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The Hyundai Santa Fe was named the best 3-row $40,000 SUV in a 3-row challenge that consisted of top competitors in the SUV segment.  The Santa Fe was named the best SUV by experts at Cars.com, USA Today and MotorWeek.  The judges combined their feedback with an evaluation of a consumer family that was in the market for a 3-row SUV.  This challenge put seven 2014 model 3-row SUVs head to head.  The vehicles were tested over a three day period.  Within this three day period the SUVs went through a real-world gas mileage test, expert evaluations, as well as family evaluations.  The expert’s scores accounted for 75%, family 15%, and fuel economy 10%.  The Santa Fe that was provided was equipped with the Limited Technology Package. In the real world gas mileage test the Santa Fe achieved the group’s highest with a rating at 22.5 mpg.  It also received praise on its strong value under $40,000.  The judges were impresses with the abundance of features in the Santa Fe.  Features include the panoramic moonroof, rear sunshades, heated steering wheel, and cooled seats.  The experts also commented on the acceleration, handling and infotainment system. The 2014 Santa Fe Sport is assembled at the Hyundai production facility in Georgia.  The Santa Fe starts with innovation.  The Santa Fe Sport shows off the latest iteration of Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture designed named “storm edge”.  It gives the Santa Fe Sport style that exhibits power and strength of nature.  Dynamic side character lines add to the aerodynamic flow while design elements and chrome accents on the grill and door handles create a distinctly premium feeling.  The aerodynamic design of the Santa Fe can help improve MPG.  Two types of wheels are available on the Santa Fe Sport, the standard 17 inch alloy wheels will generate plenty of traction, there is also an 18 inch alloy wheel, and if the driver really wants to step things up then the available 19 inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels can be added. The 2014 Santa Fe is also one of the safest vehicles out there for purchase.  There are seven airbags in the Santa Fe including a driver’s knee airbag.  There is also electronic stability control, this uses sensors in the steering system and at each wheel to compare where you want to go with where the car is headed.  If there is a difference detected between the two then the Electronic Stability Control slows the appropriate wheel to redirect the car and help the driver keep course.    The Santa Fe also has an excellent Anti-Lock Braking System.  Emergency braking can cause the wheels of the vehicle to lock up and skid, this can result in loss of control.  The Anti-Lock Braking System helps prevent the possibility of wheel lockup under hard braking.

We are going over some fun and interesting facts you might not have known about Hyundai!  We found some of these to be very interesting! The first fact about Hyundai is that the company was established in 1967 by Chung Ju-yung, its headquarters are located in Seoul, South Korea!  This means that Hyundai is 47 years old! Hyundai is a brand to reckon with!  They hire more than 75,000 people worldwide! Vehicles under the brand Hyundai are sold to a total of 193 nations and it is the fourth biggest automobile manufacturer in the world! The Ulsan car production plant which is operated by Hyundai is the largest worldwide!  They have a potential to manufacture around 1.6 million cars every year! Hyundai was ranked second-best by J.D. Power and Associates in a survey on initial quality in 2004! Not only is Hyundai an overall great brand but they are also one of the most noticeable brands worldwide.  Not with just automobiles. Hyundai also is one of the primary sponsors of the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro, the Korea Football Association and also the Olympique Olyonnais! The Swedish Rally in 2000 marked the entrance of the Hyundai World Rally Team.  This team had its first top ten finish at the Rally Argentina. The North American International Road Show named the Hyundai Elantra as the car of the year in 2012! Hyundai opened its first Canadian factory in Bromon, Quebec and was named as Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. Hyundai had a commercial in New Zealand that promoted the Santa Fe in 2006 promoting the car of the future.  The ad was so popular in New Zealand that is was voted as New Zealand’s favorite TV ad! The Korean word “Hyundai” signifies “modern” and reflects Hyundai’s commitment to produce innovative, high quality vehicles at affordable prices. The company’s first assembly and manufacturing plant in the United States is in Montgomery, Alabama.  It started production in March of 2005 and rolled out the 2006 Sonata!

When planning family road trips it is very important to have the proper vehicle that fits the whole family as well as all the cargo that comes along with taking a road trip!  All of that luggage has to go somewhere!  Most families need a lot of space not only for kids but also for their cargo. The first car on the list is the Ford Flex!  The Flex has three rows of seating and plenty of room for cargo.  The second row seats can be ordered with a center-console refrigerator-freezer.  It has the best in class second and third row leg room.  With additional amenities like the PowerFold third row seat with tailgate feature and a refrigerated second row console the Flex is an ideal crossover for tailgating.  Not only is the Flex spacious but it is also comfortable.  There are available features such as heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, power adjustable pedals, power-tilt steering column and available power, folding heated mirrors. The Lincoln MKT can carry up to seven passengers and features an optional over the top surround sound and video entertainment system with 14 speakers.  There is an option package which includes navigation, panoramic sunroof and a blind spot monitoring system.  The entertainment upgrade includes video screens behind each of the front headrests that can show two different movies or video games at the same time!  While the kids are in the back occupied the adults in the front to listen to something else! This system is also said to greatly improve music played from MP3 players. Another car that made the list is the Ford Fusion.  The Hybrid models gets a remarkable 47 miles to the gallon.  The Fusion receives high marks for its roomy, comfortable seats and useful trunk space that expands cargo space with a folding rear seat.  The interior design is also very attractive and upscale.  The notable features include dual-zone automatic climate control, auxiliary jack, satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice controlled Synce with MyFord infotainment system.  It can also be equipped with features such as lane departure warning with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, active park assist, navigation and a rearview camera with back up sensors. The Hyundai Santa Fe is also on our list of the best vehicles for family road trips.  It features rear seats that are split into three sections which are able to fold down for clever use of space.  Standard features include a 17 inch alloy wheels, power accessories, Bluetooth technology, six speaker audio systel and the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system.  The Santa Fe is a 2013 IIHS Top Safety pick and has dual front side mounted air bags as well as child seat anchors and emergency braking assist.  Hyundai vehicles also come with the Hyundai powertrain warranty which covers up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.  Hyundai also has a basic warranty to cover items such as brake pads and linings, belts and radio and audio systems for five years of 60,000 miles.

Consumer Reports has put together a list of cars that won’t bust your budget.  Preston Automotive has three of these cars available on their lot!  The list consists of the Ford Mustang, Hyundai Elantra and the Mazda5.  One is a sports car, one a sedan and one a minivan! The Ford Mustang delivers a satisfying and fun ride with its 420 horsepower V8.  The 2014 Mustang impressed everyone with both its interior and exterior updates, making the Ford a more-refined muscle car.  The 2014 Mustang features an aggressive look, from its bold front end to its attention getting body accents.  The Mustang features and impressive list of high tech features.  The available Track Apps gives performance metrics from acceleration times to g-force measurements.  There are also features like the available Sync which allows you to activate your phone, music and much more.  The navigation system with integrated SiriusXM Traffic provides directions, traffic alerts and gas prices.  For the interior you can choose racing inspired Recaro cloth or leather trimmed seats with integrated airbags.  The available Shaker Audio System with HD Radio Technology delivers and impressive audio performance that is bound to please! Also on the list is the Hyundai Elantra. The newly designed 2014Hyundai Elantra has fluidic sculpture and bucks conventional styles.  The car offers fashion forward features like its wraparound projector headlights with LED accents, front fog lights, and LED rear tail lights.  The wheelbase also gives it a lower sportier profile. The interior of the Hyundai Elantra is designed for a class above.  This means fitting it with the interior space and standard amenities you would come to expect from a much more expensive vehicle.  One inside the customer will notice the difference.  The interior also features dual zone climate control for extra added comfort.  The driver and passenger can both be comfortable even as the conditions outside of the vehicle change.  The seats take a stand for the environment.  They are built with environmentally friendly soy based foam.  These seats are an example of Hyundai’s commitment to making vehicles in ways that have less impact on the environment.  The seat foam is made from renewable resources and lowers carbon emissions.  The Elantra sedan was the first compact car to have heated seats for both front and rear passengers. The 2014 Mazda5 has fun driving dynamics and a low price which make it a great choice when buying a minivan.  U.S. News has named the 2014 Mazda5 the best minivan for the money.  The Mazda5 has a four-cylinder engine and a six speed transmission there is also the optional five speed automatic.  It gets an EPA estimated 22/28 mpg city/highway which is exceptional for its class.  The Maza5 is also easy to park and maneuver.  The electronic brake force distribution and brake assist help determine how much force to apply to the front and rear brakes while the anti-lock brake system helps prevent wheel lock for more controlled stops.  It has easy third row access and plenty of cargo space for its size.  Every Mazda5 is powered by a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound feet of torque.

There are many features that used to be in vehicles that are no longer available.  Some of these features are very interesting! The first one we no longer see is bench seats!  The last American production model car to offer a bench seat in the front was the Chevy Impala.  Before seat belts were included in cars or even required to be worn by law three passengers could comfortably fit in the front of most cars.   Some trucks are still equipped with bench seats but it is very rare that you find a car with bench seats anymore! Preston Ford currently has a few new F-150s which have a bench seat in the front! Another feature not often found any more is an ashtray.  They were commonly found in the dashboard along with an electric lighter.  If you weren’t a smoker the ashtray was handy for storing loose coins.   Now in vehicles you don't see the ashtray most vehicles have storage devices or a more open looking center console. Most vehicles also no longer come with a full-size spare tire.  The advantage with a full-size spare tire is that you could put it on and not stress too much about getting the other tire fixed or replaced.  You could have gotten it replaced at your convenience.   Now most vehicles come with "donuts", these tires are not meant to be driven on for very long so if you get a flat tire you should get to a service facility in a timely manner! Vent windows are also an item of the past.  Vent or “wing” windows were popular in the pre-air conditioning days.  These windows were especially great for when it was to chilly for air condition and you didn’t want the windows all the way down.  The vent windows wouldn’t blow or mess up your hair while driving. Horn Rings were originally considered a safety feature as well as a huge convenience.  Before Horn Rings the driver had to completely remove their hand from the steering wheel in order to beep the horn.  When the Horn Ring came around you could hit the horn without removing your hand from the steering wheel.  There are no longer horn rings so you must revert back to removing your hand from the steering wheel in order to beep the horn. Control Knobs in vehicles are also slowly starting to not show up anymore.  Many vehicles now have touch screens in order to control the radio station or the air conditioning.  This could be a hassle if trying to be safe while driving.  Although in today’s vehicles there are often controls right on the steering wheel so there is no need to take your hands off the wheel. An item that we are seeing features in cars is keys!  A lot of vehicles have keyless entry and push to start options which only take a remote to power!   You do not need to remove your remote from your purse, briefcase or pocket in order to unlock, lock or start your vehicle.  This is all very convenient!  Many of the vehicles at Preston Automotive Group have available keyless entry and push to start.  Some even have remote start, this is where you can press a  button on your key fob and  your vehicle will start without  having to be sitting in it.  If you would like a remote start one of our Auto Body Shops can install that for you.  We have Preston Customs, where a customer can customize their vehicles with leather seats, remote starts, dvd players and much more! Crank windows are often only found in base models in the automotive business today.  Many base models actually offer power windows now! All vehicles used to have crank windows back in the day.  Some power windows even go down without having to hold down the button, with one push the window will roll all the way down. It is fascinating to look back on the way vehicles used to be and see how many things have changed over the years. We are likely to see even more changes with the way technology is evolving.

With technology advancing by the minute there are some great apps that can help keep you safe on the road.  Always remember that being on your phone while driving is very dangerous and can cause more harm than good.  Preston Automotive Group has three Auto Body shops which can repair all makes and models.  We also offer 24 hour towing at all three of these locations.  All you have to do is call and our towing team will come to the rescue! The first app that is great to have on your phone is the AAA Roadside app! This app is free on your smartphone.  Having AAA is almost as important as putting gas into your vehicle.  Even if you are currently not a member of AAA you can still use some of the services they offer.  If you are a member you will never have to search for your AAA card or phone number again.  The on-site process is usually less than 30 minutes! That is impressive! Another great app is Roadside Assistance.  This app is $0.99 and is ideal if you do not have AAA.  This app quickly figures out your location and finds your exact address as well as contact numbers for national and local roadside assistance. There is a State Lines App by Two Steps Beyond which is essential for any person who takes a lot of road trips!  This app provides you with all the relevant driving laws in each state.  It also provides you with other relevant information that will help keep you safe and legal.  If a state has a law that you aren’t allowed to be on your phone will driving you will definitely know about it! Gas Cubby is another great app for the road!  It is a fuel economy calculator, car maintenance and service log!  This app helps to keep you up to date with the internals of your vehicle!  It can track miles per gallon and your car’s service records. iWrecked is an app that is there for you in the unfortunate event that you get in an accident.  It acts as your personal auto accident assistant.  iWrecked keeps a detailed accident log and history, captures unlimited images and archives using the iPhone camera, sends accident reports with images.  It can also locate taxis, towing firms, emergency services and much more! A great app for overall safety is the Smart-ICE4family app!  This app is $2.99 and in the event of an emergency is will contact emergency services, help them locate you, share crucial medical information with medical personnel and make sure that your insurance information is close at hand! All of these apps can provide comfort and safety to the driver.  The safest driving practice is to not use a cell phone while driving at all!  They are a distraction and can provide more harm then they do good.  These apps will work great with vehicles offered by Preston Automotive Group.  At the Preston Autoplex alone you can take your pick between a Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, Ford or Lincoln. We also have a great selection of pre-owned vehicles!

Many vehicles now have a great feature where you will not have to use that bulky garage door opener anymore!  Many people usually put their garage door opener on their visor of the vehicle, this is usually the one that comes standard when a garage door system is installed in their house.  The steps to programing your garage door opener that came standard with your vehicle is very simple!  In order to program your system you must first note that some of these systems require the ignition be turned on or the vehicle to actually be running. Step One:  First you want to press and hold the two outside buttons on your system until the LED starts to blink.  Once it starts to blink you can release the buttons. Step Two:  Hold your garage remote about two inches from the on-board system and press and hold the open button on your remote and the button you are programming on your car’s system. Step Three:  Release the buttons once the indicator light begins flashing rapidly. Step Four:  Press and hold the training button on the on-board system until the light glows to a solid color.  If it continues to blink then proceed to the following steps. Step Five:  Press the “learn” button on your garage door motor and return to the vehicle and press and hold for two seconds and release the training button again on the on-board system. Step Six:  Repeat the press-hold-and-release process two more times and your car opener will be successfully programmed to your garage motor. This may seem complicated but it really isn’t!  If you find you need extra help you can always consult your owner’s manual.  Your owner’s manual will also have steps to follow in it.  If your owner’s manual does not give you the help you are looking for you can always stop into Preston Ford, Preston Nissan, Preston Hyundai or Preston Mazda and we will be sure to answer any questions you might have.

If you are looking for the perfect vehicle to take your Valentine on a date with you have come to the right place.  Preston Automotive Group is here to share with you the vehicles we have chosen to be the best for a Valentine’s Day Date!  These five vehicles we have chosen are perfect for impressing that important person in your life.  The vehicles we have chosen are the Ford Mustang, Ford F-150, Mazda Miata MX-5, Hyundai Genesis, and the Nissan Maxima.  These vehicles are bound to make your Valentine's Day the best! The first vehicle to address is the Ford Mustang.  We think the Mustang is perfect because who doesn’t love a sports car?  The Mustang can also come with a convertible top, if you are in a warm place this is perfect.  Riding with the top down is an ideal date.  Even if the top isn’t down the Mustang is still a very appealing car to many people.  The Mustang can come in an array of colors to fit your choice.  However, the most appropriate color is red for Valentine’s Day.  It is available in 10 different models! The interior of the Mustang is nothing short of impressive.  The cockpit blends craftsmanship with premium materials.  There are many different packages that are available for the Mustang. No one can forget about the Ford F-150.  Everyone loves riding in a truck on Valentine’s Day.  The Ford F-150 is America’s Best Selling Truck and is definitely a top seller at Preston Ford.  The F-150 is available in 10 tough models.  You are bound to find the model that is perfect for you! The F-150 can haul more cargo than any of its competitors, it can haul a maximum of 3,120 lbs!  It also has a Class V trailer towing capability with a maximum of 11,300 lbs!  The interior of the F-150 is as impressive as its exterior.  It has a quiet environment thanks to Ford’s 720-degree approach to noise reduction.  One of the great features of the interior is the class-exclusive fully flat load floor.  This is simply impressive!  Behind the front seats of the F-150 SuperCrew is the fully flat load floor, simply lift the seats and reveal the whole floor! Another vehicle that made our list is the 2014 Nissan Maxima.  The Maxima is extremely comfortable but also has an abundance of style and appeal.  The Nissan Maxima defys the sedan stereotype.  The power of its 3.5L V6 engine helps deliver quick acceleration.  The Maxima makes you feel like you are behind the wheel of a sports car.  The Maxima’s comfort is like non other.  It has room for five and keeps every passenger in mind.  Premium materials and an available heated steering wheel add to the first rate comfort.  There is also an optional dual panel moonroof which is perfect for memorable stargazing. The 2014 Hyundai Genesis is another one of our picks.  The Genesis is a luxury sedan, which has been highly ranked by J.D. Power.  It has class leading 333 horsepower, which is much higher than other comparable luxury sedans.  The Genesis also has best in class total interior volume!  It has 125.3 cubic feet of space!  That is a lot of space that is available for passengers or even shopping bags! The interior of the Genesis is extremely luxurious.   The steering wheel is heated leather and there are also heated leather seats in the Genesis.  Of course there is also the available navigation system that comes in handy for road trips. The last vehicle on our list is the Mazda Miata MX-5.  The Miata is available in convertible like the Mustang!  One of the coolest things about the Miata MX-5 is that it is one of the few production cars to have its own race series!  You can drive cars that are on the race track!  This year is the 25 th anniversary of the Miata MX-5.  It gives an impressive performance on the road, the Mazda engineers took into account every bolt, wire and upholstery stitch to achieve near perfect front to rear weight distribution and handling that seems to anticipate your every move! Preston Automotive Group is proud to have an abundance of all these vehicles in stock and ready to be driven off the lot!  The team at Preston wishes everyone a happy and lovely Valentine's Day!

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis is expected to be available in the Spring of 2014.  Hyundai set out to create an even smarter all-wheel drive system.  HTRAC is the result of tireless testing, tweaking and evaluation on the famous German test track.  The new Genesis also has intelligent drive mode.  There are normal, sport, eco and snow modes which alter steering, transmission, throttle and suspension to give you control which is tailored to each environment and condition. The 2015 Genesis is also to no surprise an extremely safe vehicle.  It has an automatic emergency braking system.  This system uses both cameras and radar sensors to aide safety.  In fog, rain or any other extreme condition the Gensis can see what is happening up ahead and alert you of danger.  If a crash is imminent and the driver doesn’t react, the system deploys Automatic Emergency Braking.  They system can even apply full brake force stopping power from 5 to 50 mph.  This gives you an added element of safety.  The 2015 Genesis also comes with lane departure warning with lane keep assist.  This automatically detects when a driver has difficulty staying in their lane and helps by using gentle steering compensation about 43 mph.  The Genesis will even provide feedback through steering wheel vibration when the vehicle drifts outside the lane without signaling.  Also, the lane departure warning will alert the driver with an audio cue or a visual warning on the heads-up display.  In order to increase awareness on the road the Genesis employs a radar system to detech when a vehicle is in the driver’s blind spot or in the rear cross path while backing up.  The system also provides both an audio and a visual alert to keep you aware at all times.  There is also no need to constantly adjust your cruise control.  With smart cruise control the Genesis will automatically adjust its speed based on the vehicle in front of you.  It can even come to a full stop and then start again without any driver input.  Nine airbags help protect you from all areas in the Genesis.  Even the driver’s knees have their own airbag! There is a lot of technology in the 2015 Genesis that is all at convenience for you!  The first being the smart trunk with auto open.  The Genesis’ trunk will automatically open when you stand within 3 feet behind the vehicle with the key for more than three seconds.  You do not need to wave or kick your feet in order to engage.  The Genesis has a totally new automotive system that is designed to sense carbon dioxide levels in the cabin of the vehicle.  As it is being driven carbon dioxide naturally builds.  The Genesis CO2 sensor automatically activates the ventilation system to add fresh air to the cabin.  The guessing is now over when it comes to which tire needs more air in it.  The genesis intelligently indicates exactly which tire is low on air. The Genesis is a high quality with features you won’t see in anything else.  The panoramic sunroof offers views of the skyline by opening up completely from front to back seat.  There is also ventilated seats with power bolster and a cushion extender.  This allows each driver to find the ideal comfortable position by injecting air to bolster the seat and extending for further leg support.  The wood trim adds to the overall aesthetic of the vehicle.  The interior is elegantly with features that everyone can appreciate. Preston Hyundai is very excited about seeing this vehicle released this Spring.  Stay tuned for updates on our Facebook page as to when Preston Hyundai will have the 2015 Hyundai Genesis available.

There are many benefits to buying a pre-owned vehicle from the Preston Automotive Group. Preston Automotive Group is currently in their Mission Possible Pre-Owned Surplus Sell Off.  They have a surplus of pre-owned vehicles due to thier Top 100 Sales Drive. Pre-Owned vehicles can often be just as appealing and worth the money as new vehicles. The first benefit is price.  Buying a new vehicle is expensive, especially once you get into high trim levels.  A used car is going to be less expensive and could even allow the customer to step up to a nicer model than expected.  It becomes possible to get all the features desired in a vehicle that would be extremely expensive when buying new.  Most used vehicles have desired features that are also available in new. Another important benefit is that used vehicles don’t depreciate as much as new vehicles.  Cars lose value with each passing month and mile.  The steepest decline in a vehicles depreciation happens right away.  Some models lose 40 percent or more of their value in the first year.  With a used vehicle there is no depreciation set to hit the second the vehicle is driven off the lot.  There is also mental depreciation.  There isn’t a need to worry about the first parking lot ding or rock chip in the paint because chances are that the cars previous owners took care of that.  Vehicles don’t lose nearly as much value after the first year that they are driven off the lot. There is also a lot of choice with a used car.  Although they can’t be made to order a customer can find a model and option package which might not be made any longer.  There are a lot of pre-owned vehicles out there that have only had one owner.  The chances of these vehicles being in excellent condition is very high.  A car with owner is less likely to have problems with it since many owners of newer model year vehicles keep their vehicles clean if they know they are going to trade it in. There are also many certification programs that are available on used vehicles. The general benefits of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles include manufacturers usually consider only late-model, low mileage used cars and trucks with no history of major damage.  These vehicles are usually practically brand new.  Another benefit of a certification program is that the vehicles which are certified pre owned undergo a rigid inspection process of mechanical and cosmetic items before they become certified.  Certified pre-owned vehicles are normally covered by a warranty which extends a lot longer than the original factory warranty.  The warranty usually includes the same features as a new vehicle warranty.  There is also a lot of special financing which is available for Certified Pre-Owned vehicles.

The automotive industry is constantly bringing us new technologies that we have never seen before.  There are also some technologies that have been brought up but might not make it into vehicles. One technology that car manufacturers and the U.S. government are seriously looking into and researching is a technology where it would enable future cars to communicate with each other and objects around them.  Picture coming to an intersection as another vehicle runs a red light.  You can not see them at first but your vehicle gets a signal from the other car that it’s directly in your path and warns you of the potential collision, or even hits the brakes automatically to avoid an accident.  This developing technology is called Vehicle-to-Vehicle, it is being tested by manufacturers like Ford as a way to reduce accidents on the road.  It works by sending wireless signals to send information back and forth between cars about their location, speed and direction.  This information is then communicated to the cars around it in order to provide information on how to keep the vehicles at a safe distance from each other.  Researchers aren’t only considering V2V communication but also vehicle to infrastructure communication.  This would allow vehicles to communicate with things like road signs or traffic signs and provide information to the vehicle about safety issues. Another technology being considered is the ability for a vehicle to drive itself.  Many tv shows and movies have had this idea for a long time.  In California and Nevada, Google engineers have tested self-driving cars on more than 200,000 miles of public highways and roads.  Google’s cars not only record images on the road but their computerized maps view road signs, f ind alternative routes and see traffic lights before they are even visible to a person.  By using lasers, radars and cameras the cars can analyze and process information about their surroundings faster than a human can.  In some of the Google’s tests the cars learned the details of a road by driving on it several times. Another interesting future car technology is airbags that help to stop cars.  Ever since airbags have been added to vehicles they have continued to make their way around the inside of the vehicle.  Airbags are part of the overall safety of the vehicle.  Car manufacturers are experimenting with airbags that deploy from underneath the car that will help stop a vehicle before a crash.  The bags will also lift the vehicle up to eight centimeters which counters the cars dipping motion during hard braking.  This improves bumper to bumper contact and helps prevent passengers from sliding under seat belts during a collision. Energy storing body panels are another possible technology we could eventually see in vehicles.  Exxon Mobil predicts that by 2040 half of all new cars that come off the production line will be hybrids.  This is great news for the environment but one of the problems with hybrids is that the batteries take up a lot of space and are heavy.  In Europe a group of nine auto manufacturers are currently researching and testing body panels that can store energy and that charge faster than conventional batteries of today.  These panels could reduce a cars weight by up to 15 percent.  The panels would capture energy produced by technologies like regenerative braking or when the car is plugged in overnight and then feed that energy back to the car when it’s needed. Other technologies that people would like to see in vehicles are built in car seats and boosters.  This would make it much easier for parents who have young ones.  Instead of having to figure out how to hook up the car seat it would already be installed when the vehicle was purchased.  Another feature is auto adjustable cup holders that would fit any size cup.  Right now cup holders can only hold certain size cups.  Different shaped cups or water bottles do not fit into cup holder therefore they could make a mess in your car.  All of these technologies we could see in the near future and could really benefit the automotive industry.

Age is merely a number however, with age there can come physical hardships that make driving a littler harder.  Fortunately, todays vehicles are available with a host of features designed to help compensate for many of the physical changes that come with aging.  Lower body mobility issues such as limited knee range and leg pain are common for those over 55.  Features such as adjustable power seats, a low door threshold and adjustable pedals can help lessen or even eliminate discomfort. Many seniors also face upper body mobility issues that can cause stiffness in the back, neck, arms or shoulders.  Adjustable lumbar support and heated seats can help soothe aching backs and shoulders.  Large wide angle mirrors and large rear windows aid visibility.   Many vehicles are now coming equipped with a rear backup camera, this also has active parallel park assistance, front and rear parking sensors which help to maneuver their vehicles without engaging in too much of the upper body twisting. Arthritis is a common disease of aging as well.  Many younger people are even being diagnosed with arthritis.  It can result in stiff fingers and comprised fine motor skills.  A think steering wheel is easier for arthritic hands to grasp, keyless entry with push to start helps these drivers avoid potentially painful hand movements involved in inserting and twisting a key.  Other user friendly features include a heated power mirror and larger dashboard controls. Edmunds has compiled a list of the 10 best vehicles for senior citizens.  Of these 10 vehicles, Preston Automotive group has three available on the lot today! The first vehicle is the 2014 Ford Taurus Sedan. Preston Ford, Denton Ford and Pittsville Ford all have the 2014 Ford Taurus in stock and ready for immediate delivery!  The Ford Taurus has many senior-friendly features which include heated and power adjustable seats with lumbar support, low door threshold, thick tilt and telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry and ignition, larger dashboard controls, rear backup camera, extendable sun visors, larger audio and climate controls, high contrast instrument panel, adjustable foot pedals and many more!  Other perks of the 2014 Ford Taurus are its smooth and quiet ride, huge trunk, along with a long list of standard features and cutting edge options. The next vehicle that made the list is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata. Preston Hyundai has over 20 brand new 2014 Sonata’s available for purchase!  The Sonata also has a plethora of senior friendly features such as heated seats with lumbar support, low door threshold, large audio and climate controls, large, heated, wide-angle, auto dimming and low glare power mirrors.   Not only is the Sonata senior-friendly but it also has outstanding fuel economy!  It gets up to 35 mpg highway!  There are also ample standard features and options for the money and a generous warranty.  The Hyundai Sonata also is available in the hybrid powertrain.  Preston Hyundai has over 15 brand new 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrids.  The Hybrids get 40 mpg highway! The final vehicle on the list is the 2014 Mazda CX-9. Preston Mazda has the perfect CX-9 for you!  The Mazda CX-9 has seating for up to seven passengers.  Like the other two vehicles the CX-9 also has heated and power adjustable seats with lumbar support.  Also available is keyless entry with push to start ignition.  Larger dashboard controls along with larger audio and climate controls are great features.  There are also front and rear parking sensors which help you park properly without hitting any vehicles.  Other great features include a roomy cabin, easy access third row seating with room for adults and responsive steering.