Flying cars could become a thing
Uber has scaled back some of its most ambitious high-tech programs, including its air mobility business, reports NBC News. But interest in flying cars and taxicabs continues nevertheless. In December, Uber offloaded Uber Elevate, its air taxi operation. Joby Aviation of California will take over Elevate as part of a deal in which Uber will invest $75 million in the startup. Meanwhile, Hyundai and Toyota are ramping up their air mobility plans. In October, Hyundai said it would set up a separate unit to develop a complete lineup of airborne products. Meanwhile, Toyota is backing Cartivator Resource Management, which had been planning to demonstrate a single-seat flying car during the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, which have been delayed until next year. Still unanswered: Where will they park???
Edmunds recently revealed its top rated cars, trucks and SUVs for 2021. Among the winners:
- Top rated SUV: Kia Telluride
- Top rated luxury SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLE
- Top rated truck: Ford F150
- Top rated sports car: Chevrolet Corvette
- Top rated EV: Tesla Model 3
- Top rated luxury EV: Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Top rated sedan: Kia 5
- Top rated luxury sedan: Mercedes Benz E-Class
Manufacturers improve headlight offerings
Several manufacturers improved their 2021 headlight offerings by eliminating or modifying inferior choices, according to new ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Since 2020, vehicles have only been able to qualify for the higher of the Institute’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards if they come equipped with good or acceptable headlights across all trims. (Many manufacturers have historically sold models with several different headlight systems of varying quality.) The 10 car models to be recognized are the Audi A7, Honda Accord, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Altima, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Volvo S60, Volvo XC40 and Volvo XC60. The Institute rates headlights on the distance that their low beams and high beams illuminate straight and curved roads. On a straightaway, good-rated low beams illuminate the right side of the road ahead to at least 325 feet. Poor ones might light up 220 feet or even less. IIHS engineers also deduct points for headlights that produce glare that can momentarily blind oncoming drivers. Extra credit is awarded for systems with high-beam assist, a feature that automatically switches between high beams and low beams, since research shows that most drivers don’t use their high beams enough.
Driving facilities decline in 2019
Traffic deaths decreased nationwide during 2019 as compared to 2018, and alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased to the lowest percentage since 1982, when the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started reporting alcohol data. There were 36,096 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019. This represents a decrease of 739 (down 2%) from the reported 36,835 fatalities in 2018, even though vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased by 0.8%. As a result, the fatality rate for 2019 was 1.10 fatalities per 100 million VMT – the lowest rate since 2014, and down from 1.14 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2018. Pedestrian and pedalcyclist fatalities dropped as well.