(March 27, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com today released its March sales and incentives forecast predicting the highest unit sales since August 2007. TrueCar says the Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate (SAAR) will be 14.5 million.

(March 26, 2012) AURORA, Ill. — Teen girls are twice as likely as teen boys to use cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, according to a new in-car video study released today by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Electronic devices were the most commonly observed distracted driving activity for new teen drivers of both genders, although video captured many other serious distractions as well.

(March 22, 2012) YONKERS, N.Y. — With its nimble handling and well-equipped cabin, the Kia Rio EX outpointed the Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Sonic as the top rated subcompact sedan in Consumer Reports' latest tests.

The Rio's hatchback version scored lower, but sits firmly in third place behind the previously tested and higher-rated Honda Fit and Nissan Versa SL among the subcompact hatchbacks tested with automatic transmissions. 

(March 22, 2012) Nissan announced earlier this week that it was bringing back the Datsun name three decades after shelving the brand that helped build its U.S. business. This time, Nissan hopes the name synonymous with affordable and reliable small cars will power its growth in emerging markets.

(March 22, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com projects new-vehicle sales to reach 1,425,000 units, or 14.6 million seasonally adjusted sales rate (SAAR), in March.  This is a 24 percent gain from last month and a 14 percent gain from March 2011.

At more than 1.4 million units, sales will be the highest for any March since 2007, when industry sales topped 1.5 million units overall.  March traditionally is a strong month as consumers cash-in their tax returns and head to dealerships for the latest model-year vehicles.

(March 21, 2012) ROCHESTER, Mich. — New car buyers in 2011 were less often influenced by "emotional" messages, including style, fun to drive, sporty image and touch of class, and more often influenced by "practical" messages such as discounts, vehicle reviews and competitive comparisons, according to Foresight Research released this week.

(March 21, 2012) WASHINGTON — On the one year anniversary of the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) updated car seat recommendations, a AAA survey reveals that outreach efforts are working and parents are getting the message. Over 90 percent of parents with a child under 13 reported being aware of the new guidelines, many having heard of the change from their child's pediatrician.

(March 20, 2012) BROMSGROVE, England — The European auto industry is facing a shake-out as the European car market declines and attention turns to production overcapacity, according to just-auto editor Dave Leggett.

(March 20, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com reports that used compact-car values are on the rise and could reach the same 20 percent gains seen in 2011.  According to Kelley Blue Book's Book Market Report for March, values of used fuel-efficient compacts increased a modest 0.4 percent in February; however, values picked up significant momentum during the last weeks of the month.