Although conventional wisdom and crowded streets might suggest otherwise, vehicle ownership, fuel consumption, and miles driven per year seem to be on the decline.

These three indicators, referred to cumulatively as “motorization,” have been studied extensively by Michael Sivak, a research professor at University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, in his six part research study “Has Motorization in the U.S. Peaked?”

Sivak just released the most recent installment of his study which focuses on the relationship between road transportation and economic activity, and his findings suggest that the decrease in motorization is not caused by economic factors.

In his previous reports, Sivak studied changes in the number of registered light-duty vehicles and related changes in the number of miles driven and the amount of fuel consumed. Sivak’s research indicated that despite population growth, all three indicators of motorization reached their height around 2004 and have been declining ever since. Because the decline of these rates began before the Great Recession of 2008, Sivak argued that their decline was not likely caused by the economic factors.

Sivak’s most recent report examined the relationship between distance driven and inflation-adjusted GDP, as well as fuel consumed and inflation-adjusted GDP. The results of his research showed that distance driven per GDP reached its height in the 1970s and plateaued until the early 1990s, when it began to decrease. By 2012, distance driven per GDP had experienced a 22 percent decrease from its highest point, which occurred in 1977.

The amount of fuel consumed per GDP also reached its height in the 1970s, and experienced a 47 percent decrease by 2012. According to Sivak, the dramatic decline in fuel consumed per GDP can likely be attributed to improved vehicle fuel economy over the years.

Sivak’s most recent findings support his assertion from earlier research that the reduction of motorization is caused by “fundamental, noneconomic changes in society.” But if economics aren’t the primary factor in motorization’s decline, what is? Sivak guesses that factors like increased telecommuting, increased use of public transportation, increased urbanization of the population, and changes in the age composition of drivers are likely contributors to motorization’s decline.

Abstract, UMTRI Publications

Tesla Motors’ stock price hit a six-month low on Tuesday in spite of the company’s recent accomplishments.

The TSLA symbol on NASDAQ traded for as low as $195, inching up slightly to $198 by the end of the day. This was the first time since June that Tesla dipped below $200 per share, and the company had been closing at an average of $233 for the past month.

SEE ALSO: Tesla On Track To Sell 50,000th Model S This Month

Tesla will end 2014 with a turbulent track record for the year, with shares yo-yoing between a low of $137 in January to September’s high of $291 per share.

The market volatility echoes the company’s recent roller coaster ride in other areas.

Last fall, the company expanded sales to Japan – a country that rarely sees American-made cars. But it’s reportedly faltering in China, where Tesla China has been struggling with logistical problems and Autoblog reports Tesla China has cycled through two presidents since 2013.

In the U.S. the Model S celebrated its 50,000th sale and marked faster growth in comparison to the Nissan Leaf’s early years.

SEE ALSO: Tesla Aims to Conqure Japan

That same week, however, Michigan added its name to others passing a law to prohibit Tesla from selling factory direct in the state.

Despite these ups and downs, and others besides, analysts are still calling Tesla a resilient company for investors.

Susan Kalla with Forbes attributes this to Tesla’s strategic positioning for the building and marketing of its products.

“One of Tesla’s most successful gambles was to choose lithium-ion batteries, the ones in millions of laptops,” said Kalla. “Another strategic bet was Gigafactory, a 15 million square foot plant outside of Reno Nevada to supply the batteries for electric cars.”

Tamara Walsh with investment site the Motley Fool agrees. Earlier this week, she named Tesla as one of the best high-growth stocks to buy and keep.

SEE ALSO: Tesla Sales Banned In Michigan

“In just a few years, California-based electric-car maker Tesla has gone from one of the most shorted stocks on the Nasdaq into one of the top-performing companies on the market,” said Walsh.

She named the upcoming Model X electric crossover and the Gigafactory as two reasons Tesla will stay competitive.

Walsh recommends the stock because “the company’s innovative battery technology has the potential to disrupt both the auto industry and the solar energy storage space. Throw in Tesla’s Supercharger network and the company’s forward-thinking CEO, Elon Musk, and you have a stock with long-term growth potential.”

In recent weeks Tesla’s stock has tumbled also – whether coincidentally or relatedly – as oil prices have also fallen. Some have offered there is a relation, others said not so much.

The “disruptive” automaker has seen volatility plenty of times before, with betters on the sideline talking it up or down.

To date, Tesla has more often rebuffed the ultimate naysayers while ammo for doubters and evidence for believers persists.

The company has created outsized fascination in any case as watchers continue to ponder the fortunes of the electric carmaker threatening to change the automotive landscape far more than it has already.

Motley Fool, Business Insider

From Seoul, Hyundai said today its delayed hybrid version of its revised seventh-generation Sonata model will arrive in major markets outside Korea, starting in the first half of 2015 with a plug-in to follow.

The plug-in Sonata Hybrid variant next year will be Hyundai’s first. The PHEV will be part of a new wave of vehicles between now and 2020, Hyundai says, as the automaker seeks to transform itself into a “global top 2 automaker in the eco-friendly car market by 2020.”

Hyundai also plans to introduce its first dedicated hybrid model in the second half of next year.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Sonata Eco Joins Hybrid Version

As reported in July, the automaker is calling the pre-existing Sonata Hybrid a 2015 model year. The automaker’s official announcement did not specify the new car would be a 2016 model year, but previous reports were that this would be the case.

In any event, Hyundai reports the new Sonata will be fully revised, with upgraded “unique hybrid design” in a spacious, safety oriented, functional package.

Power is by a 2.0-liter GDI hybrid engine mated to a 38-kw electric motor. The gasoline engine delivers 154 horsepower and 140 pounds-feet torque – an increase of 4 percent and 5.5 percent respectively, compared to the previous model. The electric motor is rated 8.6 percent improved, with maximum torque of 151 pounds-feet.

Hyundai says the new hybrid with lithium-polymer battery achieves a “class-leading” combined rating of 18.2 km/ℓ (43 mpg) with 16-inch wheels (17.7 km/ℓ (42 mpg) with 17-inch wheels). The globally oriented efficiency news came from Korea, and did not specify what U.S. EPA ratings will be.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai Releases Prices For 2014 Sonata Hybrid

The revised car comes after 27 months of development and an investment of approximately 180 billion Won (KRW) ($164 million), and Hyundai estimates a total of 55,000 units (Korea: 18,000 / Overseas: 37,000) next year.

“The launch of our all-new Sonata Hybrid, with its class-leading fuel economy and powerful driving performance, comes at a time when eco-friendly vehicles are becoming established as a mainstream car,” Mr. Kwak said during his welcome speech today. “Our latest offering, based on one of our best-selling models, underscores our efforts to meet the growing popularity of eco-friendly vehicles around the world.”

Hyundai’s new Sonata Hybrid will debut January at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, and details of the Plug-in Hybrid version will be also released at that time.

There will be more Tesla P85D videos as deliveries continue, but for starters, a video by one Allen Wong demonstrates some quickness on the streets against a Ferrari as well as other speed demonstrations.

Wong, who says he will be getting a P85D for Christmas, says he went around with the loaned Tesla and he apparently found drivers who would race him.

“We pitted the car’s acceleration against other cars. It pretty much beat everything at the car show (Ferraris and R8s didn’t stand a chance),” said Wong who gave details below the video on YouTube. “So I had to pit it against my Aventador, which does 0-60 in 2.8-2.9 seconds”

The P85D, Wong says, beats the Aventador informally on the street to 30 mph, is tied to 60, then the Lambo starts to pull it.

Unfortunately, the video doesn’t show that matchup, but other highlights include audio recording of reactions of five passengers – something an Aventador can never do.

Tesla’s P85D is rated by its maker to 60 mph at 3.2 seconds, and is the quickest Tesla. It adds 221 horsepower to the front wheels via a drive motor which augments the 470 horsepower in the back.

For those of you new to this stuff, a main reason it is so quick is not just the total 691 rated horses but how they are delivered.

All-wheel-drive means front wheels pull while rear wheels push and the torque – the work energy – is at its peak from zero rpm (some people like to say from 1 rpm – either way, and you get the meaning).

Tesla also has designed full electronic control to prevent tire slippage – if all that power were just dumped, the tires would spin and smoke, and seriously degrade momentum.

As it is, Tesla has created a street racer toy par excellence; it’s super user friendly, and takes much less finesse than cars without launch control.

Wong said to help out his Aventador driven sans launch control, they resorted to doing roll-on races with the Lamborghini already hooked up to try and gauge acceleration without the Italian car’s tire spin.

By contrast, with the $105,670 and up Tesla, it’s just punch and go. No gear shifting, no sideways out of control smoky burnouts, just whoosh! It’s very effective, unusually quiet being electric, and Tesla reports orders for this car are coming in fast.

We’ll be looking forward to more speed shows on YouTube, as more people get their P85Ds in the months ahead.

Audi’s 2015 A3 and S3 sedans, offering a mix of diesel, turbocharged and gasoline engines, have earned a 5-Star overall crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program.

This New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) rating is the highest crash test rating currently available, being added to IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating the Audi A3 sedan (when equipped with Audi pre sense front) received earlier this year.

Audi added the NCAP 5-Star designation is limited to vehicles that provide the greatest amount of crash protection and rollover safety beyond what is required by federal law. Vehicles are rated on a scale of one to five stars, one being the lowest rating and five being the highest.

SEE ALSO: 2015 A3 TDI Sedan Starts At $32,600

“The Audi A3 and S3 exemplify the best in a long line of Audi vehicles designed to be premium, sporty and above all safe,” said Filip Brabec, Director, Product Planning, Audi of America. “Both vehicles establish a high safety standard with new and innovative features designed to help protect vehicle occupants as well as others on the road.”

Audi explained the A3 and S3 offer several technology features which are new to the entry luxury segment, including standard Audi pre sense basic system which helps detect when an emergency maneuver is being made and prepares the vehicle and its occupant restraint systems in advance of a possible collision. The A3 also introduces secondary collision brake assist and is the only vehicle to offer this system as a standard feature, added the German company. The system automatically brakes the car after a collision so as to prevent a secondary collision with nearby or oncoming traffic.

Infiniti is emulating Tesla’s retail approach in opening two retail spaces in high end shopping malls.

Infiniti announced yesterday it is opening stores in two of London’s most pioneering shopping and entertainment destinations: Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City.

The car company added it is joining some of the world’s most respected retailers and exclusive fashion brands in the state-of-the-art centers which attract over 70million visitors per year.

Infiniti explained the two new stores are designed to be semi-permanent structures and will have cars on display as well as a range of cars available for test drives.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk Says Tesla May Need Franchised Dealerships

“Westfield centers offer world class retail environments where a premium brand like Infiniti will feel naturally at home,” said François Goupil de Bouillé, Infiniti Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The opening of the Infiniti stores provides us with a further great opportunity to get close to our customers, and to be able to share with them Infiniti’s exciting and innovative spirit.”

The walk-in stores will be changing their displayed model of choice on a regular basis giving visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the latest models, according to the luxury manufacturer. Each store is also said to have a separate special VIP waiting area for those who want to take test drives during their visit to the Westfield sites, located close to the valet parking area.

Infiniti explained initially, visitors will be able to experience the new Q50 2.0 Turbo, which will be on show at the centers and also available for test drives. Infiniti added staff will be on hand to explain the car’s advanced features and demonstrate its performance and handling abilities around a special on-road route close to each of the centers.

A special event to celebrate the opening of the stores will be held Wednesday, January28, 2015 at Westfield London.