March 2013

AAA auto buying experts select top vehicles for commuters

(March 26, 2013) ORLANDO, Fla. — Most Americans (86 percent) rely on their vehicle to get them to and from work every day. With an average commute of 25 minutes each way and gas prices hovering about $3.50 per gallon since February, selecting the right vehicle can make a commute more enjoyable and lower expenses. 

Consumer Reports: Harley-Davidson, BMW less reliable than Japanese bikes

(March 26, 2013) YONKERS, N.Y. — Harley-Davidson may be an iconic American maker of motorcycles but its bikes have been repair-prone, according to Consumer Reports' first-ever motorcycle reliability survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

March new-car sales to hit highest monthly total since August '07

(March 26, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — New-car sales will remain steady at a 15.2 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in March. This marks a 3.2 percent increase from last year, according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com. However, after adjusting for selling days in March, sales are set to improve by more than 7 percent.

Honda wins Kelley Blue Book Best Overall Brand Award

(March 25, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Honda has captured the Best Overall Brand award among non-luxury shoppers in the sixth annual Kelley Blue Book Brand Image awards announced today.  Honda also took two of the other 13 categories, named Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand. How new-car shoppers view their brands is measured in the awards based on a year's worth of consumer perception data from the company's Kelley's Brand Watch study.

J.D. Power: New-vehicle selling rate in March keeps pace

(March 28, 2013) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales remain strong in March, as both the light-vehicle retail selling rate and the total light-vehicle rate are consistent with February's performance at 12.1 million units and 15.3 million units, respectively, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) and LMC Automotive.

Entries now accepted for Motorcraft's 5.0 Mustang sweepstakes

(March 21, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — One lucky winner will drive away in December with a 2014 Ford Mustang GT and $5,000 in Ford Racing Performance Parts and Ford Custom Accessories in Motorcraft’s fifth-annual 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes. Contestants 18 years or older can enter online for a chance to win now through 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 10, 2013.

Survey shows online shopping for auto parts is growing

(March 21, 2013) CARSON, Calif. — Consumers report they're purchasing more auto parts online now than they did three years ago. According to a survey by AutoPartsWarehouse.com, the online trend is fueled by the greater availability of  "How-To" info, more comfort generally with purchasing online, and the growing percentage of older vehicles.

Put your tax refund to work; invest in your vehicle

(March 21, 2013) BETHESDA, Md. — How will you spend your tax refund? Another flat-screen TV? An iPad? Clothes? The Car Care Council has a better idea for your money: spend it on your second biggest investment, your car.

"Whether it's an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car," said Rich White, executive director Car Care Council.

American auto brands gaining strength with younger buyers

(March 21, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — American auto brands are gaining strength with younger buyers in the U.S., while their Japanese rivals have taken a big step back, reports Edmunds.com.

Tips offered to help car buyers avoid unnecessary credit checks

(March 18, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Extraneous credit checks could put an unnecessary dent in a credit score. That's why Edmunds.com advises car buyers to know when they should and should not grant car dealers permission to run a credit check.