(Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes experiment: exterior air bags
To make driving safer, Mercedes-Benz is experimenting with air bags -- on the outside of the car. The bag inflates below the car as a sort of anchor to slow the car when a collision is inevitable. It lifts the vehicle slightly and pushes a rubber and steel plate against the road (shown above). The result is up to 2G deceleration, enough to greatly reduce the force of impact. The bag also lifts the front end as much as 3 inches, making it more likely the car's bumper will strike the other car's bumper. It's just one of many proposed safety features in Mercedes' new ESF 2009 engineering car.
--Associated Press
(Honda)
Honda and Toyota step up leasing offers
Honda is following Toyota's lead in offering an aggressive leasing program through May 3. The company is offering leases with no down payment, no security deposit and no payment for the first month across nearly its entire lineup. Toyota is offering zero-percent financing and low-priced leases to customers who buy or lease several of its vehicles, including Corollas, Camrys and Avalons.
--NWautos staff
Hummer dealership brings in big guns
A Missouri Hummer dealership wants to send off what may be its last customers with a bang -- by giving away a Browning shotgun with every new Hummer purchased. But for Lynch Hummer in Chesterfield, guns are more than just a sales incentive. Inventory has fallen sharply since Ford announced it would sell or shutter the brand, so the dealership added Adventure Shooting Sports gun shop to the showroom to help diversify the business.
--NWautos staff
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