Auto Trends

The Mazda Verisa is a tall wagon or mini MPV, a five passenger five door hatchback that is currently being sold exclusively in Japan. The company has no plans to export this model.

With $4 per gallon gasoline now the norm, motorists are scrambling for ways to save on fuel including trading in their larger rides for vehicles that are much more manageable. Demand for the hybrid Toyota Prius, the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and other small cars is up sharply. On the other hand, dealers can’t get rid of trucks and SUVs without discounting them by $10,000 or more. How much things have changed!

Ford announced last week that the company was going to overhaul its product line by instituting a “One Ford” program whereby many of the vehicles the company now builds and sells in separate markets will be sold worldwide, including tiny cars destined for the US. GM is going to build the subcompact Chevrolet Cruze at an Ohio facility and Chrysler is working with Nissan to provide a small car by about 2010 for the US market. Within the next two years, the face of the US auto market will be quite different!

One company that is in good shape is Mazda as they avoided doing what the Big Three as well as Toyota and Nissan have done: build big trucks and SUVs. Because the company is partnered with Ford, a Mazda version of the F-Series was possible, but the company chose to concentrate on smaller vehicles. This decision has paid off as Mazda is weathering the economic downturn and shifting customer tastes quite well.

Like Ford, GM, Toyota, Nissan, and the rest, several models that Mazda sells elsewhere aren’t sold in the US including the Mazda Verisa, a five passenger, five door hatchback built exclusively for the Japanese market. This car is powered by an economical 1.5L DOHC I4 engine that is paired with a four speed automatic transmission. Front wheel drive or electronic all wheel drive, the Mazda Verisa achieves gas mileage numbers of about 42 mpg!

Unfortunately, Mazda has no plans to import the little Verisa, a shame considering its interior roominess and attractive style. Best of all, its price of $16-18K is quite good and with its high fuel numbers, the Mazda Verisa would be a good car for many commuters.

Though the Mazda Verisa isn’t coming stateside, the upcoming Ford Fiesta shares the Verisa’s platform. So, if you’re looking for something cute, affordable, and thrifty, you can get the Verisa in the form of the all-new 2010 Ford Fiesta!

When it comes to automotive safety, you can’t ever take for granted that your ride is completely safe. After all, with thousands of parts placed into every vehicle, the odds that something can and will go wrong are notable.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) is responsible for tracking potential problems and alerting the public. Some problems are small, others aren’t that widespread, but a few get major attention in the press.

The following are a handful of some of the current NHTSA investigations:

2002 and 2003 MINI Coopers have been recalled due to a possible engine compartment fire risk. Source: NHTSA

Engine stalling has been attributed to the 2007-2008 Hyundai Elantra a problem found on four vehicles according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Source: Reuters. Photo: Two hundred percent

Owners of the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica with the 4.0L engine are at risk of an engine compartment fire due to a possible faulty power steering seal. Source: ConsumerAffairs.com

Several recalls related to this model, the most recent being a fuel pump failure which can stall out the Freelander. Source: MotorTrends

If you are having a problem with a vehicle you own, there are a few steps you can take:

• File a complaint with the NHTSA.

• Contact the dealer who sold you the car to alert them to the problem. If you bought the vehicle second hand, any local dealer for that make/model car should be able to help you.

Most defects are covered under your vehicle’s warranty, though older or high mileage vehicles may not be covered. However, if a recall is being made by the manufacturer or as ordered by the federal government, the costs incurred with fixing the vehicle should be picked up by the vehicle manufacturer.

To find out if your vehicle has been recalled or is on alert for defects, visit Safercar.gov today.