Editorial archive

March 2015

Study: Eighteen percent of Americans cannot resist texting while driving

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(March 13, 2015) LOS ANGELES — For distracted drivers, actions do indeed speak louder than words. Although large percentages of Americans of all ages say that driving while sending or checking texts or emails is unsafe, unsettling numbers of drivers in all age ranges — especially Millennials — are frequently or always engaged in distracted behavior behind the wheel, according to findings by the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future and Bovitz Inc.

AAA reveals top spring travel destinations in the U.S.

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(March 12, 2015) ORLANDO, Fla. — As snow continues in many parts of the country, travelers are ready to escape to warmer weather and sunny destinations, according to AAA. Warm destinations offering fun-filled activities for families will experience the largest influx of travelers this spring season, followed by ever-popular vacation destinations Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle and San Francisco.

Used car shoppers benefit from winter's wrath

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(March 12, 2015) MCLEAN, Va. — February's harsh weather in states east of the Mississippi River didn't just damage property and make infrastructure a mess; it adversely affected the used vehicle market as well according to the latest report by NADA Used Car Guide.

When a dealer buys a used vehicle for resale, they often do so at a wholesale auto auction. Prices of 8-year-old or newer used autos usually tick up a little during the beginning of the year at these auctions before dropping off. The rate of price growth in February, however, was much lower than usual.

Emissions Analytics provides consumers with real-world MPG data

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(March 10, 2015) DETROIT — As auto companies race to meet future federally-mandated CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) targets, more consumers, auto companies and government watchdogs are monitoring miles-per-gallon (mpg) vehicle performance.

The accuracy of fuel-economy numbers mandated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been a major issue with auto makers and consumers alike. In recent months, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Mini Cooper, Hyundai and Kia have all had their reported EPA mileage numbers questioned.

Study finds U.S. new car revenue tops China by 39%

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(March 10, 2015) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar finds that the total market value for new vehicles sold in China, the world's largest market by volume, trailed that of the U.S. by as much as $161 billion last year, based on a comparison of pricing data.

Sales in China were a record 19.7 million new autos in 2014, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, 19 percent more than the 16.5 million new cars and light trucks purchased by U.S. consumers.

Hagerty announces annual 'Hot List' of future collectibles

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(March 5, 2015) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Enthusiasts often wonder what they can buy today that will become collectible in the future. With a deep understanding of the market, the collector car experts at Hagerty released their annual list of vehicles that stand out as likely being collectible within the next 25 years.

In order to be considered for the "Hagerty Hot List," the vehicle must be produced within the 2015 model year with an MSRP of less than $100,000. Special consideration was given to newly launched versions not appearing on previous Hagerty Hot Lists.

63 percent of automotive companies say future product planning difficult

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(March 4, 2015) LONDON — Some 84% of automotive companies say that information on future car models is important to their company's strategy, yet only 39% claim to have a detailed, written-down forecast, according to a new survey for PLDB, the auto model database from industry analysts just-auto.

The global survey, the first into the impact of future car model program information in automotive planning, also reveals that almost two-thirds of auto manufacturers and suppliers believe that planning for the future has become more complex over the last 12 months.

Automakers bolster revenue in February, TrueCar finds

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(March 4, 2015) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar finds that amid the best auto industry and economic fundamentals in a decade, higher new vehicle sales and transaction prices in February generated $41.8 billion of revenue for automakers, an 11.6 percent jump over a year ago.

Top three finals in World Car awards announced in Geneva

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(March 3, 2015) GENEVA — The Road to the World Car journey continued with today’s announcement of the Top Three in the World finalists in five award categories at the Geneva International Motor Show.

This announcement continues the countdown for the 2015 World Car Awards (the WCAs) winners’ press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), Bridgestone Corporation and Autoneum on Thursday, April 2.  Winners of the 2015 World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year will all be declared at this time.

New-car transaction prices climb nearly 4 percent year-over-year

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(March 3, 2015) IRVINE, Calif. — The analysts at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com today reported the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $33,299 in February 2015. New-car prices have increased by $1,145 (up 3.6 percent) from February 2014, while dropping $208 (down 0.6 percent) from last month.

"An expected higher mix of SUVs, particularly full-size and mid-size, is helping drive the overall industry average upward," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.