June 2012

Dodge Dart tops list of '10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000'

(June 20, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — The editors from Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com today named the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. In the annual list published by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, the editors named the 2013 Dodge Dart as this year's No. 1 affordable new "Cool Car."

Ford verses Apple — A Siri(ous) marketplace

(June 16, 2012) DETROIT — Toyota, Honda and General Motors are among several automakers that are embracing Apple’s voice-activated technology. But Ford, which already has an exclusive joint venture with Microsoft, has apparently said “no” to Siri. Now many tech enthusiasts are wondering why.

Survey finds nearly 60 percent of Americans plan to take summer vacation

(June 15, 2012) FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Whether the economy is improving on a large scale or not, a majority of Americans are planning to take a summer vacation by September, according to the Morpace Omnibus.

An online survey of 1,000 consumers nationwide from May 15 to May 22 revealed that 58 percent of Americans will be taking a summer vacation this year, with 26 percent not planning to take one and 16 percent undecided.

Chevy Silverado 1500 tops TrueCar's most popular vehicles for dad

(June 15, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Just in time for Father's Day, TrueCar.com has identified the 10 Most Popular Cars for dads. Based on 2011 data received from fathers with children about the cars they drive, the findings place the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at the top of the list, followed by the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Odyssey, and Ford F-150.

NADA predicts used-car prices to drop 3% in July

(June 14, 2012) MCLEAN, Va. — Moderate seasonal demand will drive down prices in all used-vehicle segments over the coming months, says Jonathan Banks, senior analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide.

This short-term sales forecast and other industry data were released today as part of the June 2012 edition of Guidelines, a monthly report containing information and insight on car and truck prices, new and used market trends and the overall economy.

Finding a happy medium in cost, safety and desirability for teen driver

(June 14, 2012) ORLANDO, Fla. — For most new teen drivers buying a car is likely influenced by  speed, style, color and brand. For teen parents, it's a focus on safety and reliability while not breaking the bank.  Unfortunately, like settling on a curfew, finding a happy medium is not so easy.

Wave goodbye to these 10 cars

(June 13, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com today announced a list of "10 Cars Waving Goodbye in 2012." Kbb.com editors name 10 vehicles being discontinued after the 2012 model year, providing commentary about each car and the plans each automaker has to fill the void left by the outgoing model.

Reasons why younger customers rate dealership service lower

(June 12, 2012) Chris Sutton, senior director, U.S. Automotive Division at J.D. Power and Associates tells us in his latest blog that the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Service Index (CSI) Study finds that dealership service advisors are not providing basic service processes to younger customers as frequently as they are to older, more established customers.

Fuel economy for new cars sold In May drops slightly from April

(June 12, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com today provided actual fuel economy numbers from May light vehicle auto sales that indicate TrueMPG increased to 23.2 mpg in May 2012 compared to 21.9 mpg in May 2011, but decreased from April's 23.3 mpg. Just four years ago, in May 2008, TrueMPG was 21.2 mpg.

New book chronicles 15 most important vehicles in automotive history

A Book Review
By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica.com

All of us have read articles about people and events that have made a difference in the world’s development. While such examples are basically subjective in nature at least most can agree that there’s some validity for each of their selections. Such is the case for a new book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Ingrassia entitled Engines of Change.