August 2012

NADA: Higher gasoline prices stir little change in used-vehicle prices

(August 30, 2012) MCLEAN, Va. — The recent 42 cents spike in the price of regular grade gasoline has had a minimal impact on used-vehicle prices in August as consumers are choosing to stay the course with their current vehicles, said Jonathan Banks, senior analyst with the NADA Used Car Guide.

Top 10 gas saving technologies for 2013

(August 29, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Total Car Score has identified the Top 10 Gas Saving Technologies for 2013. The new crop of 2013 models hitting dealer showrooms demonstrates the auto industry's current and future technology plans to meet the latest EPA standards.

Consumers advised to request home delivery of new car

(August 29, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — One of the best-kept secrets of car buying is that most dealerships will deliver a new car to your home or office, reports Edmunds.com. The primary benefit to home or office delivery is clear: you can eliminate long waiting times that are sometimes unavoidable inside the dealership.

NADA: Used-Vehicle depreciation to remain at low levels

(August 28, 2012) MCLEAN, Va. — Depreciation of used cars and light trucks is expected to increase modestly over the next few years, but still remain historically low, says the NADA Used Car Guide in its latest report, Volatility in Used Vehicle Depreciation: Historical Trends & Future Outlook.

Consumer Reports names best car choices for teens and seniors

(August 28, 2012) YONKERS, N.Y. — While they stand at opposite ends of the demographic spectrum, and both groups include many good drivers, statistics show that overall teenagers and older drivers are involved in far more crashes and highway fatalities than any other age group, according to a special report by Consumer Reports.

J.D. Power finds EPA emission-compliant engines have problems

(August 25, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Technology changes related to revised emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks are causing an increase in heavy-duty truck engine problems and a decrease in overall satisfaction with the powertrain, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Heavy-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Study released this week.

J.D. Power: New-vehicle retail sales show strength

(August 24, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — The August new-vehicle selling rate is expected to be the highest monthly rate in more than four and one-half years, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) and LMC Automotive.

Kelley forecasts jump in new-car sales compared to August 2011

(August 24, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — August new-car sales will hit 1,273,000 units overall, which is an 18.7 percent increase from last year, according to Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.  After adjusting for one additional selling day in August, car sales are projected to improve by a conservative 14.3 percent. 

Customer satisfaction for automakers holds steady; Lincoln leads

(August 23, 2012) ANN ARBOR, Mich. —Customer satisfaction at the national level is exactly where it stood at the start of 2012, and as far back as two years ago, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). In the second quarter of 2012, aggregate customer satisfaction stayed flat at 75.9 on a 0 to 100 scale, which won’t help revive consumer spending or the sluggish economy at large.

Despite sluggish economy, Americans to increase travel Labor Day, AAA predicts

(August 21, 2012) ORLANDO, Fla. —AAA Travel projects 33 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, a 2.9 percent increase from the 32.1 million people who traveled last year. The total number of 2012 Labor Day holiday travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high, and is the third increase in holiday travel this year, according to the AAA/IHS Global Insight 2012 Labor Day Holiday Travel Forecast.