July 2018

Study finds more Americans protecting vacations with travel insurance

(July 31, 2018) ORLANDO, Fla. — As international travel grows in popularity, Americans are choosing to protect their vacation investments by purchasing travel insurance. According to a recent AAA Travel survey, nearly 4 in 10 Americans (38 percent) are likely to purchase travel insurance for future international trips.

For those travelers, trip cancellation protection is the most valuable benefit with 9 in 10 (88 percent) of those likely to purchase insurance saying that getting their money back, if they cancel a trip, is their top priority.

U.S. gas demand jumps as supply declines and prices go up two cents

(July 31, 2018) As U.S. gasoline demand strengthened and supply declined, the national gas price average jumped two-cents on the week to land at $2.86. According to the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report, total crude inventories fell on the week and now register at 405 million barrels which is 80 million barrels lower than levels at the same time last year, according to AAA's weekly report.

Steel industry study finds consumers prefer high-strength steel for cars

(July 30, 2018) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A new national study, conducted by Lab42 and commissioned by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), finds Americans in the market for a new vehicle continue to trust and prefer steel as the automotive material of choice.

Lincoln Navigator first American vehicle to ever top J.D. Power APEAL study

(July 27, 2018) DEARBORN, Mich. — The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has been ranked by customers as the most appealing vehicle in the entire industry, marking the first time an American vehicle has ever topped the J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study.

In fact, based on customer scores that lauded everything from Navigator’s technology to seat comfort, its score is the highest in this generation of the study (2013-2018) besting other luxury brand vehicle nameplates.

Nationwide says August deadliest month on America's roadways

(July 26, 2018) COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the summer hits its midpoint, drivers embark on one of the most dangerous periods on America's roadways. In fact, the month of August continues to be the deadliest driving month of the year according to auto insurance company Nationwide.

Nationwide members reported more accidents in August 2016 (60,976) than any other month over the last four years. According to statistics compiled by Nationwide, 15,914 people died in motor vehicle crashes in August during a five-year span (2012-2016), ranking it as the deadliest driving month of the year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Edmunds forecasts new vehicle sales will slip in July

(July 26, 2018) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds forecasts that 1,378,108 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in July for an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.7 million. This reflects a 10.7 percent decrease in sales from June and a 2.3 percent decrease from July 2017. Edmunds experts note that an unseasonably strong June may have played a role in pulling ahead sales.

"July sales are looking reasonably strong, but we're starting to see the first signs of speed bumps on the road ahead," said Jeremy Acevedo, manager of industry analysis at Edmunds.

Genesis ranks highest in J.D. Power 2018 APEAL study

(July 26, 2018) DETROIT — Given the significant cost of owning a new vehicle, delighting customers is challenging for auto manufacturers. That challenge is being met, as evidenced by a 10-point increase in overall satisfaction from 2017, according to the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, released Wednesday.

Poll finds most customers wary of vehicles from Chinese automakers

By Analytics Team - Autolist

(July 25, 2018) Chinese brand vehicles will face an uphill battle earning the trust — and attention — of U.S. car shoppers, according to a recent poll by Autolist. With several Chinese brands eyeing an entry into the U.S. market in the coming years, Autolist polled 1,565 consumers in July about their awareness of and openness to a Chinese brand vehicle. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they wouldn’t consider buying a vehicle from a Chinese brand. Thirty-eight percent said they were unsure, and 27 percent said they would consider one.

July gas prices are proving volatile

(July 24, 2018) Volatility is the trend for July gas prices as the rate for crude oil rises and drops amid lingering geopolitical concerns. In the U.S., the first half of the month saw pump prices increase from $2.85 to $2.89, while the second half is proving cheaper with the national gas price average down to $2.84 today. The national average has not been this low since early May, according to the weekly report by AAA.

Autotrader reveals most searched SUVs for its 10 hottest for summer list

(July 23, 2018) ATLANTA — As the temperatures continue to rise, breaking heat records across the country, Autotrader editors put together its list of the 10 hottest SUVs for the summer of 2018. These fun, practical vehicles are the 10 most-searched new, used, and certified pre-owned utility vehicles on Autotrader.