CarsBikesBoatsNews

"Alternative Fuels" apps from Iconosys give you a GPS guide to find refueling locations along your travel routes.

February 2012 - Iconosys, Inc., a leader in mobile safety communication and life-style applications, recently announced the release of a suite of four new "Alternative Fuels" directory apps, designed to empower you and your family to do your part to fight our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

"Alternative fuels" are vehicle fuels that aren't made from petroleum. There are many kinds of fuels that vehicles can run on that are not made from petroleum. Indeed, the United States Department of Energy officially recognizes following list of alternative fuels:

• Alcohols - ethanol and methanol.
• Compressed natural gas (CNG) - natural gas under high pressure.
• Electricity - stored in batteries.
• Hydrogen - a very special type of gas.
• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) - natural gas that is very, very cold.
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (also called propane) - hydrocarbon gases under low pressure.
• Liquids made from coal - gasoline and diesel fuel that doesn't come from petroleum.
• Biodiesel - a lot like diesel fuel, but made from plant oil or animal fat.

Read more

Strategic Alliance will Offer Lead-acid Customers Lithium-based Solutions

Sept. 20, 2011 –

Key Highlights:

• Industry leaders, Trojan Battery Company and Palladium Energy, form strategic alliance to develop lithium-based battery packs.
• The partnership will offer Trojan’s lead-acid customers lithium-based solutions in a variety of form factors to address specific portable and backup power application requirements.
• The strategic alliance will expand market opportunities for both companies, including renewable energy, golf and recreational vehicles and more.

Trojan Battery Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, and Palladium Energy, a leading manufacturer of custom lithium-based battery packs, have formed a strategic alliance to develop clean energy battery solutions for a broad range of industries. Together, the companies will explore the development of lithium-based battery packs for use in Trojan’s key market segments, which include renewable energy, golf, transportation, floor machine, aerial work platform, marine and recreational vehicles.

This strategic partnership enables Trojan to expand its portfolio of battery offerings to meet evolving customer demands for applications requiring lithium-based technology. The combination of Palladium’s expertise in cell technology, design engineering and testing with Trojan’s more than 85 years of lead-acid battery engineering capabilities enhances collaborative efforts to develop lithium-based battery packs under the Trojan brand. Read more

New models integrate exciting connectivity features at lower price points

Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony is expanding its mobile audio lineup with eight new in-dash CD receivers. The new models range from entry-level units to advanced receivers and digital media players that offer SiriusXM satellite radio and Pandora internet radio connectivity in the car.

"Consumers want their audio choices personalized to match their individual needs and preferences, especially while they are in their cars," said Mike Kahn, director of the Audio Product Division at Sony Electronics. "Sony is redefining content selection in the car. Whether someone wants convenient access to commercial-free music and sports, news, talk and entertainment from SiriusXM, music discovery services like Pandora or iPod and iPhone compatibility, we now have a solution at lower prices than ever before: We now offer SiriusXM compatibility from as low as $90 SRP and Pandora compatibility from as low as $130 SRP."

Universal SiriusXM Satellite Connectivity

Four of the new models (CDX-GT565UP, CDX-GT660UP, CDX-360MP, CDX-GT56UI) feature SiriusXM compatibility, using the new SXV100 SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner Kit (sold separately, XM subscription required). The compact SiriusXM vehicle tuner has a simple connection, providing integration of SiriusXM in an inexpensive and easy-to-install package. The SiriusXM vehicle tuner also provides numerous new features including the ability for listeners to pause and rewind live SiriusXM satellite radio.Read more

ZoomSafer Launches Free Beta Version of Bluetooth-Integrated Safe Driving Software

July 9, 2010--ZoomSafer, the leading provider of policy software to prevent consumer and corporate motorists from texting and emailing while driving, just launched the public beta of its newest smartphone application. This newest version of ZoomSafer is the world's first safe driving software to integrate with in-vehicle Bluetooth technologies to automatically activate/deactivate "safe drive mode" on a user's smartphone whenever he or she powers on/off his or her in-vehicle Bluetooth device.

"After extensive development and testing, we're excited to offer a new version of our ZoomSafer app that uses Bluetooth technology to determine when the user is driving, thus keeping people safer on the road with zero incremental drain on their mobile phone batteries."Read more

~ Lifetime Features Deliver the Most Up-To-Date Maps; Help Drivers Steer Clear of Traffic ~

March 30, 2010--TomTom today announces the availability of a wide range of TomTom devices offering Lifetime Map Updates and Lifetime Traffic Updates. These new features empower users with the accuracy of TomTom's most up-to-date maps, as well as real-time traffic information that helps them avoid traffic delays and other hassles on the road. At no extra cost, customers will receive these updates for the useful life of the device.

"This feature, in conjunction with TomTom's Lifetime Traffic Updates, offers our customers the assurance that they will always have the industry’s most accurate maps and the real-time traffic information they need for hassle-free navigation."Read more

Sienna is styled, developed and assembled in the U.S.

January 20, 2010 – Production of the all-new 2011 Sienna minivan is underway at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, Ind. Fully redesigned to meet the needs of consumers, the new Sienna was styled at Toyota's Calty Design Research Center in Newport Beach, Calif., and developed at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Production of the new Sienna, as well as Highlander production that began last October, is welcome news for the Indiana plant as it was underutilized during the current economic downturn.Read more

Latest hybrid pedal assist eBike offers regenerative braking and coasting, efficiently managing energy and allowing a smooth, comfortable ride (at up to 40 miles per charge)

January 7, 2010 – SANYO today unveiled its eneloop bike (a hybrid pedal assist electric bicycle) to the United States mass market at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, with this "Synergetic Hybrid Bicycle" as its initial model for the U.S.

SANYO's eneloop bike was selected as a "Best of Innovations" award winner by the Consumer Electronics Association for CES 2010 and received the highest overall score in the Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology category.

Introduced by SANYO in Japan in December 2008, the eneloop bike is a 26-inch, three-speed regenerative, pedal-assist hybrid electric bicycle. As such, riders can propel the eneloop bike under their own power or can engage the bike’s motor and electrical system to pedal in one of three assist modes – standard, power-up or auto – where the front hub-based motor helps the bicycle and rider travel forward. Read more

October 26, 2009--Belkin International, Inc., just initiated a voluntary global product recall of its TuneBase Direct with Hands-Free, TuneBase FM with Hands-Free, and TuneBase FM with ClearScan (model numbers listed below).

Belkin has identified that a component of the TuneBase, the washer, may cause an electrical short circuit when plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter. The washer is a circular, black, plastic unit situated at the tip of the TuneBase’s cigarette lighter adapter. After a rigorous investigation, Belkin has determined that under certain conditions of heat, humidity, and prolonged periods of power-on (e.g., when the TuneBase is left plugged in overnight), some units with the washer have shown potential to smoke or pose a risk of fire. Read more

September 21, 2009--Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today releases its first iPhone application created for use with Pioneer's new AVIC-U310BT and AVIC-Z110BT in-dash navigation systems. Pioneer's AVIC FEEDS App establishes a link between the Apple and Pioneer products, letting iPhone owners find points of interest or search for destinations ahead of time on their phone and easily access them via Bluetooth from their Pioneer navigation systems. This eliminates the need to jot down or manually enter address information into the Pioneer unit and allows drivers to receive convenient turn-by-turn voice guidance while still being able to use their iPhone for other purposes. Through independent research, Pioneer discovered that a significant percentage – more than 22 percent – of registered Pioneer navigation system owners also own and use an Apple iPhone.

"We are continually looking for ways to enhance a driver's experience by providing high quality navigation and entertainment products that incorporate convenience and safety features," said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the mobile business group of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "After researching what technologies and consumer electronics products our registered owners embrace, we identified a natural opportunity to integrate the features and functions of our navigation systems with Apple’s iPhone." Read more

• Hybrid Car for Forward-Thinking Luxury Consumers, to Start at $34,200
• Best Combined EPA MPG Rating of Any Luxury Vehicle in the U.S.
• 70 Percent Fewer Smog-Forming Emissions Than the Average New Car
• First Vehicle to Offer Lexus Enform with Safety Connect

July 20, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus just announced the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the new HS 250h hybrid, which has the best combined EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the U.S.

The 2010 HS 250h, Lexus' first dedicated hybrid and the fourth offering in its lineup, is available in standard and Premium models. The standard version will have an MSRP of $34,200, while the Premium model will carry an MSRP of $36,970. They will arrive at dealerships in late August. The MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.Read more