Editorial archive

November 2010

Hybrid vehicles lead in 2011 fuel economy

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(November 5, 2010) The Toyota Prius hybrid is again the fuel mileage champ rated at 51 mpg city and 49 highway. The Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid  were second at 41/36, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy 2011 Fuel Economy Guide.

Satisfaction with auto claims process declines slightly

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(November 4, 2010) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Although claimant satisfaction with auto insurers has declined slightly from 2009, the industry has retained most of the service gains made since 2008, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study released today.

The study finds that, while overall satisfaction has declined by five points from 2009 to 837 (on a 1,000-point scale), satisfaction remains 19 points higher than in 2008.

Facing range anxiety

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By Jim Meachen
Editor, MotorwayAmerica

After price, probably the biggest single factor in considering the purchase of an all-electric vehicle is range. Even with new battery technology, most of the new-breed of EVs just now entering the market can travel no more than 100 miles — at best — without the need for a power infusion.

New car incentives slip in October

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(November 3, 2010) Edmunds.com estimated today that the average car incentive  in the U.S. was $2,498 per vehicle sold in October 2010, down $61, or 2.4 percent, from September 2010, and down $172, or 6.4 percent, from October 2009.

SEMA brings back customized cars, trucks

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Karl Greenberg
Mediapost.com

(November 2, 2010) SEMA, it seems, is back. The Specialty Equipment Market Association's yearly automotive love-in in Las Vegas — where what happens will hopefully not stay in Vegas — shows that marketers are ready to joy ride again, after a more sparsely attended 2009 show.