August 2022

Chevy plays 'keep up' with mid-cycle Silverado refreshening



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 17, 2022) Though Chevrolet has a history with pickup trucks that goes back over a century, its most popular vehicle, the Silverado, dates back only a little over two decades. It debuted as a 1999 model replacing the long-running Chevrolet C/K pickup. Even though it moved into its fourth generation with the redesign of 2019, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado gets significant updates both inside and out as it battles Ram for the No. 2 spot in full-size pickup sales behind perennial segment leader Ford F-150.

Gas price limbo — How low will it go?



(August 16, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of regular gas fell 10 cents in the past week to $3.95, due primarily to stable oil prices and fewer drivers than usual fueling up. AAA finds that drivers are making significant changes to cope with high pump prices. In a recent survey, almost two-thirds of U.S. adults have changed their driving habits or lifestyle since March. Drivers’ top two changes to offset high gas prices are driving less and combining errands.

2022 Lexus LC 500h — Luxuriously posh, visually stunning, now with a hybrid



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 14, 2022) First introduced for the 2018 model year, the LC 500 is offered as a sports coupe, a a gorgeous grand touring 2+2 power-retractable soft top convertible was added last year and there’s also a hybridized LC 500h tested here, the world’s first vehicle with Multi Stage hybrid capability.

Few midsize cars excel in updated side crash test



(August 11, 2022) Only three of seven midsize cars tested earn good or acceptable ratings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s updated side crash test. The Subaru Outback is the only midsize car to earn a good rating. With somewhat higher levels of occupant compartment intrusion, the Hyundai Sonata and Volkswagen Jetta manage acceptable ratings.

New-vehicle prices continue to set records — Kelley Blue Book



(August 10, 2022) ATLANTA — The average price paid for a new vehicle in the U.S. in July topped June's record and kept the average transaction price (ATP) solidly above the $48,000 mark, according to new data released today by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand. The Kelley Blue Book new-vehicle ATP increased to $48,182 in July, beating the previous high of $48,043 set last month. July prices rose 0.3% ($139) from June 2022 and 11.9% ($5,126) from July 2021.

Research finds dealership loyalty decreasing as car prices soar



(August 9, 2022) New research from Growth from Knowledge AutoMobility shows that loyalty toward brands and dealerships is continuing to decline as consumers pay at or above the manufacturer's suggested retail price. In May and June, 80 percent of car buyers paid at or above the sticker price, the research showed. In addition, 31 percent of buyers who paid above sticker said they would tell others not to go to the dealership they used, and 27 percent said they would not return to the dealership for service, according to Automotive News.

Gas prices fall, but not enough to lure drivers back to pump



(August 9, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite steadily falling gas prices during the peak of the summer driving season, fewer drivers fueled up last week. It’s another sign that, for now, Americans are changing their driving habits to cope with higher pump prices. Meanwhile, the cost of oil has edged lower on fears of economic slowdowns elsewhere around the globe. Because of these factors, the national average for a gallon of gas fell to $4.05.

Study finds hot lap track driving lifts mood more than a gym workout



(August 9, 2022) LOUGHBOROUGH, England — Loughborough University, a leading Sports Science university, and performance car brand Abarth have revealed that driving a car around a racetrack significantly boosts a person’s mood compared to a gym workout. The positive emotional benefits of physical exercise are known, however, the psychological impact of track driving isn’t as well documented.

New survey finds Americans are driving less as gas prices remain high



(August 8, 2022) In March, AAA released gas survey data examining the pump prices Americans would view as too expensive. At that time, over half (59%) said they would change their driving habits or lifestyle if the cost of gas rose to $4 per gallon. If gas were to reach $5, which it did in June, three-quarters said they would need to adjust their lifestyle to offset the spike at the pump. At that time, among Americans who said they would make changes in response to higher gas prices, a majority (80%) said they would opt to drive less. The new AAA survey reaffirms these driving habit changes.

Stylish 2023 Sportage SUV leads way for Kia's surge in U.S. market



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 7, 2022) After “earning” a reputation as a producer of cheap economy cars of say questionable quality after its arrival in the U.S in the early 1990s, Kia has established itself in the 21st Century as the manufacturer of top quality products New vehicles such as the Telluride full-size SUV, playful Soul, and performance-driven  Stinger sedan are responsible for some of that growth.