Sales of SUVs and full-size pickups have fallen by as much as 50 percent compared with a year ago. As consumers turn to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, there will be a ripple effect in many areas.

This fascinating article explores the impact on society from the "Post-SUV World."Some are obvious. But many others are unexpected.

BMW is planning to build 500 all-electric Mini Coopers-and they're coming to California to help the automaker meet the new zero-emissions mandate.

Don't expect to find one anytime soon in West Michigan. The first 500 probably won't hit the west coast until 2010.

It's obvious that buying a carefully-screened used car from Prestige Imports instead of a new one saves you a lot of money up front. But now you can project how much any car-buying decision will cost you over a 1-to- 5-year period.

The people at Edmunds.com created a True Cost to Own (SM) calculator that helps you estimate ALL the costs of owning any new or used vehicle.

We used it to compare the ownership costs of a new 2008 Volvo S80 with a used 2005 version. Over five years the new one would cost you an extra $19,520.

Fuel efficiency isn't the only focus of automotive- related technology.

A hidden trap that detects how fast vehicles are going just by listening to them as they pass could catch speeding drivers unawares. The system, being developed by the University of Tennessee and the Battelle Institute in Oak Ridge, uses microphones hidden by the roadside to measure the speed of passing vehicles.

It does not emit telltale radiation, unlike radar or laser- based devices, so it cannot be picked up by dashboard detectors.

Sales are NOT down at all the auto companies. One bright spot is Audi, which had the best first half in its history. The company is on target to sell more than one million cars worldwide in 2008.

This brief article includes some news about new models coming to the US.

Our featured car this month is a 2005 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro. This black, all-wheel-drive sedan is fully- loaded with power leather seats, a 6-speed transmission, and almost every power option you can imagine.

Here's what Edmunds had to say about this 2005 model: "The A4 is luxurious, sporty, and winterproof. It's one of our favorite entry-luxury cars....classy, well- constructed interiors, sharp handling, and precise steering."

This one has just 33,000 miles and is priced at $21,500. Call Joe or Phil Licari to arrange a test drive or just come in.

If you had a vehicle serviced at Prestige Imports or came in to shop for a car, we need your feedback. Please visit the survey section of our web site and take a two-minute survey.