Author archives: Green Gal

Green cars are not typically known for their cool factors, but there are some that are actually pretty stylish. Mix pious intentions with dreary mechanical bits and then stir in some driving misery, and the result is a “green car.” Green not in the color of its paint, but in…

Sales of Toyota’s hybrid Prius have reportedly dropped alongside gas prices, which aligns with findings in a recent Automotive News. The report shows that consumers may have short memories, falling prices at the pump are already cutting into hybrid and plug-in sales, and Americans are starting to buy more trucks…

The state of California tops the charts for most plug-in cars. More than 100,000 rechargeable cars have been sold in California over the last four years, representing about 40 percent of the domestic plug-in market. Sales of hybrid and battery-only cars in the Golden State totaled 102,440 in the period from…

A new study claims that if you drive a convertible you are probably highly educated and making lots of money.  If you do drive a convertible the  chances are good then that you are an affluent baby boomer with at least a bachelor’s degree. Oh, and your ragtop of choice is…

After using coconuts, soy, rice hulls and recycled blue jeans, Ford has found another unexpected material that it can use to make car parts. It’s a byproduct in the production of ketchup. Ford says it has a deal with H.J. Heinz to use study whether the stuff left over from…

Authorities cited distracted driving as the cause of more than 3,300 deaths nationwide in 2012, the latest year available, and thousands more injuries. Despite media attention and public outcry asking drivers not to text and drive, distracted driving continues to be a major cause of motor accidents. Surveys show that…

U.S. auto sales picked up steam halfway through March and ended strong with an increase of 6%.  That may not seem like huge growth. But after a 3% decline in January and a flat result in February, any sign of momentum is a good one for the industry. Coming after…

In a car, power sources like electricity and natural gas seem threatening. Once you look into it, you’ll find these alternatives are not necessarily more dangerous. But they do raise different concerns than do gasoline engines. Crash tests More than safety features, crash tests are the best way to gauge…

President Barack Obama’s support for the 2009 auto industry bailout turned out to be critical to his successful re-election bid. And with Obama re-elected, at least one segment of the industry is breathing a bit easier, as manufacturers of so-called “green” cars count on continued support in the form of…