Latest News From Bumper Radio

The national gas price average has increased for the sixth consecutive week, landing today’s national average at $2.61. That is 18 cents more expensive since prices started the upward trend in late-December and 3 cents more than last Monday.

“Every motorist in the country is paying more at the pump year-over-year. At 18 cents, Utah is seeing the smallest increase and California is feeling the biggest increase at 52 cents compared to the same time last year,” said Jeanette Casselano. “Strong demand coupled with steadily rising oil prices means filling up will continue to cost consumers more this month. In fact, the last time the national gas price average was this high, but under $3/gallon in February was in 2010.”

On the week, U.S. consumer gasoline demand hit 9 million b/d. In 2017, demand did not reach this mark until early March, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Quick Stats

The largest monthly changes in the nation’s top ten markets are: Iowa (+22 cents), California (+21 cents), Minnesota (+19 cents), Nebraska (+18 cents), Kansas (+17 cents), North Dakota (+17 cents), Oklahoma (+17 cents), Florida (+16 cents), Louisiana (+16 cents) and Missouri (+16 cents).

The nation’s top ten least expensive markets are: Texas ($2.36), Mississippi ($2.37), South Carolina ($2.37), Alabama ($2.37), Missouri ($2.38), Arizona ($2.38), Arkansas ($2.39), Tennessee ($2.41), Oklahoma ($2.42) and New Mexico ($2.43).

The Goodguys 9th Spring Nationals is a HUGE automotive festival now welcoming over 2,500 hot rods, customs, classics, street rods, muscle cars & trick trucks through 1987. This event is the second in the Goodguys 2018 event season and brings together timeless traditions and new school trends. In addition to the giant car show, this event features:

• A huge vendor midway featuring commercial exhibits and a tractor trailer midway
• Giant used auto parts swap meet and cars-for-sale area
• Goodguys AutoCross Shootout presented by Prestone
• Saturday Specialty Feature parking areas
• Nitro Thunderfest dragster exhibition presented by Fuelcurve.com—nitro in the air!
• Musical entertainment on Saturday and Sunday
• Goodguys Autocross racing competition –timed racing on a closed performance course
• Model car show—a celebration of the hobby and talent of model builders,
• Kids zone—PPG Coloring contest, costumed characters, Revell model car kit make n‘ take sessions, and lots of fun for the entire family!
• Spectre Performance All American Sunday; open to all years American made and powered vehicles.  Participants, who enter on Sunday will able to run the Goodguys AutoCross, are a part of the show n’ shine and be eligible for the awards.  Registration for All American Sunday opens at 7 am at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
• Awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon at 2:22 pm

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 7, 2018 -- An inventor from Fall Branch, Tenn., has developed the OIL FILTER IMPROVEMENT, an improved oil filter for motor vehicles and equipment. It will automatically collect small ferrous shavings within the oil that are created by moving mechanical parts of the engine. This helps prevent premature wear of components by intercepting the shavings before they are circulated.

"Having worked in factory maintenance, I used this idea all the time. By catching metal within the oil, it will increase the longevity of motor vehicle engines," said the inventor.

The OIL FILTER IMPROVEMENT removes fine metal shavings from motor vehicle oil. This will, in turn, reduce excessive wear of internal components, as well as prevent eventual parts failure. It also helps keep the engine oil clean and protected for the owner/operator. This will help ensure a long and reliable engine life while preventing costly repairs. This improved filter will offer peace of mind that maximum engine protection is being provided. It also is perfect for fuel and hydraulic filters.

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 24, 2018) – American drivers are beginning to embrace self-driving vehicles, according to a new study from AAA. The annual survey reveals that 63 percent of U.S. drivers report feeling afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle, a significant decrease from 78 percent in early 2017. Millennial and male drivers are the most trusting of autonomous technologies, with only half reporting they would be afraid to ride in a self-driving car. To ensure that American drivers continue to be informed, prepared and comfortable with this shift in mobility, AAA urges automakers to prioritize consumer education.

“Americans are starting to feel more comfortable with the idea of self-driving vehicles,” AAA Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations Director Greg Brannon said. “Compared to just a year ago, AAA found that 20 million more U.S. drivers would trust a self-driving vehicle to take them for a ride.”

While riding in a fully self-driving vehicle is a futuristic concept for most, testing of these vehicles in the United States means that sharing the road with an automated vehicle is an increasing near-term possibility. In this situation, drivers remain leery of self-driving vehicles.

RAAMSDONKVEER, Netherlands, January 31, 2018 -- On the 6th & 7th of March (press only) and between the 8th and 18th of March (public days) at the Geneva Motor Show in booth 1210, PAL-V will unveil the world's first flying car production model - the PAL-V Liberty. Not only a decisive milestone for PAL-V, but also a historic breakthrough in the evolution of flying cars altogether.

About the importance of this milestone, Robert Dingemanse, CEO of PAL-V, stated: "The production model is the moment of truth. The moment where the wall between fiction and facts is torn down. A production model is the last stage in the R&D process before starting full production and delivery. All certifications required for commercialization will be granted on the basis of this production model. It is the pivotal point that separates pioneers from dreamers."

The certification not only guarantees the safety of the flying car but also is the approval that the vehicle can be driven on the roads and flown in the air. Dingemanse said: "Once full certification is granted in 2019 we will hand over the keys of the PAL-V Liberty to our first customers."

2018 MDX Sport Hybrid features an upgraded user interface with standard Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration

Two new sporty red exterior colors

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 31, 2018 -- The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid begins arriving at Acura dealerships tomorrow, boasting an upgraded user interface and additional in-vehicle technology plus two new exterior colors, Basque Red Pearl II and San Marino Red. Pricing begins at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP1) of $52,100 (excluding $995 destination and handling). Distinguishing the Sport Hybrid from the rest of the MDX lineup is the brand's signature three-motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™ system, which it shares with the 2018 NSX supercar and RLX Sport Hybrid.

The Acura MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time2 and has recently claimed AutoWeb's 2018 Buyer's Choice Award for the Luxury SUV category.

The 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid showcases Acura's Precision Crafted Performance DNA with its 3.0-liter, i-VTEC™ V6 engine and three-motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system. With 321-peak horsepower3 and 289 lb.-ft. total peak torque on tap, the MDX Sport Hybrid is Acura's most powerful production SUV ever built. And, despite turning out 30 additional horsepower and a 45 percent higher EPA city fuel economy rating as compared to the conventionally-powered MDX SH-AWD, the MDX Sport Hybrid carries a nominal premium of only $1,500 over the conventional MDX SH-AWD®.

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 23, 2018 -- Move over polluters, the Toyota Mirai, one of the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, has surpassed 3,000 sales in the Golden State. Having reached this new milestone, Mirai make up more than 80% of all hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the United States.

Move over polluters, the Toyota Mirai, one of the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, has surpassed 3,000 sales in the Golden State.

"Toyota remains at the forefront of developing and deploying hydrogen fuel cell technology, and we believe strongly in its potential to help realize a more sustainable and zero-emissions society," said Bob Carter, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

"From our success in launching the Mirai to our work in building the world's first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel cell power generation plant, Toyota is proud to bring to market new uses for this versatile technology."

The Toyota Mirai, a four-door, mid-size sedan, is a zero-emission hydrogen vehicle with an EPA estimated driving range rating of 312 miles and 67 mpge city/highway/combined. Its performance fully competes with traditional internal combustion engines – but uses no gasoline. With a refueling time of approximately five minutes, the Mirai creates electricity using hydrogen, oxygen and a fuel cell, and emits nothing but water vapor in the process.

Today’s national gas price average is $2.54, which is only one cent more than last week. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that while gasoline demand modestly decreased (146,000 b/d), gasoline inventory increased by 3.6 million bbl. Combined, these two factors resulted in minimal impact on the national average this week. On the week, gas prices increased for 41 states with Florida seeing the largest jump at the pump with a nine-cent increase.

“For consumers, the questions is how high are gas prices going to go in 2018,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Since 2014, gas prices decreased as much as 20 cents in the first three weeks of the year. This year, gas prices are five cents more than on January 1 of this year, a possible indication that prices in 2018 will likely be more expensive than last year.”

Today, motorists can find gas for $2.50 or less at 58 percent of gas stations nationwide.

Quick Stats

The largest yearly changes in the top ten markets are: California (+39 cents), Indiana (+37 cents), Michigan (+32 cents), Alaska (+30 cents), Oregon (+28 cents), Hawaii (+28 cents), Montana (+28 cents), Ohio (+27 cents), Illinois (+25 cents) and Tennessee (+25 cents).

The nation’s top ten least expensive markets are: Texas ($2.29), Missouri ($2.30), Alabama ($2.30), Mississippi ($2.31), South Carolina ($2.32), Arkansas ($2.32), Arizona ($2.34), New Mexico ($2.35), Oklahoma ($2.35) and Tennessee ($2.36).

Watch All The Action on Velocity Beginning at 1 p.m. MST and During a Special Six-Hour Simulcast on Discovery Channel and Velocity From 4-10 p.m. MST Saturday, Jan. 20

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jan. 16, 2018 – The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction is poised for a historic “Super Saturday” this weekend as some of the most high-profile vehicles are scheduled to cross the auction block. Viewers at home can catch all of the heart-pounding action beginning at 1:00 p.m. MST on Velocity, and then during a special, unprecedented six-hour simulcast on Discovery Channel and Velocity from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. MST.

“We are off to a spectacular start this week at our 47th Annual Scottsdale Auction with a record opening weekend and, with more than 1,700 cars on the docket, we are building up all week to a ‘Super Saturday’ that is going to absolutely rock the house,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “For the first time ever, Discovery Channel will broadcast live on Wednesday in prime time, and Saturday’s simulcast will bring a historic day to viewers at home on Discovery Channel and Velocity.”

Among the highlight vehicles included in Saturday’s simulcast are four high-profile charity vehicles:

New fuel efficient, clean diesel car, pickup, SUV choices debuted at NAIAS

DETROIT, Jan. 17, 2018 -- Clean diesel technology got a major boost at the 2018 North American International Auto Show as six auto manufacturers announced new clean diesel options for passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks.

"These announcements demonstrate a strong commitment to clean diesel technology as a fuel-efficient choice for consumers, and for achieving cleaner air and fuel economy targets," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

"This new generation of clean diesel vehicles has been more scrutinized and evaluated than ever before. Consumers that choose diesel in their next vehicle will experience the unmatched combination of no-compromise driving performance, very low emissions, fuel efficiency, operating range and towing capacity. In the lineup of available alternative fuel vehicles, diesel is the only one with choices in all vehicle segments – sedans, light trucks, SUVs, vans and luxury performance.