Editorial archive

October 2019

AAA warns pedestrian detection systems don’t work when needed most

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(October 4, 2019) ORLANDO, Fla. — New research from AAA reveals that automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian detection perform inconsistently, and proved to be completely ineffective at night. An alarming result, considering 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark.

The systems were also challenged by real-world situations, like a vehicle turning right into the path of an adult. AAA’s testing found that in this simulated scenario, the systems did not react at all, colliding with the adult pedestrian target every time.

California gas prices approaching highest level since 2014

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(October 3, 2019) BOSTON — California's average gas price stands at $4.05 per gallon, just seven cents away from the highest level since July 11, 2014, nearly 2,000 days ago. Los Angeles has surpassed its 2019 peak price and now stands at $4.15 per gallon, the highest level since July 28, 2015, some 1,526 days ago, according to GasBuddy.

San Francisco average gasoline prices are just seven cents per gallon away from breaching their 2019 peak and reaching the highest level since July 11, 2014.

Auto loan interest rates dip to lowest level of year in September

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(October 2, 2019) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The average interest rate for a new-vehicle loan fell for the sixth month in a row and stayed under 6% for the third month in a row in September, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. The annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles averaged 5.7% in September, compared to 5.8% in September of 2018.

"Automakers are in full sell-down mode, which means that car shoppers got to take advantage of some decent promotional offers in September," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' executive director of industry analysis.

Average new-car prices up less than 1 percent year over year

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(October 1, 2019) IRVINE, Calif. — The valuation analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $37,590 in September. New-vehicle prices increased $262 (up 0.6%) from September 2018, while increasing $215 (up 0.7%) from last month. 

"Transaction prices are still strong, but the growth has almost stalled, as retail demand is weakening," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

AAA finds gas prices trending cheaper

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(October 1, 2019) Two weeks after attacks on major Saudi Arabian oil facilities, the majority of Americans are starting to see signs of gas prices trending cheaper. While the national average may have only decreased by a penny on the week, 10 states saw pump prices decline by a nickel or more.

“Crude oil prices have dropped close to where they were right before the drone attacks on the Saudi oil facilities,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.