Notable cars
Cars.com recently announced the winners of its annual Best of Awards. The company awarded vehicles across six different categories, including Eco-Friendly Car of the Year, Family Car of the Year, Luxury Car of the Year, Play Car of the Year, Best Pickup Truck of 2017 and Best of 2017. Cars were tested for three key criteria – quality, innovation and value – to determine the winners. In addition, Cars.com traditionally has purchased the winner of its Best of Award to perform extensive testing throughout a full year of ownership. This year’s winners include:
- Best of 2017: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
- Best Pickup Truck of 2017: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
- Eco- Friendly Car of the Year: 2017 Toyota Prius.
- Family Car of the Year: 2017 Nissan Rogue
- Luxury Car of the Year: 2017 BMW 7 Series
- Play Car of the Year: 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Six simple questions
The non-profit Car Care Council recommends asking six simple questions to help identify the right auto repair shop to properly care for your car:
- Does the business employ ASE-certified technicians? Credentials and affiliations are indicators of professionalism and the management’s commitment to training and education.
- Is the shop and customer waiting area clean and organized? Cleanliness and organization are signs of a well-run business.
- Are customers greeted and treated in a friendly and respectful manner? Many auto repair businesses excel in the area of customer service and satisfaction. A simple phone call to the shop to inquire about their services can give you a glimpse of how they treat customers.
- Does the business provide a written estimate? The business should complete a written estimate and request your signature prior to starting any repairs on your car.
- Does the business offer a warranty? Most auto repair businesses offer a warranty on parts and labor. The warranty typically is in writing or posted in the waiting area.
- Does the business provide a list of satisfied customers or references? Satisfied customers and recommendations from family, friends and neighbors can be helpful in finding a good shop. Many auto repair facilities also have company websites, which often include testimonials and additional information about the business.
For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org.
Autonomous car boom
It appears there’s no stopping the autonomous car industry. In fact, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute recently announced that five cities throughout the world – Helsinki, Finland; London, England; São Paulo, Brazil; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Washington, D.C., U.S.A., – have joined its global initiative to help city leaders plan and prepare for the emergence of autonomous vehicles. The multi-city cohort is tasked with producing a set of principles and tools that cities around the world can use to chart their own paths forward with the new technology. Together, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute are expected to generate cutting-edge data to help city leaders consider the many ways this technology could solve chronic urban challenges and improve the lives of citizens. To create a cross-sector public dialogue, the initiative will also convene leading experts across a wide range of practice areas to help cities explore the intersections of autonomous vehicles with various policies and issues, from potential opportunities for those with mobile challenges, to the potential obstacles autonomous vehicles pose to public transportation.
Digital license plates
The first interactive digital license plate, created by Reviver, recently debuted at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The smart device is an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, said to offer a wide range of opportunities for applications, including DMV registration automation, hyper-local messaging, telematics and vehicle management. For instance, the license plate displays hyper-local targeted messages to a captive audience when a vehicle is legally parked in any location. Messages on the rPlate candynamically change, based ongeo-location configuration, in and out of a dealership’s prime marketing area. Reviver has also incorporated programminginto its digital display for emergencybroadcasts, such as extreme weather warnings and Amber Alerts, as well as VIN-specificrecall notifications. The rPlate can alsoautomate the paymentof tollroad charges, parking fees and much more. The rPlate houses a GPS, accelerometer, RF sensors, CAN bus access and storage, and is designed to withstand all weather and extreme conditions. The rPlate’s display is the same size as a standard state license plate, and its anti-reflective screen is said to be legible in all weather conditions. For more information visit www.reviver.io.
Plan your route
MapQuest (mapquest) recently announced the re-launch of Route Planner, a patented technology designed to simplify the process of creating, optimizing and manipulating complex routes with multiple stops. Route Planner is designed to create a route of up to 26 stops and optimize for either the shortest time or the most direct distance, making it an appealing feature for small businesses in industries such as healthcare, delivery and shipping, real estate, home maintenance, supply/parts, government and sales. Route Planner is said to be able to:
- Easily import addresses from external sources, such as Excel and CSV.
- Optimize routes for either the shortest time or the most direct distance.
- Control routes and the order of stops.
- Get step-by-step directions, including estimated time for each leg of a trip and gas mileage reimbursement rates.
- Select advanced route options that avoid highways or tolls.
- Send routes via text or email or open in MapQuest mobile apps for turn-by-turn navigation.