October 2016

Millennials are exploding car-shopping gender stereotypes, study finds

(October 31, 2016) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The notion that women are "damsels in distress" and that men are the confident decision-makers has been a persistent car-shopping stereotype. But new research from Edmunds.com reveals that these antiquated generalizations don't reflect the attitudes and behaviors of today's car shopper, and are becoming more archaic as millennials begin to make up a bigger portion of car buyers. The revelation is one of many important findings from Edmunds' Car Shopping and Gender Report.

Official 2016 White House ornament commemorates fire trucks

(October 28, 2016) WASHINGTON — The White House Historical Association, exclusive creator and manufacturer of the Official White House Christmas Ornament, continues the tradition of issuing the iconic collectible with the 36th ornament in the series.

The festive design is inspired by fire trucks that responded to the five alarm West Wing fire on Christmas Eve 1929, and the toy fire trucks presented to children by President and Mrs. Hoover the following year.

Kelley Blue Book predicts 6 percent drop in October new-car sales

(October 27, 2016) — New-vehicle sales are expected to decline 6 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.36 million units in October resulting in an estimated 17.9 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book.

"Kelley Blue Book expects October 2016 sales to come in at a robust 17.9 million SAAR; however, due to two fewer selling days and an extremely strong October 2015, there will be volume declines across the industry," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Insurance Institute finds most pickups have substandard headlights

(October 26, 2016) ARLINGTON, Va. — Drivers of late-model pickup trucks are likely to find themselves squinting into the darkness or temporarily blinding other drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's latest headlight ratings show.

All four small pickups evaluated are available only with headlights that earn a poor rating. The same goes for 3 out of 7 large pickups. Only one large pickup, the Honda Ridgeline, is available with good-rated headlights, though all but the most expensive trim levels come with poor ones.

Pump prices show steady decline on average over past week

(October 25, 2016) The average price for gas has fallen for 15 of the last 16 days, for a total savings of 4 cents per gallon. The national average currently sits at $2.22 per gallon, which is two cents less than one week ago, one cent more than one month ago and 1 cent more year-over-year, according to weekly statistics compiled by AAA.

The National average is down 17 cents per gallon versus the 2016 peak price of $2.39 reached in June.

Buick reaches top three in Consumer Reports annual reliability survey

(October 25, 2016) YONKERS, N.Y. — While Asian brands continue to dominate, Buick has become the first domestic brand in more than three decades to earn a place in the top three most reliable brands in Consumer Reports’ Annual Brand Reliability Survey. The findings were announced during a press conference before the Automotive Press Association in Detroit on Monday.

Study finds myriad of reasons given for driving distracted

(October 24, 2016) HORNHILL, Ont. — Drivers are giving every excuse in the book for not paying attention behind the wheel. A new Ipsos survey conducted for CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) shows one in three (32 per cent) Ontarians admit to driving distracted because of their mobile devices, and the number one reason for not focusing on the road is because someone called.

Nissan: The future of driving is defining the future of transportation

(October 20, 2016) When Nissan's Tetsuya Iijima (pronounced EE-ee-JEE-mah) envisions the future of driving, he's not only thinking about how autonomous driving will impact the "behind-the-wheel" experience but how to help society prepare for it.

A recent report by The Boston Consulting Group found that for those who had concerns about autonomous vehicles are often based on three primary factors: Reliability, cybersecurity, safe interaction.

NICB report: Halloween and vehicle thefts — Is there a link?

(October 19, 2016) DES PLAINES, Ill. — As Halloween approaches, there may be more than ghouls, gremlins and witches canvassing the landscape. How many car thieves will also be prowling the nation's streets this Halloween disguised as trick-or-treaters as they case neighborhoods for their next target?

Paul Borden review: Hyundai Elantra Eco has surprising array of features

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 18, 2016) There was a time — and not all that long ago, by the way — that if you were shopping in the bargain section of the automotive market you had to be prepared to do without many of the creature comforts, and in some instances even safety measures, found on more upscale cars. Even if the those features were available in the price range of the model you were seeking, and they often weren’t, you had to pay extra.