When shopping for a new car there is so much information out there it can be a daunting task. Well, beginning with 2013 models there will be a new tool to help consumers compare fuel efficiency and cost of new vehicles – one of the biggest concerns for car buyers in this economy.

All 2013 model vehicles, which are beginning to appear on dealer’s lots this month, are required to have a revised fuel-economy sticker.

Information on these stickers will include:

- A comparison of energy use and cost between new-technology cars using electricity and conventional cars that are gasoline-powered.

- Estimates of how much consumers will save or spend on fuel over the next five years.  For example, a sticker for a car that gets 26 miles per gallon says the driver will save $1,850 fuel costs over five years compared with a vehicle that gets an average of 22 MPGs.

- Estimate of how much fuel, or in some cases electricity, it takes to drive the vehicle 100 miles.

- Ratings of how a model compares to others for smog emissions and emissions of pollution that contribute to climate change.

Check out our article on the new fuel economy label with an explanation of every facet of the label.

The annual results of the American Customer Satisfaction Index were released today and the rankings are a bit surprising. The overall average of all automobiles and light vehicles was 83 out of 100.

Lexus, Cadillac, and Toyota took the top three spots with an average of 87 points each.  The Toyota score is “a surprise”, Claes Fornell, who created the index said.  “Toyota makes a fair amount of fairly low priced cars.  For them to be that well-received is impressive, especially when you have a company like BMW scoring lower.”

Following close behind were Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz who tied with 86 points.  Buick and Honda tied for third with 85 points.  The other major luxury brand BMW earned a score of 83 points. 
The results of this index are based on data from 5,000 surveys collected during the second quarter of 2011.  The auto industry as a whole improved by 1 point over last year’s score.

To see the complete list of the automakers and where they landed on the vist visit The American Customer Satisfaction Index website.  

Nissan has announced that it will offer employee pricing and delayed finance payments to consumers who sustained vehicle damage or loss as a result of catastrophic storms, floods and tornadoes in the southeastern U.S. Through this special program, eligible individuals will have access to offers that are normally reserved for Nissan employees or their immediate family members. 

The offer follows an announcement of Nissan's support for storm-related humanitarian aide efforts. On May 2, the company said it committed $115,000 to the American Red Cross to help provide food, clothing and shelter for victims of the catastrophic storms. 

Consumers in who live in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas or Kentucky in an affected county listed on the FEMA website (http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema) are eligible for the program, which offers pricing of up to $1,500 off dealer invoice as well as all applicable incentives.

Buyers will be required to show proof of damage and should work with area dealers to apply this offer. In addition to special pricing, eligible individuals will also be offered delayed financing through Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.'s Payment Delay Plan. This program allows customers to delay three vehicle payments without extension fees, allowing disaster victims to focus on recovery without the added burden of a vehicle payment.

"Because of Nissan's strong presence in the southeastern U.S., we've seen up-close the impact of recent devastating weather, which has left many area residents without personal transportation," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, NNA. "We want to do our part to assist our neighbors, and are offering employee pricing to disaster victims as one way to help them return to normal."