Kia, Volvo, Maintaining your vehicle

Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: March 28, 2008 - 9:08 AM

Kia offers new model

Kia Motors America made the world debut of the all-new Borrego midsize SUV at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, further bolstering its product offerings in the United States. Inspired by Kia's "less is more" design philosophy, Borrego is intended to convey a pure and functional look, reports Motor Matters. Set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model, Borrego houses Kia's first-ever V-8 engine, making it the most powerful Kia vehicle to date.

Volvo rules

With a score of 77 percent in the Consumers Union safety category, Volvo is first in consumers' minds when it comes to safety, reports Consumers Union. No other category is so unilaterally dominated by one brand.

ZEO means zero

The 2008 Dodge ZEO (Zero Emissions Operation) concept vehicle is a four-passenger, all-electric, sport wagon, Motor Matters reports. With its 23-inch wheels-to-the-corners proportions and muscular forms, the ZEO exhibits a new breed of electric cars. The advanced propulsion system powering the ZEO concept is electric-only with a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles. No word on whether or when this vehicle might move into a production phase.

Maintaining your vehicle

The best way to keep your vehicle in good shape is to follow the guidelines in your owner's manual, says Motor Matters. If you lost your manual, contact the manufacturer to get a replacement. Also, some owner's manuals are available online. Some service shops have their own schedules, which is more frequent than that recommended by the manufacturer in the service manual. If that is the case, ask the service shop to explain its reasons for service beyond the recommended schedule.

Spring is battery maintenance season

As weekend mechanics prepare to fire up motorcycles, convertibles and other mechanized toys for another season of cruising and touring, dead batteries often stand in the way. No problem. Visit Toolsource.com for a wide range of battery tools and gizmos such as alternator testers, high-powered chargers, jumper cables and inverters.

GM big in China

General Motors sold one million vehicles in China in 2007, the first automaker to reach that number in a single year, Motor Trend recently reported. Buicks are especially popular there. How quickly is that market growing? GM sold 100,000 per year in 2002 and reached 500,000 in 2005.

The eight-speed transmission

Gaining even a small edge over rivals in the luxury-sedan league is a challenge, states the New York Times. So, along these lines, as a way to thump its class competitors, Lexus whipped up an eight-speed automatic transmission for the 2007 LS 460 models (the same automatic is also fitted to Lexus's 2008 GS 460 and 2009 IS-F models). A wider spread of ratios between first and eighth gears yields quicker acceleration, quieter cruising and slightly better gas mileage.

Chrysler and Nissan discussions

These two major carmakers are talking about helping each other with new cars and trucks, Motor Trend reports. So far, the discussions are about sharing technology, with no plans to trade equity. But, as the magazine speculates, potential projects are obvious: "Chrysler needs help with small cars, and Nissan, of course, could use Dodge's truck expertise."

A better view

File this under hot new gizmos. As the New York Times recently reported, to diminish parking stress, Infiniti offers the next best thing to Google Earth. The Infiniti EX35's Around View Monitor uses four miniature exterior cameras to see the fire hydrants, curbs and errant tricycles lurking near a potential parking spot. Images from the cameras at the front, rear and both sides of the EX are electronically merged into a single bird's-eye vista displayed on the dashboard navigation screen. As the newspaper points out, this technology doesn't come cheap: the monitor is part of a $1,950 Technology Package available only after you select a $2,150 Navigation Package on your $35,565 Infiniti EX35.