July 2011

Audi leads list of Consumers' top rated vehicles on Edmunds.com

(July 5, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Audi led all automotive brands by winning four categories in Edmunds.com's 2011 Consumers' Top Rated vehicles released today. The German luxury make earned the top nod for Best Coupe $35K-$45K (2011 Audi A5), Best Coupe Over $45K (2011 Audi S5), Best Wagon $35K-$45K (2011 Audi A4 Wagon) and Best SUV $35K-$45K (2011 Audi Q5).

Auto loan originations up 20 percent over 2010, company reports

(July 5, 2011) ATLANTA (PRNewswire) — In the latest national, monthly report on automotive consumer credit trends, Equifax reports that the auto lending sector continues to demonstrate growth, with the total number of auto loan originations for the first quarter 2011 having increased by 20 percent over first quarter 2010 levels. 

Pickup trucks and Chevrolet highlight June vehicle sales

(July 3, 2011) June vehicle sales figures reveal some interesting facts in light of gas prices that are about a dollar higher per gallon than this time last year and the devastating Japanese earthquake that has hampered production by Japanese automakers, particularly Toyota and Honda.

International, Peterbilt, Kenworth rank highest in Class 8 truck satisfaction study

(July 3, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Overall quality of heavy-duty trucks has improved substantially in 2011, compared with 2010, but whether these quality gains can be sustained in the face of greater production and new emissions regulations remains in question, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Heavy-Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study released last week.

Lincoln overhaul can't come too soon

(July 2, 2011) While the Ford division of Ford Motor Company continues to hit on all eight cylinders, its luxury Lincoln division continues to be mired in quicksand, slowly sinking into obscurity.

This was pointed out again by monthly sales figures. A complete overhaul of the entire Lincoln lineup is planned, but is it coming too late to save the once North American luxury brand leader?

Average vehicle transaction price hits $30,000 in June

(July 1, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — TrueCar.com estimated today that the average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $30,009 in June, up $845 (2.9 percent) from June 2010 and up $244 (0.8 percent) from May 2011. It is the highest monthly average transaction price ever recorded.