Here's the Thing

May sales pace forecast to exceed 16 million units



(May 28, 2024) Total new-vehicle sales for May, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,446,800 units, a 2.9% increase from May 2023 on a selling day adjusted basis, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData. May 2024 has 26 selling days, one more than May 2023. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 7% from a year ago.

How sneakers and football helmets inspired Nissan Kicks’ new look



Nissan designers discuss how
Kicks’ bold new form came to be


(May 28, 2024) Examine the sole of most athletic shoes, and you'll find a grippy crosshatch pattern in the rubber. Look closely at the 2025 Nissan Kicks and you'll notice a similar geometric design on the front bumper and rocker panels. It's one of many sneaker-inspired cues found throughout the vehicle, and an example of how Nissan designers looked beyond the automotive world to deliver a fresh, bold look.

2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — Big on room, short on sport



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(May 26, 2024) A mantra ever present in Volkswagen's branding of its huge Atlas SUV is the common refrain: "Built in America, for Americans." Offering the Atlas in either three-row or two-row seat configurations like the Cross Sport reviewed here, Volkswagen makes it perfectly clear the vehicle is targeted squarely at families looking for interior room, a road presences and an attractive sleek and sloping roof vehicle whose price won't bust the budget.

Average age of vehicles in U.S. rises for seventh-straight year



(May 24, 2024) The average age of vehicles in the U.S. rose for the seventh-straight year, S&P Global Mobility said in a report released this week. The vehicle age rose to a record 12.6 years as of Jan. 1, 2024, a two-month increase from Jan.1, 2023, according to the report. Total vehicles in use increased to 286 million, up 2 million from the year earlier.

Pump prices hit the rest stop ahead of long holiday weekend



(May 24, 2024) The national average for a gallon of gasoline wobbled slightly since last Thursday before settling one cent higher at $3.61. The lack of pump price movement is typical in the days leading up to Memorial Day.  However, with AAA forecasting a record 38.4 million drivers hitting the road for the long weekend, the price needle could point a bit higher, at least temporarily. 

New vehicle discounting returns this Memorial Day weekend holiday



Surplus of outgoing model year
vehicles is driving discounts


(May 23, 2024) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Good news for car shoppers seeking a reprieve from scorching new vehicle costs this summer: Outgoing model year (2023MY) inventory available on dealer lots across the country means that discounts should be easier to find this Memorial Day weekend.

Americans to road trip in near-record levels this summer



(May 22, 2024)  DALLAS  — GasBuddy, a fuel savings platform, has released its 2024 Summer Travel Survey results and forecast for Memorial Day travel, revealing a near-record number of Americans planning to road trip this summer as gas prices continue to decline ahead of the holiday weekend.

J.D. Power study — EV purchase consideration drops



Charging concerns growing,
lack of affordablity continues


(May 21, 2024) TROY, Mich. — Consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has cooled as the industry grapples with persistent growing pains, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) Study. For the first time since the study’s inception in 2021, new-vehicle buyer consideration has dropped from the previous year.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addresses issues buyers might have shopping for an EV


Photos by Paul Borden

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(May 19, 2024) The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addresses at least two of the more-common concerns shoppers have when they are looking into buying an all-electric vehicle (EV), namely driving range and charging times.

2024 Genesis GV60 Performance — A sweetheart of an all-electric SUV



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com
 
(May 18, 2024) Genesis, the upmarket luxury brand of Hyundai, makes its second entrant at a fully electric SUV with the compelling GV60. It isn't the first full electric SUV for Genesis but unlike the electrified GV70 it isn't a conversion from the original gas only powered combustion SUV.