Gas rates hurt U.S. vehicle sales.Automobile sales within the U.S. are weak in May, as a consequence of such as factors as high gas prices and low incentives, according to J.D. Power and Associates.New-vehicle retail sales for May are projected at 858,400 units, representing a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 9.6 million units. The SAAR is almost one particular million units higher than it was in May 2010, but has dropped sharply from the 2011 year-to-date average of 10.7 million units.Retail sales in May are being hit by quite a few negative variables, specifically, high gas rates, lower incentive levels and some inventory shortages, said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting. As a result, the sector will likely be dealing with a lower sales pace at least through the summer promoting season, putting pressure on the 2011 outlook.

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Toyota is tops with its suppliers.Toyota has the best functioning relationship with its suppliers, but overall, domestic automakers are showing steady improvement while Japanese companies continue to slip, according to a brand new report by Arranging Perspectives Inc. (PPI). The study includes Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota and their relationship with suppliers for their North American operations.The study, 2011 North American OEM-Tier One Supplier Functioning Relations Study, ranked Toyota first, followed by Honda, Ford, Nissan, GM and Chrysler. The annual study tracks supplier perceptions of functioning relations with their automaker buyers across six important purchasing groups to gain the Operating Relationship Index (WRI). This year, 451 suppliers participated, representing 63 per cent of the six automakers’ annual acquire.

Recall announced for Volvo XC90.Transport Canada has issued a recall which may affect some Volvo XC90 autos.2010-2011 Volvo XC90 Automobiles affected: 135 On certain vehicles equipped with a V8 engine, a energy steering line may develop at leak in the connection towards the steering gear valve housing, which could result in a loss of energy steering assist. Dealers will replace the power steering gear housing oil lines.

Traffic deaths lower in Canada.Fewer people today are dying or suffering injuries on Canadian roads every year, according to a report from Transport Canada.Traffic collision statistics confirm that in 2009, probably the most recent year for statistics, there were 8.7 per cent fewer deaths on the road than in 2008. There were two,209 road user fatalities in 2009, down from 2,419 within the previous year.The safety and security of Canadian road users is important to our government, said Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. The continuing decline in deaths from road collisions is extremely encouraging for road users and for the country. Everyone has a role to play in improving road safety and achieving our objective of producing Canada’s roads the safest within the globe.Transport Canada reminds drivers to stay sober, put on a seatbelt, observe speed limits, refrain from working with cell phones or texting devices while driving, and properly secure children in appropriate child auto seats. Motorists should also generally pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists, who in turn should normally pay attention when using or crossing a street.

U.S. DRIVE will advance clean automobiles.The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced U.S. DRIVE, a cooperative partnership of government and business to accelerate the development of clean, advanced, energy-efficient automobile technologies and infrastructure.Formerly known as the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, U.S. DRIVE (Driving Study and Innovation for Automobile efficiency and Energy sustainability) brings together best technical experts from the DOE, national laboratories and business partners to identify critical investigation and development needs, develop technical targets and strategic road maps, and evaluate progress on a broad range of advanced vehicle and energy infrastructure technologies.

Ontario police report on long weekend.A special enforcement campaign by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) resulted inside a total of 6,361 driving-related charges above the extended weekend. Six people today were killed across the province during that time, four in vehicle collisions, 1 on an ATV on a township road, and one boating incident.Of the charges laid, 1,607 were for distracted driving, 5,351 were for speeding, 641 were for seatbelt violations and 128 were alcohol-related charges.The stepped-up visibility and enforcement by OPP officers more than the long weekend was portion of a campaign during Canada Road Safety Week, which ran from May 16 to 23, 2011.