June 2014

Tesla best model; Audi, Jaguar and Kia top brands in Total Quality Index

(June 30, 2014) SAN DIEGO — Strategic Vision has released the results of its 19th annual Total Quality Index (TQI) study showing Tesla the best overall model and Audi, Jaguar and Kia the top brands.

“What we learn from this year’s Total Quality results is the need for complete understanding of how buyers are influenced and it’s not just by counting problems. TQI absolutely offers a glimpse into the future, as it did seven years ago when we headlined our TQI results, ‘… Perceived Quality the New Paradigm …’ where we predicted Hyundai’s successes through 2013,” said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision.

Ford F-150 ranks 'Most American' in annual Cars.com index

(June 30, 2014) CHICAGO — Cars.com today released its annual American-Made Index, with the Ford F-150 taking the top spot for the second year in a row. The ranking takes into account three factors to determine how "American" cars are, including domestic-parts content (percentage of a vehicle's parts considered to be "domestic," meaning built in the U.S. or Canada); final assembly point; and overall vehicle sales.

Mazda3 leads Kelley Blue Book list of 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000

(June 30, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — Affordable new cars have never been so cool, as detailed in this year's list of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000, hand-selected by the editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.  The redesigned Mazda3 is number one for 2014, and it notably has been featured on KBB.com's annual affordable "cool cars" list every year of the vehicle's 11-year existence.

Kelley picks top Certified Pre-Owned luxury cars under $30,000

(June 27, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — Automaker Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs make it possible to get your hands on a used luxury car for the price of a new mainstream model, with the comfort that comes from a thorough inspection and extended coverage beyond the original warranty.  

To help shoppers narrow down their choices, the editors at Kelley Blue Book have named this year's 10 Best Certified Pre-Owned Luxury Cars Under $30,000.

J.D. Power predicts fifth straight month of vehicle sales growth

(June 27, 2014) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif — The seasonally adjusted annualized selling rate (SAAR) for new light-vehicle retail sales in June will result in the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year growth, according to a monthly sales forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.

The retail SAAR in June is expected to be 13.3 million units, up slightly from 13.2 million in June 2013, and the second-highest monthly SAAR of 2014, trailing only May’s SAAR of 14.1 million.

AAA predicts increase in July 4th travel this year

(June 26, 2014) AURORA, Ill. — AAA Travel projects 41 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, a 1.9 percent increase from the 40.3 million people who traveled last year and a nearly 14 percent increase compared to the Memorial Day holiday weekend. 

Car shoppers rate safety features high among 'must have' technologies

(June 25, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle shoppers rank safety and information features like back-up/blind spot cameras, recall advisor, stolen vehicle recovery and collision sensors high among "must have" technologies for their next purchase, reports Kelley Blue Book kbb.com. 

While 43 percent of consumers rate USB/auxiliary ports as the No. 1 "must have" feature, safety-related technologies were predominantly found among the top 10.

Magnetic Ride Control enhances attraction of GMC Sierra Denali

(June 24, 2014) DETROIT — Magnetic ride control is an all-new, exclusive feature on the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali, advancing its position as the most refined and technologically advanced truck on the market. It’s the first time the advanced, electronically controlled damping system has been offered on a full-size truck.

Survey reveals consumer misperceptions about car dealer profits

(June 24, 2014) Consumers believe car dealers make about five times more profit on the sale of a new car than they actually do based on a survey commissioned by TrueCar. The company today announced the results of its first annual TrueCar Buyer Study, which highlights the "trust gap" between consumers and dealers.

Jaguar says UK owners more receptive to electric cars than government thinks

(June 23, 2014) LONDON — The Department of Transport published "Public Attitudes Towards Electric Vehicles" on June 19 and reported that: "Only 5% of respondents said that they were thinking about buying an electric car or van, 56% said that they had not thought about buying one with an additional 14% saying that they had thought about buying one and decided not to."

In a recent survey of 3,896 known Jaguar owners by WeLoveAnyCar.com, the UK’s biggest car review site, 12% said they would buy an all-electric Jaguar and 26% said they would seriously consider buying one.