Lauren Fix, The Car Coach and Paul Brian report on the best of the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, including their favorite vehicles and the winners of the 2016 North American Car and Truck of the Year. Learn more about the new Honda Civic, Volvo XC-90, Infiniti Q60, Porsche 911, 2017 Dodge Pacifica, 2017 Hyundai Genesis G90, and many more!

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced its latest estimate of traffic deaths, which show a steep 9.3 percent increase for the first nine months of 2015. The news comes as the agency kicks-off its first in a series of regional summits with a day-long event in Sacramento, Calif., to examine unsafe behaviors and human choices that contribute to increasing traffic deaths on a national scale. Human factors contribute to 94 percent of crashes according to decades of NHTSA research.

“For decades, U.S. DOT has been driving safety improvements on our roads, and those efforts have resulted in a steady decline in highway deaths,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “But the apparent increase in 2015 is a signal that we need to do more. The safety summits that NHTSA is kicking off today in Sacramento will provide us with new approaches to add to the tried-and-true tactics that we know save lives.”

NHTSA estimates that more than 26,000 people died in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2015, compared to the 23,796 fatalities in the first nine months of 2014. U.S. regions nationwide showed increases ranging from 2 to 20 percent. View the report

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz Vans is pleased to announce the expansion of the Sprinter portfolio by debuting the WORKER model, which goes on sale in Spring 2016.  Starting at just $32,495*, the Sprinter WORKER will offer the simplest and most straightforward equipment and packaging within the Sprinter Van model line, which includes the 2500 and heavy-duty 3500 models.  Targeting the heart of the commercial van market for plumbers, electricians, general contractors, and HVAC specialists, the WORKER was designed with input from dealers and customers alike, offering the safety, reliability, and best-in-class service intervals—up to 20,000 miles--expected from Mercedes-Benz Vans, all at an affordable and approachable starting price.
  
"We are pleased to announce the new Sprinter WORKER model, which is every bit as capable as the rest of our Sprinter lineup at an even more attractive starting price: $32,495," said Bernie Glaser, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Vans in the USA.  "The Sprinter brand is no stranger to hard work and we are making a statement by targeting the heart of the commercial van market by offering an affordable and approachable model designed for plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, general contractors and similar fields.  The Sprinter offers the best value, as well as simple and straightforward packaging for our toughest customers.  Together with creative financing solutions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, it has never been easier to own a Sprinter."   

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Actev Motors™, creators of smart, electric vehicles for families, today unveiled the Arrow Smart-Kart™, the first smart, electric go-kart for kids. The Arrow, designed by professional racecar drivers and inspired by technology in today's most advanced cars, comes with a sleek design and is packed with performance and safety features. Young drivers are guaranteed an exciting driving experience while parents can supervise on their iOS or Android device through the Arrow app.
  
"As a long time-car enthusiast, I wanted to leverage my 35 years of technology experience to bring a whole new category of fun and safe vehicles to families," said Dave Bell, CEO and co-founder of Actev Motors. "Simple battery-powered ride-on cars don't excite today's kids – they seek high-tech interactive experiences. The Arrow Smart-Kart gets kids off the couch and outside, and behind the wheel of a real driving machine."

AAA finds two-thirds of American drivers concerned about potholes on local roadways

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2016) – As snow and ice begin to thaw and crumbling roadways emerge, a new study from AAA reveals that pothole damage has cost U.S. drivers $15 billion in vehicle repairs over the last five years, or approximately $3 billion annually. With two-thirds of Americans concerned about potholes on local roadways, AAA cautions drivers to remain alert to avoid pothole damage, and urges state and local governments to fully fund and prioritize road maintenance to reduce vehicle damage, repair costs and driver frustration.

“In the last five years, 16 million drivers across the country have suffered pothole damage to their vehicles,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “The problems range from tire punctures and bent wheels, to more expensive suspension damage.”