November 2010

Study finds medium-duty truck satisfaction tied to fuel-efficient engines

(November 30, 2010) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — While fuel economy levels vary widely among truck engine manufacturers, fleets with the most fuel-efficient engines may benefit from significant cost savings and higher satisfaction, particularly after a year-over-year increase in gas and diesel prices, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Medium-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Customer Satisfaction Study.

Consumers can lower car payments by trading in for a new car, Edmunds advises

(November 29, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Consumers driving three-year-old cars have the opportunity to get a lower monthly car payment by buying a new car, thanks to a downward trend in interest rates and an increase in used car values.

According to the analysts at Edmunds.com trade-in values for three-year-old cars were up 10.3 percent in October 2010 compared to October 2007, while interest rates on 60-month auto loans have declined from an average of 7.4 percent in October 2007 to 4.7 percent in October 2010.

Expected November sales to keep SAAR flat at 12.2 million

(November 26, 2010) This month's new car sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be approximately 865,500 units, a 17.0 percent increase from November 2009 but a 8.1 percent decrease from October 2010, according to Edmunds.com. Retail sales are expected to be approximately 700,000 units, down from approximately 778,000 last month.

GM's 230 mpg claim for the Volt was extremely wishful thinking

(November 25, 2010) It's far from the 230 miles per gallon General Motors claimed last year for the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt compact sedan.

In 2009 GM proclaimed to great fanfare at a press conference that the Volt would realize the almost unbelievable 230 mpg. GM didn't explain how the Volt, that gets a boost from a small 1.4-liter gas engine, was going to achieve this astounding number.

On Wednesday we discovered just how much hype was involved in GM's proclamation.

Study finds drivers use portable navigation systems even if car is equipped with NAV

(November 23, 2010) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — A considerable proportion of owners of factory-installed navigation systems also use portable navigation devices and smartphone navigation, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study.

Gen Y begins to embrace Hyundai, Kia

(November 19, 2010) TUSTIN, Calif. -- Results of a just released study on Generation Y new vehicle buyers in the United States shows Honda and Toyota top the list of brands most purchased by Generation Y new car buyers in 2010, followed by Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan.

New to the top 10 brands purchased list in 2010 are Hyundai and Kia, at spots 6 and 8 respectively.

Don't overpay for car service

(November 11, 2010) Have you been paying more than is necessary to have your car serviced? Today, Edmunds.com has revealed the Top 10 Ways You're Overcharged for Service.

Here are some of the tips the article gives car owners for saving money on vehicle service:

Exploring "range anxiety" and electric cars

(November 9, 2010) The term "range anxiety" refers to the fear that some drivers supposedly have about driving an electric car and ending up stranded with a dead battery. Edmunds.com investigated the topic of range anxiety and what it could mean as more electric vehicles enter the market.

What you should know about renting a car over the holidays

(November 6, 2010) Traveling for the upcoming holidays? Edmunds.com offers consumers money-saving tips in "Confessions of a Rental Car Agent." The article features insider information from a former rental car agent who reveals the ins and outs of car rental scams.

NADA — Overly agressive fuel economy standards may be counterproductive

(November 5, 2010) DETROIT — As the debate over fuel economy heats up, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is urging federal regulators to consider carefully the rising cost of vehicles for consumers when increasing new federal mandates.

“NADA has long supported improvements in fuel economy, but it’s also our role to raise some tough questions so there’s no rush to judgment,” said NADA Chairman Ed Tonkin.