December 2010

Edmunds.com predicts full-year sales of 11.5 million

(December 23, 2010) The year is closing on a relatively high note with December car and truck sales in the United States expected to be the highest of the year. That should push full-year sales to 11.5 million vehicles.

Honda Accord, Civic most researched vehicles on Kelley Blue Blook

(December 22, 2010) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Kelley Blue Book today announced that the Honda Accord was the most researched new vehicle on its site during 2010, and the Honda Civic was number two.

This year marks the fifth consecutive year that Kelley Blue Book saw increased visitation to its website, with nearly 24 million more visits to kbb.com in 2010 versus 2009. Because kbb.com is one of the most-trafficked automotive research sites, visitation to specific vehicles has become a leading indicator of sales patterns for manufacturers.

Survey: Nearly half of car shoppers delay vehicle purchase

(December 21, 2010) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com Market Intelligence survey of consumer sentiment, shoppers are planning to spend less during the holidays this year.

This includes the purchase of a car. 

Edmunds.com offers winter driving tips

(December 18, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — It's the most wonderful time of the year, but not for your car. Edmunds.com has issued tips to help snow-belt drivers.

One of the most important elements of driving — especially on slippery roads — is to maximize traction. According to Edmunds.com, approximately 70 percent of new cars come with standard all-season tires, but not all are well-suited to serious winter driving conditions.

Robust finish for 2010 new car sales is forecast

(December 17, 2010) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — The December new-vehicle retail sales pace is significantly beating expectations, driving a strong close to a challenging year of recovery, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers real-time transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees throughout the United States.

Subaru, BMW named best 'Resale Value' brands for 2011

(December 16, 2010) Subaru and BMW have taken top honors in Kelley Blue Book's 2011 Best Resale Value Awards, which recognizes current and forthcoming vehicles for their projected retained value five years from now.

Exterior styling top reason for avoiding a model, study finds

(December 15, 2010) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.  — While reliability concerns for some brands have increased from 2009, many domestic and Korean brands — including Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Kia and Ram — have been successful in improving customer perceptions of reliability in 2010, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Avoider Study, which was released on Tuesday.

Study finds few new-car shoppers would consider electric vehicle

(December 14, 2010) Only seven percent of car shoppers say they are likely to consider an electric vehicle for their next new-vehicle purchase or lease according to a recent study by Kelley Blue Book.

For the majority of survey respondents, the primary concerns about electric vehicles included the drivable range on a single charge (87 percent) and availability of charging stations (84 percent).

Toyota regains top spot for most-considered brand at Kelley Blue Book

(December 13, 2010) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch study, embattled automaker Toyota has regained the top spot as the most-considered auto brand among new-car shoppers. 

Toyota consistently captured the most-considered auto brand title from Q1 2007 through Q3 2009, but then fell to the number-two spot for Q4 2009 through Q2 2010, during which time the company experienced its high-profile recall crisis. Domestic auto manufacturer Ford surged ahead to capture the top spot.

Compact cars are physically bigger than ever

(December 10, 2010) — Small cars appeal to buyers on a budget, to the environmentally conscious, to growing numbers of empty-nesters and to the legislators pushing for improved fuel economy from automakers — and yet consumer expectations inspire automakers to make smaller cars more powerful and more functional.

As a result, compact cars are physically larger and heavier than in the past, according to analysis by Edmunds.com.