Editorial archive

February 2024

New-vehicle transaction prices continue to fall

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Kelley Blue Book reports car prices
have fallen 3.5% since January 2023

(February 15, 2024) ATLANTA — The U.S. new-vehicle market sales pace slowed in January, despite lower prices and higher incentives. According to an analysis by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company, the U.S. new-vehicle average transaction price (ATP) last month in the U.S. was $47,401, down 2.6% from December 2023 and down a remarkable 3.5% compared to January 2023.

Alfa Romeo Giulia a sports sedan for those who think outside the box

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By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 11, 2024) Looking for a small luxury sport sedan that stands out from the crowd? The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan may be just what you are seeking. Introduced as a 2017 model when the company revived a nameplate from the 1960s and ’70s, the Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers captivating performance in an attractive, distinctive package and at a competitive price.

Lexus ranks highest in 2024 J.D. Power dependability study

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2024 Lexus RX

Annual vehicle study finds
deterioration in dependability

(February 10, 2024) TROY, Mich. — Vehicle owners are experiencing lower levels of vehicle dependability after three years of ownership, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), released this week. The high number of problems owners encounter indicates a decline in long-term vehicle dependability, with increased levels of problems reported for nearly two-thirds of brands included in the study.

Oil costs likely to tick up pushing pump prices higher

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(February 9, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sticking to the slow lane since last week, the national average for a gallon of gas dipped slightly for a few days before rising a fraction of a cent higher to $3.15. However, seasonal demand trends, higher costs for oil, and routine refinery maintenance will likely push pump prices slowly higher soon.

2024 Acura Integra Type S — In a word: brilliant

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By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 8, 2024) Shortly after Acura, Honda's luxury division relaunched its iconic Integra nameplate the company sent us the A-Spec trim level for our review testing. After a week behind the wheel we came away impressed with its attractive styling, long list of standard features, strong technology and driver assist features. It was essentially a Honda Civic Is dressed in prom clothes.

Maverick fanbase grows; sales double as Ford expands production

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(February 6, 2024) In 32 years of driving, Jay Whitehurst has never owned a truck. He’s also never owned a Ford. But after moving from New Orleans to a hay farm in rural Mississippi, lugging cans of diesel for farm equipment and animal food in the back of his Kia Soul just wasn’t going to cut it. That’s when someone told him about the Ford Maverick.

2024 Mercedes AMG C43 — More power comes in a smaller package

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By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 5, 2024) As SUVs and pickup trucks garner all of the attention and the lion's share of sales, Mercedes is quick to remind us they still find value in the sedan market as verified by the new-for-last-year fifth-generation mid-sized C-Class sedan. And, with that comes a new four-door AMG model that foregoes its 385-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 in favor of more powerful 402-hp but smaller hybrid integrated electrically charged turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with power delivered to all four wheels passing through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate — All the best features

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Photos by Paul Borden

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 4, 2024) When it comes to motor vehicles, America has a long established love affair of pickup trucks as evidenced by the fact that the top three sellers traditionally are pickups from Ford (F-Series), Chevrolet (Silverado), and Ram.

Study examines characteristics of fatal roadside worker crashes

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AAA Foundation study
reveals disturbing picture

(February 3, 2024) Struck and killed — nearly four times more than reported.  It’s the chilling reality for roadside assistance providers, including tow truck drivers, mobile mechanics, emergency roadside technicians, and safety service patrols who put themselves at risk every day to help others.  A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals a disturbing picture of the dangers faced by those working on the side of the road, and the numbers may be getting worse.

Gas prices slowly edge up as oil costs rise

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(February 2, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas rose by a nickel since last week to $3.15. The upward trend is likely a combination of oil costs edging into the upper $70s per barrel and normal seasonal increases as winter eases and demand for gas creeps higher.