Here's the Thing

Big cash rebates, deals available on remaining 2012 vehicles

(December 21, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Consumers typically can find the best deals of the year in December, and this year should be no different, according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com. While replacement vehicle demand in the Northeast following Superstorm Sandy should help drive sales in December, the bulk of sales will come from buyers who are waiting to take advantage of year-end clearance events.

Retail vehicle sales remain robust in December

(December 20, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — December's new-vehicle retail selling rate remains robust near the close of 2012, with potential buyers unfazed by the current level of economic uncertainty generated by the fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington, D.C., according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) and LMC Automotive.

Auto loans increase 11 percent in first nine months of 2012

(December 20, 2012) ATLANTA — According to Equifax's latest National Consumer Credit Trends Report, consumer credit originated year-to-date through September 2012 has increased nearly 30% to $675 billion from $523 billion during the same time frame in 2010.

Comparatively, credit originations today are below the 2006-2007 pre-recession levels of about $1 trillion by about one-third.

Where’s Santa? OnStar follows his trip from the North Pole

(December 19, 2012) DETROIT — OnStar will help preserve the magic of this holiday season by enabling children everywhere to learn Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve with a simple press of the OnStar button, thanks to its collaboration with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) “Track Santa” program.

Alternative fuel vehicles growing in popularity

(December 19, 2012) CHICAGO — For years, alternative fuel vehicles appeared to be a somewhat futuristic dream for environmentally concerned individuals but today they are a reality for an increasing number of US consumers.

AAA urges privacy protections for automobile 'black boxes'

(December 18, 2012) WASHINGTON — AAA supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) proposal to mandate event data recorders (EDRs) on all new light vehicles, as long as motorist privacy is protected.  AAA will submit formal comments on NHTSA’s proposed rule and call on Congress to address privacy concerns related to EDR use.

Vehicle thieves slow down for Christmas, but don't take a holiday

(December 18, 2012) DES PLAINES, Ill. — In 2011, more than trick-or-treaters were active on Halloween as that was the busiest unofficial holiday for reported vehicle thefts. New Year's Day, however, is still the busiest official holiday according to analysis of National Crime Information Center (NCIC) vehicle theft data by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Cars.com announces 'Best Of 2013' award nominees

(December 17, 2012) CHICAGO — Cars.com today announced its editors' nominees for the site's highest honor, the "Best Of 2013" Award. Nominees include the BMW 3-Series, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Ram 1500, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ and the Toyota Prius c.

Car owners should reconsider installing inexpensive recycled airbags

(December 16, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Car owners who need to replace a vehicle's airbag should only consider replacements produced by the car's manufacturer, says Edmunds.com. And while it's perfectly legal — and often a lot cheaper — to use recycled non-deployed airbags from identical vehicles, Edmunds.com says that car owners should exercise extreme caution before taking that route.

Proper vehicle maintenance can help holiday travelers avoid trouble

(December 15, 2012) ORLANDO, Fla. — As 84.4 million travelers take to the roads for the year-end holiday, AAA anticipates coming to the assistance of more than 1.2 million stranded motorists between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2. The nation's largest motor club will be busy with lockouts, battery replacements, jump starts, changing tires, extricating vehicles from snow, towing vehicles for repair and more.