Auto Notes

Truck drivers want better mileage

Despite the pickup truck’s ubiquitous image as a workhorse in commercials, a national study finds that trucks are used for personal reasons about 80 percent of the time.

Thus, owners selected “better fuel economy” as the most-important improvement that automakers could make, according to the study by R.L. Polk & Co., a market firm for the industry.

The federal government has not regulated the fuel economy of heavy pickups because of the belief they are used primarily for commercial work.

New car prices up in past four years

If you think new car prices are higher than ever, you are right. The average cost during the third quarter this year was the highest in four years, according to the Comerica Auto Affordability Index.

Two reasons are that financing costs have increased and consumers have used purchase incentives to upgrade their vehicle choices.

The average price of a new vehicle was $27,958, including financing charges, the National Automobile Dealers Association reported.

Ford offering new discounts

Ford Motor Co. has introduced new discounts that involve reduced prices and rebates.

The program, called “Keep It Simple,” ends Jan. 3. It covers most 2005 and 2006 models.

The automaker’s gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles are included for the first time in the incentives program, according to Bloomberg News.

Cash’s touring bus offered on EBay

Now that the movie “Walk the Line” is in theaters, Johnny Cash fans may be interested in bidding on the late singer’s 1979 tour bus. It is being auctioned online in the EBay motor section.

The vehicle is documented as his official tour bus throughout the 1980s. It comes fully equipped with vintage electronics equipment and furniture as well as other memorabilia.

The bus reportedly is still roadworthy, despite having 370,000 miles on the odometer.

Muscle, classic car calendars for 2006

Muscle car and American classic car fanciers can get 2006 color wall calendars online that may feature their favorite models.

The calendars are sold by Avalanche Publishers. They are the work of photographer Dan Lyons.

He uses Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet and Pontiac models for the muscle car calendar, and includes specifications and under-the-hood shots.

The classic car calendar features Ford, Chevrolet, Plymouth and Chrysler models, along with historical information and close-up shots.

For pricing and ordering information on the 16-month calendars, visit www.avalanchepub.com or call 800/888-6421.

Try BookFinder.com for car research

The Internet can assist auto enthusiasts looking for hard-to-find books and other material on the subject.

Try the online book search engine www.BookFinder.com.

BookFinder is a free service that scans an estimated 40 million books on any subject and connects searchers with a network of thousands of booksellers.

“Shoppers can order directly from the bookseller of their choice,” says Anirvan Chatterjee, founder of the service.

The young entrepreneur developed BookFinder.com in 1996 as a class project at the University of California at Berkeley.

Touting the value of his service to auto enthusiasts, Mr. Chatterjee says: “You may not be able to afford a vintage vehicle, but you can always read about it.”

Fax or mail items of interest to Bill O’Brien, Auto Notes, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Use fax number 202/832-2167. The deadline is 5 p.m. on the Monday before publication on Friday.