This Automotive Podcast is Getting Slightly Better MPG (Musings Per Gigabit)

We're feeling green, not because of summer, but because that's what car buyers are into these days.

One green car that is really catching on, perhaps more than Nissan is ready for, is the electric Leaf.

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Green is going up

If they can't get a Leaf, drivers might want to try a Ford hybrid or electric, because they are getting software and other updates to improve fuel economy.

Even those looking at regular power cars will find that fuel economy is slightly higher across the U.S. new-car fleet.

Even still, diesels are a better deal in almost every case, in terms of the total cost of ownership.

But, hydrogen and fuel cells may be the best deal for the long term, according to Hyundai.

Escaping Carmageddon in a Flying Car

Perhaps you bought a new car last month or over the July 4th weekend. What did you pay? Well, the average vehicle transaction topped $30,000 in June, or almost $850 more than the same month last year. We love to talk about gadgets in cars, and those gadgets and infotainment systems are what's pushing prices higher.

Even as prices rise, auto makers are always looking for new incentives. GM's latest is free car insurance, but only in Oregon and Washington and only for Cadillac buyers. That won't benefit Midwestern car buyers, who tend to be the most loyal to U.S. brands.

Are you a patriotic buyer?

Patriotism isn't in play for electric car buyers, with Nissan Leaf sales topping Chevrolet Volt sales. The local Independence Day parade illustrated that. There were about 10 Leafs, and no Volts.

Those Leafs glided past quietly, and that has regulators concerned. They are seriously considering adding "pedestrian warning sounds" to electric and hybrid vehicles.

Something else that worries regulators, cellphones and driving. But the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) urges states to hold off on banning the practice until more research is done to gauge the effectiveness of such laws.

Even though his fortune and his job depend on selling cars and trucks, Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford wants more efforts into developing alternative modes of transportation.

Los Angeles area residents are probably going to be abandoning their cars next weekend when a much-hyped construction project closed the 405 for an entire weekend. The expected traffic jam is being called Carmageddon.

Perhaps the expected gridlock will make the roads safer for men and women. Well, maybe more for women. A new study of 6.5 million car crashes found that women crashed into other women more often than expected.

Finally, a flying car has received clearance to take to the roads. Good luck finding enough runway to go from highway to the sky.

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Among Our 10 Best Podcasts, Cheap to Insure With High Efficiency Listening

The EPA finally got its efficiency on and gave ratings to the all-electric Nissan Leaf. We discuss the numbers and the tradeoffs.

The Leaf didn't make Car & Driver's Ten Best list, but the Chevrolet Volt did. As did some other usual suspects, but Hyundai continued to garner awards by placing the Sonata sedan on the list.
That roll continues in Europe, where Hyundai-Kia topped Toyota in sales numbers for the first time.
Meanwhile the Genesis, both sedan and coupe, are selling strongly, according to a recent report.

In Europe, small cars are the thing and while they are catching on in the U.S., sometimes auto makers have to get creative to sell compacts. That's what Fiat is doing with the coming 500. But with almost half a million potential option combinations are there too many. Will dealers be smart about what they order?

They should, because a J.D. Power survey found that price is less important to car shoppers than how they are treated by the dealer.

One place where drivers can save money is through insurance, and buying a vehicle that is cheap to insure. The secret: stick with minivans and boring cars.

GM's blue logo must have been getting boring, since the revived auto maker is de-emphasizing it.

Finally, Top Gear USA premiered this week. David watched and reviewed, one of the 1.9 million mostly men who tuned in. Mathew didn't and now has some homework for next week.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, November 24, 2010.mp3

Steal This Podcast! (Auto Sales Thrive, David's New Ride)

The calendar has rolled around to another month so that means car sales are here. Our favorite story line. Last year's numbers were skewed by the hugely successful Cash for Clunkers program. Even so, July auto sales were fairly strong with larger vehicles getting a boost and small car sales slipping compared with last year.

Cadillac sales topped the list in terms of percentage gains but buyers of the giant Escalade beware, the Highway Loss Data Institute says it gets the highest rate of theft claims. But Volvo's S80 doesn't get stolen much, no surprise.

China's 3D Express Coach 

If you are looking for something safe, and probably less desirable for thieves, then check out Consumer Reports' list of ideal vehicles for teens and senior citizen drivers.

We know that teens like the Internet and they may be helping Nissan's Leaf win the search battle over the Chevrolet Volt. The all-electric Leaf is still getting most of the attention from Web searchers.

China is considering a cleverly designed bus that is jacked up to ride over traffic. Smart yes, realistic, probably not.

Finally, David is getting a new set of wheels. Listen in for the details and check back on the blog for photos and reviews.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad August 4, 2010.mp3