Reasons why young people do not have a drivers' license: from Michael Sivak at UM Transportation Institute

This survey examined why a substantial percentage of young adults currently do not have a driver’s license, and the future plans of this group concerning obtaining a license. The survey yielded useable responses from 618 persons aged 18 to 39 without a driver’s license. The top eight reasons (primary or secondary) for not having a driver’s license were as follows: (1) too busy or not enough time to get a driver’s license (37%), (2) owning and maintaining a vehicle is too expensive (32%), (3) able to get transportation from others (31%), (4) prefer to bike or walk (22%), (5) prefer to use public transportation (17%), (6) concerned about how driving impacts the environment (9%), (7) able to communicate and/or conduct business online instead (8%), and (8) disability/medical/vision problems (7%). Of the respondents, 22% indicated that they plan on never getting a driver’s license. On the other hand, 69% expect to get a driver’s license within the next five years. Young adults without a driver’s license—in comparison with the general population of the same age—tend to have less education and higher unemployment. However, the present study was not designed to investigate whether there is a causal relationship, or the direction of the effect if there were such a relationship.


http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/99124

Mercedes Benz at 2013 Pebble Beach

Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910. Faithfully restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic in accordance with the requirement for utmost authenticity and thereafter presented to the public again in 2013. This special touring car was driven by Carl Neumaier in the legendary long-distance race in June 1910. Equipped with four-valve technology, the 4-cylinder engine developed 59 kW (80 hp) from its 5.7-litre displacement.

FROM M-B:

Mercedes-Benz Classic at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance

•       Mercedes-Benz Classic brings “Prinz Heinrich” Benz and 24/40 hp Benz landaulet to California

•       Representatives of the brand’s long tradition of sports- and luxury-class cars

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz Classic is to mark its attendance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance to be held on 18 August 2013 by exhibiting a “Prinz Heinrich” Benz dating from 1910. Restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic, the vehicle is considered to be one of the first true sports cars ever made. Another exhibit which will be on display at the event is a 24/40 hp Benz landaulet dating from 1907, representing the long tradition of premium- and luxury-class vehicles at Mercedes-Benz.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance is held in the American state of California and traditionally takes place on the third Sunday in August. The classic event staged on the 18th green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links course is one of the world’s most prestigious classic car shows. The Concours d’Élégance marks the highlight of a weekend which is completely dedicated to elegant, refined, and outstanding vehicles. For fans, experts, and collectors of classic cars, the exclusive auctions are must-attend events in their calendar, for example.

Mercedes-Benz has enjoyed a long tradition of success at the top-class event celebrated under the hot Californian sun: since 1950, the brand’s long list of awards have included several overall victories in the “Best of Show” category as well as more than 120 class victories and special prizes. Last year too saw a Mercedes-Benz pick up the coveted title of “Best of Show” in the guise of a Mercedes-Benz Saoutchik S Type. Designed by French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik, the car first shipped in 1928. The S Type’s “torpedo” bodywork with low windscreen captured the hearts of the judges so much so that it was named the finest vehicle on display at the competition.

“Prinz Heinrich” Benz from 1910

This year Mercedes-Benz Classic is bringing a representative of the very early days of motor racing to the USA: a “Prinz-Heinrich” Benz dating from 1910, which Mercedes-Benz Classic has faithfully restored to the very highest standards of authenticity. More than 100 years old, the vehicle is a fascinating contemporary witness of the motor sport innovations of the early 1900s. In terms of technology, this Benz model combines everything that was, and today still is, deemed to be high-tech in the field of automotive engineering, including dual ignition and four-valve technology.

In its day, the “Prinz-Heinrich Fahrt” (Prince Heinrich Tour), named after the brother of the German Emperor, was one of the most prominent automobile races in Europe. The “Kaiserlicher Automobil-Club” (German Imperial Automobile Club) staged the event between 1908 and 1910, and only permitted four-seater production vehicles to take part – so strictly no racing cars.

For the 1910 Tour, which was staged between 2 and 8 June of that year and covered a total distance of 1,945 kilometres from Berlin to Bad Homburg vor der Höhe in Hesse – via Brunswick, Kassel, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Strasbourg, and Metz – no less than ten all-new special touring cars were built. Four of them had 5.7-litre engines while the other six had engines with a displacement of 7.3 litres. All the touring cars were equipped with cardan shaft drive and featured a streamlined body with a characteristic pointed rear.

This dark green Benz special touring car with race number 38, only presented in February after being extensively restored to its original condition by Mercedes-Benz Classic, is considered to be the first true sports car by many automobile historians. It is one of only two known vehicles in the world produced by Benz for the Prince Heinrich Tour of 1910 that have survived in their original form since their first race more than 100 years ago. The vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection finished in 11th place at the time, and then in the same year also took part in the Tsar Nicholas Tour. To this day the racing car still has the modified engine – with a displacement reduced to 5.4 litres – with which it was fitted for this race in Russia.

Technical data for the “Prinz-Heinrich” Benz

Year of construction: 1910
Cylinders: 4
Displacement: 5,715 cc
Power output: 80 hp (59 kW)
Top speed: 126 km/h

24/40 hp Benz landaulet from 1907

The second vehicle to be presented by Mercedes-Benz Classic at Pebble Beach is a 24/40 hp Benz landaulet. This vehicle stands in the long tradition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which dates back to the start of the 20th century. Since that time, the product line of the brands Mercedes and Benz – from 1926 Mercedes-Benz – has always comprised outstanding premium- and luxury-class models. They represent innovative, visionary automotive technology, generating the driving force for entire automotive development.

The 24/40 hp model was produced at Benz in the first decade of the last century as part of a whole series of newly developed products with 28, 35, 40 and 45 hp (21, 26, 29 and 33 kW) engines. They all featured a variety of technical features: they all had a four-cylinder engine with cylinders cast together in pairs. The laterally positioned camshaft was driven via spur gears. Two spark plugs per cylinder drew their current via magneto ignition. The four-speed transmission was operated via a sliding shift mechanism. Despite being optionally available with cardan shaft drive system, the power of the 24/40 hp model from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection is still delivered to the rear wheels via chains.

As was usual for that period, different body variants were available – hence also a landaulet version. The driver was left to sit out in the open, with little protection, while in inclement weather the ladies and gentlemen were able to sit beneath a well-upholstered folding roof. The vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection was originally delivered to the south of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it remained in service until 1966.

Technical data for the 24/40 hp Benz landaulet

Year of construction: 1907
Cylinders: 4, cast together in pairs
Displacement: 6,107 cc
Power output: 40 hp (29 kW)
Top speed: 80 km/h

First day back in California -- an excellent adventure driving on I-5 and the Chula Vista Pick and Pull

Hi folks -- well, I got off the plane at 2:30 p.m. and after getting my VW Jetta rental car headed straight for the pick and pull.
First observation -- driving on I-5 and I-805 is not for the faint of heart.  This is not like driving the I-675 near Dayton.  The speed, number of cars all around changing lanes constantly, the unfamiliarity with the exits and right lane "exit onlys" were formidable challenges, especially the first half hour or so.  It also doesn't help that the VW has so much complex electronics that getting used to that was also difficult.

Finally about 4 p.m. I got to the Pick and Pull on Energy Way.  Lots of Mercedes there, but the bone pickers had got to the cars long  before I got there and so I did not find an instrument cluster.  There was one SL, and the way the pickers treated it was a travesty. This once proud motor car was a hulk, with a door gone, trunk lid and hood off, engine in pieces (it was a single chain 380 and the chain was off its cogs, perhaps why it was there in the first place. So much was gone on the dash that it made it easy for me to remove the cruise control amplifier, a part I was looking for.  I also got a passenger door lock actuator, with no guarantee that it will work (Probably it will not!). What a sad car, however. Our disposable society is  sorry ass concerning the way we treat fine things like this car at times.

Going back to solana Beach in the evning I stopped at In and Out for dinner, and had a fun time watching a scorching hot orange BMW 2002 fly by me on I-5, along with a very nice M-B 560 SL with the hardtop on.

More on this adventure soon, as now it is on to the beach!

How Technology Is Changing the Future of Driving -- guest post, Chris Mustaine

How Tech Is Changing the Future of Driving

The advancement of technology has been of great help in a number of fields, whether in business, entertainment, politics or elsewhere. Computers in particular have proved invaluable in a number of fields, and the use of computers has been crucial to higher production volumes and pivotal discoveries, particularly in scientific and medical advancements.

Though a few insist that some technology, particularly satellites and various forms of monitoring, have been detrimental to society as a whole, it is difficult to deny that when getting from point A to point B in a car or other vehicle quickly and efficiently has been vastly improved in recent technologies. It is impossible to deny that technology has improved the way we drive and made our lives easier when using our cars for a number of daily purposes, whether it is commuting or simply going out and about.

GPS

Technology in our cars or transport method of choice has ensured that our everyday travelling is less strenuous and easier, and it has also ensured that we are able to spend a larger amount of time doing what we enjoy, as more time is spent at work or at home rather than travelling between the two. GPS-based technology is helpful to drivers by analysing the quickest routes to drive and providing up-to-date directions. This technology ensures everyone can attend that job interview in time, avoid being late to their daughter's precious recital (which will likely make or break parenthood for years to come) or simply avoid being late or running into traffic.

Telematics

Telematics technology is the latest of car technology which aims to reward safe drivers and see better drivers on the road. By fitting a small telematics device into cars, driving patterns, such as the speed of accelerating, going round corners and breaking is monitored, with good drivers rewarded by their insurance company in lower premiums. Some insurance companies are even beginning to offer discounts to motorists who use telematics.

Self-Driving

The aids provided by autonomous driving systems have also proved pivotal to driver safety and accuracy when parking, cruising on the motorway and more. These systems are giving invaluable technological aids to tired drivers, such as those who drive heavy vehicles like lorries or bigger vans, and even daily commuters. Self-driving technology will ensure that speed is maintained at all times, and can even park vehicles much more accurately than a human being. This of course cuts the number of accidents considerably. Most importantly, some cars are now fitted with a drowsiness monitor, which will alert the driver whose driving pattern begins to show signs of drowsiness.

Technology for cars is still being fine-tuned and developed so that it becomes increasingly accurate. For those who work with cars every day, these aids can make all the difference between a lethal accident and a job completed in a safe manner.

Bio:

Chris Mustaine is a writer who has driven all over the world. He is currently working on a book of his travels. You can follow him on Twitter: @MeChrisMustaine

Photos from the 1938 French Grand Prix: Mercedes Benz 1-2-3

French Grand Prix in Reims, 3 July 1938. Triple victory by the Mercedes-Benz W 154 3000 cc formula racing car. A victorious Manfred von Brauchitsch (starting number 26) can be seen at the left of the picture, next to him is Rudolf Caracciola (starting number 24). In the background: Hermann Lang (starting number 28).

Mercedes-Benz advertising poster "1938 - Another record year of victories! Rudolf Caracciola takes the European Championship title for the third time"

Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France, 1938. Poster by Walter Gotschke celebrating the race victory.

Manfred von Brauchitsch (1905 - 2003)

French Grand Prix, Reims, 1938. A Mercedes-Benz W 154 racing car is loaded aboard the racing transporter.

French Grand Prix, July 3, 1938: Triple victory for the Mercedes-Benz W 154 racing cars (Manfred von Brauchitsch – Rudolf Caracciola – Hermann Lang)

Mercedes-Benz W 154 three-liter formula racing car, 1938

Currency Manipulation and how American Auto Manufacturing is at a Disadvantage!

August 1, 2013 -- originally from Bloomberg News:

While Toyota Motor Corp. lost out to General Motors Co. in the number of vehicles sold last quarter for the first time since 2011, it won’t come in second by profit: Toyota probably earned $3 for every dollar at GM.

The Japanese carmaker may report Friday that profit climbed 52 percent to 441.2 billion yen ($4.5 billion) in the quarter ended in June, according to the average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. By comparison, Detroit-based GM reported this week that net income fell 23 percent to $1.4 billion as European operations continued to post losses.

While Toyota has been losing U.S. market share to Detroit’s resurgent automakers, the profit surge shows how Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s efforts to weaken the yen are benefiting Japanese exporters by bolstering the value of products sold overseas. After four years of battling a recall crisis, strong yen and natural disasters, the maker of the Camry sedan and Prius hybrid is forecasting its highest annual profit in six years.

“Toyota is doing the right things in not trying to increase market share, but trying to raise profit margins,” said Edwin Merner, president of Atlantis Investment Research Corp. in Tokyo. “If volumes were sharply down, like 20 to 30 percent, I would worry.”

Toyota shares have outperformed all major automakers by surging 55 percent in 2013, adding more than $77 billion in market value, after the yen began declining against other currencies since late last year. The stock is trading at about 10 times projected profits for next year, the highest multiple among the world’s five biggest carmakers. Investors have also become more optimistic on a price-to-sales basis since 2011.

Compared with Toyota’s stock-price peak in 2007, investors aren’t as enthusiastic about owning the stock, placing less value on each dollar of revenue as Detroit automakers and Hyundai Motor Co. improve their cars and close in on Toyota’s quality.

The stock gain since 2011 has coincided with improving profit margins. Toyota’s net profit margin rose to 4.4 percent in the fiscal year that ended March 31 from 1.5 percent a year earlier. It may increase to 6.7 percent in the current fiscal year, according to analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. GM, Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG profit margins may slide this year before rising again in 2014, according to analysts’ estimates.

Toyota and its subsidiaries sold 2.48 million vehicles globally last quarter, shy of GM’s 2.49 million, as Japan’s largest manufacturer saw demand fall at home and competition intensify in the U.S.

In North America, the company is facing revitalized U.S. automakers that are rolling out the best cars they’ve built in a generation. Operating profit from the region last quarter probably reached 117.8 billion yen, little changed from a year earlier, according to the median in a Bloomberg News survey of four analysts.

Toyota’s deliveries in the U.S., its biggest overseas market, rose by 3.7 percent — less than half the pace of the industry — and its market share in the country fell to the lowest in five quarters, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. By comparison, GM’s market share climbed to the highest in four quarters, while Ford saw its share increase to the highest in six quarters.

GM is transforming its lineup into one of the market’s newest from one of the oldest as it prepares to bring 18 new or refreshed vehicles into showrooms this year, including the redesigned Impala, the first car from a U.S. company to be rated best sedan by Consumer Reports in at least 20 years. While net income fell last quarter, profit excluding one-time items beat analyst estimates.

Some Japanese automakers are taking advantage of favorable exchange rates. Nissan Motor Co., Japan’s second-largest carmaker, saw U.S. deliveries surge 20 percent last quarter after cutting prices of seven models in the U.S., including its top-seller, the Altima sedan.

The yen has weakened 12 percent against the dollar this year and last week traded at 100 versus the greenback. The Japanese currency may weaken further to 105 in the fourth quarter, according to the median of estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

That’s helped bolster Toyota’s earnings in Japan, the company’s main export base. Earnings from home in the quarter ended June probably surged 86 percent to 199 billion yen, according to the Bloomberg survey.

In terms of demand, Japan’s a different story. Deliveries in the country fell 8.4 percent, extending their decline after government incentives for fuel-efficient models expired last year. Japanese vehicle sales have fallen steadily since the asset bubble burst in 1989, with temporary boosts from government subsidies.

In Asian markets outside of Japan, Toyota’s operating income probably fell for a second consecutive quarter as Japanese carmakers continue to underperform the industry in China, the world’s largest auto market. Profit from Asia, excluding Japan, dropped 0.8 percent 100.8 billion yen last quarter, according to the median analyst estimate.

In China, where a territorial dispute led to a consumer backlash that cut demand for Japanese products last year, Toyota continued to lose market share to GM and VW. Toyota’s deliveries climbed 0.6 percent last quarter, versus GM’s 12 percent and VW’s 16 percent, according to figures reported by the companies.

Demand for Japanese products in China, the world’s largest auto market, is recovering from last year and Toyota is targeting this year’s deliveries to rise to at least 900,000 units.

In Europe, where auto demand is slumping to its lowest level in two decades, Toyota probably generated profit of 5.7 billion yen, or 1 cent in profit for every dollar in sales, according to the median analyst estimate. Sales of Toyota and Lexus cars in the region were also little changed, keeping Toyota’s market share at about 4.5 percent.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130801/AUTO0104/308010070#ixzz2aolZ4mcX

Stealing Cars: Porsches, Bentley's and the Power of VW to Delay Publication!

From the Manchester Guardian

The University of Birmingham says it will defer any publication of an academic paper which reveals secret codes to bypass the security on top-end cars including Porsches and Bentleys following a high court injunction.

It said it was "disappointed" with the judgement in a statement following the Guardian's revelation that the cryptography research of three British and Dutch academics had prompted legal action by the cars' manufacturer Volkswagen.

The motoring giant had argued that the work of Birmingham's computer scientist Flavio Garcia and two Dutch colleagues from the Raboud University could lead to the theft of not just the luxury cars but also of lower-end people-carriers and other makes, including Audis which use its Megamos Crypto algorithm. That algorithm allows the car to verify the identity of the ignition key.

Volkswagen complained to the judge that the publication could "allow someone, especially a sophisticated criminal gang with the right tools, to break the security and steal a car".

Garcia and the Dutch researchers Baris Ege and Roel Verdult discovered the unique algorithm and had planned to publish their paper at the Usenix Security Symposium in Washington DC in August, but Volkswagen won a temporary injunction banning this.

"The University of Birmingham is disappointed with the judgment which did not uphold the defence of academic freedom and public interest, but respects the decision. It has decided to defer publication of the academic paper in any form while additional technical and legal advice is obtained given the continuing litigation," a spokeswoman said.

The Dutch researchers said they had planned to "demonstrate the lack of security in the Megamos chip used in immobilisers in various automobile brands" and were not involved in any reckless research that could lead to auto theft.

"The chip dates back to the mid-nineties and has since become outdated, but is nevertheless still widely used in the automotive industry," they said in a statement issued by their university.

"The paper reveals inherent weaknesses, on the basis of mathematical calculations, and is based on an analysis of publicly available information. The publication in no way describes how to easily steal a car, as additional and different information is needed for this to be possible," they said.

They said they informed the chipmaker - which was contracted by Volkswagen - nine months before the intended publication so that measures could be taken.

In the court case, the judge was told that Volkswagen did not learn of the planned publication until May when it launched its legal action.

Ege and Verdult said that in Holland a six-month quarantine between scientific discovery and publication was considered the norm, but they too would be respecting the decision of the British court.

"The Dutch government considers six months to be a reasonable notification period for responsible disclosure. The researchers have insisted from the start that the chipmaker inform its own clients.

"The decision of the English judge imposes severe restrictions on the freedom of academic research in a field that is highly relevant to society (cyber security). Radboud university, nevertheless, respects the ruling of the Judge," they said in their statement.

The Guardian's article has prompted a massive debate about the balancing interests of industry and those of scientists, a debate that has infected all sectors ranging from medicine to car manufacturing.

Jim Hutchon commented on the article saying: "The scientific methodology is dependent upon publishing results so others can prove you wrong or right and build on the findings. So in my opinion there is a reason to publish. It's good science."

Another using the pseudonym EndersShadow asked: "The interesting thing is whether this discovery renders the cars no longer fit for purpose / satisfactory quality under the Sale of Goods Act, enabling owners to return for a full refund."

And "Charles VanDyke" asked: "Would Flavio Garcia instead have published in Germany (home of Volkswagen), no judge could have prevented him from doing so: the right of academic publication is protected by the German constitution (the basic law or Grundgesetz). Publication can therefore also not be hindered by a foreign court."

Volkswagen said it could not comment as this was an interim judgment.