By Chris Horymski
Experian researcher

(June 21, 2024) Drivers expect to spend about $2 per mile on average for their road trips this summer, according to an Experian survey. If you're taking your car on a road trip this summer, whether it's across the country or on a more local journey over blue highways, you've probably budgeted for gas, tolls and accommodations.

AAA photo

AAA forecast sets new record;
exceeds pre-pandemic numbers

(June 21, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC — AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA looked at the entire July 4th week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. This year’s projected number of travelers for that time period is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019.

(June 18, 2024) MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Honda tied for most vehicles in the top 10 (three) and led all automakers with nine Honda and Acura models in the top 20 in the Cars.com 2024 American-Made Index.  Based on its longstanding commitment to build products in America, Honda has consistently been a leader in the number of vehicles topping the list since Cars.com created its American-Made Index in 2006.

(June 17, 2024) More than 60% of drivers would find it acceptable if their vehicle provided an audible and visual warning when they exceeded the posted speed limit, a new survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. Perhaps more surprisingly, about half of drivers say they wouldn’t mind vehicle technology that makes the accelerator pedal harder to press or automatically restricts speed.

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 16, 2024) When it comes to automotive awards, there is no shortage of organizations, websites, magazines, and other publications singling out vehicles for special recognition. The North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) leads the way. Texas auto writers recognize the Texas Truck and SUV of the Year. And, of course, with the latest big thing in the automotive world, Green Car Journal selects a Green Car, Green SUV, and a Green Family Car of the Year.

(June 14, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Another week, another slide in gas prices as the national average for a gallon of gasoline dipped two cents since last Thursday to $3.46. The main reasons for the decline are lackluster gasoline demand and burgeoning supply. 

McKinsey study finds EV owners
have cost, charging concerns

(June 13, 2024) More than a quarter of EV owners are likely to return to combustion engine vehicles for their next purchase, according to a McKinsey & Co. survey. Nearly 4 in 10 owners of electric vehicles in the U.S. are likely buy a combustion engine car for their next purchase.

Kelley Blue Book — May prices
down nearly 1% year over year
    
(June 12, 2024) ATLANTA — New-vehicle prices in May remained lower year over year for the eighth consecutive month, as higher inventory levels continued to hold downward pressure on transaction prices. Last month, according to estimates by Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle in the U.S. was $48,389, statistically unchanged from the downwardly revised price of $48,368 in April. The new-vehicle ATP in May was lower year over year by 0.9%, approximately $442.

AAA finds interest in EVs declining
as Americans turn to hybrids

(June 10, 2024) ORLANDO, Fla. — The most recent annual consumer survey by AAA on electric vehicles (EVs) indicates a decline in consumer interest in purchasing EVs. Only 18% of U.S. adults say they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a new or used EV (not a hybrid) – down from 23% last year. Even more revealing, 63% cited “unlikely or very unlikely” to purchase an EV for their next car purchase.