A well established fact is that drunk driving has significant consequences for property damage, and more importantly for permanent injuries, loss of life, long-term healthcare issues and additional medical expenses. A number of societal resources and organizations exist for the sole purpose of reducing the number of drunk drivers on the road and drunk driving fatality rates. Now, with the widespread use of smartphones, a new type of driving hazard has arisen, leading people to ask the question: Is distracted driving more dangerous than drunk driving?

Drivers in the United States spend an average of 25.5 minutes daily commuting to and from work, and there is a great temptation to make time on the road productive. Distracted driving is not a new concept. For many years, people have engaged in risky behaviours while driving including applying make-up, shaving, eating, drinking, and lighting cigarettes.

However, during the past 10 years, a number of new distracted driving behaviours have emerged including:

•Talking on phones

•Texting on phones

•Reading books, newspapers, or other written content on smartphones or tablets

•Accessing the controls for iPods and other MP3 devices

•Using laptops or netbook computers

•Playing hand-held games

•Using GPS devices

These distracting behaviours are serious enough on their own to lead many people to answer “yes” to the question: Is distracted driving more dangerous than drunk driving? However, all of these behaviours become exponentially more dangerous during certain driving conditions including poor weather. Drivers need to be aware of current road conditions and the behaviour of the other drivers on the road at all times. Maintaining complete attention is imperative in order to be prepared for sudden stops and starts, any unusual actions by other drivers and dangerous road conditions.

Over 340 people die annually in the United States as a result of car accidents due to icy road conditions. This number is insignificant in comparison to the more than 440,000 injuries and 5,400 deaths that occur in the United States each year as a result of distracted driving.

Distracted driving is a particular issue among teenage drivers. Consider the following statistics:

•75% of all teenagers ages 12 to 17 in the United States have their own cell phones.

•66% of these teenagers use their phones to send or receive text messages.

•Older teenagers are more likely than their younger counterparts to use text messaging; 82% of teenagers ages 16 and 17 use cell phones and 76% of them  text almost exclusively. 

•Just over half of the teenagers who have their own cell phones have talked on the phone while driving, or about 43% of all teenagers ages 16 and 17 in the United States.

•One in three teenagers ages 16 and 17 who text frequently do so while driving, which translates to 26% of all teenagers ages 16 and 17 in the United States. 

A number of research studies clearly illustrate the significant dangers of texting while driving. One of the most serious dangers is that texting substantially delays a driver's reaction time. Individuals who text while driving on dry, clear roads have a reaction time that is almost one second longer than individuals who do not text. It’s interesting to note that individuals with a 0.08% blood alcohol level have a reaction time that is twice as fast as texting drivers when the driving conditions are the same. 

Best practice is to pull off on the side of the road or wait until arriving at a destination to pull out a phone and text. Texting while driving is never worth the potential risks that a driver and the other drivers on the road will face.

About the author:

Doug Climenhaga is president of SVI International, Inc., a leading supplier of parts for industrial lift equipment, including brake lathe parts. With more than 20 years experience in the hydraulic and automotive lift industries, he holds two patents and has designed scores of problem-solving products.

Concern with fuel costs has dominated news headlines for years and there doesn’t seem to be any relief coming anytime soon. However, during that same timeline and even before, car manufacturers have shifted their attention to fuel saving vehicles and expedited its production to alleviate some of the stress at the pumps.

Last year, AJAC started the Eco Run to feature and educate consumers on the more fuel-efficient and environmentally safe vehicles that are available. It was a chance to learn more about fuel-efficient technologies and auto manufacturers helped this venture out by providing their latest and greatest vehicles on a multiple day drive throughout different areas of Canada. 

The Eco Run is not only about the vehicles, but about the way we drive them. It’s understandable that you might not be looking for a new car at the moment, but there are plenty of ways that you can still save money at the pump by the way you drive them and that includes the gas guzzlers you might own. I will get into this a bit more as we go along.

The first Eco Run last year went through Ontario from Brighton to London, but Eco Run 2.0 took a more exciting route from Ottawa, Ontario to Montréal, Quebec just ten days ago. There were 22 vehicles in total assigned to 22 AJAC members throughout the three day journey. I was assigned five different vehicles to parade to the various staged stops along the way.

On hand for the second annual Eco Run was a variety of vehicles including full electrics, hybrids, plug-ins, diesels and straight out more fuel-efficient vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). And within those segments were a variety of compact cars, sedans, SUVs and one large pickup truck. 

I’m going to break down all the different vehicles I drove, as well as the stops along the way.

Day 1 – Ottawa, ON to Montebello, QC

The Eco Run starting spot was the Hilton Garden Inn where we were assigned our vehicles to drive to the Natural Resources Headquarters in Ottawa for the official start. Mine was the Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC – the first diesel in its class.

There’s nothing like the GLK 250 out there making it more impressive as it smoothly made its way around the Parliament buildings. The GLK is fitted with a 2.1-liter inline four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that has 200 hp and a whopping 369 lb.-ft. of torque. There wasn’t a peep heard in the cabin as I hypermiled my way to the Chateau Laurier for lunch. 

The key to driving efficiently is being gentle on acceleration. Once you’ve slowly reached your desired travelling speed, you should maintain that pace throughout unless you need to slow down or stop. A nice tip when getting ready to stop is taking your foot off the accelerator and coast to decelerate before eventually braking. In order to do this, you must always be fully aware of what’s going on around you. If you can foresee what’s going to happen ahead, such as a yellow light or checking the walkway countdown numbers (which I know we all do) we can be able to coast and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lessen our trips to the pumps. 

At the end of the morning session of almost all city driving, the GLK 250 had a combined fuel economy rating of 7.6 L/ 100 km, which is incredible given Mercedes-Benz ratings for it at 7.2L/100 km combined at 8.3L/100 km in the city.

All of those eco-driving techniques were employed during my drives and they should be incorporated into your driving habits as well. I explained all of those habits to some CAA members after they finished their AGM meeting at the Chateau. They were very eager to hear more about some of the individual cars and ways they can save money. It was a nice opportunity to share our wealth of knowledge with consumers who generally showed an interest in cars and the environment.

The afternoon portion of the day had me in something totally different, a pure electric – the Ford Focus EV. This would be a total change from the SUV, but that’s what the Eco Run is all about.

The all-electric 2013 Ford Focus has an electric motor that produces 143 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque coupled with a lithium-ion battery and a single-speed automatic transmission. For this trek, I was to take that Focus EV from the Chateau Laurier to the Chateau Montebello. Sounds good doesn’t it! 

The only issue with a pure EV is distance – I’m sure the organizers of this event put that at the top of mind when mapping out the routes. The Focus EV could go around the 100 km mark and this trip was just shy of 90 km, so this would put my navigational and driving talents to the test. As many can attest to, my navigational skills can be questioned at all times.

Not surprisingly, a wrong turn was made before I entered the highway out of Ottawa and I had to make a few turns to get back on track. Not a biggie, as I had some room to spare and I knew my steady highway driving would provide me some added driving time. I arrived at the Chateau Montebello with 14 km to spare and a chance to relax and marvel at the stunning Chateau.

Day 2 – Montebello, QC to Saint-Eustache, QC

After a night of shenanigans and rest, I set my sights on the Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv for the drive from Montebello to Blainville. 

The Mazda CX-5 was the first Mazda vehicle to offer Skyactiv technology. There’s a lot of talk about Skyactiv, but most don’t have a clue what it is. It’s a new way of thinking by Mazda as they make use of technology, redesigned suspensions and lighter materials to increase the compression ratio to 14.0 to 1. The result being a much more fuel-efficient gas-vehicle that doesn’t bleed your money dry. 

Mazda chose their 2.0L engine in manual mode for the event that puts out 155 hp and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. The manual version is rated at 5.7L/100 km on the highway and I’m happy to report that according to AJAC’s numbers I posted a 5.71L/100 km on the 90 km trip from Chateau Montebello to the PMG facilities in Blainville. I originally thought I was driving in the mid-7 range, but realized I must have not re-set the previous numbers. That seems about right coming from me. It’s amazing to see that sometimes those fuel-economy numbers are really accurate!

As we entered the PMG facilities, PIT (Performance Innovation Transport) was having their fifth anniversary celebration. Part of the celebration was a technology fair that included tire companies, breathalyzer test devices (not for us) and pure energy transport vehicles to name a few. You could also try out a truck simulator or go on a bus tour (more of a talk on a stationary bus) of PMG’s oval track where they test out their trucks. In the end, it was an educational experience and a true showcase of new automotive technologies for the present and future.

The fun didn’t stop there as we were treated to a backstage viewing of PMG’s crash-test area. The security was tight and we weren’t allowed to take pictures or video, but we were able to witness a demo crash with a family of four crash-test dummies inside. It was a head-on collision with a Ford Fiesta at 80km/h that led to a massive thud. We assessed the damage that seemed minimal for the passengers, but for some reason they never described the outcome. Oh well off to the next venture…

We left the PMG facilities to head to our hotel in Saint-Eustache. For this short trip of 16 kms, I was given the opportunity to drive the brand-new Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid. This version of the Accord is not available in Canada at the present time, so I was lucky enough to be able to see what it had to offer. 

To give you some details on the Accord Plug-in Hybrid, it’s powered by Honda’s first two-motor hybrid system using Honda’s new Earth Dreams 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with a 124-kW electric motor, as well as an electric drive coming from a 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery for a total system output of 196 hp. The Accord Plug-in Hybrid just about showcases what the Eco Drive is all about.

Unfortunately, we were in stop-and-go traffic on the Quebec highway, so it wasn’t much fun or testing going on. The Accord Plug-in Hybrid was very quiet and smooth throughout the drive. I can definitely say the brakes worked very well and stopped on a dime when needed all 120 times I practiced that motion.

Day 3 – Saint-Eustache, QC to Montréal, QC

This was the shortest day of the Eco Run that saw us go from our hotel in Saint-Eustache to Montréal’s École Polytechnique workshop. It was another chance for me to test out Mazda’s Skyactiv technology in their new Mazda6.

The new Mazda6 is all-around extraordinary, especially the interior, but that’s for a different article. Its new 2.5L L4 SKYACTIV-G engine didn’t use all of its 184 hp on this trip, but you knew it was there when needed. This Mazda6 also uses an i-ELOOP energy recovery system that stores wasted energy while coasting or braking – perfect for the Eco Run.

I ended up achieving 5.28L/100 km on a drive where I was trying to get to the school at a little bit of a quicker pace as I had to leave right after. I utilized all of my eco-driving tools, but increased my usual highway speeds from 90km to 100km still reaching my destination with great fuel economy scores.

In Conclusion

The AJAC Eco Run 2.0 from Ottawa to Montréal was another success story. It was a great showcase for all of the various types of fuel-efficient vehicles that are offered. I only tested out 5 of the 22 vehicles, but in those five I got to experience a diesel, a pure electric, a plug-in hybrid and the innovative Skyactiv technology in both SUV and sedan form. 

The technologies utilized today coupled with a better eco-friendly driving technique can help sustain our environment and that was the purpose of this mission. If you took something out of this write-up or the Eco Run in general, I’ve done my part to spread the word. If you’re looking for more information about the various fuel-efficient models in the Eco Run or the technologies in them feel free to contact that respective manufacturer and they will assist you with any questions you have. For now – drive safe and think twice before you aggressively accelerate off that line!

NEW YORK - New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow vision is about to be realized in just a few months. Later this fall, the all-new and completely redesigned taxis are due on the city's streets.

This comes just two years after global car maker Nissan won a bid to redesign and supply the New York City fleet of cabs. Since then the company has been singularly focused on perfecting the vehicle for passengers, drivers, and owners.

Recently the final official milestone meetings for key stakeholders took place in Manhattan. It was a chance for the Taxi & Limousine Commission, drivers and inspectors to react to the Taxi of Tomorrow prototype before production starts.

This meeting, like the many before it, was designed to further refine the vehicle before it is put into service for the more than 600,000 people who hail a cab in NYC each year.

"Seeing the knobs and buttons put in place, seeing the screen where it is, seeing the whole thing come to life is really exciting. And that was just sitting in the back seat. When we started rolling, it really came to life," said Andrew Salkin, deputy commissioner operations, NYC Department of Finance.

Nissan says that from powertrain, to chassis, to interior fit and finish, the Taxi of Tomorrow demonstrates the type of innovative spirit that goes into all Nissan vehicles, on the city streets of New York and around the world.

I had the pleasure of being invited to an exclusive media day session for kartSTART, an exciting one day driving course involving go-karts. I heard about this place before, but it’s not that often I go-kart.

The invitation read that kids over eight-years-old are welcome, so I was excited to ask some family members who can share in this unique family experience. My nine-year-old cousin, Jacob was the perfect candidate, as I just heard he started go-karting just a month prior. It didn’t take long to get a response that he and his dad were in and we were all pumped to go!

What I was most enthusiastic about was for kartSTART to provide Jacob with essential driving tools to better his driving performances when he goes racing. Kids like to race in go-karts, but in most cases they don’t have the patience to learn what racing line to take, how to use the chicanes to their fullest and adopt an overall proper driving technique.

Not a big surprise, but we were one of the first groups to arrive that Sunday morning to the event held at Sunset Speedway in Innisfil, Ontario. The hosts led by director and owner of the program, Russ Bond and PR director and performance driving instructor, Juliana Chiovitti greeted us and brought us in to their lounge area for some much needed coffee and breakfast before the learning session. Waiting for us there were brand-new and shiny kartStart racing suits – a nice break from sweaty used ones!

Russ Bond took control from there and preached safety through education. The plan was to start with the go-karts in the morning learning the proper way to drive without anti-lock brakes (ABS) or traction control. “If you don’t spin, you’re not testing the go-Kart,” Bond said. 

After that the program shifts its focus to the adults in actual Toyota vehicles to learn about Toyota’s STAR safety systems. The kartSTART program is supported by Toyota, so it only made sense to bring out the Highlander and Avalon for their demonstrations.

Let’s get back to the go-karting…

We were separated into two groups and led out to the Sunset Speedway track for three different racing sessions. I was happy to hear we were all going to participate and test our skills out. 

Helmets were on, we were strapped in the go-karts and ready for some action. Jacob followed a lead instructor around showing him the correct racing lines, braking points and cornering positions on a slower first lap pace to get the feel of the track. With each session, Jacob had more freedom to have at it and that he did. For a nine-year-old he impressed the driving instructors and in particular Mr. Bond…I had to say it once. Jacob never spun out and turned those corners like a pro. Sometimes all you need is that little extra guidance along the way to better your driving techniques.

Like any kid, Jacob wanted to race more and wasn’t satisfied with just the three sessions, heck, I wasn’t either, but it was lunch time and soon time to get educated on Toyota’s safety features. 

Toyota has been a leader in safety, which is at the top-of-the-wish list for any family buying a vehicle. They have plenty of safety features such as vehicle stability control, traction control, electronic brake force, but for our demonstrations we would be focusing on ABS and Smart Stop Technology (SST) in the Toyota Highlander. 

After a brief talk by Bond – we all knew the key would be in the demonstrations, so we headed back to the track. The ABS was tested first at a speed of 65 km/h and they worked perfectly stopping in 1-2 seconds inside of the hand-made braking zone. You never know what can happen out there on the road and it’s nice to see that the ABS can save you some costly damages or worse.

The next step was a bit different and one I’ve never experienced before. That was Toyota’s advanced SST system that reduces engine power when both the accelerator and brake pedals are simultaneously pressed and if you press it long enough the vehicle will come to a quick and complete stop. Not that you really want to do this on the road, but it actually works even at 55 km/h and brakes at a much smoother pace than pounding the brakes on the ABS test. In real life terms, SST can be a useful tool for drivers that need to shift from braking to acceleration when climbing a steep hill to avoid any rollback. 

kartSTART provided a great experience for the whole family and at the end of the day, we all took some knowledge with us whether it was from the go-karts or Toyota’s STAR safety features. If you’re looking for some family fun and something unique – I would definitely recommend the kartSTART program. It has something for everyone and can provide your child or teenager with their first driving experience that they will always remember. You never know if you start them young, they could turn out to be the next James Hinchcliffe.

To try out the kartSTART program, go to kartstart.ca and register.

Here’s the 2013 program schedule that begins July 16th.

2013 Program Schedule

ATLANTA, GA - The Porsche 911 resolves apparent contradictions like no other sports car – such as between tradition and innovation or between exclusivity and high social acceptance, and of course between performance and efficiency. And so, Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 911 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt with a special anniversary model based on the 911 Carrera S: like the original 911, the 911 50th Anniversary Edition is a coupe with a flat-six rear engine and rear wheel drive. Its efficient performance, active sport suspension – and special body have current relevancy: the anniversary 911 features the wide body, which is typically reserved for the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 models. This special edition will be limited to 1963 cars, a number that represents the year of the 911 world premiere.

For the US market, the 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be equipped as standard with a Powerkit, which increases engine performance to 430 hp and includes the Sport Chrono Package.  The 911 50th Anniversary Edition sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds (3.8 with PDK) and can reach a top speed of 186 mph (185 with PDK). The limited edition models will be available at Porsche dealers this fall and will be priced from $124,100, not including a $950 destination charge.

Porsche will present the limited edition model in time for the 50th anniversary of the 911 at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt, which opens its gates to the public on September 12, 2013. In 1963, Porsche presented the original model to the public at this leading international show for the automotive industry. Since its first presentation – initially as the type 901 – the sports car icon has excited automotive fans across the globe, and today it is considered the reference for all other sports cars. Since making its debut in 1963, the model series has progressively developed without interruption. In the process, the unique character of the 911 was always preserved. The result of this evolution over a 50-year period – which included countless race victories as well – is a sports car that fully embodies the authenticity of the Porsche brand. Its DNA is reflected in all Porsche models.

This limited edition of the 911 Carrera S includes features that have contributed to the 50-year success story of the 911. For example, the limited edition includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with special tuning to complement its increased track width and to add support to the exceptional cornering dynamics of the 911. The sport exhaust system outputs a fitting emotional sound. Special 20-inch wheels are a visual tribute to the legendary "Fuchs" wheels and are finished in matte black paint with machine-polished centers. Chrome trim strips on the front air inlets, the fins of the engine compartment grille and the panel between the rear lights emphasize the distinctive appearance of this limited edition model. Another technical highlight of the car's equipment is the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) with bi-xenon headlights and dynamic cornering lights.

Two unique colors are available for the anniversary 911, a darker graphite grey and a lighter geyser grey metallic. In addition black monochrome is also available. Each of the cars has a two-tone 3D-effect badge on the rear lid with the numbers "911 50". This is repeated in three color embroidery on the headrest and in two colors as a logo on the tachometer and the aluminum door sill plates. It can also be found on the cup holder panel together with the limited edition number of the individual vehicle. Other exterior characteristics of the special model are high-gloss window frames and sport design exterior mirrors on the doors panels.

There are tributes to the original 911 in the interior as well: green labeling on the instruments with white pointer needles and silver caps on the instrument pivot pins, just like 50 years ago. Another special feature is the center panels of the leather seats, which are designed with a fabric pattern reminiscent of the "Pepita" tartan design from the 1960s. The full-leather interior is designed in agate grey or black with decorative stitching, some in contrasting color. The driver and front passenger experience typical 911 driving fun in 14-way sport seats or optional 18-way sport seats plus. The gear shift or selector lever – which matches the decorative panels on the dashboard, doors and center console in brushed aluminum – comes from the Porsche Exclusive program.

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) is poised and ready to hold its second annual Eco Run this week from June 4th to 6th. Last year, AJAC ventured through Ontario from Brighton to London, but this year the drive will go from the nation’s capital of Ottawa into the province of Quebec eventually ending in Montreal.

The Eco Run is a driving campaign that follows a specific route showcasing different technologies in the automotive industry. There are 22 vehicles involved that range from pure electric vehicles to hybrids to diesel engines and more with the purpose of creating fuel-efficiency awareness and providing consumers with objective research. The range of vehicles will allow consumers to learn about alternative, more fuel-efficient vehicles and gain insight on which type of vehicle can suit their needs.

The Eco Run is not all about cars. The other aspect of the experience is learning how to drive more fuel efficiently. There’s no race involved, but there will be a green jersey competition between the 22 AJAC drivers involved in the event, similar to the yellow jacket in the Tour de France cycling event. The green jersey will be awarded to the driver who exemplifies the best eco-friendly driving.

Stay tuned throughout the week for more info on the AJAC Eco Run through our twitter handle @thedrivermag and @david_miller11.

Here’s the list of the vehicles involved in the Eco Run:

Ford Focus EV

Ford Fusion Energi

Ford C-MAX Hybrid

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid

Mazda3 SkyActiv

Mazda6 SkyActiv

Mazda CX-5

Mitsubishi I-MiEV

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Dodge Ram 1500 HFE

Infiniti M35 Hybrid

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Chevrolet Volt

Smart ForTwo electric 

Mercedes-Benz B250

Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC

Lexus ES 300h

Toyota Prius v

Kia Rio 5-Door LX + Eco

Subaru Forester

TORONTO - The governing Liberals are allowing auto insurers to raise rates even though they promised to reduce premiums across the province, the New Democrats charged Tuesday.

Dozens of drivers have contacted the New Democrats to complain that their rates have jumped, said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

They include Susan Wright, whose premiums are going up more than 30 per cent, even though her driving record hasn't changed, she said.

"Here we have a provincial government claiming that they're interested in getting rates down by 15 per cent, but they're allowing the insurance industry to jack up the rates by over 30 per cent," Horwath said.

"You can see how the math works on this. The drivers of Ontario are once again being abandoned by the Liberal government."

The Liberals promised in the May 2 budget to lower auto insurance premiums by 15 per cent on average across the province after the NDP demanded a cut.

But Wright, 57, said the cost to insure her family's 2006 Cadillac and 2012 Kia Soul — which covers two drivers and two occasional drivers ages 19 and 27 — recently went up from $3,612 to $4,867.

She said she's lived in Brampton for 47 years and used the same insurance company for 20 years. She has no driving convictions or claims history, Wright said. Nothing had changed.

The only difference is that she no longer has home insurance with the company, but that shouldn't account for such a large increase, she said.

"I was flabbergasted. I just couldn't believe it," said Wright.

"And of course I thought it was coincidental with the recent information of a reduction coming. So I just called and wanted more information about why, but didn't get satisfactory answers."

When she spoke to her insurance agent, he told her that there were "increases across the board" and that he's been "dealing with a lot of screaming people over the phone," she said.

Wright, who is retired and whose husband is planning to retire, said she can't afford the monthly increase.

"It makes a dramatic impact," she said.

Rates overall have gone down 0.3 per cent on average year-over-year, said Finance Minister Charles Sousa. The government and the insurance industry are also working to lower costs by clamping down on fraud.

He bristled at the NDP's accusations that he wasn't serious about reducing rates.

"Of course we're committed; we put it in the budget," he said in the legislature.

"We made it clear that that's exactly what we want to do. We've already assessed the fact that rates have gone down on average, not up."

Insurance companies have to apply for an overall rate increase to the provincial regulator, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

The Liberals have promised to expand the regulator's investigation and enforcement authority to ensure that insurance companies are passing on their savings to drivers.

They would have the authority to license and oversee health clinics and practitioners who bill insurers to help crack down on fraud, which the insurance industry says is the main driver of high rates.

Sousa has said the draft legislation would also require insurers to offer lower premiums to people with safe driving records.

He expects the measures will reduce the average annual premium per vehicle by $225, but Sousa has acknowledged that some regions in the province won't see as much of a reduction as others.

"The insurance companies have to apply for rate increases, and that's not happening because we made it clear we want to find reductions going forward," Sousa said Tuesday.

With today’s release of the sixth version of the Fast and Furious series, Dodge is hoping to use the movie to help sell its new Dodge Dart. 

How is this you ask?

Through a commercial that showcases the Dodge Dart along with some action scenes from the Fast and Furious movie. A little strange given that the Dart doesn’t make an appearance in the movie, but they feel that they can grab the attention of that young, mostly male audience. 

In the United States, the Dart got off to a slow start, but showed promise at the end of the year and has shown continued progress at the start of 2013. In Canada, Dart sales totaled 3,460 last year and have also seen a surge in sales in the new year. 

”Dodge Dart sales really gave us a boost this month as well, more than doubling our February sales,” said Dave Buckingham, Chrysler Canada chief operating officer.

I guess when there’s so much hype and promise for a new launch, expectations might be falsely high. The Dart is in a packed compact segment that features the likes of the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Mazda3, among many others. It’s just going to take some time for consumers to get comfortable with the Dart after a seven-year Chrysler hiatus from the compact sedan segment. Perhaps this commercial and other movie tie-in marketing ventures can help push the Dart swiftly up the ladder. We will soon find out.

OTTAWA, ON - A growing number of Canada's car dealers are removing fuel-efficiency labels that the industry agreed to display on each vehicle under a voluntary deal reached with Ottawa 15 years ago.

A survey of almost 600 dealerships across the country found that the labels were attached to only 63 per cent of the new vehicles on outdoor lots.

And vehicles displayed in dealer showrooms had the labels affixed just 43 per cent of the time. Some high-end models — BMW and Rolls-Royce, for example — had a zero compliance rate.

The poor showing comes as Natural Resources Canada conducts a review of the voluntary label program for new vehicles, under the brand EnerGuide, including a proposal that it be made mandatory.

The survey of 592 new-car dealerships in 33 large cities was carried out earlier this year by Posterity Group Consulting Inc. under a $113,000 government contract.

The EnerGuide label program for vehicles was launched in 1998 to help consumers make informed choices about the fuel efficiency of new passenger cars, vans and light-duty trucks.

The labels are attached by manufacturers, indicating the number of litres of fuel needed to travel 100 kilometres, and showing the difference between city and highway driving.

The program requires manufacturers to test fuel efficiency of various models under government-approved procedures and standards.

Posterity's final report, delivered in late March, was obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

Posterity found that some dealers removed the manufacturers' EnerGuide labels because they also included the retail price. Others tore them off because of "aesthetics," while some said the labels affixed to the windshield were "impeding" drivers' vision during test drives.

Many others who pulled them off claimed the labels gave inaccurate or misleading information about fuel-efficiency.

"At some dealerships, EnerGuide labels were missing due to the errors discovered in the mileage estimates claimed by these manufacturers," says the report.

"Ten makes had compliance rates of zero per cent, including Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mini and Rolls-Royce."

A spokesman for the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, representing 3,250 dealerships selling 22 brands, said the poor compliance rate across the country was no surprise.

"These things are less and less relevant," chief economist Michael Hatch said in an interview. "The paper label is decreasingly relevant for consumers."

Apart from price, the most important specification for new-vehicle buyers today is fuel efficiency, Hatch said. And most consumers walking into a showroom have done extensive homework online, unlike in 1998 when there were fewer options for obtaining timely data.

"The world has changed," Hatch said.

Natural Resources plans to radically revamp the label program, with a label redesign, new information on carbon dioxide and smog emissions, and special labels for electric vehicles.

The current fuel-consumption label "does not provide Canadians with the information they need to compare the energy, environmental, and financial costs and benefits of different vehicle choices," the department says.

A new fuel-efficiency testing regime would also expand to include air-conditioner usage, cold temperature operation and higher speeds with faster acceleration.

"For most vehicles, consumption will increase by about 15 per cent," spokesman Guillaume Berube said in an email.

The department is also considering making the new EnerGuide label regime mandatory for the 2016 model year.

Hatch says his group is opposed to mandatory labelling, given that consumers have many other ways to acquire relevant information about new vehicles.

"It's kind of an old-school solution to a problem that in our view doesn't exist," he said. "It's just another layer of red tape."

Hatch's group has no objection to retaining an improved paper label, but does not want regulations requiring them.

Berube says the department has received 168 submissions on the proposed changes, including a requirement to colour them blue.

He said he could not provide a timeline for eventual changes, but the department's regulatory notice says a voluntary system would have to be in place by December this year to catch the 2016 model year.

If a mandatory system is chosen, proposed regulations would be published next year, says the notice.

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Nissan today announced Canadian pricing for the all-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note line-up that will boast segment-first features like AroundView® Monitor, best-in-class cargo space and exceptional fuel economy. With a starting MSRP of just $13,348 CDN and available features like Bluetooth®, leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls, cruise control and Nissan’s Divide N’ Hide® Storage System, the Versa Note is sure to be a big hit in the Canadian market. 

Also available on the all-new Versa Note is Nissan’s exclusive NissanConnect with Navigation system, offering real-time traffic and weather information, Google™ Send-to-Car, Google™ Points of Interest, Bluetooth® streaming audio and hands-free text messaging, perfect for staying connected safely, while on the road.

“The Versa Note is designed to stir the emotions but priced to appease our rational sides – it’s really going to shake up the sub-compact segment,” said Brian Thomas, Director of Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc. “More and more Canadians are looking for a car that is affordable, compact and fuel efficient but also provides the technology and convenience features needed to fit their lives. With the Versa Note, they can now have it all.”

The second-generation hatchback offers smart packaging and features unexpected in the class. In addition to the new Versa Note’s extensive list of standard equipment, two special equipment packages are offered, including the Convenience Package (available on SV models) which includes a RearView Monitor, rear tonneau cover and Divide N’ Hide® adjustable storage system, USB input with iPod® control, SiriusXM Satellite radio and a 5 inch audio display screen  – all for just $680.

The Technology Package (available on SL models) is priced at $720 and includes AroundView Monitor®, NissanConnect with Navigation, 5.8 inch colour touch screen, XM Satellite with XM Nav Traffic and a USB input for iPod® and other devices. This package creates a technology-packed top model and at just $19,018, represents a ten per cent price advantage for consumers when compared to last year.

When it goes on sale this June at Nissan dealers across Canada, the all-new Versa Note will be available in nine well-equipped models designed to appeal to a broad range of buyer needs and budgets. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the 2014 Nissan Versa Note are as follows:

Versa Note 1.6 S, MT   $13,348 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 S, CVT  $14,648 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SV, MT  $14,998 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SV, MT, Convenience  $15,678 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SV, CVT  $16,298 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SV, CVT, Convenience  $16,978 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SL, MT  $16,998 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SL, CVT  $18,298 CDN

Versa Note 1.6 SL, CVT, Technology  $19,018 CDN