How Shocking: Electrical Issues Plague Modern Cars

With modern cars fitted with more and more electronic equipment, it is logical that electrical problems are popping up much more frequently than in past years. According to a Warranty Direct survey in the UK, electrical faults account for 27% of all car malfunctions every year.

That’s a 17% rise over just five years ago, with more than four out of 10 cars each year facing breakdowns due to electrical problems that are mostly rather complex, and expensive to fix.

Topping the list of the most problematic cars is the 2002-2009 MY Renault Megane, with a 34.66% chance of electrical failure, followed by another French car, the Peugeot 607, with 31.28%. But, as you can see from the list that follows, electrical gremlins plague not just the French models, but also the German and British.

However, there are no Japanese or Korean car in the Top 10.

So, next time you walk into a showroom to buy a new car and drool over the options list, bear in mind that all those wonderful gadgets, which are often unnecessary, might cause you quite a headache in the long run.

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Study Shows Volvo’s Active Safety Systems Reduce Accidents

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a study showing that Volvo’s XC60 active safety systems contribute to it being engaged in 27% fewer damage accidents and 51% fewer bodily injury accidents than other mid-size luxury SUVs.

Always according to the study, the XC60 is also 19% less likely to be involved in accidents compared to other models in Volvo’s range. IIHS said that this is due to the SUV's standard low-speed collision avoidance system called City Safety.

This system uses an infrared laser sensor to spot obstacles at speeds from 2-19 mph (3-30 km/h). If it detects that the driver doesn’t respond in the appropriate time, it automatically engages the brakes in order to avoid a possible collision.

HDLA and IIHS president, Adrian Lund, said the statistics show the belief that Volvo drivers are safer than those driving other brands is false: “Driver mistakes are responsible for 90% of accidents. Collision avoidance systems can help distracted motorists who fail to notice an impending accident”.

The City Safety system is now also standard on the 2011 and 2012 S60 and the 2012 S80 and XC70 models.

In addition, Volvo also offers the optional Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system. This uses a forward-looking radar and a camera that scan objects in front of the car comparing them to 10,000 forms programmed in its database in just 50 milliseconds. It can track up to 64 pedestrians simultaneously and if it detects a possible accident, it warns the driver with a light and a sound.

If there is no reaction on his or her part, the car activates the brakes in their full stopping force, avoiding low-speed accidents and decreasing the consequences of accidents at more than 19 mph (32 km/h).

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New Study Finds that Chinese Buyers Prefer European over Local Brands

Car buyers’ preferences in China are shifting towards European models and away from domestic and even Japanese vehicles, according to a new study published today by JD Power Asia Pacific. This is the third year that the study takes place.

The latest edition included 65 brands and 161 separate models in nine segments and is based on responses from 4,979 potential buyers of new-vehicles located in 53 cities.

JD Power said it examined pre-purchase perceptions amongst Chinese consumers who intend to buy a new car in the next 12 months. The results show that the percentage of potential new car buyers considering a model by a European carmaker has increased substantially, from 25% in 2009 to 32% in 2001.

The reasons cited are positive perceptions of safety and engine and transmission technology, as well as strong recommendations from friends and family for European cars.

On the other hand, consideration for models by Japanese carmakers has followed the opposite direction, dropping from 32% in 2009 to 27% this year. New car buyers said that they don’t have the same confidence in quality, reliability and dealer service, nor do they receive positive feedback from family and friends.

Domestic carmakers are also facing a decrease in car buyers’ preferences, from 26% in 2009 to 20% in 2011. Poor quality, negative reviews and a lack of recommendation from family and friends are cited as the main reasons.

The study also showed that brand awareness and perception differs according to location and plays a major role in considering a new model.

“Brand awareness does depend on location; for example, in the South region, Japanese brands have particularly high brand influence due to their long tenure there,” said Dr. Mei Songlin, general manager of research at J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Shanghai.

Models with the highest levels of consideration in each segment:

• Compact segment: BYD F0 and Chery QQ3
• Premium compact segment: Chevrolet Sail
• Entry midsize segment: Volkswagen Polo
• Midsize segment: Chevrolet Cruze
• Lower premium midsize segment: BYD F6
• Upper premium midsize segment: Honda Accord
• Luxury segment: Audi A4L
• SUV segment: Volkswagen Tiguan
• MPV segment: Buick GL8

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British Study Reveals the Most Popular Hairdresser’s Car in Real Life

And no, despite what you may have heard or read, the Audi TT ain’t the most popular car among hairdressers – or at least not in Britain. According to a new study made available today by UK women's car insurance specialist Diamond, that title goes to…*drums please*…the one and only, MINI One hatchback. In fact, the BMW Group’s MINI brand had two vehicles in the top five positions.

The UK insurance firm came to this conclusion after looking at data from over 18,000 hairdressers in Britain. The company said the MINI One is three and a half times more likely to be driven by someone working as a hairdresser than everyone else.

Next up on the list are the Vauxhall Tigra, a Fiesta-sized hardtop-convertible from GM’s European arm and Volkswagen’s New Beetle (the outgoing model), both of which are said to be more than three times as popular with hairdressers than the rest of the UK. The fourth and fifth place finishers of the study are the Ford Ka and Mini Cooper.

"It's not surprising that the Mini One is so popular amongst hairdressers, as it's stylish, modern and looks great,” said Diamond managing director, Elwyn Gedrych. “In fact, with two Mini models in the top 5, that certainly cements its place as the ultimate 'hairdresser's car'."

One more finding from the study is that British hairdressers are 33 percent more likely to drive a convertible model than drivers from other professions.

So there you have it. The Mini One is officially the real hairdresser’s car. Have your say in the comments below.

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