August 2016

Allstate unveils cities with the safest drivers

(August 30, 2016) NORTHBROOK, Ill. — With Labor Day ahead and back-to-school traffic adding to road congestion, Allstate's 2016 America's Best Drivers Report reveals motorists in certain cities are safer drivers when navigating the gridlock, and their suburban counterparts frequently perform better. The report finds that when factoring population density, together with the frequency of auto property damage claims, Madison, Wis., has the safest drivers.

Gas prices continue rising to close out summer driving season

(August 30, 2016) After dropping for two months, including a streak of 53 of 54 days, pump prices are again on the rise heading into Labor Day weekend. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has increased for 14 consecutive days. Today’s average price of $2.22 per gallon marks an increase of six cents per gallon compared to one week ago and eight cents per gallon compared to one month ago, according to AAA.

Despite the increase, drivers are paying 27 cents less than they did at this same time last year and are on track to pay the lowest Labor Day gas prices since 2004.

Kelley predicts August new-car sales to drop 2 percent

(August 29, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to decrease 2 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.54 million units in August, resulting in an estimated 17.3 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.

"Overall, sales are expected to remain steady in the mid-17 million SAAR range, despite a small drop in volume for August," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Texas tops lists of states with most Corvettes

(August 29, 2016) GMPartsCenter.net has created an infographic showing where the Chevy Corvette is most popular in the USA and around the world. By collating data about Corvette owners shopping for replacement parts, Vette popularity in the USA has been determined on both a total volume basis and a per-capita basis. Internationally, Vette ownership rankings are based on total volume.

Group says automakers not doing enough to bring electric vehicles to market

(August 24, 2016) OAKLAND, Calif.  — Drivers looking to take advantage of the many benefits of driving electric are up against a real barrier: automakers just aren’t bringing enough electric vehicles to market. That’s the finding of a new analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

While automakers vary widely in terms of how many electric vehicle models they offer and where they sell them, all automakers could be doing more to take full advantage of the potential EV market, especially outside of California.

Motor vehicle fatalities up 9 percent

(August 23, 2016) ITASCA, Ill. — Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council indicate motor vehicle deaths were 9 percent higher through the first six months of 2016 than in 2015, and 18 percent higher than two years ago at the six month mark. An estimated 19,100 people have been killed on U.S. roads since January and 2.2 million were seriously injured. The total estimated cost of these deaths and injuries is $205 billion.

After lengthy slide, gas prices rising near end of summer driving season

(August 23, 2016) Following a streak where the national retail average price of gasoline dropped on 54 of 55 days, pump prices have now increased on 12 of the past 17 days and each of the past six, according to AAA's weekly survey.

The national average price for regular unleaded is $2.16 per gallon, which is four cents more than one week ago, but is two cents less than a month ago, 46 cents less than the same date last year, and the lowest price for this date since 2004.

Ford Focus, Nissan Rogue top car deals in August

(August 22, 2016) RVINE, Calif. — For shoppers looking for a hot new-car deal during the summer selldown season at local dealerships, the experts from Kelley Blue Book kbb.com have assembled their list of the 10 best lease, financing and cash back deals for new vehicles available in August from a variety of auto manufacturers.

Harley-Davidson, EPA reach settlement over tuning product

(August 19, 2016) MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson has reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the sale of one aftermarket tuning product used to calibrate motorcycles intended for off-road and closed-course competition. As part of the settlement agreement, the company will no longer sell its competition-only tuner in the U.S.

Gas prices hold steady as summer driving season enters final stretch

(August 16, 2016) After dropping 54 of 55 days, the national average price of gasoline at the pump has held steady over the past week but has declined each of the past four days. The national average price for regular unleaded is $2.12 per gallon, which is the lowest price for this date since 2004. Today’s price is fractions of a penny more than one week ago, but is nine cents less than one month ago and 54 cents less than the same date last year, according to AAA analysis.