VIRGINIA BEACH

A two-alarm fire that damaged the automotive repair area of Charles Barker Automotive has been ruled an accident.

NORFOLK
Kimnach Ford Inc. has sold cars and trucks on Virginia Beach Boulevard for 50 years. On Friday at 8 p.m., it plans to shutter its showroom.
Julian "Jay" Council Jr., the dealership's president, gave employees the news on Tuesday, said Serge Kher, the general sales manager. Soon afterward, signs were placed on the doors to let customers know.

Drive, drag, dash, motor, start, run, race, roll, fire it up, lean on it, step on it, fire it up, travel, cruise, crawl, on your mark, get set, go.

The driving frenzy that is Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us. Here are some tips to help ensure that your next road trip is one you’ll always remember, rather than one you’ll want to forget.

Is your vehicle fit?

In the midst of their hottest selling season, local auto dealers expect their supply of cars and car parts to run short. That's because vehicles and components that were being built in Japan in March, when the earthquake and tsunami hit, would have arrived in Hampton Roads by June, the dealers said. The disaster shuttered Japanese auto and parts plants. Many remain closed.

Spring arrives on Sunday, and with it comes thoughts of warm days, cool nights and great times. And how better to enjoy it than with a new convertible?

But there’s an old saying in the car business: When the top goes down, the price goes up. True enough; most well-equipped droptops start at 40 grand or more.

Given the weak economy, that seems spendy.

But don’t despair.

By Dena Potter RICHMOND Drivers could have darker tint on vehicle windows if a bill that passed the House of Delegates Tuesday becomes law.

Virginia currently requires at least 50 percent visibility on the front side windows, although back windows can be darker. Del. Charles Carrico's bill, which passed on a 67-30 vote, would lower that to 35 percent visibility.

Over the years, it seems that car buyers’ preferences change little in Hampton Roads. That’s true once more, with a few exceptions. The Ford F-150 and Hyundai Sonata are rising in the charts, while others have fallen. Let’s see which cars and trucks you bought more than any others last year, according to Experian Automotive. 

Honda Accord
1,539 sold
2009 rank: 1

DETROIT

While many different new models grace the floor of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, taken together, they show how future cars and trucks will be different from those offered today. Let’s walk into the future, shall we?

KEEPIN' IT SAFE

CHESAPEAKE

Freedom Automotive has sold its Lincoln-Mercury franchise on South Military Highway to Cavalier Ford.

A few months ago, Ford Motor Company announced the end of production for Mercury-branded vehicles by the end of the year. Ford is planning to expand its Lincoln lineup, a news release from the company said.

The Chevrolet Volt has survived its parent company’s bankruptcy and two CEOs. Now, can it survive in the marketplace? We’ll have an  answer  soon enough, when the car  goes on sale in select U.S. markets , including California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington, D.C.,  area.

Hampton Roads won’t see the car until summer.