July 2012

New AAA hotel ratings to figure in resort and Wi-Fi fees

(July 31, 2012) ORLANDO, Fla. — The voice of the consumer just got louder during the only comprehensive North American hotel inspections and ratings performed by experts. AAA has updated its Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines for lodgings, the blueprint for assigning ratings of One to Five AAA Diamonds following successful on-site inspections at more than 30,000 hotels throughout North America.

Study finds Michigan costliest state for car insurance

(July 30, 2012) SAN FRANCISCO — Michigan residents face the steepest car insurance cost burden in the nation, according to new research released today by CarInsuranceQuotes.com, a Bankrate company. The typical Michigan household pays a whopping eight percent of its annual income for car insurance.

Chevrolet wins three segment awards in J.D. Power APPEAL study

(July 28, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — As owners continue to shift toward smaller vehicles, they are finding that the ones they buy are often just as appealing as the larger vehicles they previously owned, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released this week.

Jeep Grand Cherokee passes 'moose test'

(July 28, 2012) An evaluation of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee by Germany-based magazine Auto, Motor und Sport (AMS) found the vehicle — including its advanced safety systems — performed successfully and as designed.

Edmunds says July auto sales underscore strength of market

(July 27, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — An estimated 1,166,665 new cars will be sold in July for a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 14.0 million light vehicles, according to the latest auto sales forecast by Edmunds.com. The projected sales would be a 9.2 percent decrease from June 2012, but a 10.2 percent increase from July 2011 — even with two fewer selling days, year over year.

First half of 2012 sets MPG record for higher auto fuel efficiency

(July 27, 2012) WASHINGTON — The first half of 2012 set the record for the highest-ever fuel efficiency for new passenger vehicles entering the U.S. market, according to industry analysts Baum & Associates.

The country reached this record mile per gallon (MPG) level without relying on higher small car sales — a significant shift from a pattern going back to the 1973 Arab oil embargo where similar gains were achieved only when consumers moved to smaller vehicles in the face of higher gas prices.

Pent-up demand continues to drive car sales in slowing economy

(July 26, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are projected to hit 14 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in July 2012, consistent with the 14.3 million average pace maintained through the first half of the year, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The daily selling rate is projected to top 48,300 light-vehicle sales per day, which is better than last month's 47,500 sales per day and nearly 19 percent above the July 2011 pace, when sales were still suppressed by inventory shortages.

Total Car Score rates 2013 Cadillac ATS over BMW 3-Series

(July 24, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Total Car Score has published a comparison test that places the 2013 Cadillac ATS as the top car in the class of 2013 entry-level luxury sedans. The decision comes from Total Car Score's road test comparison of the Cadillac ATS versus the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G.

Survey finds people holding on to their vehicles longer

(July 23, 2012) CARSON, Calif. — Reports of the death of the two-to-three-year vehicle purchasing cycle have not been exaggerated according to a new survey of nearly 4,000 car owners by AutoMD.com.

Honda CR-V wins 'SUV Shootout' against five competitors

(July 23, 2012) CHICAGO — Cars.com announced today that the 2012 Honda CR-V is the winner of the Compact SUV Shootout. The shootout pitted six compact SUVs under $25,000 that also get at least a 30 mpg highway rating against each other in a series of tests.

Other vehicles tested were the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 2013 Ford Escape, 2012 Hyundai Tucson, 2013 Mazda CX-5 and 2012 Kia Sportage.