December 2020

Gas prices spike ahead of the holidays



(December 22, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 21, 2020) — Pump prices across the country are getting more expensive as we head into the last weeks of the year. Since Monday, the national gas price average has jumped six cents to $2.22. While not the most expensive price we’ve seen this year, it is the highest national average since mid-September, according to AAA.

GasBuddy survey finds a third of Americans will be traveling this week



(December 21, 2020) BOSTON — Travel plans have been upended for most of the year due to COVID-19, but when it comes to being “home for the holidays,” GasBuddy’s just-released Holiday Travel Survey found that more than a third (34%) of Americans are planning to make that happen and will be taking to the road for the special day.

Lincoln brings back Aviator name for its midsize crossover SUV



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 20, 2020) After a brief run over a decade ago, the Aviator name is back for Lincoln, and it is welcome change from the use of alphanumeric nomenclature among luxury class vehicles, whether they been sedans, coupes, convertibles, or the growing crossover SUV segment. It is much easier to remember “Aviator” than it is “MKX” or whatever Lincoln’s previous midsize SUV was.

NHTSA shows significant improvements in traffic safety during 2019



(December 21, 2020) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its annual 2019 traffic fatality data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), which showed that  traffic deaths decreased nationwide as compared to 2018, and alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased to the lowest percentage since 1982, when NHTSA started reporting alcohol data.

Nine finalists announced for North American vehicle awards



(December 18, 2021) DETROIT — The NACTOY jury voting for the 2021 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year finalists is in and has been tallied and audited by Deloitte in Detroit. The selection of nine finalists is the second-to-last step in the year-long evaluation process for the three awards before jurors vote and announce winners in January.

2021 Lexus NX 300h F Sport Blackline: Safe, reliable but slipping behind curve



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 18, 2020) It’s been seven model years since Lexus first introduced the NX compact crossover utility vehicle. Since it debuted for 2015, little has changed. Lexus added the optional Enform Remote system for 2016, standard all-wheel drive for 2017, Lexus Safety Suite+ and a larger standard touch screen for 2018. Otherwise, except for the availability of a few safety and standard driver assistance features, the 2021 NX is the same vehicle introduced seven years ago.

Drivers offered winter safety tips



By Lauren Ward
Coverage.com

(December 18, 2020) Adverse weather contributes to about a sixth of the 6.3 million auto accidents that occur on U.S. roads every year. Fog, rain, ice and snow are weather conditions more common in the winter months, which means it’s essential for drivers to take time each year to prepare for driving in winter. Safe winter driving tips include having the proper driving equipment, practicing safe driving techniques, and evaluating your insurance coverage to ensure you are financially protected in the event of an accident or collision.

Edmunds forecasts annual retail vehicle sales will be off 15.5% in 2020



(December 18, 2020) SANTA MONICA, Calif.  — The car shopping experts at Edmunds forecast that 4,036,744 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2020. This reflects a 2.8% increase in sales from the third quarter but a 5.7% decrease from Q4 of 2019. Edmunds analysts also estimate that 14,416,447 new vehicles will be sold in 2020, which reflects a 15.5% decrease in sales from 2019.

AAA predicts 34 million fewer travelers over holiday week



(December 17, 2020) ORLANDO, Fla.— AAA Travel expects the vast majority of Americans to stay home this holiday season. Public health concerns and travel guidance are influencing their decisions not to travel over the year-end holidays, a period that typically sees high demand for vacations. While AAA expects at least 34 million fewer travelers compared to last year’s holiday season, as many as 84.5 million Americans may still travel from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, a decline in travel of at least 29%.

Survey finds car shoppers' economic pessimism muted as COVID cases spike



By Autolist.com

(December 15, 2020) SAN FRANCISCO — In 2020, as COVID cases in the U.S. first surged in the summer and then tailed off in the early fall, car shoppers’ anxiety about the economy followed a similar curve. But as new cases began to reach unprecedented and alarming levels in November and December, economic pessimism this time was more muted. That’s according to the year-in-review Consumer Sentiment Survey recently published by
Autolist.com.