September 2012

Survey finds road trips can improve relationships

(September 27, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Taking a road trip with your significant other? Chances are good the time together will improve your relationship. In fact, 91 percent of couples have taken road trips together, and 84 percent agree the experience has strengthened their relationship, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 couples released by YourTango.com collaborating with Ford Motor Company.

You can never be too prepared when selling car yourself

(September 27, 2012) ORLANDO, Fla. — There are many different ways to buy and sell a vehicle. With approximately 33 million used vehicles sold annually, people planning to upgrade their vehicle have many options for getting rid of the old one — trade in, sell it to a dealer, give it to a family member, donate it to a charity or sell it directly.

Vintage muscle cars rated according to current value

(September 27, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Total Car Score has identified the Top 10 Classic Muscle Cars based on current auction prices. The site has also identified 10 modern-era muscle cars that offer excellent performance capabilities at a much lower cost, as well as the potential to be future classics.

"We're seeing a general rise in auction and listing prices of classic muscle cars as market interest in these models picks up," said Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief of Total Car Score.

TrueCar: September sales to be up 11 percent

(September 26, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com today released its September 2012 sales and incentives forecast. The forecast shows the following:

    • For September 2012, new light vehicle sales in the U.S. (including fleet) is expected to be 1,163,000 units, up 10.5 percent from September 2011 and down 9.5 percent from August 2012 (on an unadjusted basis)

Mercedes is one 'cool brand'

(September 25, 2012) LONDON — Mercedes-Benz has made its debut in the annual CoolBrands list, ranked 16th out of over 10,000 independently identified brands. Now in its 11th year and co-ordinated by The Centre for Brand Analysis, the list is voted for by 3,000 British consumers and a panel of 39 key influencers.

Edmunds forecasts 15 million new car sales in 2013



(September 24, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — About 15 million new cars will be sold in 2013, according to a new forecast released by Edmunds.com. The projected sales figures would be a 4 percent increase over the 14.4 million new car sales expected by Edmunds in calendar 2012.

Most car shoppers will consider high-mileage vehicle by 2015

(September 23, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — At least 43 new hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, diesel and fuel-cell electric vehicles will be introduced to the U.S. market by the 2015 model year, according to Edmunds.com, and as a result, Edmunds projects that the market share of alternative fuel vehicles will climb to almost 5 percent in that year, compared to nearly 3 percent today.

J.D. Power: September another strong month for new-vehicle sales

(September 20, 2012) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — The increase in new-vehicle retail sales in September is consistent with the expected 12 percent retail sales annual increase in 2012 from 2011, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) and LMC Automotive.

Edmunds names best 2012 leftovers for bargain-hunters

(September 19, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Several vehicles will be redesigned or dropped altogether in the 2013 model year, and that means car buyers can get an especially great deal on the outgoing 2012 models, reports Edmunds.com.

"If you're the pragmatic type whose decisions aren't driven by fashion, this is your chance to score a new set of wheels at a low price," says Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed.

Survey indicates need for new methods of measuring automotive quality

(September 19, 2012) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The methods for measuring quality in the automotive industry are viewed as outdated and in need of replacement, according to the results of a new study detailed earlier this week by AIAG, a not-for-profit, member-supported organization that works with a wide range of global manufacturing companies and service providers to help them operate at peak performance.