Editorial archive

January 2011

Let's learn from lessons of the past with CAFE standards

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(January 31, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — In an address last week at the Society of Automotive Engineers' 2011 Government/Industry meeting on policy, the CEO of Edmunds.com told attendees that achieving the president's clean air goals should not be made by repeating mistakes of the past.

Data highlight the source of Ford's record profits in 2010

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(January 29, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Ford announced on Friday its biggest profit in a decade in 2010 — and data gathered by Edmunds.com confirms that Ford is on an impressive trajectory.

Simple economics provide at least part of the picture for why Ford had such a profitable year.

Customer FAQ for Lexus IS and GS fuel pressure sensor recall

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(January 28, 2011) Toyota this week recalled nearly 1.7 million vehicles globally for a variety of fuel system related problems, including 245,000 Lexus IS and Lexus GS sedans in the United States.

Toyota has provided information on the recall through a "frequently asked question" format.

Mercedes ranks highest in quality in South Africa

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(January 27, 2011) JOHANNESBURG — New-vehicle quality in South Africa has improved considerably, with the quality gap between passenger vehicles and pickup trucks narrowing by more than 50 percent in 2010, compared with 2008, according to the J.D. Power and Associates/CAR Magazine 2010 South Africa Initial Quality Study (IQS) released last week.

Mercedes-Benz is the highest-ranking nameplate in quality and a South African Mercedes assembly plant ranks highest among the country's automotive plants.

Ford Focus EcoMode helps drivers achieve more miles per gallon

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(January 26, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — New Ford Focus owners can learn a thing or two about driving skills that can maximize their miles per gallon — and they can have a little fun in the process. 

EcoMode is a handy software application aimed at helping coach customers in the art of eco-driving — and then rewards those that practice more fuel-efficient driving skills with in-car kudos displayed on the instrument cluster.

Study finds gas prices have definite impact on vehicle choice

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(January 24, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence survey concerning gas prices, the current economic situation coupled with concern over the potential rise in gas prices has caused new car and used car shoppers to change their vehicle consideration criteria.

Nearly three-quarters (70 percent) of car shoppers say that gas prices have influenced vehicle considerations, or the type of vehicle they are considering.

Recovery for new-vehicle sales continues in January

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(January 23, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — January new-vehicle retail sales are starting the year ahead of expectations, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers real-time transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees throughout the United States.

Interest rates for car buyers hit all-time low in December

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(January 21, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — December car buyers enjoyed the lowest-ever annual percentage rates (APRs) on their auto loans, according to data gathered by Edmunds.com. The average auto loan carried an APR of 4.16% in the final month of the year, down 0.33 points from November and 0.55 points from December 2009.

An estimated 15.4% of all auto loans carried zero interest, the third highest monthly pace in 2010.

Lexus still on top, but BMW, Mercedes gain

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(January 19, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Lexus sold more luxury cars in the U.S. in 2010 than any other brand, maintaining its place at the top of the luxury market for an eighth consecutive year, according to sales data compiled by Edmunds.com.

But European competitors BMW and Mercedes closed the gap by enough last year that both are poised to make a run at the top spot in 2011.

Study finds Toyota fails to sway many new car shoppers

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(January 18, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Kelley Blue Book today announced the release of its special report Toyota: One Year Later, providing an in-depth look at Toyota one year after its major recall crisis began in January 2010.