February 2017

Average gas price remains flat to close February

(February 28, 2017) National gas prices have remained flat, fluctuating by only a couple of pennies for the last 27 days. Today’s average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.29 per gallon, which is the same price as one week ago, same price as compared to one month ago and 55 cents more than the same date last year, according to weekly statistics by AAA.

Autotrader names 2017 '10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000'

(February 28, 2017) ATLANTA —  Whether making the grind of a long daily commute, running seemingly endless errands or schlepping kids to and from activities each week, most Americans spend a considerable amount of time inside their cars.  With that in mind, the editors at Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017. 

Each new car on the list offers a standout modern, comfortable, luxurious and/or visually appealing interior within the given price point.

Auto sales staying strong in February, forecasts Edmunds

(February 27, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif.  — Edmunds forecasts that 1,331,787 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in February for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 17.6 million. This reflects a 17 percent increase in sales from January 2017, but a 1 percent decrease from February 2016.

Even though February is historically a slow sales month, it gets a nice bump from the President's Day holiday weekend when auto sales are usually 20 percent higher than an average February weekend.

2018 Ford Mustang voted 'Best of Show' at Chicago Auto Show

(February 24, 2017) CHICAGO — For the 12th consecutive year, consumer voters selected their favorites in five categories in the Chicago Auto Show's "Best of Show" balloting. The Chicago Auto Show is the only major auto show that polls its attendees' favorite vehicles and exhibit.

Voting was conducted over the 10-day public run of the nation's biggest auto show.

Kelley forecasts sales off in February, but pace of industry healthy

(February 24, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to decrease 3 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.3 million units in February, resulting in an estimated 17.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.

"Retail growth for manufacturers will be tough to achieve in February, as consumer demand remains relatively flat despite increased incentives," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. 

If you want performance from an SUV, Infiniti QX50 may be answer

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica

(February 24, 2017) MIAMI — Shortly after the new year began, I had the opportunity to spend time in an Infiniti QX80 SUV, which I thought fit the description of a true “land yacht” as a colleague had dubbed the full-size conversion van I owned back in the mid-1980s and ’90s.

J.D. Power: Lexus, Porsche rank highest in vehicle dependability

(February 23, 2017) COSTA MESA, Calif. — While Lexus and Porsche nameplates lead the industry in vehicle dependability, owners of many high-volume vehicles are also rewarded with excellent long-term quality, according to the J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study(VDS), released today.

Kelley lists 10 best new-car deals for February

(February 21, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — There are several noteworthy new-car deals available in February, including leases and discounts on winter-weather-friendly SUVs and popular family cars, according to the experts from Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.  After examining the latest new-car data, KBB.com editors assembled their list of the 10 best lease, financing and cash-back deals for new vehicles available in February from a variety of automakers.

NADA: Every dealer should be concerned about border adjustment tax

By Mark N. Scarpelli
NADA chairman

(February 21, 2017) As all of you know, there's been a lot of consternation in Washington, D.C., lately over the issue of the border adjustment tax, or “BAT.” Groups representing a number of businesses and different industries have all voiced serious concerns about the potential for a BAT to lead to higher costs for a wide range of good and services - costs that could ultimately get passed down to American consumers.

Advertising a car for sale? Consider a woman to take the pictures

(February 20, 2017) LONDON — Women take the most attractive and creative photographs of cars when advertising them for sale. The findings come from appraising hundreds of images uploaded to the UK car trading website Wizzle, where consumers offer their car for sale directly to dealers.

Experts say it reflects the growth of "Instagram culture," which has seen the popular photographic social media platform dominated by creative images posted by women.