(March 20, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com reports that used compact-car values are on the rise and could reach the same 20 percent gains seen in 2011.  According to Kelley Blue Book's Book Market Report for March, values of used fuel-efficient compacts increased a modest 0.4 percent in February; however, values picked up significant momentum during the last weeks of the month. 

(March 19, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — The 2012 Honda Fit has won the Cars.com $16,000 Subcompact Shootout. Honda's versatile and fuel-efficient Fit took the top spot in a competition among seven popular subcompact cars that seat at least four, have four doors, get at least 35 mpg on the highway, and can be purchased for less than $16,000.

(March 19, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Audi A3 has made bigger strides in fuel economy since 2008 than any other vehicle on the U.S. market, reports Edmunds.com. The A3 has increased its fuel economy 38.5 percent, from 21.0 mpg in its 2008 model year, to 29.1 mpg in its 2012 model year. The Chevy Equinox, placed second with a 32 percent growth in fuel economy in the last four years.

(March 17, 2012) Honda President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura posted this letter earlier this week emphasizing Honda's complete recovery from the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

(March 15, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Vehicle owners who visit dealer facilities for service are considerably more satisfied with their experience at dealerships than with service from independent facilities, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Customer Service Index Study released today.

(March 15, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com reports the most fuel-efficient vehicles available with a five-year Total Cost of Ownership less than $30,000.  Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership information reveals depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models for the initial five-year ownership period.

(March 14, 2012) DENVER — Newly released data on offenders monitored 24/7 for alcohol consumption shows that when St. Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday, drinking violations are more than double what they are for a mid-week holiday. The data is for offenders who know they're being monitored every 30 minutes and that the consequences are often time in jail.

(March 14, 2012) LOS ANGELES — With the spring and summer travel seasons just around the corner, Total Car Score has announced its top cars for family travel. The best minivans, midsize sedans and SUV crossover vehicles were considered, and the newly redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid led the pack.

(March 14, 2012) ATLANTA — Tax time means big refunds for some, and the availability of these extra funds often results in a boost for automotive shopping behavior in March and April. The average tax refund in 2011 was $2,913 — enough to put a 10 percent down payment on a new car worth almost $30,000.