(August 25, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Technology changes related to revised emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks are causing an increase in heavy-duty truck engine problems and a decrease in overall satisfaction with the powertrain, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Heavy-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Study released this week.

(August 24, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — The August new-vehicle selling rate is expected to be the highest monthly rate in more than four and one-half years, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) and LMC Automotive.

(August 24, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — August new-car sales will hit 1,273,000 units overall, which is an 18.7 percent increase from last year, according to Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.  After adjusting for one additional selling day in August, car sales are projected to improve by a conservative 14.3 percent. 

(August 23, 2012) ANN ARBOR, Mich. —Customer satisfaction at the national level is exactly where it stood at the start of 2012, and as far back as two years ago, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). In the second quarter of 2012, aggregate customer satisfaction stayed flat at 75.9 on a 0 to 100 scale, which won’t help revive consumer spending or the sluggish economy at large.

(August 21, 2012) ORLANDO, Fla. —AAA Travel projects 33 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, a 2.9 percent increase from the 32.1 million people who traveled last year. The total number of 2012 Labor Day holiday travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high, and is the third increase in holiday travel this year, according to the AAA/IHS Global Insight 2012 Labor Day Holiday Travel Forecast. 

(August 20, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — The 2012 Kia Soul is this year's No. 1 Back-to-School Car according to Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new car and used car information. In this annual list published by KBB.com, the editors rank their top affordable new-car choices for students, naming the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2012.

(August 18, 2012) MCLEAN, Va. — New-vehicle incentives and rebates as well as declining prices on used vehicles are a couple of factors pointing to steady auto sales as the summer months come to a close.

"The end of summer is typically a good time of the year to shop for new and used vehicles," said Jonathan Banks, senior analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide.

(August 16, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Total Car Score is celebrating the art of the automobile by taking a look back at the top10 best-looking cars of all time. Total Car Score issues its ranking as automotive enthusiasts and the industry's attention focus on the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the premier event for historic and exotic automobiles taking place on Aug. 19.

(August 15, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif.— TrueCar.com, the authority in new car pricing, trends and forecasting released its Performance Scorecards grading automotive manufacturers and brands for their performance in the month of July. The Performance Scorecards grade each manufacturer and brand on eight different measurements including pricing, sales, incentives, customer loyalty, market share, and days in inventory.

(August 15, 2012) WASHINGTON — A new school year is an exciting time for teens. It means new clothes, new school supplies, a new schedule of classes; it's a great new start! Families do their best to outfit their youth with the best, but few consider the safety of travel to and from school.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 5,000 teens (ages 16-20) are killed each year in passenger vehicle crashes. National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) encourages families to include car, route, and travel safety in back to school readiness.