August 2010

BBC reports operating costs of electric vehicles higher than those of gas cars

(August 31, 2010) A startling report from the BBC states that the owner of an electric vehicle will not save money, but in fact will come out on the losing end when compared to the owner of a comparable gasoline-driven vehicle.

An electric-vehicle owner who thinks he's saving money relative to owning a gasoline-powered car because of lower refueling and maintenance costs will be in for a rude awakening when he tries to sell the vehicle.

Edmunds — August sales could use some stimulating

(August 29, 2010) This month's new vehicle sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be 1,028,200 units, a 17.7 percent decrease from August 2009 and a 1.4 percent decrease from July 2010, according to Edmunds.com.

Edmunds.com analysts predict that August's Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate (SAAR) will be 11.8 million, up from 11.5 in July 2010.

Interest in EVs strong, but range anxiety may be barrier to many, study finds

Edmunds.com

(August 25, 2010) Range anxiety still appears to trump curiosity when it comes to the general public's attitude towards battery-electric vehicles, according to a new study that's got to be a disconcerting bit of news at Nissan, which is preparing to debut the Leaf, the first production BEV in the U.S., later this year.

Edmunds: Used car prices up 10 percent over last year

(August 21, 2010) Edmunds.com estimated today that the average price paid in the U.S. for a used three-year-old vehicle in July 2010 was $19,248, up $1,800, or 10.3 percent, from July 2009.

"Consumers are generally paying considerably more for used cars this year compared to 2009," stated Joe Spina, a Senior Analyst for Edmunds.com. "A lack of confidence in the economy is driving more people to used cars, putting upward pricing pressure on a limited supply of vehicles."

Seeing red on a question of color

By John Peige
MyCar Data

(August 21, 2010) For the last two decades while working as an automotive journalist, I have had the opportunity to evaluate a different new car each week. That makes about 1,000 new vehicles I have driven over that time. During the same period, I have received two speeding tickets, one in a bright red Cadillac and the other in a fire-engine red Lincoln. So I came to wonder, is there a correlation between car color and speeding tickets?

Edmunds finds auto incentives increase in July

(August 20, 2010) Edmunds.com has estimated that the average automotive manufacturer incentive in the U.S. was $2,753 per vehicle sold in July 2010, up $63, or 2.3 percent, from June 2010, and up $67, or 2.5 percent, from July 2009.

Dodge statement on 'monkey' ad

(August 18. 2010) And yes, we know, chimpanzees aren't monkeys. That was one of many facts we learned through the process of shooting our latest commercial for the Dodge Tent Event. The commercial features a young chimpanzee (Suzie) in a daredevil suit. She walks up to a detonator, pushes down the lever and triggers a less-than-huge confetti explosion.

Good news at GM does not mean company is yet on solid ground

(August 15, 2010) With General Motors announcement of impressive profit during the second quarter, Edmunds.com presents the following data points:

    • Today most GM vehicles sell for an average of 15.7 percent off sticker price; the industry average is 13.7 percent. During first quarter, GM's discount was 13.9 percent and the industry's was 13.2 percent. In second quarter of last year, GM's discount was 16.6 percent and the industry's was 15.5 percent.

Let's give the vehicle-buying public what it wants

(August 14, 2010) The auto-buying public seems to be at odds with the government and others who are pushing people to purchase ultra-fuel-efficient vehicles.

Despite the huge volume of print and internet coverage of the emerging electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, and a non-stop campaign to convince society that cutting the use of foreign oil while at the same time stemming emissions of bad things from the tailpipe is patriotic, big vehicles are leaving dealer lots in increasing numbers.

Rebound in large pickup trucks forecast by Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com

(August 12, 2010) Some people believe that pickup truck sales are an indication of the country's economic health. Edmunds.com has taken a look at the segment's sales trends which, on the surface, show some promise.

"Pickup-truck sales gained more traction last month, and industry executives are starting to believe that their biggest and most profitable vehicles can be counted on to haul an even larger share of the fledgling recovery for the rest of the year and beyond," reported Edmunds' AutoObserver.com contributor Dale Buss.