a lifelong fan after a visit to Monaco to see the Grand Prix. There were quite a few Muiras bubbling around and I have never recovered from the sight of what many argue is one of the most beautiful cars ever.
So I treated myself to a burnt orange Muira circa 1971 - in a 1/18 scale version! Like the real thing, it was not cheap and had to be ordered over the Internet, but it is incredibly detailed and certainly the closest I'll ever get to owning one. By the way, if there is anyone out there in Rhode Island or southern Mass. who owns one of these beauties, I'd love to profile you and the car.
No, I am a journalist and I went into this business for honor and glory rather that riches. So while I am interested in buying one of the new German diesels due next year - the VW Jetta Sportswagon caught my fancy at the recentt New York Auto Show - I decided to buy yet another second-hand Volvo wagon, trading in my 180,000 mile version for one with 105,000 miles on it.
Why buy such an old car? I guess we all have favorites and the tank of a Volvo wagon is certainly mine. I figure Volvo owners are like me - boring and responsible - and so look after their cars well which means second-hand Volvos are in pretty good condition. And with children, I like the safety aspect.
Finally, I like the comfort. Unlike the TV ads which would have me thundering across mesas in New Mexico or speeding snow covered mountain passes in glorious solitude, I spend most of my driving with my fellow commuters in traffic jams that range from 50-to-0 mph.
So rather than railing at the ride, I would rather be sitting in a big leather chair with a good sound system and just enjoy the scenery.

Posted by   at 10:18 AM to Transportation | Permalink | Comments 0

Scion wants the hip only

Toyota is actively trying to isolate Scion messages from the tragically unhip by relaunching the xB without any advertising on television or in mainstream publications.
Auto industry executives say such a move is highly unusual, according to USA Today. The only other recent example was in 2000 when Volvo tried an online-only approach to launch a sedan at the height of dotcom mania, the paper writes.

Posted by   at 10:15 AM to Companies | Permalink | Comments 0

Buying peace of carbon emissions mind

There is a growing movement among celebs and companies to buy "carbon neutrality" rather like the devout bought indulgences in Middle Ages, according to Sunday's New York Times.
In those longlost days, buying a piece of wood purporting to be a genuine piece of the cross that Christ died on assured you heavenly grace despite a life dedicated to exploring the seven deadly sins. Now you can buy a similar sense of grace by buying a tree or something to make up for your belching SUV.
Indeed, an accompanying cartoon illustrates a penitent kneeling in confession and declaring: "Forgive me for I have SUV'd."

Posted by   at 9:26 AM to Environment | Permalink | Comments 0