The Self-Healing iPhone Case

Nissan Technology Could Carry Over To Smartphone Protection

Have you ever dropped your iPhone?  It's ok to admit it, I absolutely have.  Multiple times, in fact.  It definitely has a few scratches on it that I've learned to live with.  

However, a new type of paint developed by Nissan could have (and still might) change that.  

Scratch Shield paint, developed by Nissan, can repair small scratches on a surface within a few hours.  It is also far more scratch resistant than normal paint and provides a better grip.  

Luckily for clumsy iPhone owners like myself, Nissan is trying out Scratch Shield paint on iPhone cases. Cnet reported that it's currently in Beta testing, but if that goes well then the case will be available to the public later this year.  

The paint is currently used on the Nissan Murano, 370Z and X-Trail.  If this takes off, it would certainly be a gamechanger for iPhone, and eventually all smartphone, owners.

For new and used Nissan vehicles, visit West Herr Nissan in Orchard Park! 

The Future Is Now

A Look At 3 Electric Vehicles From West Herr Brands 

It wasn't too long ago that the electric car was just an idea.  Then it became a fringe model, something only a few manufacturers dabbled in.  Now, electric vehicles are bordering on pervasive.  States such as Oregon and Tennessee are installing charging stations to facilitate the inevitable increase in electric vehicles.

With that in mind, we took a look at the electric offerings from 4 West Herr brands, to let you know what you could be driving in 2011.

Nissan Leaf:

We've written extensively about the Nissan Leaf.  It may not be available in Buffalo until the end of 2011, but it will be worth the wait.  Nissan has invested in battery manufacturing plants with the expectation of selling a half-million electric cars a year worldwide.  The electric car is likely here to stay, and the Leaf will play a pivotal role in keeping it that way.  

Chevy Volt: 

This electric car recently took home "Car of the Year" honors from Motortend, with plenty of good reason.  Chris Theodore of Motortrend said:

"This is a fully developed vehicle with seamlessly integrated systems and software, a real car that provides a unique driving experience. And commuters may never need to buy gas."

The Chevy Volt also addresses the fear of running low on battery charge with no power outlet nearby by including a gas-powered generator on board to propel the car to the next charging station.  That should about seal the deal on this fine car.  

Honda Fit EV:  

The Fit won’t reach showrooms until 2012, but like the preceding models it will come from an established carmaker that can provide sales and service from a nearby dealer for most customers. The Fit will have the same 100-mile range as most cars in the battery EV segment, but it offers three driving modes that can improve acceleration or driving range, depending on the program selected. The electric drive motor is derived from the one in Honda’s FCX Clarity fuel-cell car, and the Fit EV can reach a top speed of 90 mph.

These electric vehicles are just a small taste of what the West Herr fleet will offer.  Visit us online today and see what we've got for your driving needs. 

Nissan Knows What Women Want In A Car

Car Maker Ranks High On Female Registrations List

Nissan is reaching the female demographic more than many automakers these days.  A recent study by Auto industry researcher True Car today showed that the Nissan Rogue is the highest ranking SUV among women and second vehicle overall.  The data is based on vehicle registrations over the past two years.

Nissan appeared twice on the top ten list.  The Rogue ranked at #2 overall with 53.5% of female registrations and the Nissan Sentra also ranked with 50.1%.  True Car Today found 9 vehicles total that were more popular with women than men.  Nissan also ranked as the fourth most popular brand overall with women.

In a recent blog post we looked at how women could boost auto industry sales.  While sales and registrations may differ, manufacturers need to take as much data into account as possible.  Nissan was clearly listening to the trends. 

The Rogue has much to offer both men and women.  It received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) highest rating – 5 stars – for side-impact crash safety.  It was also named an "Automotive Best Buy" by Consumer's Digest. 

"The Rogue is racier than much of the competition because of its sculpted exterior lines," Consumer's Digest said. 

West Herr, your Buffalo Nissan dealer, has 2010 Rogues in stock today. Visit us online or stop by and see us at our Orchard Park location. 

West Herr sells the most #1 cars on J.D. Powers Study

West Herr Has most #1 cars acording to J.D. Powers Study. Most are in stock and available for express delivery.

"Vehicles we carry are highlighted in yellowThe initial quality of vehicles has continued to improve, according to the 2009 Initial Quality Study by J. D. Power & Associates that was released last week. In fact, it improved 8 percent when compared with 2008, with Toyota models topping this year’s study.

The study, which grades automakers on the number of problems per 100 vehicles, found that the industry average for all vehicles was 108 problems per 100 vehicles, down from 118 in 2008."

Source NY Times

Question: What is a good car for Outdoors/Camping lifestyle?

2009 Nissan X-Terra

Jill asks: What is a good vehicle with AWD and is build for the outdoors and camping lifestyle? The first one that comes to mind is the Nissan Xterra.

 2009 Nissan Xterra

As the camping season approaches today’s car of the day is the Nissan X-Terra. Built with stout body-on-frame construction and functional four-wheel drive, the Xterra continues to be a steady seller among those who use their SUV for outdoor recreation as well as those who want to give off that impression.

So get outdoors and enjoy what Buffalo has to offer the off-road enthusiast in a Nissan X-Terra!

Warranty:

Basic Years	3
Basic Miles/km	36,000
Drivetrain Years	5
Drivetrain Miles/km	60,000
Corrosion Years	5
Corrosion Miles/km	Unlimited

Highlights:

The 2009 Nissan Xterra is powered by a 261-horsepower, 4.0L V6 engine and either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Each model (except for the Off-Road model) is offered in a choice of rear-wheel drive or a 4-wheel drive system that has an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with low-range mode.

The engine has a modern aluminum-block design, supplemented with cast-iron cylinder liners, Teflon-coated pistons, variable induction, variable valve timing and a 2-stage timing chain for durability and smooth operation.

The Xterra has serious truck underpinnings good for off-road adventuring, hauling heavy loads or towing up to 5,000 pounds. Its so-called F-Alpha platform and fully-boxed frame is shared with Nissan's Titan and Frontier pickups, along with the Armada and Pathfinder SUVs. In front, the suspension is an independent double-wishbone design with a stabilizer bar, while there's a heavy-duty solid-axle setup with leaf springs in back. Off-Road models are supplemented with Bilstein gas shocks, which are comparable in on-road control but offer more wheel travel.

With its many utility-oriented features, the Xterra is designed for especially active people who carry heavy gear and need to go off-road. Side steps are built into the rear bumper for easy access to the roof rack, which has a latchable lid. The cargo area has an Easy Clean surface and ten cargo utility hooks, including six floor hooks capable of carrying up to 110 pounds each. In addition there's an available adjustable channel system in the cargo floor, similar to that offered in Nissan pickups, for securing bike racks or specialized gear. There's also space to secure and carry jugs of up to a gallon.

Very short front and rear overhangs make the Xterra well proportioned for off-roading. It has several specialized features oriented toward rough terrain, including hill descent control and hill start assist, which both increase safety and help maintain control on steep slopes. Off-Road models include those two features plus an electronic-locking rear differential.

Safety features on all Xterra models include front-seat side-impact air bags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. Roof-mounted side-curtain air bags, which cover all outboard occupants, are also now standard.

Four different models are offered: X, S, Off-Road and SE. The base X model includes keyless entry and power windows, locks, and mirrors, while the S adds step rails, a first-aid kit, a cargo net, roof-rack cross bars, a gear basket, upgraded seat fabric, alloy wheels, the Easy Clean cargo surface, a C-Channel cargo floor, and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with Bluetooth, XM radio, steering wheel audio controls, and an iPod jack. Stepping up to the Off-Road model bring the aforementioned off-road equipment, Bilstein shocks, off-road tires, skid plates, fog lamps, roof-mounted lights, black body-side molding, a fold-flat passenger seat, blue cloth seat fabric, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. At the top of the range, the SE gets a standard automatic transmission, leather seating, Long Trail tires and body-colored exterior mirrors.

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