Editorial archive

September 2017

Kelley lists 10 best new-car deals for September

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(September 13, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. —  If you missed out on Labor Day deals, don't worry, many of them are still available through the end of the month. In fact, the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book have compiled a list of their top 10 lease, financing and cash back deals for new models available through September, including four offers of more than $4,000 cash back and several leases under $200 per month.

"This month's list of good deals on good cars features some of the biggest savings we've seen all year," said Jason Allan, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

BorgWarner betting on big future for 48-volt mild hybrid technologies

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(September 13, 2017) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — BorgWarner, a global leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, foresees a global shift in propulsion demands. In addition to systems for full hybrid and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), BorgWarner considers 48-volt mild hybrid technologies as a crucial step on the road to delivering the fuel efficiency, features and performance consumers demand.

Gas prices leveling out nationwide despite Hurricane Irma

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(September 12, 2017) For the first time in more than 15 days, the national gas price average appears to be leveling out despite Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irma affecting the Southeast. Holding steady for five days at $2.6, today’s national gas price average is just three cents more expensive on the week, according to statistics from AAA.

Shifting market causes used-car prices to reach record high

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(September 8, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Car shoppers in the market for an affordable used vehicle may experience a bit of sticker shock when they head to the dealership, according to the latest Used Market Report from Edmunds. In the second quarter of 2017, the average transaction price for a used vehicle was $19,227, up 2.1 percent from the second quarter of 2016 and a new second quarter record.

The price spike is hitting the lowest end of the market hardest because cars 6 years old and older are holding their value much better now than they used to.

Consumer Watchdog condemns, car companies praise self-driving legislation

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(September 7, 2017) The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved a sweeping proposal to speed the deployment of self-driving cars without human controls and bar states from blocking autonomous vehicles.

The bill now goes to the Senate. It would allow automakers to obtain exemptions to deploy up to 25,000 vehicles without meeting existing auto safety standards in the first year, a cap that would rise to 100,000 vehicles annually over three years.

Distracted driving study: Do as I say not as I do

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(September 7, 2017) CLEVELAND — A new Progressive Insurance study shows about one third of drivers feel confident in their own ability to text and drive, yet the majority believe distracted driving is the biggest cause of auto accidents and more than 90% say it should be illegal.

The starkest difference in attitudes is between younger and older drivers. More than 60% of 18-34 year olds are confident in their ability to safely text while driving compared to less than 6% of individuals 55 and older.

Remnants of Harvey expected to drive gas prices through the month

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(September 6, 2017) Hurricane Harvey may no longer be raining down on the Gulf Coast, but the storm’s impact continues to drive up gas prices across the country. At $2.65, the national gas price average is 27 cents more expensive on the week. Motorists in 26 states are paying 25 to 44 cents more for a gallon of unleaded compared to seven days ago.

Car shoppers find fewer zero-percent financing deals in August

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(September 5, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Although new vehicles are sitting on dealer lots longer than at any point since July 2009, incentives — particularly tempting zero-percent finance deals — have been slow to materialize in August, according to a new analysis from Edmunds.

Toyota begins marketing campaign for all-new Camry

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(September 4, 2017) PLANO, Texas — The all-new Toyota Camry is here with a new look and a hot new marketing campaign that’s set to tap into drivers’ emotions and the sensations they will feel when driving the vehicle. Toyota says that while purchasing a Camry continues to be a smart and rational choice, the 2018 Camry now delivers the magic and excitement drivers crave.

New-car prices up nearly 1 percent year-over-year

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(September 1, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — The analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $34,648 in August. New-car prices have increased by $243 (up 0.7 percent) from August 2016, while increasing slightly (up 0.5 percent) from last month.

"August revealed mixed average transaction prices across the major manufacturers, although the industry average still managed to rise nearly 1 percent year-over-year," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.