December 2010

Auto sales in recovery mode, but number of vehicles owned declines

(December 31, 2010) Tracy Samilton reporting for NPR says automakers hope to rev up sales for 2011. An obvious understatement; we’re close to positive that car manufactures, their dealers and just about anyone we can think of shudder at the thought of fewer sales.

Ford offers 'safe driving' New Year's resolutions

(December 31, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — New Year’s resolutions often revolve around healthy activities, which is why Ford Motor Company is offering 10 ways to help you drive safer in 2011.

Here are our resolutions designed to help make you a smarter, safer driver in the New Year:

Valet parking tips just in time for New Year's Eve

(December 30, 2010) — Have you ever wondered what happens to your car when you leave it at valet parking? Edmunds.com exposes the truth about what goes on at a typical valet station in its article Confessions of a Parking Valet: True Tales of Mishaps and Mischief.

This tell-all interview is filled with surprising stories from a real-life parking valet who offers candid advice to drivers.

Truck, SUV sales up in 2010

(December 30, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — 2010 was another year of ups and downs for the auto industry. Edmunds.com reflects on the year, noting the key trends.

Trucks and midsize cars sold better than compacts and hybrids during the year.

Five dollar gas has a silver lining

(December 28, 2010) Here's a view of the future that is a bit unsettling. But from my chair, it seems entirelly possible.

A former oil company executive predicted in a story on CNNMoney that Americans will be paying $5 a gallon for gasoline by 2012. He admits it's an extreme view, but he believes it for a variety of reasons. Another industry expert says, yes, gas will eventually hit $5, but not by 2012.

Chrysler Group touts 'Year 1' milestones

By Mike Driehorst
Chrysler Group

(December 28, 2010) Nov. 4, 2009, is a big day in Chrysler Group history. That’s the day CEO Sergio Marchionne and other group execs laid out a five-year plan for the company and the vehicle brands.

During the presidential visit to one of our Kokomo, Ind., facilities in November, Marchionne told a reporter, "We're a long way from fully achieving our plan. We're at step one of a five-year plan."

Biggest problem for Tesla is increased competition

(December 28, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com has been following the developments at Tesla and offers the following insights to explain why Tesla stock took a big hit on Monday now that its post-IPO "lock-up period" is over.

"The biggest problem facing Tesla is that every automaker is now seriously looking into electric vehicles on some level, and this provides competition from far more established and far better funded organizations," commented Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Karl Brauer.

Ford to offer Focus with green powertrain options

(December 28, 2010) Ford recently reopened its assembly plant in Wayne, Mich., (about the size of 22 football fields), to produce the new 2012 Ford Focus compact conventional model that will go on sale in early 2011. In addition, three electric versions of the Focus will be assembled at the plant — a battery-powered version (BEV) to begin selling in 2011, which will be joined by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid/gasoline version to be introduced in 2012.

Protect Your Car — Secrets of a former car thief revealed

(December 25, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Despite car alarms and anti-theft devices, over one million vehicles are stolen every year in the United States. Edmunds.com recently interviewed a real-life former car thief to discover the methods and mindset of criminals who make their living stealing cars.

Domestics garner most interest from buyers

(December 24, 2010) While the Big 3 enjoyed some resurgence this year after a rather trying 2009, NADAguides.com revealed some more good news for these automakers Thursday. The company announced that the three most-researched models on its site for the first 11 months of the year are all Big 3 models.