Editorial archive

April 2011

New-car inventories expected to shrink next month

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(April 14, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — With automakers announcing more pauses in new car production, Edmunds.com is offering a glimpse at what consumers and dealers can anticipate over the next several months before automakers return to full production, which is expected in the fall.

Edmunds.com reports that currently, dealer inventories are still ample for most models, but inventory will start to be noticeably limited next month and automakers will react by adjusting incentives on the models in short supply.

Japan earthquake changes buying decisions, study finds

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(April 14, 2011) NEW YORK (PRNewswire) — Over 25 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed report being less likely to purchase automotive brands from Japan or Korea, a strong opinion that is gaining traction since the earthquake and tsunami catastrophe that struck the Japan region in March.

Hispanic car buyers prefer imported brands according to TrueCar.com study

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(April 14, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — TrueCar.com , the authoritative voice in new car pricing and industry trend information, today released a study based on Hispanic car-buying behavior in 2010 that shows import brands and models dominating the top 10 list. Hispanic car-buyers in 2010 made up seven percent of all new vehicle retail purchases in the U.S.

Honda vehicles rank as most stolen

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(April 13, 2011) WESTWOOD, Mass. (PRNewswire) — Honda is the most popular model with thieves, according to the second annual Vehicle Theft Recovery Report by LoJack Corp. Hondas topped the list of imports, with the 2000 Honda Civic ranking as LoJack's most stolen vehicle recovered.

Drunk driving may be reason for uptick in traffic deaths among 51-to-65-year-old men

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(April 13, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — An Edmunds.com analysis of driver fatality data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds that the death rate of male drivers age 51 to 65 has increased in the last decade, even as traffic deaths in all other male and female age groups decreased over that period.

Car Care Council puts its best spin on rapidly rising gas prices

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(April 12, 2011) BETHESDA, Md. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) —  Prices at the pump are moving upward in time for spring and summer road trips. While many motorists may panic as gas prices continue to rise, a little planning, perspective and a few simple steps from the Car Care Council can go a long way to combat the soaring price of fuel. 

Survey shows online auto repair information helpful

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(April 12, 2011) CARSON, Calif. (PRNewswire) — A new report from AutoMD.com reveals that the wider availability of online repair information in a challenging economy is spurring a sea change in the way car owners approach vehicle repair and maintenance. And these twin factors are driving them to not only perform more research online about repairs and repair pricing, but also are helping them save an average of nearly 34% on repair shop bills.

Top 'green' cars picked as more people consider fuel economy

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(April 12, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — The expert editors from Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com today named the Top 10 Green Cars of 2011.

In this annual list, especially timely this year due to rising gas prices and just in time for Earth Day 2011, the kbb.com editors present a variety of fuel-efficient vehicles worthy of buyers' consideration. The coverage includes detailed EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers and editorial commentary on why each model made this year's top Green Car list.

Edmunds takes courage in hand, names best-looking and ugliest cars

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(April 11, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds' InsideLine.comhas released its provocative lists of the best-looking and ugliest new cars of 2011. Both lists, compiled by InsideLine's staff, include a range of vehicles from high-end luxury sports cars, to high-volume mainstream sedans and are intended to stir up debate in the automotive enthusiast community.

ALG predicts 10 percent increase for some vehicles because of Japan disaster

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(April 11, 2011) SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — The recent Japan disaster could result in a nearly 10 percent jump in new vehicle pricing for some key models, among other effects to the automotive industry, according to a just-released report by ALG, a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. and the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data.