(September 19, 2011) ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The American Academy of Pediatrics updated their guidelines for child passenger safety in April 2011, recommending children stay in rear-facing car seats until the age of two.  But a new report from the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health shows that many parents turn their child's seat to face forward before their second birthday.

(September 18, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — More than two-thirds of owner-reported new-vehicle interior problems are design-related issues rather than defects or malfunctions, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Interior Quality and Satisfaction Study released last week.

(September 16, 2011) HEATHROW, Fla. — Fifty four percent of American drivers report they have decided to keep an existing vehicle rather than invest in a newer one, according to a recent AAA survey. In addition, many drivers are foregoing routine vehicle maintenance to save money now, knowing they risk higher repair costs in the future.

(September 16, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Safe Kids USA research shows that most parents aren't using child seats correctly. Only 30 percent are using the tether straps that keep the tops of child seats — and children's heads — secured in crashes, and many are not using the safest seats for their children's ages, according to the non-profit group.

(September 14, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — As multimedia systems in vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, owners report more problems using them, according to a J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study.

The study finds that new-vehicle owners report more problems within their vehicle’s multimedia system as the complexity of the system grows.

(September 14, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Consumer Sentiment survey, 62 percent of new car and used car shoppers are looking to purchase within the next three months, due primarily to year-end sales events.

Consumer sentiment is in line with what Kelley Blue Book market analysts anticipate will be a strong fourth quarter with increased cash incentives and attractive lease offerings.

(September 12, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book's web site, kbb.com, reported today that it anticipates strong incentives late in the year in the form of cash and attractive lease offerings. As the Japanese replenish inventory and begin to throw cash on the hood, expect to see the domestics follow suit, setting off an incentive battle.

Prior to the earthquake, Japanese brands were consistently capturing close to 40 percent of all United States sales, but since April they have seen their monthly share of sales dwindle to nearly 30 percent.

(September 8, 2011) ARMONK, N.Y. — A new IBM survey of the daily commute in a cross-section of some of the most economically important international cities reveals a startling dichotomy: while the commute has become a lot more bearable over the past year, drivers’ complaints are going through the roof.

(September 7, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Used car shoppers — including those not on the East or Gulf coasts — should be on the lookout for flood-damaged vehicles that often hit the market during and after the hurricane season, says Edmunds.com.

The advisory comes just days after Hurricane Irene caused flooding in several U.S. cities and 10 inches of rain fell in Louisiana. Other storms threaten the U.S. as hurricane season continues.