June 2017

This could potentially be cheapest summer since 2005 for gas

(June 10, 2017) BOSTON — The national average for a gallon of gasoline has dropped under its year-ago level, standing at $2.35 per gallon on Friday, according to GasBuddy. It's the first time in over 200 days that the current gas price is lower than a year ago, and is now the cheapest June 9th to fill up on since 2005, when the national average stood at $2.11 per gallon.

Albuquerque had highest per capita auto theft rate in 2016

(June 9, 2017) DES PLAINS, Ill. — The Albuquerque, N.M., metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the highest per capita auto theft rate in 2016 according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) latest Hot Spots report. Hot Spots examines vehicle theft data obtained from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for each of the nation’s MSAs.

Variable speed limits could reduce crashes in highway work zones

(June 9, 2017) COLUMBIA, Mo. — As the summer months approach, most people turn to thoughts of sunshine, outdoor barbecues and destination trips. Yet travelers often are greeted by detours, lane closures and delays for road repairs that generally are reserved for warmer weather. Researchers at the University of Missouri have studied systems to alleviate inevitable backups and delays.

Researchers found that using variable speed limits in construction zones may ease congestion, reduce crashes and make work zones safer for both workers and travelers nationally.

Chevy Camaro marks 50th anniversary with special 2017 package

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 8, 2017) The Camaro is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the 2017 model, though Chevy folks got the jump on the occasion by giving it a full redesign for 2016 that included a new turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine that probably caused conniption fits among Muscle Car purists.

Parents Magazine, Edmunds name '10 Best Family Cars for 2017'

(June 8, 2017) NEW YORK — Parents magazine and car shopping and information network Edmunds today revealed their list of the 10 Best Family Cars for 2017, a reliable resource for families considering a new car purchase. For the 10th consecutive year, the parenting and car experts partnered to examine and assess hundreds of vehicles, narrowing down the list to the 10 models that offer the best combination of value, performance, safety and family-friendly features.

AAA spills the truth on oil changes

(June 7, 2017) ORLANDO, Fla. — Making an informed choice about oil changes just got easier, thanks to new research on the quality of engine oil. AAA found that synthetic oil outperformed conventional oil by an average of nearly 50 percent in its independent evaluation, offering vehicles significantly better engine protection for only $5 more per month when following a factory-recommended oil change schedule.

To protect vehicle engines, particularly those that operate in extreme conditions, AAA urges drivers to consider a switch to synthetic oil at their next oil change service.

Gas prices fall in 30 states following week of all-time high gas demand

(June 6, 2017) Nationally, the price of a gallon of gasoline increased one cent to $2.38 from last week; however, the price at the pump in 30 states has fallen as much as four cents. The moderate decline in gasoline prices is typical following a long holiday weekend, according to AAA statistics. Historically, the first three weeks of June generally can indicate whether consumers will sustain gasoline demand into summer months.

Lithium ion battery market growing, creating colbalt shortage

(June 5, 2017) NEW YORK — The lithium ion battery market is expected to grow in value over the coming years, but it's the cobalt market that has been attracting a lot of attention. Cobalt is one of the main compounds implemented into rechargeable batteries, and it is a market that is facing a supply shortage, according to FinancialBuzz.com.

Edmunds: Average new-car down payment hits near-record high

(June 3, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — As interest rates climb and consumers stretch to afford increasingly expensive cars, buyers are showing signs of practicality by digging deep to put more money down up front, according to a new analysis from Edmunds. The amount of money car buyers put down to buy a new vehicle was up 6.5 percent in May to an average of $3,801 — an increase of $233 from a year ago, and $504 from five years ago.

Study: New teen drivers three times as likely to be involved in deadly crash

(June 2, 2017) WASHINGTON — New teen drivers ages 16-17 years old are three times as likely as adults to be involved in a deadly crash, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. This alarming finding comes as the “100 Deadliest Days” begin, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the average number of deadly teen driver crashes climbs 15 percent compared to the rest of the year.

Over the past five years, more than 1,600 people were killed in crashes involving inexperienced teen drivers during this deadly period.