October 2019

Pump prices are a treat for majority of motorists

(October 30, 2019) The national gas price average dropped by four cents on the week to $2.60, despite a jump in gasoline demand and a draw in gasoline stocks. That is the largest one-week decrease since gas prices started to increase more than six weeks ago. Today’s average is a nickel cheaper than last month and 21-cents cheaper than last year at this time.

TransCore introduces RV Toll Pass with nationwide coverage

(October 29, 2019) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — TransCore announced a new product that allows RVers to travel across the country using only one transponder to pay tolls electronically without stopping at a toll booth. RV Toll Pass will change the way RVers travel across the country through different tolling jurisdictions.

RV Toll Pass, with TransCore’s multi-protocol National Pass technology, is available for all RV configurations, including motor homes and trailers and allows users to be tolled at the electronic rate, which is typically lower than the cash or video toll rate.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI — Just plaid seats shy of excellent

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 28, 2019) Last year, Volkswagen redesigned its popular compact Jetta sedan, now in its seventh-generation. Jetta first arrived on the scene back in 1979 as the sibling to the Rabbit/Golf hatchback and immediately became a favorite for those buyers who long for the look, performance and driving feel of German engineered vehicles without spending the big bucks for the likes of a Mercedes-Benz, Audi or BMW premium sedan.

AAA finds number of licensed teen drivers on the rise

(October 26, 2019) WASHINGTON — More than 60% of teens got their driver’s license before the age of 18, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. An 11% increase since 2012. The new report reveals a changing trend in teen licensure from when the Foundation first evaluated the issue in 2012. At the time, the country was just emerging from a recession and many young people cited their family’s inability to afford the high cost of driving as a reason why they did not obtain their license sooner.

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander still well behind the competition

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 25, 2019) If you’re thinking that you weren’t even aware Mitsubishi was still in the U.S. car business, you wouldn’t be alone. With outstanding competitors from the likes of Honda, Mazda and others, Mitsubishi doesn’t exactly have top-of-mind awareness among consumers shopping for a new vehicle.

Interested in a big truck? GMC might have the one for you

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 24, 2019) The GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4 is a big truck. It’s also a beautiful truck and a very utilitarian vehicle, but your first impression is pretty much going to be, “Wow. This is a big truck.”

This is not the kind of truck you likely would want for runs to the local home improvement store to pick up a load of sod. This one you’d use for bringing back a load of trees for your landscaping project. Big trees.

GasBuddy finds Friday busiest day for buying gas

(October 24, 2019) BOSTON — GasBuddy has released its third quarterly study examining foot traffic in the $654 billion fuel and convenience retailing industry across the United States. This analysis examined more than 24 million consumer visits between July 1 - Sept. 30, 2019, providing actionable insights into consumer behavior and the factors that influence foot traffic.

Key findings — Friday is the busiest day for refueling, afternoon and early evening is busiest time, more people are eating lunch at convenience stores than ever.

2020 Ford Explorer — All-new Explorer is likable, but not lovable

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 23, 2019) America’s all-time best-selling SUV has been a family favorite for nearly three decades. Now, for 2020 an all-new redesigned-from-the-ground-up sixth-generation Ford Explorer has just gone on sale. It features a new rear-wheel-drive platform, a sportier more athletic design, and improved on-and off-road capability. Overall, it’s a more capable, comfortable, and roomier three-row vehicle that handles daily driving chores with imperturbable poise, assurance and ease.

Gas prices fluctuate amid high refinery maintenance, low refinery utilization

(October 22, 2019) U.S. refinery utilization dropped to its lowest rate — 83% — since Sept. 2017, tightening gasoline supplies and causing nearly half of all state gas price averages to increase on the week. AAA reports several weekly trends in pump price fluctuation.

Cars.com picks best new cars and technology for teen drivers

(October 21, 2019) CHICAGO — The leading cause of death for teens 15–18 years old in the U.S. is motor vehicle crashes. With today's advanced technology, parents now have more access to safety features that help combat the most common dangers for teen drivers, which include not wearing seat belts, distracted driving and speeding.

The experts at Cars.com assembled recommendations for the best vehicle technology and top cars for new teen drivers for National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 20-26.