Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid Pegged for China Debut Later this Month

We know a lot about Cadillac’s all-new CT6 luxury sedan, including its set of all-new engines, but so far specifics on the impending plug-in hybrid version have proved elusive. Now, nonetheless, thanks to some comments from GM North America president Mark Reuss to Autoblog, we know to count on the pluggable CT6 to debut at the 2015 Shanghai auto show later this month.

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We nonetheless don’t know what will energy the hybrid, but the typical CT6 will offer a naturally aspirated V-6 and a twin-turbo V-6 at launch, plus, sooner or later, a twin-turbo V-7 A plug-in tends to make sense for Cadillac—especially for the European and Chinese markets—and we’ll locate out what the brand is up to in just a couple of weeks.

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Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid Pegged for China Debut Later this Month

Bumper month for car registrations

September was a bumper month for new vehicle registrations, with 425,861 new cars coming onto UK roads.

That’s a 5.6% enhance on August and is the highest total for the crucial month of September for 10 years.

It also marks the thirty-very first consecutive month of growth for the auto market, the Society of Motor Companies and Traders (SMMT) says.

And means registrations are up 6.2% for the third quarter of the year and 9.1% year on year compared to this point in 2013.

Let’s take a closer appear at what cars proved well-liked and why…

Registrations accelerate in September

September is constantly a big month for the auto market because – along with March – it is one of the 2 months in which plates alter.

The UK switched to a twice-yearly plate adjust in 1999. Given that then, September and March account for a lot more than a third of annual car registrations – mostly simply because cars with the new plate preserve their worth greater than these with the old one particular.

The quantity of registrations in March was a lot higher this year, although, surging by an outstanding 18% and pushing 1st quarter growth to 13.7%.

September’s a lot more moderate development is for that reason becoming taken as a sign that demand is starting to level off.

When I’m 64…

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, stated: “Demand for the new 64-plate has been boosted by intensifying self-assurance in the UK economy, with consumers attracted by a wide variety of thrilling, increasingly fuel-effective, new vehicles.

“In the months since March, growth has shown indicators of levelling off as the market place begins to discover its all-natural running rate.”

Fashion favourites

The Ford Fiesta was very easily the most well-known vehicle both in September and over the entire year to date, the SMMT figures show.

Ford also grabbed the quantity 2 spot in each with the larger Focus, behind which came the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Corsa vying for third and 4th position.

In September, it was the Golf in third spot. But over the year so far, the Corsa pushes the Golf back into 4th position.

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Sharpened concentrate

This is a different picture to 10 years ago, when the Concentrate was the greatest seller – holding the leading spot from 1999 proper the way by means of to 2008.

“It indicates a wider trend for individuals swapping larger hatchbacks for superminis,” Hawes stated.

Colour scheming

Our colour of selection has also changed more than the last decade.

In 2004, silver and blue have been the most well-liked colours for new vehicles. But now, white is at the leading of the colour chart, followed by black and then blue.

Putting the brakes on CO2

The average new automobile registered last month had CO2 emissions of 122.3 g/km and did 59 miles per gallon (mpg).

But back in 2004, the typical car registered had CO2 emissions of 179g/km and managed just 42.4mpg. And even in 2013, typical CO2 emissions have been at 128.3g/km.

Bumper month for car registrations

Anti-hijack Tips for Women’s Month from Ford

With a number of heartbreaking hijack stories making the news recently, the matter of driver skill and awareness has once again been given attention.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has a team of certified professionals who train drivers around the country as part of its Driving Skills For Life (DSFL) programme. While many tertiary driving courses focus on performance dynamics at race tracks, the DSFL instructors impart invaluable knowledge for everyday driving scenarios.

These include training on conserving fuel through smarter driving, advice on how to better read the flow of traffic, and other, practical money-saving tips. DSFL also focusses extensively on safety. This involves not only collision avoidance techniques, but also pointers for driver awareness in situations such as hijackings.

“It’s no secret that women are easy targets when driving alone, however these tips apply to all drivers,” says Maja Smith, Product Communications Manager at FMCSA. “Recent events in the news have highlighted the importance of equipping drivers with the requisite skills.”

Some useful tips that you can follow include:

• Remaining alert to surroundings at all times – especially at intersections and in suburbs


• Being on the lookout for suspicious activities and vehicles


• Preparing to take evasive action


• Maintaining ample following distances


• Allowing for escape routes

DSFL instructors also have information for drivers who find themselves in dangerous situations involving a hijacker:

• Remain calm


• Do not make sudden gestures


• Avoid eye contact – except to identify


• Comply with hijacker’s demands


• Assist children to get out of the vehicle


• Move away slowly

For more information on Driving Skills for Life visit www.ford.co.za

Also view:

Hijack Prevention Guidelines

Anti-hijack Tips for Women’s Month from Ford

Nationwide Begins Selling Auto Insurance in New Jersey This Month

This month, New Jersey drivers get one particular a lot more selection when they shop for auto insurance.

August brings Nationwide to the Garden State, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) announced in a press release. Marketing and advertising for auto policies from the insurance organization will be handled by agents in New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware and on-line and by telephone, according to the Division.

The Garden State now has 9 of the prime 10 car insurers in the nation selling car insurance coverage policies in New Jersey. They are:

• State Farm


• GEICO


• Allstate


• Progressive


• Farmers


• USAA


• Liberty Mutual


• Travelers


• Nationwide

There are a total of 112 organizations and groups promoting auto insurance coverage in New Jersey, where auto insurers wrote $ 6.82 billion in premiums last year, according to the Division.

Availability of Nationwide auto insurance coverage in New Jersey offers drivers much more options, Ken Kobylowski, the state’s insurance commissioner, mentioned in a statement.

New Jersey Avg. Premiums are Frequently Higher on National Rankings

New Jersey has the priciest average statewide premiums in the U.S., according to the most current information from the National Association of Insurance coverage Commissioners (NAIC), with an annual policy with liability, comprehensive and collision coverage costing $ 1,301.

It’s a familiar spot for the Garden State, which usually finds itself atop or near the prime of the annual rankings of auto insurance coverage fees.

In 2012, when New Jersey had the third-highest average premiums in the NAIC’s rankings, a state official told On the internet Auto Insurance News that higher-than-typical premiums are due to numerous aspects.

High population density in the Garden State leads to more crashes there, according to Marshall McKnight, a NJDOBI spokesman. Also, he stated, New Jersey drivers usually acquire optional sorts of coverage, including personal injury protection with high coverage limits.

Nationwide Begins Selling Auto Insurance in New Jersey This Month

Shield Your Vehicle: Guidelines for Auto Theft Awareness Month

Some facts: We’re heading into Independence Day weekend the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that the vacation has the 7th-highest theft numbers of any holiday annually, the summer season season is higher-time for larger theft figures and July is Auto Theft Awareness Month.

Sounds like the perfect time for motorists to be on guard. Here are some anti-theft tips from certain-fire sources:

Preserve Your Crucial with You

The Los Angeles Police Division (LAPD), which polices a city where car theft makes up nearly a 4th of all house crimes, says that car thieves will take any possibility to make off in your ride.

And leaving your keys anywhere but your pocket is giving those thieves a large chance. From the LAPD:

• By no means leave your automobile operating unattended, even to dash into a company, retailer, or home.


• By no means leave any keys in the car or ignition, inside a locked garage, or in hide-a-essential boxes.

Far more info:
Automobiles with keyless entry or crucial codes can still be vulnerable to theft, according to the NICB. So owners of such vehicles, which are generally later-model vehicles with anti-theft technology, must nevertheless be wary.

In no way Leave Valuables in Sight

More from the LAPD:

• By no means leave valuables in plain view, even if your vehicle is locked. Put them in the trunk out of sight.

But automobile thieves target far more than just the valuables in your car—parts of your automobile can be just as beneficial.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), automobile thieves can strip a vehicle down in a half-hour. Plus, the final payoff for components is often worth a number of instances far more than the vehicle itself.

“Radios and wheel covers aren’t the only popular stolen car components thieves take,” the federal officials say. “They want what ever sells, from the mandated labeled components to those that aren’t. Among some of the most common parts or things left in vehicles are: engine, transmission, air bags, radios, GPS units, iPods, laptops, and purses.”

A lot more info:
On-line Auto Insurance has the lowdown on theft of catalytic converters and tailgates.

Close and Lock All Windows and Doors

About half of all automobile thefts are “due to driver error,” according to the NHTSA.

Leaving your doors and/or windows open is a big mistake. The LAPD says a driver need to lock up and close every thing in the vehicle even if it is parked “in front of your residence.”

A lot more info:
Even at a gas station, leaving your door/window ajar can be the essential slipup a thief is hunting for, according to a video advisory from the NHTSA.

Park in Effectively-lit Locations

No thief desires to do his enterprise in complete view. According to the NHTSA, much more than half of car thefts come about in “areas exactly where cars are parked without attendants.”

So leave your auto in a higher-targeted traffic, properly-lit area to ward off criminals.

Far more info:
California has extended held the unwanted title of “state with the highest number of vehicle thefts,” according to the NICB. But a closer appear at theft figures in the Golden State sheds a small a lot more light (no pun intended) on the problem. According to USA These days, the 3 Californian spots exactly where automobiles are stolen most are Barkersfield, Fresno and Modesto, in the state’s “less populous farm belt.” Those locations need to have much less lighting for much less people, but that also indicates a bigger chance for thieves.

Shield Your Vehicle: Guidelines for Auto Theft Awareness Month

Louisiana Law to Increase Costs for Uninsured Drivers Next Month

Louisiana drivers will quickly face stiffer penalties for driving with out vehicle insurance following Gov. Bobby Jindal signed Act 641 into law on Thursday.

Starting July 1, owners of uninsured cars will have their automobiles impounded and their license plates and registration revoked. The new law also increases the reinstatement charge for these products and establishes a separate minimum $ 75 fine for driving uninsured.

The following table compares the old and new reinstatement costs, which are based on the length of time the car was uninsured:

According to a legislative fiscal report, the new costs set below the law are anticipated to raise $ 53 million in additional revenue.

$ 53M in Income to Go to Verification Method, Public Safety Salaries

Element of Act 641 uses the charge hike to fund an auto insurance verification technique.

The program will use a database containing info about Louisiana auto insurance policies and drivers. It will permit authorities to check regardless of whether drivers have auto policies and verify no matter whether or not they have had lapses in coverage. The system will contain “real-time”  data for police to reference throughout traffic stops.

Some of the improved fees that are collected will go to an “Insurance Verification System Fund” that would back the “creation and maintenance” of such a database.

Uninsured motorists have faced clampdowns in other states with similar databases, which includes Maryland, Texas, Montana, and Rhode Island.

Other components of the charge hikes are marked to improve law enforcement and public security salaries and applications.

Louisiana Law to Increase Costs for Uninsured Drivers Next Month

Period that vehicle was uninsured	New reinstatement charge (efficient July 1)	Earlier charge
1-30 days	$ 100	$ 25
31-90 days	$ 250	$ 100
91 days or much more	$ 500	$ 200