January 2019

Gas price averages inching up amid rising demand

(January 29, 2019) Many motorists filling up across the country are noticing gas prices that are increasing slightly. While nearly 25 states’ averages increased on the week, the national average is only a penny more than a week ago at $2.26. The fluctuating national and state gas price averages come alongside an increase in gasoline demand and reflect the higher crude oil prices as of late, but it’s likely not to be a long-term trend, according to AAA.

2019 Acura MDX A-SPEC — An age defying product for the MDX

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 28, 2019) I’m inclined to think that when it comes to the automobile business, the slight difference between considerable success and downright failure is not altogether an imaginary phenomenon. Acura, the upscale premium brand of vehicles from Honda, has experienced both phenomena in its history. Take, for example, the effluvium, if you will, of the ZDX, Vigor, EL or RL.

January new-vehicle sales expected to be better than 2018

(January 26, 2019) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds forecasts that 1,169,804 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in January for an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17.2 million. This reflects a 28.1 percent decrease in sales from December, but a 1.3 percent increase from January 2018.

"January's sales strength shows car shoppers are still feeling optimistic, even in the midst of the government shutdown and talk of a slowing economy," said Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds' manager of industry analysis.

G-Wagon retains iconic looks after first full update in four decades

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 26, 2019) Frankly, you can’t tell much of a difference at first glance, and maybe even second or third, but for the first time in 40 years Mercedes-Benz has put its iconic G-Class SUV through a myriad of updates and changes for 2019.

2019 Mercedes AMG E53 Coupe — E is for Eros

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 26, 2019) PHOENIX — Please excuse my being didactic, but to fully appreciate the 2019 Mercedes E53 coupe, it will help the reader to have a modicum of high-performance automotive knowledge, and an interest that goes beyond getting from point A to point B with a reasonable amount of gas and least amount of trouble-free driving.

Edmunds new trade-in tool touted by PCG Research

(January 24, 2019) EATONTOWN, N.J. — Edmunds turned to PCG Research, a trusted source by dealers for analysis of vendor products, to create a research report about its new trade-in tool that is "simultaneously dealer-centric and focused on the customer mobile experience."

National gas price average flirting with lowest level in two years

(January 23, 2019) The national gas price average may have held flat on the week at $2.25, but just a three cent drop would bring the U.S. average to the lowest since December 2016. However, as crude oil prices continue to climb it does not look like pump prices will drop much lower than we’ve seen so far this year, according to AAA.

“Crude oil prices have increased by $5 a barrel since the beginning of the year, but over-supply of crude in the market and low demand have helped to keep the national average relatively stable,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.

Toyota, Porsche named Kelley best resale value brands for 2019

(January 23, 2019) IRVINE, Calif. — Toyota was named 2019 best resale value brand and Porsche was named best luxury brand in Kelley Blue Book's annual resale awards. It is the fourth best resale value win for Toyota, which previously won in 2014, 2017 and 2018. This year marks Porsche's third consecutive best resale luxury brand winner. .

Cadillac jumps into compact luxury crossover pool with 2019 XT4

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 21, 2019) MIAMI — Cadillac enters the fast growing compact luxury SUV segment with the 2019 XT4, its third SUV/Crossover model, joining the midsize XT5 and behemoth Escalade. A fourth, the XT6, will be added for 2020.

Pulling back the curtain on auto body repair process

(January 21, 2019)  BUELLTON, Calif. — A new infographic breaks down why it often takes so long for body shops to complete a job. The team at Jim Vreeland Ford Parts created this chart to offer a behind-the-curtain peek at the players involved, the process, the potential bottlenecks, and some insights into improving the wait time from the damage incident to the complete repair.