Porsche uses phone-formatted bar codes to connect with customers

Porsche is harnessing the power of smartphones, using Microsoft Tag bar codes to provide dealership customers with unique information about the cars they're looking at. Buyers can scan the square stickers with a properly equipped phone, and the application will take them to dedicated microsites where they can see stats, videos and pictures of the car, along with audio clips of a flat-six engine revving up. Through the microsite, buyers can provide contact info for a follow-up call from Porsche salespeople.

Nissan gets a new 'Leaf' on life

On Thursday, Nissan announced that its all-electric Leaf will be added to its Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles program. Starting in September, Nissan will back all used Leaf vehicles to provide years of performance and quality at a competitive value. The program will not only provide buyers with eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty coverage, but also with five-year/60,000-mile coverage for battery-capacity loss that falls below nine bars, which is imperative when you're relying solely on electricity to power your vehicle.

Would you buy a Chevrolet S10?

Last week we asked you if you would be interested in trying the Chevrolet Montana, a compact pickup truck based on a hatchback that manages to deliver 30 mpg while being able to haul as much weight as a Ford F-150. Quite a few you were impressed with the little trucklet, which is available in South America and parts of Central America. Some of you likened it to a descendant of the Subaru Brat.