Editorial archive

November 2017

New flow chart helps truck owners decide if they should help friend move

Tags:

(November 11, 2017) A new decision tree helps pickup truck owners decide whether or not to help a friend move. Created by Throttle Down Kustoms, the decision tree is a flowchart that answers the question "Should you help your friend move?"

Truck owners are frequently asked for help with moving. A highly informal survey of Throttle Down Kustoms employees found that 100% of truck owners have been asked "Can you help me move?" at one point or another. This question can be difficult to answer, depending on who is making the request.

Kelley lists '10 Best New-Car Deals For November'

Tags:

(November 10, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — With the end of the year just around the corner, shoppers can still save on 2017 models. The editors at Kelley Blue Book have compiled a list of their top 10 lease, financing and cash back deals for new models available through November 2017, with several lease deals under $200 per month and two offers for more than $5,000 cash back.

"Black Friday isn't the only day in November to get a great deal," said Jason Allan, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

Enterprise ranks highest in J.D. Power customer satisfaction study

Tags:

(November 9, 2017) COSTA MESA, Calif. — Enterprise ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 851. Enterprise is followed by National (846), Alamo (828) and Hertz (822), according to the J.D. Power 2017 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study released Wednesday.

The 2017 study is based on responses gathered between September 2016 through August 2017 from 11,177 business and leisure travelers who rented a vehicle at an airport location from August 2016 through August 2017.

Free Ford Raptor coloring booklet available for fans of all ages

Tags:

(November 9, 2017) A new Ford Raptor coloring booklet is free to download from Blue Springs Ford Parts. The color booklet is available as a PDF download and features four different detailed scenes of the Ford Raptor in action. The small coloring booklet is intended for both children and adults.

"Every kid I know loves trucks, and every truck enthusiast I know loves the Raptor," says Kyle Harris, director at Blue Springs Ford Parts. "We decided that a Raptor coloring book would be a fun freebie we could offer fans of all ages."

Allstate finds one-third of U.S. motorists 'stressed' by winter driving

Tags:

(November 8, 2017) ORTHBROOK, Ill. — Allstate released a new survey today revealing that more than a third (35 percent) of U.S. drivers say wet winter driving stresses them out, and almost half (48 percent) are concerned by the prospect — all while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an especially wet winter for much of the country.

Kelley identifies 10 Best Automotive Technologies to consider In 2018

Tags:

(November 8, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — New-car buyers would do well to spend less time looking under the hood and more time examining all the technology in a vehicle. Of course, the powertrain still matters, but more important is how the driver and vehicle occupants interact with today's increasingly sophisticated automobiles. To help new-car shoppers navigate available in-car features, Kelley Blue Book named the 10 Best Automotive Technologies of 2018.

October gasoline demand highest since 2006

Tags:

(November 7, 2017) According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the latest gasoline demand measurement is the highest for the end of October since 2006. At $2.53, today’s gas price is six cents more than a week ago, two cents more than a month ago and 31 cents more than a year ago, AAA reports.

“October has seen strong demand numbers likely, in part, due to consumers taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather rather than spending time indoors,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.

From seed to seat: How soy foam key to Ford’s push to use renewables

Tags:

By Debbie Mielewsk
Senior Technical Leader, Materials Sustainability
Ford Motor Company

(November 3, 2017) A lot of people are familiar with soy — tens of millions of consumers eat and drink it every day. But what might come as a surprise is that many of us actually sit on recycled soy all of the time.

This year marks 10 years since Ford first used soybean-based foam in the 2008 Mustang, and since 2011, it’s been a key material used in the seat cushions, seat backs and headrests of every vehicle we build in North America.

Transaction price of new vehicle reaches all-time high in October

Tags:

(November 2, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The average transaction price of a new vehicle hit a record $35,428 in October, according to the analysts at Edmunds. This is a 2 percent increase compared to October of 2016 and an 12 percent increase compared to October of 2012.

The average down payment on a new car also reached record territory in October, hitting $3,966. This is up $374 compared to October of 2016 and $454 from five years ago.

Average new-car prices nearly flat year-over-year, Kelley finds

Tags:

(November 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 $35,263 in October. New-car prices have increased by $101 (up 0.3 percent) from October 2016, while climbing $128 (up 0.4 percent) from last month.

"Transaction prices continue to rise at a slower pace than we've seen recently, expected to be just $100 higher than this time last year," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.