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US DoT makes rear-view cameras compulsory

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) has issued a new safety standard for rear visibility that requires mandatory fitment of rear-view cameras. The ruling applies to all new vehicles, excluding motorcycles, weighing under 10,000 pounds (4,536kg) sold from 2018. The ruling has been introduced to cut backover crashes, caused when the victim strays into the blind zone 10-40 feet (3-12m) behind the vehicle that the driver can't see using their mirrors alone.

U-Haul adds green rides to car-share program

U-Haul has made moving simpler for many Americans, and its car-sharing program is cutting rates and adding more environmentally friendly rides in an effort to win over consumers. Called U Car Share, the program is adding the Toyota Prius, the Ford Focus, the Toyota Yaris, the Mini Cooper and the Ford Escape hybrid to its fleet. The registration fee is being slashed from $50 to $25, and members of other car-sharing organizations can have the member fee waived.

Mercedes-Benz reveals new V-class

Mercedes-Benz has returned to the luxury MPV ranks with a resurrection of the V-class – the commercial vehicle based multiseat van first introduced to the German car maker’s lineup in 1996. Positioned as an upmarket rival to the likes of the popular Volkswagen Multivan, the new V-class was conceived and developed in a joint-engineering program with the third-generation Vito, which it will be produced with at Mercedes-Benz’s Vitoria factory in Spain. Set to go on sale in Europe shortly after its public debut at the Geneva auto show in early March, the V-class is being considered for sale in the U.S.