September 2017

Truck safety technology can prevent 63,000 crashes each year

(September 29, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Equipping large trucks with advanced safety technologies has the potential to prevent up to 63,000 truck related crashes each year, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. In 2015, large trucks were involved in more than 400,000 crashes that resulted in more than 4,000 deaths and 116,000 injuries — a four percent increase from 2014.

AAA recommends that all large trucks, both existing and new, get equipped with cost effective technologies that improve safety for everyone on the road. 

GasBuddy reveals best coffee stops ahead of National Coffee Day

(September 28, 2017) BOSTON — In honor of National Coffee Day on Sept 29, GasBuddy, a smartphone app connecting more than 70 million drivers with their Perfect Pit Stop, has revealed which gas station brands have the highest-rated coffee in each state, making them the best bet when you need a pick-me-up while on the road.

According to the recent GasBuddy footfall report, more than half (56 percent) of Americans who have visited a convenience store in the past three months feel that the convenience stores make coffee drinks as good as coffeehouses.

Analysis shows surprisingly rapid shrinkage of mid-sized sedan segment

(September 27, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The midsize sedan is no longer the vehicle of choice for the American family, according to new analysis from Edmunds. After spending 20 of the last 27 years as the best-selling vehicle segment in the U.S., midsize sedans have taken a dramatic downward turn in popularity.

How Ford and Lyft are teaming up to take self-driving cars mainstream

By Sherif Marakby
Ford Vice President, Autonomous Vehicles and Electrification

(September 27, 2017) There is no doubt self-driving vehicles will have an impact on how people and goods will move more efficiently in the future. But the magnitude of that impact — and how quickly self-driving vehicles can benefit society — will largely depend on businesses, government and the public working together.

Clean diesel technology continues dominance for heavy-duty trucking

(September 27, 2017) ATLANTA —  At the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV) in Atlanta, heavy-duty engine and vehicle manufacturers displayed continued innovation and support for clean diesel technologies. With more than 400 exhibitors on the floor, a significant "show of force" for clean diesel was on display. This support included notable new product announcements by Cummins, Volvo, Navistar, Daimler and others.

Kelley predicts new-vehicle sales up 1 percent in September

(September 27, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. —  New-vehicle sales are expected to rise 1 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.44 million units in September 2017, resulting in an estimated 17.5 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book.

"September will be another opportunity for the first sales increase of the year, as we project slight growth for the industry," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Graphic shows how cost of gas is divided up among retailers, oil companies

(September 25, 2017) Fuel pump assembly retailer Auteria has published a new graphic that outlines where every penny of a gallon of a gas goes, and it might not be what most consumers expect. The 2016 data shows that gas station retailers receive the smallest percentage of the gallon's cost, at only 7%, while drilling companies receive nearly half of the money paid at the pump.

'Lund International Truck & Jeep Show' premiers on Oct. 1

(September 25, 2017) BUFORD, Ga. — Covering all the fun facets of truck and Jeep ownership, the “Lund International Truck & Jeep Show” will debut on Sunday, Oct.1, at 8 a.m. Eastern time on Velocity.  Hosted by truck and Jeep builder, NOPI championship racer and “Fast and Furious” car builder Sam Mahdavi, the new series will cover popular enthusiast events, road trips, product installs and “how-to’s" for the off-road, street truck and heavy-duty enthusiast.

Kelley Blue Book offers advice on flood-damaged cars

(September 23, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. —  While Hurricanes Harvey and Irma impacted as many as 1 million vehicles, according to Cox Automotive and Kelley Blue Book analysts, the effects of these events extend beyond those with severely damaged vehicles.

Rural Americans less likely to wear seat belts, more likely to die in crashes

(September 22, 2017) ATLANTA —  Adult motor vehicle drivers and passengers in America's most rural counties had motor-vehicle death rates 3 to 10 times higher than those in the most urban counties, according to data released this week in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Rural Health Series.

Overall, the study found lower seat belt use, higher death rates, and a higher proportion of drivers and passengers who were not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash in rural areas of the nation.