(February 7, 2012) LAS VEGAS — Sales of small cars, SUVs and other light trucks will lead the way toward what Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association, predicts is a rebuilding year for the auto industry resulting in 13.945 million new cars and light trucks purchased and leased in 2012.

Fulfillment of that forecast in 2012 will mark the third consecutive year of rising new vehicle sales. In 2009 the auto industry, like the rest of the U.S. economy, hit a roadblock and only 10.4 million new cars and trucks were sold, down from 13.2 million units in 2008. In 2010 the sales grew to 11.55 million and in 2011 another boost brought the figure to 12.7 million.

(February 6, 2012) ATLANTA — AutoTrader.com annually tracks Super Bowl game advertising determing what advertisements drive consumer online shopping behavior. Using a methodology that identifies the real-time correlation of advertising value to car manufacturers' ad spots, AutoTrader.com provides a visual representation of shopper vehicle search with a corresponding time stamp, along with the car make and model, from the automotive ads that ran from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on Sunday.

(February 5, 2012) LAS VEGAS — While new-car dealers see value in having clean and modern facilities, many have questions and, in a significant number of cases, are not convinced that the factory upgrades they are being asked to do will result in an increased return on investment, according to a new study by Glenn Mercer issued Saturday at a press briefing during the 2012 NADA Convention and Expo in Las Vegas.<

(February 4, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com has estimated that the average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $30,512 in January, up $1,731 (6 percent) from January 2011, but down $174 from December.

(February 2, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Super Bowl car ads can be fun to watch, but if you are shopping for a new car you'll want to watch for the tricks that marketers pull off so effectively. Edmunds.com exposes some of these illusions in its new consumer advice story, "Five Ways Car Ads Can Lie."

(February 1, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — In the time-honored battle to see who is the best football team in the nation, the Super Bowl XLVI match-up of east coast powerhouses, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, is truly represented in their divergent automotive choices.

(January 31, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book today reports its predictions for automaker ad supremacy during this year's Super Bowl. On game day Sunday, Kelley Blue Book anticipates that the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic will receive the greatest lift with a nearly 250 percent increase in traffic share on kbb.com. 

The model is relatively new, so it stands to benefit from increased national exposure.  It also competes in the subcompact sedan segment, which is in high demand for its fuel economy and affordability. 

(January 27, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — An estimated 866,655 new cars will be sold in January, for a projected Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 13.4 million units, forecasts Edmunds.com. This sales pace is relatively flat from the 13.5 million SAAR recorded last month, but up from the 12.6 million SAAR from January 2011.