JUST A FEW LIGHTS ON THE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR !!!!!

GM, Obama can move ahead with the end of 'Government Motors'

President Obama driving a Chevy Volt. The stock sale announced last week boosted GM's stock price as the government's stake in the automaker fell from 32 percent down to 19 percent.
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Treasury's plan to sell its remaining stake in General Motors Co. is a leap forward for the Obama administration's effort to end a $418 billion bailout program that in four years was transformed from a political albatross to a winning campaign issue.
The decision to exit GM within the next 15 months, and the Treasury's sale last week of its remaining shares of insurer American International Group Inc., will erase two corporate symbols of the 2008 financial crisis from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program. Taxpayers spent $182.3 billion on AIG and $49.5 billion to rescue GM.
"This shows that the Obama administration, as it enters its second term, wants to close the book on TARP as quickly as practicable," said Stephen Myrow, who worked on the program in 2008 as a Treasury official in the administration of George W. Bush and is now managing director at ACG Analytics Inc., an investment research and consulting firm in Washington.
GM plans
GM on Friday completed the purchase of 200 million, or 13 percent, of its shares for $5.5 billion. That would leave the Treasury with about 300 million shares, or 19 percent on a fully diluted basis, after the transaction.
For GM, it allowed the automaker to move forward from the perception of government control of its business decisions.
"This announcement is an important step in bringing closure to the successful auto industry rescue," CEO Dan Akerson said in a statement. "It removes the perception of government ownership of GM among customers and it demonstrates confidence in GM's progress and our future."
GM first approached Treasury officials after the U.S. presidential election in November, but was rebuffed when it offered only to pay market value for the government's stock, a senior Treasury official told Reuters.
Treasury then rejected a second offer of a small premium before the sides finalized the deal on Tuesday afternoon, said the Treasury official, who asked not to be identified discussing the negotiations. "We've always looked at this as balancing speed of exit with maximizing return, and GM basically made us what we felt was a very attractive offer," the Treasury official said.
Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said the share purchase should help GM improve its image among car buyers and boost its share price.
"GM has a clear path to shake the 'Government Motors' moniker once and for all," Jonas wrote in a research note. "While impossible to quantify, we believe there is a genuine improvement in the commercial value for GM's products that can crystallize over time following an ownership change."
Obama turnaround

The stock sales, announced as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner prepares to leave office, mark a turnaround for the Obama administration. Public anger over the bailouts, initially intended to prevent a financial meltdown by rescuing banks, helped the Republican Party retake the House of Representatives in 2010. Two years later, President Barack Obama turned the issue against Republican opponent Mitt Romney to help win Ohio and Michigan, key states in the presidential contest.

"The question most often asked is whether TARP was successful," said Kevin Petrasic, a partner with law firm Paul Hastings LLP in Washington and former special counsel at the Office of Thrift Supervision. "The more important question is did TARP fail, and we do know the answer. It didn't fail. Where we are now, compared to where we were three years ago, demonstrates that it didn't fail."
Congress approved $700 billion for the financial rescue in October 2008, and the bill was signed into law by Bush in the midst of a presidential election campaign that Obama won. The economy was shrinking at an 8.9 percent annual rate in that quarter, and 1.95 million jobs were lost.
Growth resumed in the third quarter of 2009, and unemployment last month fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest rate since 2008. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index has more than doubled since reaching a 12-year low on March 9, 2009.
On autopilot
"My concern is that Treasury might put GM on autopilot and forget about how taxpayers ended up owning the company in the first place," Christy Romero, the special inspector general overseeing TARP, said in an interview last week. "Treasury just can't focus on its exit from these investments. It has to focus on ensuring that TARP was worth it and there's continued financial stability for our economy."
GM surged 6.6 percent to $27.18 on Wednesday after the deal was announced as the automaker agreed to pay $27.50 a share -- a 7.9 percent premium over the previous day's closing price. GM shares closed the week before the Christmas holiday at $27.32. The shares gained 26 percent this year through Dec. 18, when they remained 23 percent below the company's initial public offering price of $33 a share.
The deal puts break-even further away for Treasury, which has garnered about $23 billion through GM's 2010 IPO, debt repayment, repurchasing of preferred stock, and interest and dividends. That means the U.S. would need almost $70 for each of the remaining 300 million shares to recoup its investment, up from about $53 before yesterday.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated in October that TARP, which stabilized banks including Citigroup Inc. and Morgan Stanley, would ultimately cost taxpayers $24 billion, down from a projection of $109 billion in March 2010.
The rescues of GM, Chrysler Group LLC and auto lender Ally Financial Inc. cost taxpayers $79.7 billion, and $40.9 billion has been returned. Taxpayers have invested $49.5 billion in GM and received $23 billion back, not including the $5.5 billion GM plans to buy from the Treasury.
Several pieces
Several pieces of the bailout remain. The Treasury said the timing of its exit from GM depends on market conditions, and it retains a 74 percent stake in Ally. The government is also running housing programs that have helped fewer homeowners than it initially hoped and is trying to sell shares of 218 banks that still owe taxpayer money.
"With the year-end upon us, everyone wants to clean up their balance sheets," said Kip Weissman, a partner representing banks for Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick PC in Washington. The GM sale allows the Treasury to "show a higher profit and lower outstanding balance on TARP, and investors can take some GM profits."
Outside of TARP, taxpayers have invested $187.5 billion in mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and received dividends of $50.4 billion. The Obama administration wants to overhaul the housing-finance system and wind down Fannie and Freddie, which pool home loans for sale to investors and guarantee interest and principal payments. The firms have operated under U.S. conservatorship since 2008.
U.S., Canada
The auto bailouts by the U.S. and Canadian governments propped up a light-vehicle industry that has since reported three straight years of at least 10 percent growth. Cars and light trucks sold at a 15.6 million annual rate in November, the most since January 2008, according to the Automotive News Data Center.
The auto bailouts were "not a bust but not a success," said Phillip Swagel, who was an assistant Treasury secretary under Bush and is now a professor at the University of Maryland in College Park.
"The economy would have been worse without the auto rescue, but the administration's method was more costly than it needed to be."

How GM lost an Oklahoma dealer Lodge styling at store isn't OK with Chevrolet

Because the building didn’t meet facilities standards, quarterly GM payments of $250,000 were stopped.
Marc Heitz, Oklahoma's top-selling Chevrolet dealer, last week sold his hunting lodge-style store in Norman rather than change the facade and interior to comply with General Motors' facilities standards.
The sale came less than three months after Chevrolet sales chief Don Johnson visited the store and rejected a Heitz compromise so the store could continue collecting about $250,000 per quarter in dealer-excellence money from the Essential Brand Elements program.
"This way we didn't have to give up our principles for the money," Heitz, 48, said of the sale.
Oklahoma City Chevrolet dealer David Stanley bought Marc Heitz Chevrolet. Terms were not disclosed.
Stanley, 58, said he will bring the store into compliance with Chevrolet facilities standards, though it was too early to say how that will happen.
He said last week that he hoped to retain all 106 employees. "I love the store and the people around here," Stanley said. "We've already sold five or six cars today."
GM spokesman Tom Henderson declined to comment. Previously, GM had said the brand elements program, which pegs incentives to vehicle sales and quality benchmarks, would be unavailable to dealerships choosing "not to complete an image compliant facility."
Heitz said the Norman store, renamed David Stanley Chevrolet of Norman, is on pace to sell between 1,800 and 1,900 new vehicles in 2012. Stanley said David Stanley Chevrolet in Oklahoma City is the state's third best-selling Chevy store, with new-vehicle sales expected to reach 1,600 to 1,800 this year.
Stanley also owns David Stanley Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge in suburban Oklahoma City.
Heitz, a first-generation car dealer who grew up on a dairy farm in Norman, said his decision to sell the business was difficult but necessary.
He said in addition to the loss of incentive money, he faced a ruptured relationship with Chevrolet that might have eventually hurt his discretionary vehicle allocation and cost him his Mark of Excellence award among other certifications for highly rated sales and service.
Heitz said he poured his heart and $20 million into the store when he built it in 2008 along busy Interstate 35 about three miles from the University of Oklahoma. He first opened a Chevrolet store in Norman in a refitted bowling alley in 2000.
The log store has been a destination for car shoppers, picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The building looks like a Bass Pro Shops outlet inside and out. Indoors, it features a 45-foot waterfall, giant aquarium for local game fish and imprints of animal tracks on the concrete showroom floor.
Outdoors, the store has two dog runs, a picnic area, animal statues and a 110-foot signature windmill that generates 3 percent of the store's electricity.
Heitz held charitable events on the grounds and offered the picnic area to all comers. New-vehicle sales grew year-over-year the entire time he was in business. Heitz said the store was the 15th best-selling Chevrolet dealership in America and third in Corvette sales.
He said covering the unique facade with blue-and-white cladding demanded by Chevrolet and tiling over the animal tracks in the showroom would have been akin to putting "socks on a rooster."
Heitz said he planned to travel with his wife of 26 years. He also has four children. He said he had no immediate work plans.
Before he left, he said he planned to thank customers with full-page ads scheduled to have run this past Sunday in Norman and Oklahoma City newspapers.
To Chevrolet, he was less magnanimous.
"I'm not a big fan of GM right now and the guys making decisions there," Heitz said. "My guess is they won't be around to see the results of their actions."

HAUS AUTO GROUP PARTY ANIMAL PICTURE OF THE WEEK!!!

HAUS AUTO GROUP PARTY ANIMAL PICTURE OF THE WEEK!!!

GM to Build Camaro in Michigan, Shift Model Out of Canada

General Motors Co. (GM) said it will build the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro at a Michigan factory and shift the model out of an Ontario plant.
GM said the sports car will be assembled at the Lansing Grand River factory because of “lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies,” according to a statement on Detroit-based GM’s website. The company said it will “continue to meet the production targets” it agreed to when receiving financial aid from the Canadian and Ontario governments in 2009.
The Canadian Auto Workers, in a separate e-mailed statement, said the move “will cut between one third and one quarter” of production in late 2015 or early 2016 at an Oshawa, Ontario, factory that now builds the Camaro. The Toronto-based union said it’s urging GM to replace the Oshawa production “on a one-to-one basis, ensuring that no jobs are lost.”
GM reached a new four-year labor agreement with the CAW in September. That accord was to create, maintain or extend a total of 1,750 jobs and calls for GM to invest C$675 million ($684 million) in its Canadian plants, the union said at a Sept. 20 news conference.
GM notified union leaders of the transfer by telephone at 11 a.m. Eastern time, CAW President Ken Lewenza said.
“Their explanation for us is they are consolidating their rear-wheel drive vehicles under one facility,” Lewenza told a news conference in Oshawa today. “They believe that will be important for suppliers and others to have that continuity around a facility. We rejected that, because this local union beginning in 2006 made significant sacrifices to win the Camaro work.”
During this year’s labor negotiations, GM never discussed the possibility that the Camaro would no longer be built in Oshawa, Chris Buckley, president of CAW Local 222, said at the press conference. GM employs about 4,000 people in the city, down from about 23,000 in 1983, he said.
“General Motors has been extremely misleading, and that’s what we find offensive,” Buckley said.
GM, in an e-mailed statement, said the decision “is based on a comprehensive business case. Lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies were key factors in the business case.”
At least 1,000 union members who work at GM will probably lose their jobs if the transfer takes place, in addition to some GM supplier employees, Buckley said. GM builds about 100,000 Camaros in Oshawa annually, Lewenza said.
“This decision by General Motors today quite frankly is a betrayal to Canada as a nation, to the Canadian taxpayers and to workers that need these jobs,” Lewenza said. “We are outraged. This is an assault on Canada.”
Canada and Ontario provided a combined C$13.7 billion to the rescues of GM and Chrysler Group LLC and retained ownership stakes in both companies to protect an estimated 52,000 jobs, according to the country’s 2012 budget plan.
CAW leaders will respond to the planned transfer “in a very aggressive way” at the start of 2013, Lewenza said without being more specific.
Lewenza said he talked to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s chief of staff and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to voice his opposition to the automaker’s plan and enlist their support in making GM reverse its decision. Lewenza said he asked Harper’s chief of staff to have the prime minister “speak up for Canadian jobs.”
Canada is “concerned about the implications” of the announcement and will hold GM to its Canadian production commitments, Julie Vaux, a spokeswoman for Harper, said in an e- mailed statement.
Separately, Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said today his government doesn’t intend to be a long-term shareholder in GM. The government hasn’t decided when it will sell its GM shares and won’t hold a ‘‘fire sale” of its holdings, Flaherty told reporters today in Burlington, Ontario.
“We will not sell the shares without getting the best value we can for Canadian taxpayers,” Flaherty said. “We are a Conservative government, we are not interested in the long term in being shareholders in private corporations.”
Flaherty said he spoke today with GM Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson, and discussions have taken place regarding Canada’s shareholdings with the U.S. Treasury Department and the company. He didn’t elaborate on the talks.
Flaherty said in a separate interview with CTV Television that he isn’t aware of Ontario job losses resulting from the move.
GM said today it will purchase $5.5 billion of its stock from the U.S. Treasury and that the U.S. plans to sell its entire holding in the automaker within 15 months.
The Canadian and Ontario governments together hold about 140 million, or about 9 percent, of outstanding common shares of GM, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Canada is the third-largest shareholder in GM, behind the U.S. Treasury, which holds 32 percent, and the GM-UAW Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association with 10 percent.

Fiat to spend $1.3 billion to make Jeeps in Italy

The Fiat 500X subcompact SUV (shown) will replace the Sedici in the automaker's lineup.
TURIN -- Fiat will invest more than 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to build subcompact SUVs for the Fiat and Jeep brands in Italy. The move is key to the automaker's bid to boost capacity usage and end losses in Europe by focusing on high-margin cars.
"We decided to shift away from mass carmaking and compete in the upscale market," CEO Sergio Marchionne said today at the plant in Melfi, southern Italy, where the models will be assembled.
"This will be the only plant in the world to produce a new small SUV for Jeep," the CEO added.
Marchionne plans to boost sales of more expensive models to revive Fiat's European operations, which are forecast to lose 700 million euros this year.
Focus on Italy
The automaker is also under political pressure at home because of criticism that it's European arm is struggling now because it focused too much management time on its takeover of U.S.-based Chrysler Group.
Fiat Chairman John Elkann has a different view.
"Many say that [Fiat's] alliance with Chrysler took something away from Italy. Today we are showing the opposite. Without this alliance, the investment in Melfi would not have been possible," Elkann said in a statement.
Fiat intends to introduce 19 Italy-produced models through 2016, including nine Alfa Romeo-badged vehicles and six Maseratis. The carmaker plans to increase production of Fiat and Chrysler cars in Europe to 2 million cars a year in 2016 from 1.25 million this year.
Marchionne believes that by using Fiat's Italian factories to export cars around the world the automaker's European operations will return to an operating breakeven by 2015-2106. Troubles in Europe led the manufacturer to cut its 2014 trading-profit goal by 31 percent to 5.2 billion euros.
The Europewide plan, which will use 15 percent of Fiat's capacity in Italy, Poland, Turkey and Serbia for exports, may cost about 3 billion euros a year in investments through 2014, according to a chart shown in a Dec. 7 presentation on the automaker's Web site
Jeep first
Reversing a previous announcement, Fiat today said that production of the Jeep small SUV would proceed the Fiat model. Both will be underpinned by the Small Wide architecture that debuted this year on the 500L small minivan.
The Jeep model, pushed forward to debut in early 2014, is known internally as the B-SUV. It will be offered only as a four-wheel-drive model. The baby Jeep will be sold in Europe, North America and Asia.
Fiat's new SUV will be called the 500X, joining the 500 model's fast-growing portfolio. The 500X was previewed at a Fiat event in July. At about 4200mm, the Fiat SUV is slightly bigger than the 500L.
Fiat will offer 500X variants with either front-wheel or four-wheel drive. Production of the car is expected to start in the second half of 2014 with deliveries going to Europe and North America. The new SUV will replace the Sedici that Suzuki builds for Fiat in Hungary.
Bloomberg contributed to this report
PRESS RELEASE
Melfi plant to produce two new vehicles
Today at the Fiat plant in Melfi, Chairman John Elkann and CEO Sergio Marchionne – with Prime Minister Monti in attendance – presented plans for the production of a new
Jeep brand vehicle and a new Fiat brand vehicle beginning in 2014.
Following an investment program of more than €1 billion, Melfi will be one of the most advanced car assembly plants in the world equipped with the very latest technologies and managed according to World Class Manufacturing standards. Activities to prepare the plant for production of the two new models have already begun.
Those activities include modifications to existing production processes to accommodate the new modular Small Wide platform – one of Fiat-Chrysler's three principal architectures – which can be easily adapted to produce even larger vehicles.
The platform is configured for product content that complies with U.S. regulatory standards meaning that vehicles produced at the Melfi plant will be export ready, with no requirement for further modifications.
The first of the two new models will be a Jeep utility vehicle that represents the brand's entrance into a new market segment. Melfi will be the only plant in the world to produce this model and, as for all Jeep products, it will be sold in markets worldwide.
In addition to the new Jeep, Melfi will also produce the new Fiat 500X, the latest addition to the 500 family which is larger, more spacious and more capable than the 500L launched 3 months ago.
Once the plant upgrades are complete, Melfi will have increased flexibility with the ability to produce up to four different models on the same assembly line.
The planned investments will also include technological upgrades in all areas of the plant, including a new metrologically-equipped stamping shop, new panel and body welding lines, 500 new welding robots and introduction of the latest technologies in the paint shop.
The assembly area will also benefit from major upgrades with completely new equipment that will enhance work station ergonomics and logistics flows. Total production capacity based on three shifts will be 1,600 vehicles per day.

December U.S. auto sales expected to rise 14%, J.D. Power says

December has been a particularly good month for luxury vehicles, whose sales are on pace to account for 16 percent of retail sales, J.D. Power said
DETROIT -- Car shoppers have been "unfazed" by uncertainty related to the so-called fiscal cliff looming at the end of this month, and U.S. sales are expected to be up 14 percent in December, J.D. Power and Associates and LMC Automotive said today.
The firms estimated this month's seasonally adjusted annualized selling rate to be 15.3 million, slightly below the 15.4 million posted in November. Automotive News calculated the November SAAR to be 15.6 million, which was the highest since January 2008.
If the forecasts prove accurate, total U.S. light-vehicle sales for 2012 would be 14.5 million.
"The U.S. light-vehicle sales market continues to be a bright spot in the tremulous global environment," Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting at LMC Automotive, said in a statement. "The only major roadblock ahead for the U.S. market is the fiscal cliff. Assuming that hurdle is cleared, 2013 is one step closer to a stable and sustainable growth rate for autos, with volume above the 15 million unit mark."
Lawmakers and the Obama administration remain in negotiations over the fiscal cliff, which refers to tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect at the end of this year.
J.D. Power projects a December retail selling rate of 12.2 million units, down from 13.2 million in November but up from 11.3 million in December 2011.
December has been a particularly good month for luxury vehicles, whose sales are on pace to account for 16 percent of retail sales, J.D. Power said. That would mark the segment's highest share since December 2009 . The accounted for 14.8 percent of the market a year ago.
"Luxury sales always do well this time of the year, but December is turning out to be a great month," said John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power. "New and redesigned vehicle introductions, along with enhanced incentive activity, have been key drivers of the recovery in the luxury market."
LMC said North American light-vehicle production was up 19 percent through November compared with the same period of 2011, to 14.4 million units. It expects total production for the year to be 15.4 million units, a 17 percent increase from 2011.
In 2013, LMC said North American production forecast will probably reach 15.8 million units, up 3 percent, "with further upside potential contingent on the pace of demand in the first half of 2013."

FUNNY CAT PICTURE OF THE DAY!!!

Ford blames software glitch for Fusion, Escape recall

Ford has recalled its 2013 Escape crossover four times since July, and has offered replacement vehicles while recall work is conducted.
DETROIT (Reuters) -- A defect that raised the risk of an engine fire in Ford Motor Co.'s newly launched Escape and Fusion models was caused by a glitch in the software that monitors the vehicles' cooling systems, Ford said today.
The automaker recalled almost 90,000 Escape crossovers and Fusion sedans on Nov. 30 for the problem, which affects models equipped with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine.
The original design of the cooling system was unable to handle a loss of pressure under certain conditions, which could trigger a vehicle fire when the engine was running, Ford said. Ford will update the software in the affected models.
"The software updates will better manage engine temperatures during a unique overheating condition that could occur under unique operating conditions," the company said in a statement.
There have been at least nine fires in vehicles owned by customers, Ford told U.S. safety regulators. Until the software is updated, Ford is urging customers with 2013 Escape and Fusion vehicles to contact their dealer for a free replacement vehicle.
"When a potential issue is identified, we act promptly on behalf of our customers, as we did this time," Ford's global product development chief Raj Nair said in a statement.
Ford has recalled its 2013 Escape crossover four times since July, twice for problems with its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The Escape and Fusion are considered Ford's two most critical launches this year.

GM seeks trademarks on El Camino, Nomad

GM showed a coupe pickup concept based on the Holden Ute at the 2008 New York auto show branded the Pontiac G8 ST.
General Motors has applied for trademarks on the names of its offbeat 1950s Chevrolet El Camino and Nomad with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.
The automaker filed the El Camino application Aug. 9 and the Nomad application May 22, the blog GM Authority reported last week.
But the automaker said it has no plans at this point to use the names on future models.
"Chevrolet benefits from a rich history of iconic names and monikers," a GM spokesman wrote in an e-mail. "We trademark these names as needed to protect them as a matter of practice."
Nonetheless, some enthusiasts hope the trademarks could mean GM is planning new models of the classic cars decades later and after several teases.
The El Camino debuted in 1959 as a collectible sedan pickup -- a body style that is still alive under GM's Holden unit in Australia and called a coupe ute. The carmaker showed a coupe pickup concept based on the Holden Ute at the 2008 New York auto show branded the Pontiac G8 ST; but after Pontiac's demise, it was never built.
The Nomad sporty wagon debuted in 1955; GM resurrected the name several times, but never with the flair of the original. Nomad enthusiasts hoped for a 2004 concept based on GM's Kappa platform that was the base for the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky convertibles, but the Nomad version was never built.

Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey & The Roots "All I Want For Christmas Is You" With Classroom Instruments.

Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey & The Roots "All I Want For Christmas Is You" With Classroom Instruments.


Click here to watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEfszb9h8Q

Fellows Riverside Gardens Winter Celebration

Fellows Riverside Gardens Winter Celebration
Saturday, December 1, 2012 - 10:00am - Monday, December 31, 2012 - 5:00pm
Tuesdays through Sundays 10-5; plus Dec 31st (closed Mondays)
Fellows Riverside Gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the holidays. Enjoy the decorated trees and holiday florals throughout the Davis Visitors Center. Add to the fun by visiting the Courtyard of the Snow Kingdom. Stop by the Shop in the Gardens for unique holiday gift ideas.

Location:
Fellows Riverside Gardens - Mill Creek MetroParks
123 McKinley Ave
Youngstown OH 44509
330-740-7116

Miracle On Easy Street Christmas Spectacular Friday, December 14, 2012 - 8:00pm - Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 2:30pm

Miracle On Easy Street Christmas Spectacular
Friday, December 14, 2012 - 8:00pm - Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 2:30pm

Easy Street Productions annual holiday extravaganza, Miracle on Easy Street, returns for its 24th year. A family holiday tradition in Youngstown- Don't Miss It!

Location:
Powers Auditorium-DeYor Performing Arts Center
260 W. Federal Street
Youngstown OH 44503
tickets: call Easy Street - 330-743-8555; or DeYor box office 330-744-0264

For more info see: http://youngstownlive.com/going-on/miracle-easy-street-christmas-spectacular

Haus Auto Group at this years hope classic

Haus Auto Group one of the many Sponsors at this years Hope Foundations
Hope Classic sponsoring the 10,000 half court shot !!

Honda recalls small number of 2012 Civic models for improper steering column

Honda has issued a recall of just 157 examples of the 2012 Civic due to a steering column issue. The sedans in question were built between October 26 and October 30 this year, and were fitted with the wrong steering column assembly. Because these particular columns "may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics," in the event of an accident the risk of injury is increased.

Honda is notifying owners and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the recall is expected to begin on December 4. The affected owners will have their steering columns replaced free of charge. The bulletin below from NHTSA has more information.
Show full PR text
Report Date: December 3, 2012 at 12:39 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number: 12V548000

Vehicle Model Year(s) Make / Model: 2012 HONDA / CIVIC
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Report Receipt Date: NOV 21, 2012
Component: STEERING:COLUMN
Potential Number of Units Affected: 157

Summary:
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.

Consequence:
The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.

Remedy:
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on December 4, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Notes:
Honda's campaign recall number is S69. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety

INTEREST RATES AT A RECORD LOW ON USED CARS AS LOW AS 1.99%

IF ANYBODY IS IN THE MARKET NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY !!!
CALL CHRIS HAUS 330-501-0593
OR APPLY ONLINE AT HAUSAUTOGROUP.COM

The Haus Auto Group in Canfield is growing and is seeking a Certified Automotive Technician to add to its Service Department Team. A successful applicant will have experience in Drivability Diagnostics, Air Conditioning, Electrical Diagnostics, and general advanced mechanical repair abilities. The pay is commensurate with ability and experience. The pay is flat-rate, up to $25/hour commensurate with ability and experience; with no shortage of work or available hours. Our service department primarily services domestic makes and models with very little “heavy-work.” No nights or weekends and we do not do factory warranty work. All work is customary customer-pay and our benefit package provides health insurance benefits. call Chris 330-501-0593

Very friendly staff, nice selection

November 07, 2012 Loralee
Steven Silvestri is the Internet Sales Manager at Haus Auto Group. He helped me with everything I needed and made the whole process a wonderful experienc. Everyone made sure you were taken care of. I would definetly recommend them to friends.

Huge cyber Monday sale going on haus auto group save thousands!!!!!

Huge cyber Monday sale going on haus auto group save thousands!!!!!

The Haus Auto Group in Canfield is growing and is seeking a Certified Automotive Technician to add to its Service Department Team

The Haus Auto Group in Canfield is growing and is seeking a Certified Automotive Technician to add to its Service Department Team. A successful applicant will have experience in Drivability Diagnostics, Air Conditioning, Electrical Diagnostics, and general advanced mechanical repair abilities. The pay is commensurate with ability and experience. The pay is flat-rate, starts at $21/hour commensurate with ability and experience; with no shortage of work or available hours. Our service department primarily services domestic makes and models with very little “heavy-work.” No nights or weekends and we do not do factory warranty work. All work is customary customer-pay and our benefit package provides health insurance benefits. call or text Chris Haus 330-501-0593

Many Top-Selling New Cars Hailing from Foreign Automakers Made in the USA

Car shoppers may not be shocked to find out that six of the 10 best-selling vehicles in the country are from foreign automakers, but they might be pleasantly surprised to learn that all 10 are made in America, according to Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information.
“Coming off the heels of election week when many Americans celebrate democracy and patriotism, we thought new-car shoppers would be happy to learn that many popular models with foreign nameplates are actually made right here in the United States,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. ”German, Japanese and Korean automakers continue to build more vehicles stateside. The made-in-the-USA standouts on our list all feature birthplaces in the American Midwest or South.”

Below is a sample selection of vehicles and editorial commentary from KBB.com’s 10 Cars You Didn’t Know Were Made in America:

2013 BMW X3
In conjunction with a redesign for 2011, BMW X3 production was relocated from Austria to Spartanburg, South Carolina. The second-generation X3 is both larger and more luxurious than its predecessor.

2013 Honda Accord
Maybe the least surprising entry on this list, the Accord was the very first Japanese car to be built and sold in the United States, and since 1982 Honda has built more than nine million Accords in Marysville, Ohio. You can see the very first one at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

2013 Hyundai Sonata
One of KBB.com’s 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000, the boldly styled, feature-rich Hyundai Sonata is built in Montgomery, Alabama, and continues to win new fans for the brand.

2013 Toyota Camry
The best-selling car in America is built in Toyota’s largest plant outside of Japan, located in Georgetown, Kentucky. Comfortable, reliable and affordable, the Toyota Camry has been the most popular car in the United States every year since 2001.

2013 Volkswagen Passat
What better place to build a German sedan than Chattanooga, Tennessee? Actually, while the European driving feel remains, the newest Passat was designed specifically for American tastes. Now larger and more affordable, the Passat passed its previous annual sales high-water mark in September.

For the remaining five vehicles and corresponding editorial commentary, please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/10-cars-made-in-america/.

Superstorm Sandy’s Impact on the National Automotive Market will be Modest at

Analysis and data from two of the Internet’s largest automotive research and shopping sites support premise that national impact may be overstated
ATLANTA — The impact of Superstorm Sandy on the national new and used car markets may be more modest than what’s currently being reported, according to data and analysis from experts at both AutoTrader.com and Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com).
Current estimates state between 200,000 and 300,000 new and used vehicles were destroyed as a result of the storm; however, that only represents 0.1 percent of the more than 240 million registered vehicles on the road.

“There’s absolutely no question that Superstorm Sandy has had a devastating impact on those who live in the Northeast,” said Chip Perry, president and CEO, AutoTrader Group. “I’ve personally visited the area and spoken with many of our field sales representatives and customers, and it’s clear that this event changed many of their lives.”

Perry continued, “But when you look at the impact on the automotive industry, the fact is, the number of vehicles lost is too small of a fraction to significantly move the national market.”

Data and analysis from the November Kelley Blue Book Market Report supports this position. Since the storm hit so late in the year, KBB.com analysts believe increased demand on the East Coast will only mute the market’s typical decline through this time period. Instead of a 1 to 2 percent decline, KBB.com experts now believe values will remain flat nationally. From a used car pricing perspective, KBB.com Senior Market Analyst Alec Gutierrez anticipates only modest market increases, $200 to $300 at most, isolated mainly in the Northeast region.

“When Hurricane Katrina hit, Kelley Blue Book® Values increased more than 2 to 3 percent in the affected area from the time the storm hit until year-end,” Gutierrez said. “This year, we believe that while we may see some price appreciation on the East Coast, from a national perspective, values will remain relatively flat.”

Shopping activity on AutoTrader.com in the areas impacted by Sandy dipped several percentage points between October 27 and November 6, (during and immediately following the storm), but rebounded by Nov. 8 to mirror the level of shopping activity in non-impacted areas. On November 10, shopping activity began to increase very slightly nationally and in the impacted areas, however, AutoTrader.com analysts believe it’s still too early to assess if this is indicative of a more sustained trend or if the rise can be directly attributed to Superstorm Sandy.

Both KBB.com and AutoTrader.com analysts agree that the impact of Superstorm Sandy is just now starting to be felt in the market and it will take months before the total effects will be fully comprehended.

“It’s going to take time for impacted consumers to get back in the market,” Gutierrez said. “Some may have been able to get a replacement vehicle immediately, but many others could be waiting for their insurance check or unfortunately have to focus on repairing damage to their home. We’re going to be keeping a close eye on this in the months ahead.”

About AutoTrader.com
Created in 1997, Atlanta-based AutoTrader.com is the Internet’s ultimate automotive marketplace. As a leading resource for car shoppers and sellers, AutoTrader.com aggregates millions of new, used and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of dealers and private sellers and provides expert articles and reviews. AutoTrader.com, which also operates the AutoTraderClassics.com auto marketing brand, is wholly owned by AutoTrader Group. Additionally, AutoTrader Group owns Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) as well as three other companies that provide a full suite of software tools that help dealers and manufacturers manage their inventory and advertising online: vAuto, HomeNet Automotive and VinSolutions. AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. Providence Equity Partners is a 25 percent owner of the company and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor. For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. KBB.com provides consumer pricing and information on cars for sale, minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity and was named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year by the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader Group.

UAW trust demands Fiat pay $342M for Chrysler shares

Last month, we brought you the latest news in a rather tenuous ordeal between Fiat and the United Auto Workers over the future of the Italian automaker's stake in Chrysler. The union contended that Fiat failed to make an adequate offer for the 3.3-percent stake that was sought. Fiat offered $139.7 million for the shares in July, which the UAW rejected.

We now have word of the union's counter offer of $342 million – more than double what Fiat proposed. According to Reuters, the entity in question is the UAW's healthcare trust, known as Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association, or VEBA, which currently owns 41.5 percent of the American automaker. Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has voiced his intent to eventually purchase the trust's full 41.5 percent stake in Chrysler as part of a long-term unification plan.

Following the initial offer from Fiat, the trust refused to sell the 3.3 percent share in July, which resulted in a lawsuit brought by Fiat. As part of this counteroffer, VEBA has brought a counter suit, as well as a statement claiming that the initial Fiat offer was "substantially below market value."

VEBA originated from the 2007 auto bailouts, in which retiree medical benefits were shed off into their own entity to facilitate restructuring of the automakers. Rather than taking cash to fund its restructuring, VEBA took the Chrysler stock, which is the center of this current conundrum. According to a spokesperson for the trust, "sale of the called shares at the price calculated by Fiat would constitute a transaction prohibited by federal law." At this time, neither the automaker, the trust, nor the Securities and Exchange Commission have commented on the proposed transaction.

Top 10 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Car

A little extra TLC will keep your ride in its prime.

With winter right around the corner, your car, truck, minivan, SUV, or crossover is going to need a little extra TLC. So, we’ve put together our best expert auto care advice to keep your ride in its prime.

1. Drive with care everyday

Being kind to your car shouldn’t end after the honeymoon phase. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with fewer trips to the mechanic.
Do not race your car’s engine during start-up. This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.
Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive. The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea. The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.
When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
2. Know what goes into your gas tank

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it!

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.
3. Lighten up your key chain

Does your car key share a ring with a key that has a key attatched to another key with five more keys that you’re not even really sure what they’re for? Well, that’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition. The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure. To get better longevity out of your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others or better yet, drive with only the car key in your ignition. If your key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded.

4. Let floor mats take winter’s beating

Use floor mats to protect your carpeting. The best type of mat to help control salt, slush, and mud in the winter is a rubber “wafflestyle” mat. They stay in place, don’t allow the water to seep through, and are easy to wash clean. Carpet-style mats are helpful, too. Shake, vacuum, or wash as needed; replace them as they wear through.

When washing your car, drag out the rubber or carpet floor mats and blast them with the hose. This will dislodge dirt particles that, if allowed to build up, will grind holes in your mats. Let the mats dry thoroughly in the sun before reinstalling them.
After vacuuming floor mats or interior carpeting, apply foam rug cleaner to tough stains as directed by the maker. Work the foam into a few square feet at a time, using a wet sponge or brush. Vacuum when dry.
5. Preserve door and window seals

Wipe a rubber protectant (such as Armor-All) or silicone on door and window weather-stripping to keep it in good condition. Don’t use an oil based product, such as WD-40, because the oil will damage the rubber. Regular cleaning and treatment of your car’s weather-stripping will also lessen the likelihood of your door sticking to its rubber seal in cold weather, a common cause of damage to the rubber.

If the weather-stripping is letting rainwater leak into the interior of your car, take a look at it and decide if you can repair it or if it needs to be replaced. Small leaks can be handled with brush-on seam sealers. Re-secure loose sections, not otherwise damaged, with trim adhesive. Torn sections may be repaired with special caulking available at auto parts stores. You may also be able to extend the life of worn-but-intact sections by inserting foam rods, available at automotive stores, into the hollow section of the weather-stripping. If you decide to replace entire sections of gasket, don’t simply buy generic stuff such as you’d use around the house. Buy a product that matches your car’s original weather-stripping — it’s available in a wide variety of profiles from dealerships and automotive mail-order catalogues.
6. Fill with washer fluid only

Don’t add water to the windshield washer reservoir. It won’t clean as well as washer fluid, and it may freeze in cold weather and damage the system. Don’t try to run your windshield washer system once you suspect there’s no more fluid in the tank, or you may damage the washer fluid pump.

Cracked washer-deicer fluid tanks are fairly common once a car is of a certain age. A good remedy — until you can buy a new tank or find one at the junkyard — is to insert a plastic freezer bag into the tank and fill it with the washer fluid.
7. Don’t try to carry too much

Never exceed your car’s roof load specifications or weight limits.You can find them in your vehicle owner’s manual. Check the weight limitation of your roof rack as well. Typically the range is from 150 to 200 pounds (68 to 90 kg). That’s the equivalent of eighteen 8-foot 2 x 4s (2.4-meter 38 x 89s) or three sheets of 3/4-inch (17-mm) plywood. If you have to deliver a heavy load from the home or off to the ski slopes, consider having it delivered or getting a trailer. It will save wear and tear on you as well as your car.

Protect your car’s roof from scratches with an old blanket before tying lumber, bicycles, or luggage to your roof rack.
The beginning of the end for the finish on many cars and trucks — and for wagon and hatchback interiors for that matter — is an improperly stowed load. Invest in the appropriate racks for bicycles, cargo, and luggage. A good trick to keep tall objects from sliding around in a pick-up truck bed is to use a shower curtain rod (or two) as a brace. Just push the cargo against the front wall of the truck bed and install the rod behind it. Twist to secure. Cargo nets will also help keep objects from banging around and damaging a truck bed.
8. Wash in winter, too

If you rarely wash your car during messy winter weather, you are not alone. The cars you see on the road make it obvious that lots of folks figure, “why bother? The car is going to look awful the next time I drive it.” The problem with this is that washing is more important in the winter than other times of the year. All that sand, slush, and ice mixed with road salt is exactly what makes your car rust. The fastest corrosion occurs when the temperature repeatedly rises above and then falls below freezing. Especially during the messy months, be sure to rinse the undercarriage and hard-to-reach areas that are susceptible to rust, such as the bumpers and inside the wheel wells. If the temperature outside is going to stay above freezing long enough for your car and driveway to dry, fill a bucket with warm water and tackle the job at home. If not, pay a visit to your local car wash and be sure they dry the car thoroughly!

9. Tires, Keep the caps on

You step out into driveway ready to start your morning commute only to discover a flat tire. How in the heck did that happen overnight? If the tire valve is missing its cap, the culprit might be a leaky valve. Those little caps keep out dirt and moisture that can cause leaks, so be sure to keep caps on all your tire valves. Another tip: When you replace tires, remind the tire shop that you expect new valves with the tires.

Under-inflated tires are a tire salesman’s best friend. They create excessive heat and stress that can lead to tire failure. If you want to get every last mile out of your tires, get yourself a tire pressure gauge and use it at least once a month (more in hot weather) to keep your tires inflated to the recommendation in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Check tires when they are cold (driven for less than one mile) for an accurate reading.
If you top off your tires at a service station, check to see if there’s moisture coming from the air pump. Simply depress the pin inside the inflator valve with your thumbnail. If your thumb gets wet, advise the station manager that his tanks need to be drained and go to a different station. Moisture, trapped inside a tire, can cause pressure variations and corrode rims.
Check tires for uneven wear. If you’ve maintained tire inflation properly, uneven wear may indicate the need for wheel realignment. It can also mean improperly operating brakes or shocks, a bent wheel, internal tire damage, or worn bushings.
10. Hang on to your hubcaps

Clang, clang, clang! There goes your hubcap, rolling off to destination unknown. Hubcaps, wheel covers, and center caps can pop off your car’s wheels as you’re driving if they were not reinstalled correctly, have loosened over time, or if they were damaged by being jammed against a curb while parking. Here are some things you can do to keep these expensive parts on the car:
If your older metal hubcap has loosened, remove it and pry the metal clips outward slightly. This should fix the problem.
Newer plastic-type hubcaps and some wheel covers are usually held in place by a retaining wire ring that snaps into tabs on the wheel. When installing such a cap or cover, take care that you do not bend or break the tabs.
One way to make sure your expensive hubcaps aren’t damaged by a repair shop is to remove them yourself before taking your car in for a repair that requires wheel removal, such as a brake job or new tires. When reinstalling hubcaps, rest the hubcap in place and then tap it gently with a rubber mallet. Don’t hit the hubcap hard, or you might break the clips underneath. If you prefer to have your repair person remove the covers, check to make sure they were reinstalled properly. They should look even and flush.

HOW TO KEEP UP THE YEARLY SERVICE ON A USED CAR

Owning a used car can be a great way to yusave money on transportation. With the increased reliability of modern cars, it is not at all uncommon for cars to last 200,000 miles or more with only regular maintenance. Here are a few maintenancetips to keep your used car running smoothly.

The manufacturer of your car created a schedule for how often to maintain the car and how to do it. Follow the schedule reliably to ensure that the car not only works well but also that any issues get identified and fixed. Not only is regular maintenance important when you have a older car but insurance is as well. Be sure to have the propier car insurance for your older used car. You may very well need classic auto insurance coverage.

Keep the Car Clean.
New cars typically have coatings that help them to repel salt from the underbody, dirt from the paint, and stains from the interior. In addition, their seals prevent dust and dirt from entering both the interior and mechanical parts of the car. Over time, these coatings and seals break down, leaving the car with less protection. Keeping the car clean protects it from these elements.

Check Your Own Fluids.
Many owners of new cars fail to check oil, coolant and other fluid levels assuming that since it is new, the car will be fine. While this is a foolish assumption with any car, it is especially dangerous with a used car. Keeping an eye on your fluids (most of which can be checked while you fill your gas tank) will let you spot and fix issues quickly.

Wax Your Exterior.
The sun and the elements are hard on your car’s paint. Keeping your car waxed does more than give it a nice shine. It helps it to repel water and protects the car’s surface from dirt, acid rain and road chemicals. This way, the world wears down the wax, instead of the paint underneath.

Use a Professional Mechanic.
Unless you earned an automotive degree, it’s best to have a professional mechanic repair the vehicle when there is a problem. Having a professional perform procedures as simple as changing your oil also ensures that it gets done right, and also gives them a chance to look at your car to spot problems.

Budget for Major Services.
People who buy and trade in new cars on a regular basis have likely never had to change brake rotors, flush a transmission, or replace a serpentine belt. As a car ages, additional maintenance items become due. If you budget for these expenses, you will be able to properly take care of your car.

Down to Earth - No Pressure - Car Dealer

October 01, 2012 Billy's Camaro
Listen::: Haus Auto Group treated me right from my very first email. I shop online all the time, I have purchased a few cars online and had troubles with other dealerships that bait and switch cars and prices to sometimes confuse even the most experienced car buyer... But not Haus!!! As an online Car Dealer I found the car I thought I could only dream about... Haus Auto Group made the "DEAL" a reality for me and my family and I drove my Dream car home the very next day. They SELL really cool cars that move quick... I was lucky to find "my car" (2010 Camaro SS/RS) when I did... The sales team is down to earth and super friendly, I felt no pressure at all. The Next Time When I am ready to buy another vehicle, I will definitely shop for a vehicle from Haus Auto Group - Be sure to ask for Steven this guy Rocks!

Would you recommend this dealer to a friend? Yes

Did you purchase a vehicle from this dealer? Yes

Fantastic customer service and sales!!!

October 15, 2012 Tonya W

When i first contacted the dealership i was greeted by a very pleasant young man, Steven, he was very helpful and worked with me till we got the vehicle and payment we were looking for. The finance manager was also very helpful and friendly. The dealership is not at all close to my hometown we just happened to take a drive to see what kind of deal we could work up and with the help of the Haus crew we were able to make a deal and they accommodated my schedule and delivered my vehicle to my house, 4hrs away, just to make the deal work! By far the best dealership i have ever dealt with and plan to return..Thanks so much Haus Auto Group!!!


Would you recommend this dealer to a friend? Yes

Did you purchase a vehicle from this dealer? Yes

FIRST-RATE DEALERSHIP, FIVE-STAR QUALITY

November 03, 2012 RICHARD
Thanks to all the knowledgeable staff at Haus Auto Group. A wide selection of vehicles supported by a friendly staff that aims to please! We were very impressed with the ease of our transaction..got the vehicle with no hassle, no fuss, no delay! Thanks for your attention to detail. Very pleasant buying experience. Steve helped us in every way possible! Highly recommend to all potential shoppers! Rick & Sandee
Reason for Visit: Shopping for Used

Would you recommend this dealer to a friend? Yes

Did you purchase a vehicle from this dealer? Yes

Hertz pays $2.3B for Dollar Thrifty

Car rental giant Hertz is in the process of purchasing Dollar Thrifty. The deal is said to be for $2.3 billion, according to an Associated Press report. As a result, Dollar Thrifty stock increased by seven percent in trading before the market opened today.

According to the report, Hertz has been eying its rental car rival for two years now. Additionally, Avis Budget Group was also interested in purchasing Dollar Thrifty. Hertz made the move, though, at a price of $87.50 per share, representing an eight-percent premium over Friday's closing price for the stock of $81 per share.

In a statement, Hertz Chairman and CEO Mark P. Frissora said that the buyout will give his company two more well-known brands and make the company more competitive in Europe and other international markets.

While both parties have agreed to the deal, the Federal Trade Commission must approve the acquisition. According to the report, Hertz has maintained an open line of communication with the FTC throughout the process.

Hertz has roughly 8,650 locations of various types in 150 nations throughout the globe. Dollar Thrifty has about 280 locations in the U.S. and Canada and 1,300 franchise locations worldwide. The two corporations when combined fulfills Dollar Thrifty President and CEO Scott Thompson's assertion that the "transaction is not only compelling for stockholders, but also will help broaden its reach." In addition, the deal is also projected to save Hertz $160 million each year.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class being recalled due to possible accelerator entrapment

Mercedes-Benz M-Class being recalled due to possible accelerator entrapment

Floor mats impeding gas pedals are continuing to cause problems for automakers. This time its Mercedes-Benz.

According to The Detroit News, the German automaker is recalling all-season accessory floor mats on 2012 and 2013 M-Class models for fear that the mat could entrap the go-pedal.

Mercedes-Benz filed this recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, possibly effecting 8,675 in the United States. According to a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson, the floor mats "may not conform to the contours of the floor." This could result in the gas pedal being pressed, and not coming back up, resulting in the car continuing to accelerate. Mercedes has recommended that all M-Class owners remove the floor mats for the time being.

The luxury automaker will notify owners of effected vehicles and have dealers replace the mats free of charge. Mercedes-Benz vehicles currently incorporated brake-override systems that nix the gas pedal inputs when both the accelerator and brake are applied simultaneously.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Canfield, Ohio | Haus Auto Group

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Canfield, Ohio | Haus Auto Group