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As fuel prices rise, some speedometer needles fall

ALBANY, N.Y. -- As other cars zipped by at 70 mph or more, Mike Papin and his wife, Joann, kept rolling along just below the 65 mph limit as they made their way from their winter home in Florida to a summer place in Vermont, according to the Associated Press.

They've typically done six or seven miles above the speed limit during the annual migration, but with gasoline prices roaring toward $4 a gallon nationally, Joann suggested they ease off the pedal during the 1,500-mile drive this year.

"I read somewhere that around 62 or 63 was the best speed to drive to make the most of your gas," she said.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:39 AM to Fuel economy | Permalink | Comments 0

Toyota raising prices on some models in US this month

TOKYO -- Toyota is raising its prices on some U.S. models later this month amid increased worries about its profit growth in the American market.

The price increases, which will start in the middle of May, include a hike of $200 on the 2008 Yaris sedan, boosting the cost of the base model to $12,425, with higher prices for models with extra features.

The 2009 Camry will go up $200, to $18,920 for a model without any extras, the automaker's U.S. unit said in a statement released Friday.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:59 AM to Toyota | Permalink | Comments 0