September 2021

Cox finds COVID swings pendulum back to traditional vehicle ownership



(October 1, 2021) ATLANTA — Vehicle ownership (buy/lease) is more important than ever, according to the Cox Automotive 2021 Evolution of Mobility Study. This is a dramatic shift from Cox Automotive's research in 2018, which signaled that consumer acceptance of alternative shared mobility solutions would begin to supplement traditional vehicle ownership if costs and accessibility of ride-hailing, car-sharing and subscription services were comparable.

Autotrader helps elevate the game with top vehicles for tailgating



(September 30, 2021) ATLANTA —  With football season underway, fans are ready to cheer on their favorite teams. There are many game day traditions, but one of the best parts about going to the games is tailgating. Experienced fans know what food, playlist and games to bring, but even the most seasoned fan needs help finding the best vehicle for pre-game festivities. Some vehicles are better equipped than others, and to help you score big, Autotrader has released the "7 Outstanding Vehicles for Tailgating" list, highlighting the best cars to make your tailgate unforgettable.

Edmunds — Third quarter vehicle sales to drop



(September 30, 2021) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The car shopping experts at Edmunds forecast that 3,416,266 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2021, which reflects a 13% decrease from the third quarter of 2020 and a 22.7% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2021.

Slow down, Move over — AAA says keep roadside workers safe



(September 29, 2021) The recent deaths of two AAA tow providers, killed while assisting motorists, highlight just how dangerous it is for individuals who regularly work along the shoulders of America’s busy and congested roads.

Cox Automotive forecast — New-vehicle sales stall in September



(September 28, 2021) ATLANTA — September U.S. auto sales are forecast to be significantly hampered by an ongoing lack of new-vehicle inventory. According to a forecast released this week by Cox Automotive, the pace of auto sales, or seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), is expected to finish near 12.1 million, the slowest pace since May 2020, when much of the country was closed during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 Mazda3 2.5 T AWD Hatch — Lots to like, but missing 'feel alive' charm



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 28, 2021) Earlier this year we tested and reviewed the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo sedan and came away with a mixed, but mostly favorable sense of the vehicle. This time around, Mazda sent us an all-wheel drive turbo hatchback for testing; it’s essentially the same vehicle with a different exterior configuration — a rear lift hatch rather than a trunk lid.

Higher oil prices keeping pressure on at the pump



(September 28, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — Fall is here, but instead of taking a seasonal dip, gas prices still reflect summertime levels when demand was higher. The national average dropped a penny on the week to $3.18 after matching a seven-year-high in the prior week. The big culprit in keeping pump prices high is the price of crude oil, which is above $73 a barrel

2021 McLaren GT — The luxurious grand touring supercar



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 26, 2021) The legendary McLaren supercars all started with Bruce McLaren, the famous Formula One race-car designer, driver, engineer and inventor from New Zealand. He was also one of the most successful, with wins in Monaco, the Indianapolis 500, and 12 World Drivers’ Championships.

Kelley Blue Book finds vehicle shoppers exiting the market



(September 23, 2021) IRVINE, Calif. — Nearly half of car shoppers are exiting the market and delaying their purchase for the next several months due to the impacts of the global microchip shortage on the automotive industry, according to new consumer research from Kelley Blue Book. The recent survey from late August also reveals further details about car shoppers' current perspectives and intentions given the state of an automotive marketplace plagued by inventory shortages and record-high vehicle prices.
 

Survey finds 31% of travelers more likely to purchase travel insurance in 2021



(September 21, 2021) ORLANDO, Fla. —The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Americans’ travel plans. How they plan — and protect — those trips has also changed. According to a recent AAA Travel survey, more than half (55%) of American adults are planning a vacation of at least one overnight stay before the end of next year, and those travelers are increasingly turning to travel insurance to protect their vacation investments.