March 2021

National gas price average holds steady for five days



(March 23, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — After weeks of seeing almost daily increases, the national gas price average is showing signs of stability, holding steady at $2.88 for the last five days. Still, today’s average is the highest price since May 2019 and is more expensive on the week (+2 cents), month (+25 cents) and year (+74 cents).

Auto journalist Jeanes showcases his wit and humor in 'Pickletown'



(March 20, 2021) RIDGELAND, Miss. — “The Road to Pickletown – A Southerner Confronts Cowbells, Clowns, Cuba, Christmas, and Mississippi,” written by longtime automotive and auto racing journalist William Jeanes, is not what one would expect to come from the pen of a car guy.

Average new-vehicle prices jump more than 6% year-over-year



(March 18, 2021) IRVINE, Calif. — The valuation analysts at Kelley Blue Book have reported the estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $41,066 in February 2021. New-vehicle prices increased $2,515 (up 6.52%) from February 2020, while falling $31 (down 0.08%) from January 2021.  

2021 Toyota Tundra — A resale value winner



By Jim Meachen
MotorwayAmerica Editor

(March 17, 2021) It's not much of a secret that Toyota is finally coming out with an all-new Tundra pickup truck for the 2022 model year. It's a big deal because you have to travel back to 2007 to witness the last time Toyota engineered an all-new truck. Since then the Japanese automaker has merely thrown in updates here there and added a few special editions while its chief competitors at Ford, Chevrolet and Ram have gone through at least two new iterations.

Americans paying 14% more at the pump compared to February



(March 16, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — Following last month’s winter storm in Texas, the national gas price average has jumped nearly 40 cents to $2.86. Prices will continue to increase this week, especially following the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest weekly reports showing a second week of major decline in gasoline stocks and a substantial increase in U.S. demand.

Autotrader names 10 best car interiors under $50,000 for 2021



(March 15, 2021) ATLANTA — New-car shoppers don't have to spend top dollar to buy a car with an impressive interior. Today there are vehicles at nearly every price point that stand out among the crowd due to high-quality interior design and technology offerings. To help everyday consumers who emphasize importance of a vehicle's interior when shopping for a new car, the experts at Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2021.

2021 Ram 1500 TRX the ultimate in performance pickups



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 15, 2021) Considering it was Dodge that “went nuclear” in the horsepower wars when it introduced 707-horsepower Hellcat versions of its Charger sedan and Challenger coupe for 2015, it should be no surprise that it was their cohorts at the company’s truck division brought that kind of power to the pickup segment with the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX.

2021 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe — The Ultimate Schnoz



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 13, 2021) The folks at BMW recently released their second-generation 4 Series coupe, formerly known as the 3 Series Coupe. The new generation, as expected, launched with more power, better performance, and necessary safety and tech upgrades. Most of these upgrades are thanks to the 3 Series sedan, which was redesigned for the 2019 model year.

Study concludes adaptive cruise control is a tool for speeding



(March 12, 2021) ARLINGTON, Va. — Drivers are using adaptive cruise control (ACC) as a tool for speeding, possibly undermining the feature’s potential safety benefits, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found. Drivers are substantially more likely to speed when using ACC or partial automation that combines that feature with lane centering than when not using either technology, the study showed. When selecting a speed to “set and forget,” many drivers choose one that’s over the limit.

Wellness travel hits the road with Lexus 'Retreats in Motion'



(March 11, 2021) PLANO, Texas  — Lexus is elevating the American road trip. To meet the growing need for deeper, meaningful experiences that promote wellbeing, Lexus is putting travelers behind the wheel in its first-ever “Retreats in Motion” program. These five-day, four-night driving retreats allow guests to take a scenic, restorative drive in a new 2021 Lexus IS between two of the brand’s luxury hotel partners, with curated self-care activities along the way.