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Fewer crowds, mild weather and budget-friendly options attract fall travelers

ORLANDO, Fla. (September 19, 2017) – Summer’s over and kids are back in school, but many people are making plans for at least one more getaway this fall, before the arrival of another busy holiday season. According to a new survey from AAA, more than one in four Americans (28 percent) expects to take a vacation this year between Labor Day and Thanksgiving

“We have seen strong demand for travel throughout the course of the year, and Americans are discovering that traveling during the fall season is a best kept secret,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president, Travel and Publishing. “Travelers increasingly prioritize immersive travel experiences and autumn offers more opportunities for them to explore a destination’s local culture, thanks to fewer crowds and mild weather.

What type of damage salt water can do to a car? It can effect the batteries, engines, brake lines, computers and more. The Car Coach®, Lauren Fix joins the Weather Channel to talk about all the car loss and what you should look for in a water damaged vehicle.

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2017 -- Rear View Safety, an industry leader in the sales and distribution of vehicle safety solutions, including backup camera systems, backup sensor systems, driver fatigue systems, mobile DVRs, and dash cameras, is always looking towards the future. The company is proud to announce their 2018 complete product catalog.

The Brooklyn based company released over 50 new safety solutions this year, including the RVS-77550 360+ Bird's Eye View System with Lane Changing Cameras, and the RVS-776718-FLML G-Series Backup Camera System with Frameless Mirror Monitor and Mirrorlink.  

The new 85-page catalog features over 300 unique safety solutions, from backup camera systems and backup sensor systems, to driver fatigue systems, dash cameras, mobile DVRs and everything in between. Click here to view a digital version, or call 800-764-1028 to order a physical copy.

"We've had a busy year. It's important for us to stay on the cutting edge of safety solutions, and utilize the highest quality technology for all of our products," said Rear View Safety Executive Vice President Joseph Schechter.

To find out more information about the 2018 product catalog, or to learn more about the company in general, please visit the organization's official website today at https://www.rearviewsafety.com/ or call 800-764-1028.

HOUSTON, Sept. 13, 2017 -- Houston-based TAXA Outdoors Inc, the leading manufacturer of alternative RVs prized by outdoor enthusiasts, is unveiling an 18-foot travel trailer called Mantis at RV Open House, Sept. 18-22 near Elkhart, Indiana.

The Mantis is a rugged 18-foot-long camping trailer that comfortably sleeps 4 adults, weighs under 2,300 pounds and can be stored in a standard length and height garage. Along with Taxa's NASA inspired design and integrated plumbing and electrical systems, it has all the necessities needed for your outdoor adventure lifestyle.

The basic Camp Mantis is entirely run on two 12-volt, deep-cycle batteries stowed in the kitchen area or shore power with a 110-volt inverter, either of which can power the 12-volt refrigerator. The enhanced Trek Mantis also is plumbed for propane, which can be used for the two-burner stove, water heater and propane-powered refrigerator, with an optional Truma Combi furnace for year round use. Air conditioning is optional on either model.

CENTREVILLE, Va., Sept. 13, 2017 -- New research from Carfax suggests that drivers may be behind the wheel of more than 325,000 previously flooded vehicles. That number is a 20% increase from 2016 and a stark reminder to consumers to do their due diligence when used car shopping.

Vehicles reported as flood damaged by a state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), insurance companies and more have washed up in every state, and these ten states have the most:

1. Texas – 51,000
2. Louisiana – 29,000
3. Pennsylvania – 20,000
4. Florida – 19,000
5. Kentucky – 16,000 
6. Illinois – 15,000
7. South Carolina – 13,000
8. Virginia – 13,000
9. North Carolina – 13,000
10. Michigan – 11,000

Slow sales, good performance in the U.S. News Best Cars rankings and significant incentives make these cars, trucks and SUVs smart buys this September.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2017 -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today unveiled September's list of the Best Cars to Buy Now. To make U.S. News' monthly list, a car has to meet three criteria: declining sales, strong manufacturer incentives and excellent scores in the U.S. News Best Cars rankings.

"Consumers are not only in a strong negotiating position with these vehicles, but they can also take advantage of some great incentives," says Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. "Every vehicle on the list also has great reviews from the automotive press, hitting the sweet spot of quality and value that makes a new car a smart choice."

This month, U.S. News Best Cars has identified 8 cars, SUVs and trucks that are sure to fit any lifestyle. Consumers can expect significant savings on everything from fuel-sipping hybrids, rugged trucks, sports cars and family SUVs.

TUSTIN, Calif., Sept. 12, 2017 -- In a recently released study about autonomous vehicles, automotive marketing consulting firm AutoPacific found that 54% of vehicle owners think that self-driving vehicles are a "good idea" and 23% are interested in owning one. The study contains results from over 900 vehicle owners who were asked about various aspects of self-driving vehicles, and also explores consumer opinions, expectations and the role of semi-autonomous features. "The automobile is moving toward increasingly autonomous technology, from lane departure warning systems to cars that can completely drive themselves," says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "AutoPacific set out to explore consumer opinions to help auto manufacturers navigate the best path to maximum customer acceptance."

Consumers interested in autonomy find the ability to relax or be more productive during their drive appealing, yet are also interested in being able to be in a more comfortable seating position. Interest, however, doesn't come without concerns. Rejectors and acceptors alike share concerns over vehicle hacking and still want the ability to take over controls if needed.

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 13, 2017 -- If you missed out on Labor Day deals, don't worry, many of them are still available through the end of the month. In fact, the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book have compiled a list of their top 10 lease, financing and cash back deals for new models available through September, including four offers of more than $4,000 cash back and several leases under $200 per month.

"This month's list of good deals on good cars features some of the biggest savings we've seen all year," said Jason Allan, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "With a $199 per month lease on our Mid-Size Car Best Buy of 2017 and $7,500 cash back on a family-size SUV, September's collection boasts a compelling collection of deals on a wide variety of vehicles."

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COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 13, 2017 -- While non-premium and premium vehicle owners are equally satisfied with the level of technology—and its ease of use—in their new vehicle, a degree of "lost value" still exists since most owners don't completely understand and use all available vehicle technology, according to the J.D. Power 2017 Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study,SM released today.

Overall owner satisfaction with new-vehicle technology among both premium and non-premium owners averages 750 (on a 1,000-point scale)

Satisfaction is highest in the large segment (777), followed by the compact segment (753); compact premium segment (751); midsize premium segment (746); midsize segment (744); small premium segment (739); and small segment (732).

The study, now in its second year, measures drivers' experiences, usage, and interaction with 35 driver-centric vehicle technologies at 90 days of ownership. The study provides subscribers with an understanding of opportunities for minimizing the gap between driver experience and execution. The major technology categories analyzed in the study include entertainment and connectivity; comfort and convenience; driving assistance; collision protection; navigation; and smartphone mirroring.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2017 -- On August 9, the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) awarded a grant of $16,362,500 to Equilon Enterprises LLC a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company (collectively, "Shell") for the introduction of seven hydrogen refueling stations in Northern California.

The hydrogen refueling stations will be built in collaboration with Honda and Toyota, who will provide financial support, at seven Shell-branded retail stations across Northern California; three in the city of San Francisco, and one in each of Berkeley, Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Walnut Creek.

The Energy Commission awarded the grant through its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP), which invests up to $100 million every year to support innovations in transportation and fuel technologies that help California meet its energy, clean air, and climate change goals.

The hydrogen refueling stations will be installed in strategic locations within the existing network of Shell-branded retail stations, offering existing and future fuel cell electric vehicle drivers high-quality service with simple and straightforward car refueling in minutes.