By now, you may have heard about the proposal from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change the fuel economy labels in the windows of new cars to make them more informative.

Your input is still needed on the design of the new labels. Beginning Aug. 30 and continuing for 60 days, the public can comment on the label design options.

“We are asking the American people to tell us what they need to make the best economic and environmental decisions when buying a new car,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “New fuel economy labels will keep pace with the new generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks rolling off the line, and provide simple, straightforward updates to inform consumers about their choices in a rapidly changing market. We want to help buyers find the vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump.”

You can view the proposed rule changes and the two label designs at http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/ and submit your comments to newlabels@epa.gov.

Why New Labels?

The new labels are intended to help provide you with straightforward comparisons across all types of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.

In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 calls on the EPA and DOT to rate vehicles according to fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and smog forming pollutants. The new designs are intended to help provide enhanced information on a vehicle’s efficiency and environmental performance in compliance with the Act.

What If I Am Shopping for a New Car Now?

If you’re looking to buy a more environmentally friendly car now, CarLocate.com offers you the convenient “Green Search” option to help you quickly and easily identify cars that are more eco-friendly on the site. What Green Means on CarLocate.com.

• From the New Car search page, click on “New Green Vehicles” to find eco-friendly new cars in your area.
• From the Used Car search page, click on “Used Green vehicles” to find eco-friendly used cars in your area.
• Also, any time you browse vehicle listings on CarLocate.com, a green leaf symbol
  ( ) will display next to any car that meets the Green Search criteria.

Want to know what others are saying about the new fuel economy labels? Join in the discussion on our automotive forum.

As we gear up to welcome more and more 2011 vehicles to dealerships nationwide, we are looking back at some of the big players of 2010. Here are some 2010 autos that have wowed this year, and others that left us less than impressed:

The Ford Fusion Hybrid was a standout for 2010. Ford has continued to impress us with innovative and affordable automobiles, and the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was no different. With its advanced features like Ford’s SYNC system and its handsome, non-hybrid styling, the Fusion Hybrid was able to compete with, and outshine long-time hybrid frontrunner, the Toyota Prius.

One 2010 auto we were slightly disappointed with this year was the Honda Accord Crosstour. Expectations were high for this midsize SUV, with the immense success its coupe and sedan versions have had over the years. Unfortunately, when put up against its midsize SUV competitors, the Accord Crosstour simply falls short for us in terms of cargo space, styling and price. While it falls short in those areas, though, it still possesses the quality and reliability that you get from Honda vehicles.

Despite the wave of recalls, abundance of lawsuits and continuous negative media attention this year, the Toyota Camry has surprisingly still remained one of the bestselling cars in the country. The 2010 Camry has been a strong competitor against other midsize cars this year; this speaks volumes about the reputation of Toyota and the trust and confidence consumers have in the brand.

Although Toyota Motor Company continues to put forth quality cars like the Camry, they fell short for us this year with their luxury division, Lexus, and the 2010 HS. As the first hybrid-dedicated luxury car, the HS is fuel-efficient, but not as fuel-efficient as the Toyota Prius; and is luxurious, but not as luxurious as other Lexus models. The 2010 HS is still a good hybrid vehicle, but we feel it lacks the luxury that Lexus fans know and love.

The 2010 Chevy Equinox has been a frontrunner in the crossover SUV category this year. New-and-improved-for-2010, the Equinox has better styling, standard features and fuel economy, while remaining extremely affordable.  With this new makeover, the Equinox now has all the potential to be a class leader.

The automotive industry has given us some great (and some not-so-great) models for 2010. Automakers are constantly trying to make each new model year better than the last and we can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next!

Today, June 25, is Leon Day, which marks just six months until Christmas Day. (“Leon” is “Noel” spelled backward.) Since it’s not even July and some stores already have the school supply aisles stocked, we wondered if it might be OK to begin thinking about asking for a car for Christmas – or to begin thinking about buying a car as a gift for a loved one (or yourself)?

Here are five vehicles that you might want to put on your wish list*.

2011 Audi A3

The 2011 Audi A3 is a small station wagon that doesn’t lack for style or substance. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient car that’s not a hybrid, the A3’s FrontTrak Premium Plus trim with a 2.0-liter TDI engine and 6-speed S tronic transmission rates an EPA Greenhouse Gas Score of 8 and an estimated EPA fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 42 mpg highway. It also comes in one of the sharpest new car colors out there: Aruba Blue Pearl (pictured above).

2011 Ford Mustang

As we noted in our list of “Must-Have Motors for Dads,” the 2011 Ford Mustang gets a power boost over previous model years. The Mustang’s standard V6 has been upgraded to a 305-hp, 3.7-liter engine, while the Mustang GT now has a 412-hp, 5.0-liter V8. It’s also loaded with technology features, including electronic power assist steering, the SYNC^® in-car communications and entertainment system, and Ford’s MyKey^TM, which allows owners to assign specially coded keys for each additional driver to enforce specific driving restrictions.

See it now at a Ford Drive One Tour stop near you.

2011 Kia Sorento

If you’re looking for a crossover vehicle, the 2011 Kia Sorento CUV is loaded with standard features, from electronic stability control with traction control to hill assist control to the EcoMinder indicator that lets drivers know when their car is performing at maximum fuel-efficiency. Plus, it will be the first Kia vehicle to feature the Kia UVO in-car communications and entertainment system that is poised to rival the Ford SYNC^® system.

2011 Lincoln MKT

For those who want a luxury ride without sacrificing practicality and cargo space, the 2011 Lincoln MKT may be the right fit for you. Built on the Ford Flex platform, this full-size crossover SUV is available with room for seven passengers, built-in navigation system, SYNC^® in-car communications and entertainment system, MyKey^TM programmable keys, and Lincoln’s unique Vista Roof^TM that features fixed glass panels with power front and rear sunshades.

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient mid-size sedan, the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid is definitely a vehicle to check out. The Camry Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with a 40-hp electric motor to offer an estimated 31 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 35 mpg highway. Moreover, the ECO Button helps prioritize the hybrid system and the air conditioning for better fuel economy. To avoid being just a carbon copy of the conventionally powered Toyota Camry, the Camry Hybrid features a narrower grill and more open and sporty front valance.

* Most of these cars will be entering dealer showrooms later this calendar year. However, you can already view pictures, watch test-drive videos, and learn more about the technical details and features of each of these cars from our Car Research section. Each description above is hyperlinked to go directly to the Research page for that vehicle.

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