September 2018

Edmunds finds sales of luxury SUVs hitting record highs

(September 21, 2018) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The luxury vehicle market is on track for a near-record year, according to a new report released by Edmunds. Edmunds data reveals that 1.3 million new luxury vehicles were sold through August, accounting for 11.4 percent of the market. Edmunds analysts note that an expanding lineup of SUVs is driving this massive growth, with sales of luxury SUVs hitting an all-time high of 62 percent of luxury vehicle sales so far this year.

Should you put 26-inch rims on your ride? Find the answer here

(September 20, 2018) For anyone who has recently inherited an Impala or Crown Vic from Grandpa and is considering 26-inch wheels, this new graphic asks pertinent questions to consider before investing in new rims. The team at RimBlades USA created this decision tree for those who have thousands in their pockets and are ready to 'donk' their sedan or lift their SUV to new, teetering heights.

Gas prices remain stable amid aftermath of Hurricane Florence

(September 20, 2018) While Hurricane Florence battered the Carolinas over the weekend with life-threatening storm-surge, rain and flooding, it has had little to no impact on gas prices, with the national average, holding steady at $2.85 on the week, according to AAA.

Gas prices have not seen much movement because unlike the Gulf Coast, which is home to dozens of refineries, the Carolinas house only pipelines and terminals. This means U.S. crude processing is not impacted and therefore neither are gas prices nationally.

Autotrader lists best certified pre owned deals for September

(September 19, 2018) ATLANTA — This time of year the automotive market is dominated by the arrival of new models, but savvy car shoppers shouldn't focus solely on the latest vehicles at dealer showrooms. New cars also mean more trade-ins and recent off-lease vehicles, which translates into attractive certified pre-owned options.

Volvo report finds distracted driving is ageless

(September 18, 2018) ROCKLEIGH, N.J. — Generation X is more likely to use their phone when driving than younger generations (Millennials and Gen-Z) according to a wide ranging survey of Americans, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Volvo Car USA. Findings revealed an alarming majority of Americans still use their phone while driving (71 percent), and identified Gen-X (parents of Gen-Z) as the most prevalent distracted drivers.

Volkswagen to end production of Beetle in 2019

(September 14, 2018) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen has announced that it will end production of the iconic Beetle in 2019. To celebrate the Beetle’s rich heritage, two special models will join the lineup for its last model year — Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL.

“The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

AAA: New cars lose $3,000 annually from depreciation

(September 14, 2018) ORLANDO, Fla. — AAA’s 2018 Your Driving Costs study reveals the largest expense associated with purchasing a new car is something many drivers fail to consider — depreciation. In fact, it accounts for almost 40 percent of the cost of owning a new vehicle — more than $3,000 per year — and is influenced by a number of factors, including shifting consumer preferences.

AAA urges car buyers to think about both market trends and length of ownership when shopping for their next vehicle purchase.

Audi TT RS Coupe — Wickedly fast and technologically advanced

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 11, 2018) With an MSRP of nearly $80K as tested, the new-for-2018 high-performance TT RS is an expensive vehicle, dropped into a competitive set that includes notable sports cars like the Porsche Cayman and Boxster, Chevy Corvette, Jaguar F-Type, Alfa Romeo 4C and others. Let me tell you why it not only might be worth the big bucks, but also why it might be the best pick in the lot.

Ford gets small crossover with introduction of 2018 EcoSport

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 11, 2018) Ford may be getting out of the sedan market, but that doesn’t mean the company is getting out of the car business. In fact, the Detroit News last month reported in an interview with Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's executive vice president of product development and purchasing, that the company actually expects to have three more new vehicles in its lineup by 2023 as it puts its emphasis on trucks and SUVs/crossovers.

Motorists will see East Coast gas prices spike as hurricane approaches

(September 11, 2018) On the week, the national gas price average jumped a penny to land at $2.85. Prices remain relatively stable across the country as gasoline demand dipped slightly and gasoline inventories incrementally built according to the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports. With the switchover to winter-blend gasoline fast approaching (Sept. 15), gas prices are expected to decline this month.