1996 Lexus Sc300 Base Coupe 2-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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Ice driving at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School | AutoblogVR

We have two new VR episodes for you this week, both of which come from the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. In one, we get some instruction in the snow and then have a little fun sliding around. In the other, two instructors give a visual demonstration of how rear- and all-wheel-drive cars handle differently in the snow (which also includes lots of fun sliding). You get to experience it all from the passenger seat, with a view in every direction. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School is located just outside the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Facilities include a couple of meticulously maintained ice/snow tracks and a snow skidpad – which, it happens, is the best kind of skidpad. We worked our way up from an all-wheel-drive Lexus NX crossover to a rear-drive Lexus IS, and then the staff gave their drifty demonstration in two similar Lexus IS sedans – one with rear drive and the other with all-wheel drive. There's a preview above, but for the full immersive experience, you'll need the AutoblogVR app for iOS or Android – you can download it for free from the App store and Google Play. Be sure to try it with a cardboard viewer, too! Lexus Driving Videos VR Original Video lexus is virtual reality lexus nx 360video

Satisfaction with dealer service rises, Lexus and GMC are tops

During the economic downturn, many car dealerships counteracted their slowing income by focusing on things that would set them apart from competition - things like the quality of customer service they provide. When the economy picked up and more sales and service followed, many also first invested those funds back into the business, improving their dealership facilities and service centers.
It looks like those investments are paying off, as J.D. Power and Associates' latest Customer Service Index Study shows that overall consumer satisfaction with dealer service has increased to 797 (on a 1,000-point scale), up from 787 in 2012 and 29 points higher than the score in 2011. The study also finds that people are more satisfied with the service they get at dealerships compared to independent service providers, despite the much higher average out-of-pocket cost per visit ($118 vs. $44).
Note, however, that this study only looks at how people are treated by a dealer's service department during the first three years of ownership (the survey is based on responses from 91,000 owners and lessees of 2008 to 2012 model year vehicles), so we're talking about the experience had when bringing a car in for repair or maintenance work, most likely under warranty. In fact, maintenance work is increasing in share and accounted for 77 percent of service visits (up from 72 percent in 2012 and 63 percent in 2011). This helps explain why customer satisfaction has also risen, since a properly maintained car is one that's less likely to require a dealer visit for an unexpected repair.

Google self-driving car badly damaged in accident but wasn't at fault

A self-driving Lexus RX 450h hybrid sport utility vehicle owned and operated by Google was involved in an accident in Mountain View, California, on Friday afternoon. Nobody was injured, though there was an occupant inside the Lexus at the time of the crash. Initial reports indicate Google's autonomous vehicle was not at fault. The accident happened when another driver in a commercial van ran a red light and hit the passenger side of the autonomous vehicle. Google confirmed that the vehicle was piloting itself at the time of the accident. When it became obvious a collision was imminent, the human driver applied the brakes, but it was too late. The car sustained significant damage in the crash and had to be towed away on a flatbed trailer. This isn't the first time one of Google's self-driving vehicles was involved in an accident, but it does appear to be the first time one of the tech giant's cars sustained serious damage. In a statement to 9to5Google.com, Google said, "Thousands of crashes happen everyday on US roads, and red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes in the US. Human error plays a role in 94% of these crashes, which is why we're developing fully self-driving technology to make our roads safer." The United States Department of Transportation earlier this week outlined a set of 15 safety assessment objectives for autonomous vehicle manufacturers to meet. The DOT said "automated vehicles hold enormous potential benefits for safety, mobility and sustainability." Related Video: News Source: 9to5Google.com, G4 via YouTubeImage Credit: G4 via YouTube Auto News Government/Legal Green Lexus Technology Crossover Autonomous Vehicles Hybrid accident lexus rx lexus rx450h