A recent CNNMoney.com report about auto theft rates offers an interesting glimpse into what thieves look for – and can help guide you if you’re in the market for a used or new car.

The report cited the 1995 Honda Civic as the most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2007, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Called its annual “Hot Wheels” report, the Bureau noted second place went to the 1991 Honda Accord, followed in order by the 1989 Toyota Camry and the 1997 Ford F-150. The top four did not change from statistics logged in 2006; and the ’95 Civic has been in the top 10 for four straight years. Read more

The Federal Government recently announced planned improvements to its auto crash test program for new cars and trucks, to take effect for the 2010 model year.

The plan is to expand the traditional program of grading vehicles from one to five stars.

To be added to the usual stars will be an overall safety rating that will combine scores from multiple crash tests.

Consumers Want Real Testing and Real Facts

The new program also will add new front-end tests, and other specific-instance situations such as a car’s side hitting a pole, or the use of crash test dummies representing women and large children to see how they respond to certain collisions. Read more

In July 2008, California and Washington joined New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., in banning the use of mobile phones with your hands while driving.

In California the law was no surprise, as it was passed several years ago and lawmakers gave plenty of lead time to explore communications options inside your vehicle.

A Long Road

Motorists did not plan well. What we’ve seen so far is just fewer people talking on their phones in cars – as if they had no better solution than to screen calls coming in and pull over as soon as possible to respond. Read more

Ford might now own Volvo, but one thing hasn’t changed for the Swedish brand: a reputation for automobile safety.

Interest in improving driver and passenger safety in cars increases every year. Things like side-impact safety curtains were unheard of only a decade ago.

Sweden – Cutting Edge Safety

In fact recently, according to Reuters, the head of traffic safety for the Swedish road administration said we now are in the “biggest revolution in the auto industry since the seatbelt.”

And Volvo is at the forefront. The same news article stated Volvo’s plan to create an “injury-proof” car by 2020. Some industry analysts view the announcement as the company’s attempt to maintain its high level of consumer perceptions regarding safety Read more