February 2013

Survey reveals Millennials lean toward on-demand transportation

(February 28, 2013) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Zipcar, Inc., a car sharing network, released the findings an independent study of Millennials (18-34-year-olds), which examines the attitudes and behaviors of this generation related to urban transportation, technology and car ownership. Overall, the study found that the increasing availability of on-demand mobility services (such as car sharing, ride sharing and vehicle sharing) helps many Millennials drive less and makes it easier to for them to live without owning a car.

Shock study: Car prices outpace median income in all but one major city

(February 28, 2013) Median-income families in only one major city can afford the average price Americans are paying for new cars and trucks these days. That's the sobering result of Interest.com's 2013 Car Affordability Study, which determined how much the typical household in the nation's 25 largest cities should spend on a new vehicle.

Lexus earns best overall score in Consumer Reports' ratings

(February 27, 2013) YONKERS, N.Y. — With a current crop of luxury models that are quiet, comfortable, fuel efficient, and among the most reliable, Lexus has earned the best overall score in Consumer Reports’ 2013 annual Car Brand Report Cards.

February 2013 new car sales expected to be up six percent

(February 25, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com today released its February 2013 sales and incentives forecast predicating that new-car sales will be up six percent over February 2012. And the February SAAR will be 15.7 million, the highest SAAR since 2007. 

Edmunds: Despite rising gas prices, February auto sales strong

(February 22, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com forecasts that 1,198,538 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in February for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) this month of 15.5 million light vehicles. The projected sales will be a 14.9 percent increase from January 2013, and a 4.3 percent increase from February 2012.

Car Care Council offers gas saving tips as prices rise

(February 21, 2013) BETHESDA, Md. — Consumers' pain at the pump is back with gas prices rising for 33 consecutive days and the average price of gas moving closer to $4 per gallon. No need to worry, says the Car Care Council. A few simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance tips can help alleviate the pain.

Kelley says its a good time to buy a redesigned car at reasonable price

(February 19, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Although economic concerns remain, consumers in a position to buy a new vehicle have more amenity-laden, reasonably priced options today than ever before, according to Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com).

"Since the 2011 model year, nearly every vehicle in each major selling category has undergone a significant redesign that has upped expectations of consumers by a sizable margin," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book.

AFPM applauds bill to reverse EPA's 'illegal' approval of E15

(February 16, 2012) WASHINGTON — The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) applauds Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and David Vitter (R-La.) for taking steps to reverse the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "illegal decision" to allow E15 into the fuel supply even though this fuel damages existing vehicles. 

Car shoppers gear up for big Presidents Day weekend

(February 15, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Presidents Day marks the first big holiday weekend of the year for new car shoppers, reports Edmunds.com. According to Edmunds, the third weekend in any given month generally accounts for 9.6 percent of monthly sales; Presidents Day weekend, on the other hand, accounts for about 12.1 percent of all February car sales.

Kelley finds some vehicles worth purchasing new rather than used

(February 15, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Consumers looking for a compact car may want to consider purchasing new rather than used, according to Kelley Blue Book.  Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price data reveals that shoppers can purchase a new compact car for as little as $339 per month with a five-year loan, which is only $30 per month more expensive than a comparable one-year-old used variant.