November 2018

Autolist study finds consumers bullish on lifestyle truck segment

(November 30, 2018) Good news for the growing lifestyle truck segment, including Jeep’s new Wrangler-based Gladiator pickup unveiled this week at the L.A. Auto Show. That’s according to Autolist.com’s latest study on compact and midsize trucks — dubbed lifestyle trucks by many in the industry.

Autolist found that 62 percent of consumers would "definitely" or "probably" consider buying a compact or midsize truck for their next vehicle.

National gas price average dropping toward lowest of the year

(November 28, 2018) On the week, the national gas price average has dropped seven cents to land at $2.56. As pump prices steadily decline, they are headed toward some of the cheapest gas prices in 2018. The national average was lowest in January at $2.49 while May brought the most expensive price of $2.97, according to AAA's weekly gas report.

“Trends are indicating that the month of December may bring some of the cheapest gas prices of the year,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.

Edmunds predicts November auto sales will slip for first time since 2009

(November 26, 2018) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds forecasts that 1,376,253 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in November for an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17.3 million. This reflects a 1.3 percent increase in sales from October, but a 1.3 percent decrease from November 2017.

Edmunds analysts note that this month marks the first drop since 2009 in November sales, which have grown year over year in part due to increasing demand following the recession, and in part due to November becoming a bigger sales month thanks to automakers and dealers capitalizing on Black Friday.

AAA study finds consumers do not understand automated technologies

(November 26, 20118) ORLANDO, Fla. — A new survey from AAA finds that 40 percent of Americans expect partially automated driving systems, with names like Autopilot, ProPILOT or Pilot Assist, to have the ability to drive the car by itself, indicating a gap in consumer understanding of these technologies and reality.

Ghosn is gone — What will happen to the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance?

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(November 23, 2018) The shocking announcement that Carlos Ghosn was arrested and "perp walked" off the corporate plane at Narita Airport outside Tokyo took the industry by surprise, and has led to non-stop speculation concerning the validity and depth of the charges, the identity of the whistleblower, and what will happen to the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance.

Ford EcoSport fails to make its case against excellent competitors

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(November 21, 2018) Today, 70 percent of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. are non-sedans; most of those are SUVS. Consumers are flocking to SUVs and pickup trucks, and manufacturers are busy filling that demand with new products of all sizes. To that end, earlier this year Ford began selling its first subcompact crossover utility vehicle in the U.S., EcoSport (pronounced “echo-sport”).

It's the season to be thankful — For cheaper gas prices

(November 20, 2018) Motorists can add cheaper gas prices to their list of ‘things for which to be thankful’ this Thanksgiving holiday. Today’s national gas price average is $2.62, which is seven-cents less than a week ago and the largest one-week decline in pump price this year. In fact, the large drop brings the year-over-year differential in gas prices to only seven cents — that is the lowest yearly change seen July 2017.

Unhappy Honda Days — The Grinch steals Honda holiday campaign

(November 20, 2018) In partnership with Universal Pictures and Illumination's Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, Honda has discovered that their Happy Honda Days event was stolen by the Grinch during Sunday television programming, leaving an empty Honda dealership and spreading unhappiness across the automaker's annual holiday campaign.

The Grinch canceled Honda's annual sales event because it was simply too happy and today, he has taken over the brand's Twitter channel (@Honda), where he shares unhappy and unmerry holiday comments, featuring the hashtag #GrinchTakeover.

The best place to hide holiday gifts? Buick says your vehicle

(November 19, 2018) DETROIT — Nothing ruins a holiday surprise like a compromised hiding spot. In a new survey from Buick, 60 percent of the U.S. parents polled had a holiday surprise ruined because a child or significant other discovered where they’d hid the gift. And many of those parents would consider using their cars to help avoid future gift-giving disappointment.

Honda R&D engineer reflects on the power of mobility

(November 19, 2018) RAYMOND, Ohio — Lara Harrington learned the transformative power of mobility at a young age. Growing up outside of Dayton, Ohio, the chief engineer at Honda R&D Americas learned from her parents how the simple ability to move safely from one point to another could have a profound impact on someone's life.