Editorial archive

March 2011

Chrysler comments on Twitter flap

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By Ed Garsten
Chrysler Group LLC

(March 11, 2011) When a reporter called yesterday snarkily asking, “seen any good tweets lately,” I knew exactly what was coming next -- a firestorm across the web regarding an errant tweet by a now-former employee of Chrysler’s social media agency.

Study finds few customers experience 'upselling' by dealers

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(March 11, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Despite some perceptions that auto dealerships routinely pressure customers to accept unnecessary maintenance or repair services, very few service customers indicate experiencing upselling by the dealer, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Customer Service Index Study released today.

Fuel-efficient cars making some headway in AutoTrader searches

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(March 10, 2011) ATLANTA (PRNewswire) — Where is the tipping point in gas prices where consumers shift their interest to more fuel efficient cars?  That's the question analysts at AutoTrader.com have been focusing on as they analyze traffic and data on the site. 

AiM has new test that can determine condition of engine, transmission

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(March 10, 2011) LONG BEACH, Calif. (PRNewswire) — A new "AiM Certified" package from AiM Mobile Inspections allows consumers to purchase, for the first time, a vehicle inspection that includes an oil and transmission fluid analysis for cars and trucks. 

Ford back on top as most-considered brand

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(March 10, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com Market Intelligence Brand Watch study, Ford is back on top as the most-considered auto brand among new-car shoppers.

Ford consistently captured the most-considered auto brand title from fourth quarter 2009 through second quarter 2010, but momentarily fell to the No. 2 spot for third quarter 2010 when Toyota re-captured its previously held most-considered brand status for that quarter.

Europeans want more range before considering electric vehicle, study finds

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(March 9, 2011) PRNewswire — Despite rising fuel prices, the mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe is still some distance away. That's the finding of a new study by Deloitte, the business advisory firm.

Study finds U.S. back on the road to gridlock

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(March 8, 2011) KIRKLAND, Wash. (PRNewswire) — A new study by INRIX found what millions of Americans drivers caught in big city traffic every day already know — the U.S. is a nation of gridlock.

Toyota has immediate concerns to address in the U.S.

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(March 8, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Toyota's "Global Vision" conference this Wednesday promises to set the tone for the Japanese automaker's worldwide direction in the next decade. But Edmunds.com's analysis shows that Toyota has much more immediate concerns to address — at least here in the United States.

New poll finds younger drivers more likely to text and drive

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(March 7, 2011) YONKERS, N.Y. —Thirty percent of respondents under 30 years of age said they had texted while driving in the past 30 days in a poll taken by Consumer Reports National Survey Center.

The disturbing findings were released today as the the U.S. Department of Transportation and Consumer Reports announced a new partnership to educate parents, teachers, and teens about the dangers of distracted driving.

AutoTrader finds shoppers more concerned about mileage than in summer 2008

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(March 7, 2011) ATLANTA (PRNewswire) — A full 53 percent of car shoppers on AutoTrader.com in February said they are more likely to consider a more fuel-efficient car than the one they currently own as a result of rising fuel prices, according to a just-completed survey of visitors to the car-shopping and information site in February.