Here's the Thing

Motorexpo returns to NYC

(August 17, 2011) If you find yourself in New York City  mid-September, the biggest free-to-attend automotive event will return to the World Financial Center in Lower Manhattan, transforming the iconic location into a vehicular extravaganza showcasing what the automotive market has to offer.

Yet another Index

(August 16, 2011) General Motors’s Cadillac brand and Toyota Motor Corporation’s namesake division and luxury Lexus line topped the American Customer Satisfaction Index’s annual ranking of automakers. The index is an economic indicator of the quality of economic output, as experienced by the users of that output.

ACSI is a predictor of consumer spending and economic growth at the macro level, and tracks about 235 individual companies. Individual and company ACSI scores are predictive of company return on investment, net cash flow, and stock returns.

Ford gets seven wins, Porsche top brand in Ideal Vehicle Awards

(August 16, 2011) TUSTIN, Calif. — The the 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), announced today by automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific, reveal the vehicles that most closely match their owners desires.

“Everyone has had the experience of wanting to change something after you’ve bought it and experienced it for awhile. This is especially true of vehicles,” says George Peterson, President of AutoPacific.  “This research recognizes the vehicles that owners want to change the least. In other words, the vehicles that already match their owner’s demands.

Aug. 27th best day for best car deal, TrueCar says

(August 16, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — TrueCar.com has found the best  deals on new cars  including cash, finance and lease deals available nationwide, and is forecasting that Aug. 27th is the best day of the month to purchase a new vehicle, according to data from its latest TrueTrends Report. 

Summer incentive season: Cars.com names 2011 deals to buy now

(August 16, 2011) CHICAGO (PRNewswire) — New car buyers looking for all the bells and whistles at a reduced cost should buy now, according to the editors at Cars.com. To help shoppers identify what to buy, the site has compiled a list of the top 2011s on the market that do not change much for 2012 and offer greater incentives.

Audi, Kia lead segments in cost to own study

(August 15, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com today reported the top three luxury and top three non-luxury brands with the lowest average Total Cost of Ownership for the initial five-year ownership period.

Based on Kelley Blue Book's analysis, Audi, Lexus and Cadillac (respectively) top all luxury brands, while Kia, Hyundai and Honda (respectively) dominate among all non-luxury brands for lowest average total ownership costs.

Three desserts in one day; I blame Jeep

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(August 14, 2011) I did something last Thursday that I haven't done in a very long time: I wolfed down three desserts.

I am having tub-o-lard remorse.

The scene of the crime was Jeep's media first drive for its 2012 Wrangler. I'd like to tell you about the vehicle, but relating my experience of the vehicle or the drive is embargoed -- that's journalist speak for "not for publication" -- for another week or so. You'll have to settle for reading about what I ate.

Making driveway car washing fun and easy

(August 14, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Saving a few dollars, getting a little exercise in the sun or prepping your classic for a summer cruise are just a few reasons to clean your vehicle by hand.

Besides, a freshly-washed and cleaned car just looks better, right?

Iconic Chevrolets illustrate brand's 100-year history

(August 13, 2011) DETROIT — Throughout its 100-year history, Chevrolet has created hundreds of different cars and trucks.  Many have their passionate fans and collectors.  Some stand out as iconic — personifying the spirit, style, and dependability that have defined Chevrolet.

So with apologies in advance to fans whose favorites missed the cut, here is a selection of iconic cars and trucks from Chevy’s first century in the United States. The GM Heritage Center collection includes representative examples of most of these vehicles.

Car sales not yet affected by economic turmoil, Edmunds says

(August 12, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com estimates that so far in August, new cars are selling at a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of about 12.1 million units.

"Compared with July, sales look essentially flat. Prior to all the financial market gyrations, I was expecting August sales to increase over July, triggered by improved supply, lower prices and model year-end sales events," commented Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl.