Here's the Thing

BMW, Dodge win three segment awards each in J.D. Power APPEAL Study

(July 28, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — As the auto industry battles through another difficult year, vehicle manufacturers are fighting to win customers by offering the most appealing vehicles in history, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released on Wednesday.

Honda, Ford shine in True Cost to Own awards

(July 27, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Honda won five categories in the 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own Awards, given by Edmunds.com. The awards name the 2011 model year cars and trucks in 23 categories that offer the lowest True Cost to Own (TCO), which is the projected ownership cost over a five-year period.

Most car thefts happen on the weekend, UK study finds

(July 27, 2011) CARDIFF, Wales (PRNewswire) — elephant.co.uk has revealed that although for most of the working population, the weekend is a period of rest, the same cannot be said for car thieves, as new research shows that they're at their most active over the weekend.

The research, carried out by car insurance specialist elephant.co.uk, shows the day of the week most cars are stolen is a Saturday while the day most items are taken from cars is a Sunday.

It's the law: Keep right except to pass

(July 26, 2011) SEATTLE (PRNewswire) — A recent poll helps explain a phenomenon that vexes many Washington drivers: why it seems that our highways are clogged with "left-lane campers," the people who drive continuously in the passing lane of multilane roadways, obstructing traffic.

Infiniti spies on journalists' musical choices

(July 25, 2011) ROLLE, Switzerland — Automotive journalists’ musical preferences were laid bare last week for the first time as Infiniti revealed what sounds were recorded onto the Music Box hard drives of its press and VIP fleet by UK media.

After six months of hard driving — and easy listening — the Infiniti Music Chart provided a unique insight into writers’ in-car music tastes. The list spans the decades and embraces every style, from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Jamie Cullum, and Steely Dan to Lady Gaga.

Four-cylinders have replaced sixes as most popular engine

(July 25, 2011) DETROIT (PRNewswire) — Four is the new six. Four cylinders have replaced sixes as America's most popular engine choice, powering 43 percent of U.S. light vehicles sold in the first half of this year, according to IHS Automotive.

Summer sales events late but have finally arrived, Edmunds reports

(July 23, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Summer deals on new cars will be available to consumers after all, even if they're coming a couple of months later than usual, reports Edmunds.com.

The traditional summer sales events — which usually start as early as Memorial Day, but were delayed this year following supply issues caused by the earthquake in Japan — are a popular way for dealers to sell off vehicles in anticipation of new model year inventories.

Prices of fuel-efficient used cars still expected to be high in August

(July 22, 2011) MCLEAN, Va. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — Although used car prices likely peaked in June, average trade-in values of many popular, fuel-efficient small cars for the 2006-2009 model years are still expected to be 10 to 30 percent higher in August than they were at the beginning of the year, says Jonathan Banks, senior analyst with the NADA Used Car Guide.

Porsche, Mercedes, Jaguar — Baby Boomers buying dream machines, study finds

(July 22, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Baby Boomers, defined as people born between 1947 and 1965 and who today are individuals between the ages of 46 and 64, choose vehicles that have more luxurious and flashy appeal, according to a new study by TrueCar.com.

The study reviewed the purchasing behavior of more than 200,000 car buyers from 2009 and 2010.

Taxi of Tomorrow, Taxi of Today — what gives in New York?

(July 21, 2011) The announcement was made early in May — the Nissan NV200 will be the New York Yellow Cab "Taxi of Tomorrow."

Today comes an announcement from Ford that the company's Transit Connect is now the New York "Taxi of Today." The same New York Taxi and Limousine Commission approved both the "today" taxi and the "tomorrow" taxi.