Here's the Thing

With battery technology back to the future is the best way

By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 6, 2013) TROY, Mich. — Too often when a goal is set the end product seems to be the overriding concern. All-new is best; the previous is like yesterday’s news. Frequently this thinking is to the detriment of the masses and it’s generally not realized until much later.

Kelley Blue Book announces 2013 five-year cost to own award winners

(February 5, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — The 2013 model-year vehicles and brands — in both luxury and non-luxury categories — with the lowest projected ownership costs were announced today by Kelley Blue Book. 

These awards are based on Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars for the initial five-year ownership period.

Consumer Reports finds many small turbo engines fall short

(February 5, 2013) YONKERS, N.Y. — Although small turbocharged engines are marketed as delivering the power of a large engine, with the fuel economy of a smaller one, Consumer Reports tests have found that they often fall short of expectations. Many turbocharged cars tested by CR have slower acceleration and no better fuel economy than the models with bigger conventional engines.

Year-end deals still available as bargain-hunting trend is on rise

(February 4, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Many car buyers in January were able to secure the same great year-end deals that were available in December, reports Edmunds.com, the premier resource for car shopping and automotive information. According to Edmunds.com's True Cost of Incentives (TCI) report, new car incentives in January fell just 0.4 percent from December to an average of $2,372.

Kelley Blue Books names '10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000'

(February 1, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Shoppers in the market for an affordable used car should check out the list of 10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000 compiled by the editors of Kelley Blue Book kbb.com. With Americans looking to stretch their hard-earned dollars as far as they can go, many people find themselves checking out the used-car market instead of shopping new.

Who drives a household's auto-buying decisions?

(January 31, 2013) WASHINGTON — It turns out that both genders have the perception that they're the ones "calling the shots" when it comes to buying an auto, according to a new survey of vehicle owners. A full 72 percent of men believe that they're the ones with the most influence while 60 percent of women believe that they, in fact, are the ones having the most say. 

Research coalition cites evidence of E15 fuel damage

(January 30, 2013) WASHINGTON — New research released by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) today found that E15, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, would damage millions of post-2001 model year vehicles. The CRC study concluded that E15 would result in fuel system failures.

Kelley Blue Books sees strong start to 2013 new-car sales

(January 30, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — As January comes to a close, analysts predict that new-car sales are positioned to surpass 15.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), marking a 13 percent year-over-year improvement, according to Kelley Blue Book.

"January tends to be the slowest month of the year, largely due to a significant number of buyers who purchase new cars in December to take advantage of year-end clearance events," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book.

Crossovers, SUVs least expensive to insure in 2013

(January 27, 2013) In a remarkable upset this year, minivans are no longer the go-to vehicles for the best car insurance rates, according to Insure.com in its annual insurance cost survey released earlier this month.

"In the past, minivans have dominated our annual rankings of 'the least expensive vehicles to insure,' but in the 2013 model year, crossovers and SUVs have taken control of the top 20, including models from Ford, Jeep, Kia and Hyundai," Insure.com states in a press release.

January auto sales suggest good times will keep rolling

(January 27, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com forecasts that 1,045,587 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in January for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 15.3 million light vehicles. The projected sales will be a 22.8 percent decrease from December but a 14.5 percent increase from January 2012.