Editorial archive

January 2019

Pump prices continue to fall as demand for gas drops to two-year low

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(January 8, 2019) The latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) data registers gasoline demand at 8.6 million barrels a day for the week ending December 28 — the lowest level on record since February 2017. Despite record motor vehicle travel for the holiday, demand was down nearly 900,000 barrels, suggesting that demand this winter could be lower than expected.

Toyota 86 GT — Agile, zesty, best-in-class driving entertainment

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By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 8, 2019) Back in 2016 the Scion brand said, “Sayonara.” Well, not exactly, as several models just removed the Scion label off the trunk lid and replaced it with the Toyota emblem. Take the revered FR-S, for example. It’s a sporty rear-wheel drive coupe that sells below $30,000 and is now called the Toyota 86.

Rising interest rates to be factor for car buyers in 2019

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(January 7, 2019) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Interest rates for new vehicles dipped slightly for a second consecutive month in December, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. The annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles averaged 5.9 percent in December, compared to 6.0 percent in November and 6.2 percent in October.

The truth behind General Motors' shrinking product line

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By Casey Williams
MyCarData

(January 3, 2019) On Nov. 26, General Motors CEO Mary Barra announced her company would be shuttering five plants, laying off 14,000 workers (about 15% of the company’s workforce), and ceasing production of six cars that include two Cadillacs. These moves are projected to save GM $6 billion by 2020.  Those are dramatic announcements, with impending political fall-out, but they were made for good reason.
   

Volkswagen adds new R-Line model to redesigned 2019 Jetta lineup

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By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 3, 2019) Introduced nearly a year ago at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta kicks off the new year as a fully redesigned sedan that should ensure its role as one of the German automaker’s top sellers and make it more of a contender it its class as well.

Average new-car price up 1.3 percent year-over-year

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(January 3, 2019) IRVINE, Calif. — The analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $37,577 in December. New-vehicle prices increased (up 1.3 percent) from December 2017, while decreasing $93 (down 0.2 percent) from last month.  

"December closed out a very strong year for new-car prices, as they rose to more than $36,000 on average in 2018, a 3 percent increase," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

GasBuddy warns gas prices could hit $3 a gallon by spring

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(January 3, 2019) BOSTON — GasBuddy, a tech company based in Boston that operates apps and websites dedicated to finding real-time fuel prices at more than 140,000 gas stations in the United States and Canada, predicts that 2019 will feature a yearly national average of $2.70 per gallon, representing a 3 cent drop versus 2018, but warns that the national average could surge to over $3 per gallon as soon as May.