Could rich folks step up to help insolvent highway funds?
Everyone hates traffic. Even rich people -- after all, private helicopters can only help avoid traffic jams so often. Funds for highway infrastructure improvements are in short supply in many places. Perhaps it's no surprise then that rich folks might be willing to donate their own money, since they may have more influence than the average commuter.
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Reports show Chinese consumers are hesitant to go green.
China hasn't always been known for its environmentally-friendly attitudes, and Chinese consumers aren't exactly buying into the worldwide trend of purchasing hybrid and full-electric vehicles en masse. However, the Chinese government is starting to make a push towards a more widespread adoption of fuel-efficient cars and trucks that could overshadow the factors that are pushing against the trend.
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Ford's luxury brand might be slowly getting back in the game.
Lincoln has been left for dead by cynical auto journalists for some time now, for good reason. Sales have slumped, the brand's product portfolio is outdated, and Lincoln seems to have no direction. A new marketing plan featuring crowd-sourced Super Bowl ads and dealerships promising a luxury buying experience (complete with "date night" extended test drives) and the redesign of the MKZ mid-size sedan may be helping the brand gain sales. So, too, might hefty incentives.
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A new report indicates gas may cost more than it's worth.
We all know that gas has gotten expensive. We now know just how expensive it is, at least compared to consumer expectations. Gas prices are just a bit above the point that most people feel is too much to pay, according to an American Automobile Association (AAA) report.
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Pandora, other streaming services growing in popularity.
Remember the Mini Disc? No? Nor does anyone else. As new technology rolls out, older technology often fades away. This is especially true with in-car audio technology Eight-tracks gave way to cassette players, which in turn gave way to CD players. Satellite radio has been available in cars since 2001, giving terrestrial radio another competitor, and thanks to USB ports and Bluetooth streaming, it's easy for drivers to play music through a smartphone or MP3 player.
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China is Ford's second-largest market, bigger than the U.K.
China has long been an important market for General Motors; indeed, the company chose to save Buick instead of Pontiac during its bankruptcy reorganization in part because Buick sells so well there. Now it's Ford's turn to make deeper inroads in China, as it attempts to catch up to cross-town rival GM, as well as Volkswagen.
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