According to a press release from EPIC, the majority of consumers felt the best answer to alleviating our current energy situation is to produce biofuels.  In fact, 73% felt oil should be replaced by biofuels such as ethanol.  Ethanol wasn’t the only solution supported by consumers, however, as 62% also felt that more attention should be placed on conservation.  58% of those polled also felt that we should increase our domestic drilling while 55% felt that manufacturers should be mandated to product vehicles that are more environmentally friendly.  24% felt more drilling should be conducted in environmentally-friendly areas while only 7% felt that importing more foreign oil was a sound answer to resolving the current energy problems. 

One thing that almost everyone agrees upon is that the use of flex-fuel vehicles is one solution that warrants more exploration and emphasis.  Nonetheless, more options need to be explored.

“Our nation’s addiction to imported oil has cost us dearly, in both financial and security terms.  For decades, there has been outrage when energy prices skyrocket.  When they plummet, the issue of renewable energy is put on the backburner,” said Toni Nuernberg, Executive Director of EPIC.  “Complacency is no longer an option.  Consumers are engaged in the energy debate and they need to stay in the debate.”

Do Your Research

The first thing you need to do when shopping for a car is to search around.  At this time of the year, car dealers are trying to thin out their inventory so they can make room for the new model vehicles coming into the showroom floor.  Therefore, now is the time for you to start looking at your local newspapers and circulars or to start checking out the websites of your local dealers.  Thanks to the high gas prices, many of the larger vehicles also offer a number of incentives.  So, if you take some time and do a bit of research, you will be able to find a good deal.

 Explore Your Financing Options

When it comes to shopping around, the same holds true with lenders.  Rather than settling on the first lender to offer a loan, look into the offers being supplied by different lenders and try to find the best rates.  If you are going to obtain financing through the dealership, check into your credit score before going in.  This way, you have a clear idea of where you fall on the rate schedule.  Also, keep in mind that you can save more on financing with a larger down payment.  So, bring in as much as you can afford to put down so you can enjoy better interest rates as well as a lower monthly payment.

Stay Flexible

You can also save money if you remain flexible when purchasing a new vehicle.  Narrow your choices down to several different makes and models of vehicles.  That way, you will have several options when it comes time to buy.  By comparing the features of each vehicle as well as the prices, you can purchase the one that offers the best possible deal.

Look Into Used Vehicles

Finally, you can save a significant amount of money by being willing to purchase a used vehicle rather than a new one.  When you purchase a new car, the vehicle loses value as soon as you drive it off the lot.  There are many great used cars out there that are in excellent condition and can save you thousands of dollars over a new vehicle.

Apparently, the new book offers tips to help you save money on your vehicle by obtaining better fuel efficiency, engaging in preventative maintenance and more.  The book also provides advice for helping you reduce the environmental impact made by your vehicle as well as how to better protect your passengers with improved safety systems.

According to the book’s press release,  it covers even the most basic of information - right down to how to open the hood.  For the more advanced learner, it also includes information about how to use a jack in order to safely change a tire as well as information about alternative fuel options that can help you save money at the pump.

Another feature of the book is a glossary of automotive terms and a dictionary of acronyms to help the reader better understand various automotive terms.  In addition, it looks at current automotive technologies as well as future technologies that will help improve safety for drivers and their passengers.  Some of this technology includes backup cameras, tracking systems, traction control systems, stability control systems and rollover control systems.

The book also contains a checklist of things to look over each month in order to prevent breakdowns and to extend the life of the vehicle.  According to the press release, spending just 15 minutes per day checking over your vehicle can help prevent 70 percent of the problems that cause highway breakdowns to occur.

Mercedes-Benz has really gone all out with trying to help consumers learn more about the new technology.  In fact, the website combines video, flash and rich media components in order to provide visitors with a number of interactive options for learning more about BlueTEC and its performance benefits. 

Of course, for those that are concerned about the environment, the clean-engine technology that BlueTEC represents is one of its most exciting features.  In fact, Mercedes-Benz is the only car brand in the world to receive the “Design for Environment” Certificate from ISO 14062 for the BlueTEC technology.  So, it is easy to see why the company has created such a great website to promote its product.  As Mark Forsynth, Mercedes-Benz Canada’s Manager of Interactive Marketing and CRM, said, “A key motivation towards building the BlueTEC site was to create an informative, yet engaging, approach towards developing greater awareness of this exceptional clean diesel technology.”

Although the air bag industry is enjoying a good amount of business, automobile companies are also routinely looking for improvements in technology.  Therefore, the industry is still continually looking for ways to further improve upon airbags and become more competitive.  Namely, airbag companies are looking for methods to create Smart Airbag Systems with motion control systems and occupant protection systems. 

With the help of Smart Airbag Systems, your car can actually sense an impending crash as well where your occupants are located and even the nature of the accident.  By making these determinations, the system can then determine which type of airbag should be deployed and how quickly it should be deployed as well.  So, as the airbag industry works to determine how to best latch onto the growing demand for its product, consumers stand to benefit by the results.