Average should always refer to mean. But with the average reporting ability we see today, I wouldn't count on it.

Interestingly, TrueCar will set you up with a 2015 Hyundai Sonata SE with a 2.4L and floor mats, mud guards, and wheel locks for $19,438. Go up to the 1.6L Turbo and its only $21,617.

Those are probably pretty close to the 2010 Fusion SE for equipment.

A base 2015 Fusion SE would run $20,663.

Not a whole lot of…

The price of automobiles is forever going up, but the 5.2% increase we've seen year-over-year after strong sales can at least partially be tied to the fact that people are buying more expensive trucks and SUVs.

Of course the new Fusion will get well over 31 on the highway routinely. Heck, I've managed 38 out of one on a long highway trip. So 2 mpg gap? No, more like 10-13 mpg gap.

better fuel mileage than they were getting, yes.

Good? No.

Too bad there aren't any freaking wagons on the market. Only these crossovers which almost never have more passenger volume or useful cargo space than my sedan... or SUVs that just suck gas...

My favorite figure? Transit Connects were up 72%. Does anyone know why?

Want to place a wager on that? There are aftermarket radar units for blind spot systems in other cars already, and you think no one would go after a market this big? Even if they don't want to get into full out manufacturing of new units, this would EASILY be a place for remanufactured units to play.

Most people don't, and its completely understandable.... I've found its a pretty common tactic when management wants to cut costs for <insert reason here> and wants to portray their current costs as out of line and cover up for their previous neglect in paying for benefits as they were earned.

I've seen the same…

I'd bet you're closer than you think... if not over.

And you need to remember that the $59 figure is salary, benefits, and taxes for current workers PLUS unfunded benefits being paid to former workers. The current workers aren't actually getting $59/hr for their salary and benefits...

$59 per hour includes all wages, benefits (current and future), and payroll taxes for current employees PLUS Ford's contributions to shore up underfunded pension plans (ie, paying for unpaid for benefits for former workers). In other words, the current workers don't get anywhere near this. Most workers top out at…

How does something so ubiquitous just disappear?

If they're smart about this, they'll make sure that the design can be easily modified to be manned or unmanned....

Here are the nine 2011 cars with death rates of zero:

Rockauto shows plenty of aftermarket options, anywhere from $138-409 each.

And yes - I have. They aren't fun, but done carefully it isn't that brutal.

(btw, you don't need to remove the heads or the engine on that car if you have a lift - its tight, but it is doable)

How many years behind schedule is the Model X at this point?

Exactly.

Meanwhile Tesla pushes back production dates by that much and people still fawn over them.

(yes, Tesla>>Elio at this point, but there certainly is some unequal treatment being handed out at some level)

you must be mighty flexible with all that stretching.

Then explain how Mercury and Buick were nowhere near Toyota's complaint rate...

There were more than a few legitimate incidents - before the stories even hit the airwaves, Toyota had complaint rates at NHTSA for unintended acceleration several times the industry average. Anything within a standard deviation or so of the industry average is easily attributable to terrible drivers... several…