Here's the Thing

Edmunds offers tips on buying the best audio system for your car

(March 16, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Even though new cars come equipped with better standard stereo systems than ever before, aftermarket car stereos can still offer the best sound quality and the latest integrated features.

Edmunds offers five tips for choosing the right auto body shop

(March 16, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Finding an honest auto body shop can be a scary experience for consumers who don't know the difference between a fender and a bumper. Edmunds.com seeks to save drivers some angst — and even some hard-earned money — with "Five Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop."

Evolution of car and fashion design traced

(March 15, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — As L.A. Fashion Week gets underway, Edmunds' AutoObserver.com examines the influence that fashion has on automotive design and discovers that the two industries have more in common than many may realize.

In his new piece "Catwalks to Car Dealerships," AutoObserver.com contributor Nick Kurczewski explains the parallels traced by the evolution of fashion and automotive design over the last century.

Earthquake will affect auto industry worldwide

(March 14, 2011) The massive earthquake and tsunami that slammed Japan last week may have a devastating and lasting affect on the entire Japanese auto industry including production and sale of U.S. vehicles even though the Japanese big three — Toyota, Honda and Nissan — assemble a large portion of their vehicles in North America.

Study finds $5 a gallon gas could add 1.5 billion trips on public transportation

(March 14, 2011) WASHINGTON (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — A study released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) predicts that as gasoline prices continue increasing, Americans will turn to public transportation in record numbers.  APTA is calling on Congress to address this impending demand by providing a greater long-term investment in public transportation. 

Study finds Lexus, Toyota and Honda dealerships most responsive to internet inquiries

(March 14, 2011) MONTEREY, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Lexus, Honda and Toyota dealerships ranked highest in a newly released study to measure dealership responsiveness to customer inquiries over the internet. The study measured average dealership performance for all major U.S. automotive brands, showing a wide variety in performance by brand. 

Chrysler comments on Twitter flap

By Ed Garsten
Chrysler Group LLC

(March 11, 2011) When a reporter called yesterday snarkily asking, “seen any good tweets lately,” I knew exactly what was coming next -- a firestorm across the web regarding an errant tweet by a now-former employee of Chrysler’s social media agency.

Study finds few customers experience 'upselling' by dealers

(March 11, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Despite some perceptions that auto dealerships routinely pressure customers to accept unnecessary maintenance or repair services, very few service customers indicate experiencing upselling by the dealer, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Customer Service Index Study released today.

Fuel-efficient cars making some headway in AutoTrader searches

(March 10, 2011) ATLANTA (PRNewswire) — Where is the tipping point in gas prices where consumers shift their interest to more fuel efficient cars?  That's the question analysts at AutoTrader.com have been focusing on as they analyze traffic and data on the site. 

AiM has new test that can determine condition of engine, transmission

(March 10, 2011) LONG BEACH, Calif. (PRNewswire) — A new "AiM Certified" package from AiM Mobile Inspections allows consumers to purchase, for the first time, a vehicle inspection that includes an oil and transmission fluid analysis for cars and trucks.