April 2013

Edmunds says, the future of cars lies in gasoline-powered technology

(April 18, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Gasoline-powered engines aren't going anywhere soon and, in fact, they're expected to remain the dominant force in the automotive market for decades to come, reports Edmunds.com. But, contrary to popular belief, Edmunds.com says that gasoline's staying power isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Are young drivers learning their lesson?

(April 18, 2013) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The frequency of anti-texting campaigns over recent years has demonstrated the risks of distracted driving for young drivers, and according to a new nationwide survey commissioned by Bridgestone Americas, Inc., taking those risks behind the wheel is becoming increasingly unacceptable among that group. Yet, social pressures fail to keep young drivers from engaging in those behaviors, especially when driving alone.

NADA says 2013 used-vehicle price rise less than year ago

(April 17, 2013) McLEAN, Va. — Wholesale prices for used cars and light trucks reached their annual peak in March, says the NADA Used Guide in its April edition of Guidelines. Prices for used vehicles up to 8-years-old increased by 1.2% in March, substantially less than the 3% increase recorded for the month last year.

Cost of owning, operating vehicle up nearly 2 percent

(April 16, 2013) ORLANDO, Fla. — AAA released the results of its annual ‘Your Driving Costs’ study today, revealing a 1.96 percent increase in the cost to own and operate a sedan in the U.S. The average cost rose 1.17 cents to 60.8 cents per mile, or $9,122 per year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving.

Cars.com names the best hybrids for the money

(April 16, 2013) CHICAGO — With Earth Day approaching, Cars.com has listed its editors' picks for the best hybrids for the money. "Gas prices remain volatile, so as shoppers consider more fuel-efficient options, they should know how effectively hybrids deliver gas mileage for their dollar—if they do at all," said Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com's executive editor.

Rand McNally celebrates 90 years of the 'Great American Road Trip'

(April 15, 2013) SKOKIE, Ill. — Today, Rand McNally's 90th edition of America's #1 Road Atlas — the publication that has been commonly found in cars since the days of the Model T — has been declared road-ready. From family vacations and roads trips with friends, to weekend getaways and unexpected adventures, Rand McNally has helped generations of explorers create long lasting memories.

And to celebrate the 90th anniversary, Rand McNally also officially launched an ebook version of the atlas as well as an iOS application for iPad.

Asian brands dominate Ward's 10 Best Interiors list

(April 15, 2013) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Asian automakers secured seven spots among this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Interiors. Three vehicles from domestic manufacturers made the list, two from General Motors and one from Chrysler.

Named from GM are the low-cost Chevrolet Spark and the top-line Cadillac XTS. From Chrysler, the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn earned a spot.

TrueCar's scorecards grade the best brands for March

(April 15, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com has released its March Performance Scorecards for automotive manufacturers and brands. The Performance Scorecards grade each manufacturer and brand on eight different measurements related to pricing, sales, incentives, customer loyalty, market share and days in inventory data.

Nineteen Seventy-Six: A time for heroes

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(April 14, 2013) In the summer of 1976, I was fresh out of high school, and an avid fan of Formula One. My brother Bill had stoked the interest in racing, but we all grew up interested in cars as a result of dad being an engineer at Ford. With five older brothers (including Bill) and two favorite colors (black and blue, you can guess why), I grew up in a house where Road & Track, Car and Driver and AutoWeek were voraciously read (again, thanks to Bill) and both Dan
Gurney and Jim Clark were heroes.

AFPM asks Supreme Court to reconsider E15 decision

(April 13, 2013) WASHINGTON — The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court today to overturn the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision in August 2012 that dismissed challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) partial approval of E15.