January 2013

Who drives a household's auto-buying decisions?

(January 31, 2013) WASHINGTON — It turns out that both genders have the perception that they're the ones "calling the shots" when it comes to buying an auto, according to a new survey of vehicle owners. A full 72 percent of men believe that they're the ones with the most influence while 60 percent of women believe that they, in fact, are the ones having the most say. 

Research coalition cites evidence of E15 fuel damage

(January 30, 2013) WASHINGTON — New research released by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) today found that E15, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, would damage millions of post-2001 model year vehicles. The CRC study concluded that E15 would result in fuel system failures.

Kelley Blue Books sees strong start to 2013 new-car sales

(January 30, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — As January comes to a close, analysts predict that new-car sales are positioned to surpass 15.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), marking a 13 percent year-over-year improvement, according to Kelley Blue Book.

"January tends to be the slowest month of the year, largely due to a significant number of buyers who purchase new cars in December to take advantage of year-end clearance events," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book.

Crossovers, SUVs least expensive to insure in 2013

(January 27, 2013) In a remarkable upset this year, minivans are no longer the go-to vehicles for the best car insurance rates, according to Insure.com in its annual insurance cost survey released earlier this month.

"In the past, minivans have dominated our annual rankings of 'the least expensive vehicles to insure,' but in the 2013 model year, crossovers and SUVs have taken control of the top 20, including models from Ford, Jeep, Kia and Hyundai," Insure.com states in a press release.

January auto sales suggest good times will keep rolling

(January 27, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com forecasts that 1,045,587 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in January for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 15.3 million light vehicles. The projected sales will be a 22.8 percent decrease from December but a 14.5 percent increase from January 2012.

Study finds auto insurance claims satisfaction increases

(January 26, 2013) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — As repairable and total loss claims are being paid faster, overall claimant satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process increased in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2013 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study released this week.

2013 vehicle sales off to fast start, J.D. Power reports

(January 25, 2013) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — The January new-vehicle selling rate is off to a strong start in 2013, with the highest retail selling rate in January in five years, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network and LMC Automotive.

Study: Cell phone users more likely to speed and drive drowsy

(January 25, 2013) WASHINGTON — Motorists who use cell phones while driving are more likely to engage in additional dangerous behaviors such as speeding, driving drowsy, driving without a seatbelt and sending texts or emails, according to a survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Nissan Armada, Buick Verano among TrueCar 'best new car deals'

(January 24, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar suggests car buyers take advantage of some amazing offers available on 2012 and 2013 models that can save consumers up to 15 percent off MSRP for a new car along with some great lease and finance deals available.

Shock study: Moms make the same risky driving choices as teens

(January 23, 2013) NEW YORK — American Baby and Safe Kids Worldwide today announced the exclusive results from their new survey exposing the very dangerous driving habits of moms with children under age two. 

The findings from the survey, which polled nearly 2,400 mothers, are featured in a special report titled, "Is Your Baby Safe on the Road?"