(March 23, 2016) HEILGENHAUS, Germany — Kiekert AG, a technology leader in automotive locking systems, has reached the next milestone. In the space of six months, Kiekert has completed its innovative prototype vehicle with the electromechanical door protection function, i-protect.

(March 23, 2016) WASHINGTON — Pump prices have climbed higher for two straight weeks, and the national average price of gas may soon climb above $2 per gallon for the first time this year. Gas prices have increased largely due to seasonal increases in fuel demand and reduced production as some refineries conduct maintenance, according to AAA.

(March 22, 2016) SAN FRANCISCO — CoverHound, a digital marketplace for comparing and purchasing insurance, released today the results of a new consumer survey that analyzed its proprietary data to better understand the behavior of auto insurance shoppers. CoverHound uncovered surprising data on people's likelihood in omitting correct information intentionally or by accident when requesting an auto insurance quote.

(March 22, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — The 2016 Brand Image Award winners, based on annual new-car buyer perception data, were announced today by Kelley Blue Book, kbb.com.  Subaru picked up three of the six category awards for non-luxury brands and Lexus won two categories in the luxury brands.

The Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public.  Award categories are calculated among luxury, non-luxury and truck shoppers.

(March 21, 2016) LOS ANGELES — There's a $7,216 cost difference between owning a car in Michigan and New Hampshire according to a new study from personal finance website GOBankingRates.com. The study considered the costs of six key factors affecting the expenses of owning a vehicle in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

(March 17, 2016) TROY, Mich. — Audi and Mini were winners in customer satisfaction at dealership service departments in a benchmark study that J.D. Power and Associates released Wednesday. Mini was the highest ranked mass-market brand in J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Customer Service Index Study while Audi was the top luxury brand.

(March 16, 2016) As the automotive industry turns its attention toward the next generation of car shoppers and buyers, Generation Z — those currently age 0-17 — it may be operating under some false assumptions.  New research from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book offers an in-depth look at Generation Z and delivers some surprising insights about how this new cohort differs greatly from the often-discussed Millennial generation that comes before it.  

(March 15, 2016) MCLEAN, Va. — Wholesale used vehicle prices generally rise in February as dealers prepare for increased spring consumer demand. In fact, up to this year, prices had moved higher in February for 20 years straight. The streak came to an end last month, however, as wholesale prices of vehicles up to eight years in age fell by nearly 1 percent from January.

(March 15, 2016) BANBURY, England — Efforts to combat increasing levels of hi-tech car crime have received a shot in the arm according to a British business that has developed a unique "anti-hack" security device.

Over a year in development and having been subjected to months of rigorous testing, the non-invasive, tamper-proof system is the brainchild of Banbury-based automotive security innovation firm On Board Defence and is the first of its kind to achieve certification from Thatcham Research, the UK motor insurers' research center.