Unbelievable Crash! – 50 years in the making
July 30, 2010
50 years ago, US insurers organized the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries, and property damage — from crashes on the nation’s highways
Over these 50 years car crashworthiness has improved. Demonstrating this improvement a crash test was conducted between a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. In a real-world collision similar to this test, occupants of the new model would fare much better than in the vintage Chevy.
“It was night and day, the difference in occupant protection,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “What this test shows is that automakers don’t build cars like they used to. They build them better.”
The crash test was conducted at an event to celebrate the contributions of auto insurers to highway safety progress over 50 years. Beginning with the Institute’s 1959 founding, insurers have maintained the resolve, articulated in the 1950s, to “conduct, sponsor, and encourage programs designed to aid in the conservation and preservation of life and property from the hazards of highway accidents.”
1959 Chevrolet Bel Air and 2009 Chevrolet Malibu in 40 mph frontal offset crash test
What A Decade It Has Been!
July 29, 2010
Prius - A Decade in North America
This year, the Toyota Prius celebrates a decade of sales in North America. The Prius remains the best selling hybrid in both the U.S. and around the world. Since its Japanese market introduction back in 1997, drivers have purchased more than 1.8 million of the gas-electric vehicles, with approximately half of those ending up in the United States. The first-generation Prius was an awkward looking four-door sedan that was slow and often didn’t meet up with customer’s fuel economy expectations. It wasn’t until the second-generation model arrived in 2004 with a new tear-drop shaped hatchback body style that the Prius really took off. By 2007, sales topped half a million, with the third-generation model arriving two years later offering even more improved efficiency and better dynamic performance. This year, Toyota has begun to set up a test-fleet of plug-in Priuses with lithium ion batteries with full series production of those versions planed for 2012.
The Greatest Comeback Story in U.S. History!
July 28, 2010
Mad Money TV Program’s Jim Cramer said that Ford is “the greatest turnaround story in American history.”
Ford CEO Alan Mulally was pleased at the strongest quarter he’s seen in ten years, the removal of $7 billion of debt, and Ford’s strong position worldwide, rating first or second in 19 to 21 markets. Saying the company is “on the way to where we wants to be, and that’s investment grade.” Mulally also states, “the Ford brand is fantastic in China,” and intends to “expand as fast and as prudently as possible.” It seems that his company could provide “profitable growth for all” including Ford’s workers.
Want more information on Ford? Check out http://www.hallauto.com/car-dealers.aspx#Ford
Check Out the All-New Hyundai Equus
July 27, 2010
Hyundai Equus
The 385-horsepower Hyundai Equus has arrived. Hyundai is offering their new model in two different breeds: Equus Signature and Equus Ultimate. The Signature version comes with almost everything: leather and Alcantara interior, heated steering wheel, climate controlled seating with a massaging driver’s seat, Smart Cruise Control, parking assistance, air suspension and a 17-speaker, 608-watt Lexicon stereo are at the beginning of a terrifically long list.
Pay a little more for the Equus Ultimate and you add the around-the-corner-view cameras to the parking assist, power trunk, and in back, reclining, cooled rear seats with their own massage function and leg support – and a rear seat refrigerator. Along with many, many other luxuries. They even offer the manual via an app on an Apple iPad!
MotorWorld Hyundai, Hall Hyundai Western Branch, Hall Hyundai Newport News, Hall Hyundai Elizabeth City, Heritage Hyundai Towson
Nissan Technician Award Level
July 20, 2010
From all of us at Hall Automotive, we would like to congratulate Cliff Heater and Paul MacWilliams at Hall Nissan Virginia Beach on receiving the elite level of Nissan Technicians.
