Here's the Thing

Subaru Impreza with AWD beats three rivals in bad weather simulation tests

(March 27, 2011) Subaru’s all-wheel drive Impreza is the hatchback to be in when bad weather strikes, according to handling tests carried out recently by MSN Cars in the UK.

The popular automotive website took four rival hatchbacks to the Wet Grip facility at Rockingham Raceway, Northamptonshire, to establish which was the safest to own and drive on slippery and hazardous roads.

Edmunds highlights six non-hybrid vehicles that get 40 mpg

(March 27, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — With the recent spike in gas prices, fuel economy has become a top priority for consumers who are in the market for a new car. Edmunds.com reviewed six of the most fuel-efficient gas-powered vehicles — including five gas-sipping newcomers — in the recently published feature "Meet the 40 MPG Club."

AAA offers tips on picking the 'right' new car

(March 25, 2011) ORLANDO, Fla. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — For many Americans, their vehicle is one of their largest financial assets. So when the time comes to purchase a new car, it's not a choice that should be made lightly. To help consumers, AAA offers a checklist of factors to consider when looking for the 'right' new car.

Edmunds predicts Ford will outsell GM in March

(March 25, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — This month's new car sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be approximately 1,242,000 units, a 16.5 percent increase from March 2010 and a 25.1 percent increase from February 2011, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information.

Retail sales are expected to be approximately 987,000 units, up from approximately 786,000 last month.

Toyota, Lexus rebound in perceived quality; Kia has biggest gain

(March 24, 2011) SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Toyota's Perceived Quality Score rose four percent over the last six months and Lexus once again captured the luxury category's highest Perceived Quality rating in 2011, according to the Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study (PQS) from ALG, a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.

Strength in March new-vehicle retail sales drives strong first-quarter finish

(March 24, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — March new-vehicle retail sales are showing stability through the first three weeks of the month, continuing a trend of monthly double-digit year-over-year increases, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers real-time transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees throughout the United States.

Japanese natural disasters not changing car-shopping behavior yet

(March 23, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com reports that American car buyers are showing no change in their shopping behaviors, despite reports of production problems following the earthquake and tsunamis that devastated Japan two weeks ago. The findings indicate that consumers are not showing signs of fears of upcoming price hikes and supply shortages within the auto industry.

Extended warranty sales keep pace with auto sales


(March 23, 2011) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (PRNewswire) — Sales of motor vehicle service contracts — extended warranties — in the first quarter of 2011 are tracking ahead of sales during the same time frame last year, a likely result of this quarter's marked increase in automotive sales, according to the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC). 

Ford dethrones Toyota in 2011 Harris brand study

(March 22, 2011) NEW YORK (PRNewswire) — Continuing their steady climb back into the hearts and minds of consumers, domestic brands Ford and Chevrolet nabbed the top two spots in the 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend study while last year's highest ranked brand, Toyota, fell to fourth in the rankings, behind Honda.

Report: Japan disaster to hit automakers globally

(March 22, 2011) Every major automaker worldwide will be affected by the disaster in Japan by mid-to-late April, according to a report released Monday by automotive forecasters IHS Global Insight.