Rockingham Motors

Top Selling American-Made Car Index

If you've ever wondered about the top selling cars that have been built and bought in the United States, then Cars.com has created an intresting website worthy of checking out. 

Cars.com has created an index that ranks the top selling American made vehicle. Wouldn't that mean only American automotive manufacturers would be on the list?

Well actually no. Here is how Cars.com breaks down the index:

"Cars.com's American-Made Index rates vehicles built and bought in the U.S. Factors include sales, where the car's parts come from and whether the car is assembled in the U.S. We disqualify models with a domestic parts content rating below 75 percent, models built exclusively outside the U.S. or models soon to be discontinued without a U.S.-built successor." (source)

Just as Cars.com explains, the words "American made car" can be misleading. Several vehicles built in the United States are made with parts that are not domestic. This list summarizes the top cars that are assembled in the U.S. with mostly or only domestic auto parts. 

What's more interesting about this information is that Toyota and Honda claim the top two spots. The Toyota Camry outsold the Ford F150 and became number one for 2009 and 2010 for the American Made Index. The Honda Accord slowly inched up the ranking and eventually bumped out the F150 as well. What's the reason behind F150's decline and the Accord's increase in rank? Turns out the F150 is now made with less then 55% domestic auto parts. 

For the full list and article, visit Cars.com's American-Made Index. 

YouTube's Ad-Blitz & Salem Animal Rescue League Donation Info!

Even though another Super Bowl®  has come and gone, YouTube keeps the spirit of the game alive and thriving for all of us. 

 

If you were too busy pouting over the Steelers losing the whole time OR parading around the Packers' victory to actually sit down and focus on the ads, you still have time to catch up. YouTube's Ad-Blitz not only neatly organizes all the best ads for you to watch, but you can vote on your favorite as well. The winning ad gets... more ads? Oh, it recevies "ultimate recognition glory".  So if you haven't already, watch and laugh and vote before midnight on February 14th.

 

You know what else ends February 14th?! Your chance to help Rockingham Motors donate to the Salem Animal Rescue League! We are donating 1% of the cost of each service performed between January 14th and February 14th to SARL's Tulipc Fund! So if your car gets an oil change or a 30,000 mile service or if it comes in to our shop AT ALL, you are helping donate! Learn more about the Tulip Fund and visit SARL's website for more information about their fabulous organization! 

Say what?!

NOTE: This is NOT a car post, but rather a random and fun post. Something light and interesting.. The DAKAR post IS coming soon! 

When discussing language in terms of evolution, it's fasinating to think it first appeared between 30,000 and 100,000 years ago. Researchers and linguists alike have developed different theories surrounding the explanations for the evolution of language, particularly whether it was an adaptive process or a nonadaptive aspect that occured as a byproduct of other processes. Hmmm...

Another interesting way to think about language is the how vocabulary changes over time. It almost feels as if we are getting more creative with our words by using made up phrases so much they integrate their way into everyday spoken language.

 
(source)

Merriam-Webster continuously takes submissions for new words and slang. Anyone can submit a "word". For a full list of these submissions, visit the new words & slang page or read through some of our favorite extracted from the site. Which of these words do YOU say?

halfsies (adjective) : to go halfsies: to agree to share the cost or effort equally with another

 

TWD (abbreviation) : texting while driving

 

fakecation(noun) : a vacation during which one performs some work-related tasks (as responding to calls or email) often using a handheld device or home computer

 

Christmatize (verb) : to decorate for Christmas

 

cubiquette (noun) : etiquette for an office with cubicles

 

vulture (verb) : to circle in a parking while looking for an open space

 

Unitedstadian (noun) : a citizen or resident of the United States of America

 

gingerology (noun) : the study of ginger

 

hearlucinate (verb) : to imagine that one hears something

 

snowpocalypse  (noun): a disaster brought on by a massive snow storm; also: a massive snowstorm

 

 huggle (noun) : a long hug and cuddle

 

sharage (noun) : a shed that is used as a garage

 

carbivore (noun) : one who eats carbohydrates

 

Netflick (verb) : to select and rent a movie on DVD or download (as through Netflix)

 

unputdownable (adjective) : compellingly readable

 

smallen (verb) : to make smaller esp.: to reduce or minimize on a computer screen

 

stinkeye (noun) : a dirty look

 

hairyeye (noun) : a look of disapproval

 

nonversation (noun) : conversation that seems meaningless or without logic

 

appiphilia (noun) : love of applications for smart phones

 

caffeinism (noun) : edginess and irritability caused by the consumption of too much caffeine

 

And the list goes on! Feel free to comment and add your own!

 

Car and Driving iPad Apps

Recently, Rockingham Motors had great success with the iPad® promotion in which customers received a 16GB iPad with the purchase of either a new Toyota Camry or Corolla, Nissan Altima or Maxima or Honda Civic or Accord. Whether you were a recepient of this promotion, received an iPad as a gift, already have an iPad or are wondering what they are all about, we wanted to share some great car and driver related applications available for you to download today.

What is an iPad® anyway? Whether it's catching up on your favorite sports team, reading online newspapers or playing video games that excites you, Apple's iPad® has something to feed every interest. This tablet computer released in January of 2010 is a multi-purpose device with a large, high-resolution screen suitable for surfing the web, checking email, watching movies, reading books or downloading apps. The apps available from the Apple App Store are what make this unqiue device so customizable. With over 300,000 to choose from, apps allow you to hone in on your interests and access what matters to you quickly.

Here are just some apps that may be of interest to car and driving enthusiasts alike:

Beat the Traffic- This app allows you to check local traffic and road conditions with a visual map fit to the large screen. The app also offers alternate routes to avoid traffic jams. For more  information about this app visit this link, Beat the Traffic

Automobile News- This app compiles the latest automotive news articles, blogs and videos into an organized format. Designed to keep you up to date on automotive's latest, more information about this app is available by clicking this link, Automotive News

Auto Blogroll- Instead of weeding through car blogs yourself, this app helps organize the leading car blogs for you! With a simple layout, this app includes independent as well as mainstreamed blogs for you to look through and bookmark your favorites. Another feature is this app allows you to share interesting posts through your Facebook or Twitter account. For more info, click here, Auto Blogroll

Auto TV- If you'd rather watch then read, Auto TV offers over 30,000 automotive news related videos. The videos streaming from over 70 popular video sources contain information for everyone, from the casual driver to racing connoisseur. More information is available here, Auto TV

Auto Brand Collection- A neat app for memorization, this app teaches you over 100 different auto brand logos and names. For more information, click here, Auto Brand Collection

Autocar- Of all the things in your life that are important to keep track of, your last oil change was probably not one of them. Service records for your vehicle might get lost and if you own more than one car, it may be easy to forget what car had what service. Also, you don't want to waste money on an unnecessary service visits. Well, this app allows you to keep track of serivce to all your vehicles so you can keep organized records without all the paper. Really neat! Check out the app here, Autocar

Car Match- Designed as a matching game, this app tests memorization as well as car knowledge. This app has different levels that allow you to increase the difficulty and time yourself. More information about this app is available here, Car Match

Drive Safe-If you or someone you know is preparing for their driver's license or needs a refresher on driving basics, this app provides a wide range of appropriate questions. Click this link here, Drive Safe, for more information.

Real Racing HD- If it's gaming you like, this racing game offers rich detail in HD. Pick from a variety of courses to race and tilt the screen side to side to steer. Check out the details at the app store here, Real Racing HD 

So whether you like to play video games, read up on the latest models from your favorite manufacturer or would like to learn about driving in general, it seems there are endless options for you to download. Visit Apple's App store for more information on these select apps as well thousands of others.

All the information here was taken from the Apple App Store website and all mentions of apps in this post are only a summary and meant to serve as suggestions.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Misspoke About Toyota Recall

We had an instant rush of phone calls today as DOT Secretary LaHood said during a conference to stop driving your Toyota if it is part of the gas pedal recall.  There is no official recommendation by Toyota or the government to stop driving your Toyota.  However, if you have any direct concerns please contact us. Service hours will be extended to handle this recall. We will be booking appointments as early as today.  Fill out this from if you would like us to call you and book an appointment.

From the Wall Street Journal -

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) pared earlier declines after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he had misspoke when he had advised in congressional testimony that people stop driving cars involved in Toyota's recall, advice that had initially caused a steep drop in Toyota's shares.

Testifying before the House Appropriations committee, where he was scheduled to talk about the fiscal 2011 budget, LaHood was asked what advice he would give to owners of Toyotas subject to the recall.

"My advice is, if anybody owns one of these vehicles, stop driving it, take it to the Toyota dealer because they believe they have the fix for it," LaHood said.

Afterwards he told reporters that wasn't what he meant to say.

"What I said in there was obviously a misstatement," LaHood said outside of the hearing room. "My advice is if you have one of these vehicles, if you are in doubt, take it to the dealership today."

DOT spokesman Bill Adams said in an email, "The DOT is advising owners of recalled vehicles to contact their local dealerships to arrange for fixes as soon as possible." -Source: WSJ 02/03/2010

Toyota temporarily suspend sales of selected vehicles

In addressing the problem with the accelerator pedal, Toyota has taken Voluntary aggressive action by stopping the sale of certain vehicles.  We stand by Toyota's decision and support their efforts to ensure the safety of our customers.  This is what makes Toyota one of the most respected companies in the world.

"This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized.  We're making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible." -Bob Carter (Group Vice President of Toyota)

We are waiting for a remedy and will keep you posted.  We are taking your contact information here to notify you the minute we get word from Toyota.

Toyota Recall Notice Information

Most of you have heard the buzz -Toyota has released a voluntary recall notice that affects 2.3 million vehicles.  Reportedly, there has been very rare incidences of the accelerator sticking in some Toyota models.  It is in Toyota's nature to address and take care of this problem a.s.a.p.  The official statement by Toyota is posted here.  Please contact our Rockingham Toyota service department for the latest information at 603-893-3525 or Click Here to Chat with our service adviser.