February 2014

AutoTrader cites three trends dealers should watch into spring season

(February 27, 2014) ATLANTA — Now that the hangover from holiday spending has faded away, President's Day kicked off the unofficial start of the Spring sales season at dealerships across the country. As sales of new and used vehicles pick up steam, dealers will need to pay close attention to three key trends in relation to volume, pricing, and access to credit that are expected to converge and place downward pressure on used vehicle pricing.

Consumer Reports' 2014 scores: Acura, Audi, Lexus best; Jeep, Ford worst

(February 27, 2014) YONKERS, N.Y. — Luxury brands rule the roost this year as Acura and Audi moved up a few spots to join Lexus with the top three highest scores in Consumer Reports’ annual car brand report cards.

A perennial top scorer, Lexus earned the highest marks (79) for the second straight year. Consumer Reports’ analysis finds the bulk of its models are usually quiet, comfortable, and fuel-efficient. Lexus was the only brand to achieve an excellent average overall reliability score.

Subaru dominates Kelley's '10 Best AWD cars & SUVs Under $25,000'

(February 26, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — While much of the United States has been slammed by extensive winter weather leaving drivers to battle icy snowstorm conditions in recent weeks, the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com have chosen their list of the 10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Cars & SUVs Under $25,000.  

TrueCar predicts 15.4 million SAAR in February

(February 26, 2014) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar today released its February 2014 sales and incentives forecast predicting the February SAAR will hit 15.4 million, up 1 percent year-over-year.

J.D. Power: Weather disrupts auto sales, but recovery expected

(February 24, 2014) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Retail light-vehicle sales in February are showing signs of improvement from January and the first week of this month, according to a monthly sales forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.

The union debacle and Volkswagen's missteps

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver


(February 24, 2014) The final score was 712 – 626, and the shouting has yet to subside. Despite the most liberal definition of “neutrality” ever used by the management of a global corporation, workers at VW’s Chattanooga, Tenn., assembly plant voted against joining the United Auto Workers union and foiled, for now, efforts at establishing a works council at the plant.

Enterprise car sales drives record $435 million in credit union loans

(February 21, 2014) ST. LOUIS — Last year Enterprise Car Sales says it generated a record $435 million in auto loans for credit unions throughout the U.S. This marks an increase of more than 12 percent over 2012 loan volume, with more than 26,000 loans offered through Enterprise's credit union partners last year.

ATA urges Obama administration to proceed judiciously with emissions rule

(February 18, 2014) ARLINGTON, Va.— Today, leaders of the American Trucking Associations, while supporting the goal of improved fuel efficiency of large trucks, pressed the Obama Administration to proceed cautiously with the setting of new standards.

"We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the President and his administration in 2011 when the historic first fuel efficiency standards were set for heavy-duty vehicles," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "As we begin this new round of standards, ATA hopes the administration will set forth a path that is both based on the best science and research available and economically achievable."

28 ways Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 rules the road course

(February 18, 2014) DETROIT — Lightweight, nimble and incredibly powerful, the original Z/28 was designed for road racing. The 2014 Z/28 carries the same spirit, with every detail engineered specifically to create the ultimate track-capable Camaro.

Kelley Blue Book names 10 Best Hybrid Cars Under $30,000

(February 17, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — New-car shoppers looking to make the switch from all gas to a hybrid vehicle may be surprised to know they have more than 20 models to choose from that are priced under the $30,000 mark.

Sorting through all these options, the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com have chosen their list of the 10 Best Hybrid Cars Under $30,000. By hand-picking the top hybrids out of all the available choices, the KBB.com experts have simplified the decision process by aiding shoppers in making the most informed car buying choice.