(May 8, 2014) WASHINGTON, D.C. — International automakers built  5 million vehicles in the United States last year and accounted for 59 percent of all U.S. sales according to an economic report by the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) together with the Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers).

The report, Redefining the American Auto Industry, was presented at the AIADA Auto Summit in Washington, D.C. With their increasing investment and operations, international manufacturers and dealers are reshaping the global auto industry and redefining the meaning of an American car.

(May 8, 2014) ATLANTA — Younger car shoppers are placing more importance on fuel efficiency than their older counterparts, according to new research from AutoTrader.com. When asked what factors most influence which car to purchase, fuel efficiency ranks second only to price for Millennials (ages 18-34). Millennials are also three times more likely to consider purchasing an electric vehicle than older generations.

(May 8, 2014) NEW YORK — Nowhere in the United States is renting a car more costly than in New York City according to a new survey from CheapCarRental.net. In coming up with the rankings, the survey compared 50 main destinations in the USA based on their car rental rates over the past 12 months.

(May 5, 2014) SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Daryl Patrishkoff of Shelby Township, Mich., has a vision for the American automotive industry. He firmly believes that our fuel of choice should be Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), not gasoline.  Until the full CNG infrastructure is in place a Bi-Fuel vehicle, fueled by either CNG or gasoline upon the drivers command, is the bridge vehicle that can lead this transition.

(May 5, 2014) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — It's possible to buy a new car with bad credit if you know where to look and how to prepare, says Edmunds.com. In fact, says Edmunds, the right approach to financing a new car can help subprime car buyers get their credit back on the right track.

(May 1, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — With the spring selling season underway, the expert analysts at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com, today report the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $32,141 in April.  New-car prices have increased by $389 (up 1.2 percent) from April 2013, while decreasing $47 (0.1 percent) from last month.

"Continuing their slow and steady increase, transaction prices are on the rise, but in conjunction with incentive spend, which forces them to offset one another," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. 

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(May 1, 2014) — I have just one question to ask: How is it that this car isn’t flying off the shelves? Except for one (somewhat) major and a few minor complaints, I can’t find anything that would keep someone in the market for a handsome, roomy, fuel-efficient, sporty, four-door sedan from putting this car on their serious consideration list or in their driveway.

(May 1, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — Despite General Motors' recent recalls, Kelley Blue Book survey data found consideration among the majority of shoppers remains unaffected.  The survey data also revealed only 5 percent of new-vehicle shoppers say the recent GM recall caused them not to consider purchasing a Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC or Buick model.