Around View Monitor

Rear view monitors have become mainstream and no longer have much panache among consumers. The latest camera systems are around view monitors, helping drivers see not just behind the car but around the car. This system was first introduced on the Infiniti EX, a crossover from Nissan’s luxury brand. The around view monitor helps drivers navigate tight spaces and avoid minor fender benders. St Louis Acura says the system also makes parallel parking extremely easy.

Ford MyKey

The Ford MyKey is basically a key specifically for teen drivers. The system allows drivers to control a number of functions inside the car, such as top speed, stereo volume, and it controls various warning chimes. Parents can program the Ford MyKey system to their specifications, which Pittsburgh Lincoln Financing says will help to add peace of mind when children are out on the road. MyKey will be standard on the 2010 Ford Focus and Ford Escape hybrid. By 2012, MyKey will become standard on all vehicles.

Automatic Braking Systems

Using sonar and radar, automatic braking technology is able to monitor the closing speed of your car and the car ahead. If it detects that an impact may be imminent, the system will apply the vehicle’s brakes automatically without any input from the driver according to one used car dealer Trenton. The system was first featured on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but can also be had on the 2010 E-Class. Other vehicles that have adopted similar technology include Lexus and Volvo. While it’s not a replacement for safe driving, the system can prevent minor impacts that occur from distractions.

Lane Departure Warning Systems

Lane departure warning systems alert a driver whenever a vehicle begins to veer outside of a lane. When the vehicle steps over a double yellow line, one used car Philadelphia dealer points out that the system helps the drivers avoid a serious accident with an on-coming car, or even a motorcycle. While the system was first developed by Infiniti, it has since found its way into numerous brands including Cadillac, Lexus, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. Some customers at Acura Service New Haven have thought the system is a bit too sensitive and annoying when it beeps unnecessarily. However, these systems can be shut off manually.

Driver Alertness Monitor

Also developed by Mercedes-Benz is the driver alertness monitor. The system monitors if a driver is falling asleep at the wheel. If the system senses a dozing driver, Mercedes Benz Washington DC says it will attempt to wake the driver up. Typically found on Mercedes S- and E-Class models, the system can also be found on Volvo models as well, including the S80 sedan. While the system could potentially startle a drowsy driver admits Indianapolis Mercedes and potentially could cause an accident, the system should be useful for those driving on long trips or who regularly drive late at night. That being said, anyone getting drowsy at the wheel should immediately pull off the road and call it a night.

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It was only when gas prices spiked that consumers and the media turned against the Big Three for producing truck- and SUV-heavy lineups. It seemed like overnight consumers and critics began demanding compacts and hybrids, rather than snapping up their bulky sport utilities like they had done previously. As a result, Detroit did their best to respond, introducing new plans such as the Chevrolet Volt, or Chrysler electric sports car, Jeep, and minivan. Ford also introduced new hybrid plans.

While the promise of these cars sounds extremely encouraging, there are unforeseen problems with these plug-in hybrids, fuel cells, and electric vehicles. When they finally become available in dealer showrooms, such as Hartford Chrysler dealers which are eagerly anticipated the all-new Chevy Volt, they will come with steep price tags. While the technology and the efficiency will no doubt get consumers excited and even drive them to dealers, the premiums may be too much to make them strong sellers, especially if the current recession looms for several years. What if gas prices remain low? Orlando Chevrolet dealers and others wonder, will consumers still demand and flock to these new cars that are making their way down the pipeline at domestic and Japanese automakers?

Consumers are fickle, and should gas prices remain low, Louisville Chevy admit it could be interesting to see if these new cars will sit on dealer lots in the same way SUVs and trucks are sitting on dealer lots right now. Perhaps we’ll see another public outcry for the automakers to build vehicles that consumer want to buy. While it may seem an unlikely scenario, time will be the judge.

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