(May 20, 2011) TUSTIN, Calif. — Chrysler and Lincoln were named the top two brands in AutoPacific's 15th annual Satisfaction Awards. Lincoln won the award for premium brand and Chrysler for popular brand.

(May 19, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — New-vehicle retail sales are off to a weak start in May as several variables, including gas prices that are nearing historically high levels, have contributed to a significant pullback from the strong showing in April, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

(May 19, 2011) TUSTIN, Calif.  — Auto manufacturers are fast to use the awards and accolades their vehicles garner in advertising. But do these awards make a difference?

“With all the differing information car makers cite to gain consideration of car buyers, we set out to get insights into which messages most influence consumer behavior,” Says George Peterson, President of AutoPacific.

(May 18, 2011) DETROIT (PRNewswire) — Collaboration between industry participants will be essential to bring alternative fuel applications to market, according to PwC's latest publication "Charging Forward: Electric Vehicle Survey." 

While automakers continue to bring electric vehicles (EVs) to the marketplace, governments, local municipalities and utility companies are challenged with building the infrastructure required to support these vehicles long before mainstream consumption will take hold.

(May 17, 2011) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (PRNewswire) — A newly released study by A.T. Kearney forecasts 13.2 million new autos will be sold in the U.S. this year. The study further anticipates an upward trend toward pre-recession levels of about 16 million units by 2013.

(May 17, 2011) BETHESDA, Md. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — AAA, with more than 52 million members in the U.S. and Canada, has come out in support of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act.

"The purchase of a motor vehicle is now a greater investment than ever before," said Jill Ingrassia, managing director, government relations and traffic safety advocacy for AAA. "New technology has made the cars we drive smarter, more efficient and safer.

(May 16, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Fuel economy gauges, which now come standard in 92 percent of new cars, may be over-representing your car's fuel efficiency, according to tests conducted by editors at Edmunds.com.

A total of 14 tests in seven vehicles found that the MPG gauges were 5.5 percent inaccurate, on average.

By Karl Greenberg
MediaPost

(May 16, 2011) Imagine being away from home for 10 years, coming back and finding that someone redesigned your house. Kim McCullough might have felt a bit of that two months ago, when after a decade-long absence, she returned to Land Rover North America as Brand VP.

(May 13, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The staff at Edmunds' InsideLine.com answered one of the biggest mysteries in the green car community by driving a fully charged 2011 Nissan Leaf until it finally died, and discovered that the full range of the electric car is 132 miles.

The test, which was conducted in a controlled environment on a closed oval track, is the first to independently document the electric car's range in such conditions.