Editorial archive

July 2014

NADA: Used vehicle prices fall 2.4% in June; in line with forecast

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(July 16, 2014) MCLEAN, Va. — Strong demand for used automobiles in June helped to keep NADA's seasonally-adjusted used vehicle price index essentially unchanged at 126.4, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide's July edition of Guidelines, a monthly report on new and used vehicle sales trends and price movement.

Prices of used vehicles up to eight years in age fell by 2.4% compared to May, a figure in line with NADA's forecasted decline of 2-to-2.5%.

IIHS makes recommendations on used vehicles for teens

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(July 16, 2014) ARLINGTON, Va. — Many teenagers are driving vehicles that don't offer good crash protection and lack important safety technology, new research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. To help guide parents toward safer choices, IIHS has compiled its first-ever list of recommended used vehicles for teens.

Cars.com lists best new-car deals of the month

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(July 14, 2014) CHICAGO — Strong incentives and lease deals on nearly every type of vehicle are available this month, with especially attractive offers on large SUVs and full-size trucks.

"July is turning out to be a great time to buy a SUV or full-size truck," said Jesse Toprak, chief analyst for Cars.com. "Consumers can find some of the most generous incentives for large vehicles during the summer, which makes now the time to buy as opposed to winter when the discounts are generally not as high."

Run-flat tire technology advances in Bridgestone's new DriveGuard

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(July 10, 2014) SOUTH BEND, Ind. — TireRack.com has published the first results of its 19th annual tire testing season, a run-flat tire comparison, especially designed for drivers looking for a smoother ride, peace of mind and extended mobility after a puncture.

For this test, TireRack.com's results conclude that advancing tire technologies such as those utilized in Bridgestone's new DriveGuard, make it easier for drivers of mainstream vehicles to consider run-flat tire replacement options and minimize the stress and inconvenience caused by a flat tire.

Tips offered to help consumers navigate car rental insurance options

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(July 8, 2014) NEW YORK — If you're renting a car this summer, you have more choices than ever. What hasn't changed is the importance of protecting yourself with the right type and amount of insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I).

Long gone are the days of simply renting a car by the day or week from the closest established rental car company. Now you can rent a car by the hour, from almost any location, or even use a car-sharing service to rent someone else's personal vehicle.

Ford best-selling brand among American military families, according to Polk

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(July 5, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — When American military families buy a new vehicle, they prefer Ford trucks, utilities and cars over any other brand. Three Ford products rank in the top 10 new vehicles purchased by military families, according to Polk vehicle registrations analyzed in an IHS Automotive sample of 19.3 million households that include active, retired or veteran military personnel.

Clean diesel trucks now make up 33% of all trucks on U.S. highways

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(July 3, 2014) WASHINGTON — More than one-third of all medium and heavy duty commercial trucks registered in the United States — 2.9 million of 8.8 million trucks — are now equipped with newer technology clean diesel engines, according to new data compiled by HIS Automotive for the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF).

Snickers tests how far people will go for free fuel

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(July 2, 2014) The arrival of July Fourth weekend means drivers coast to coast are hungry for a good deal on gas during their long road trips, and now Snickers Brand is about to see how far people will go for the chance to get free fuel. Literally.

To help fuel Independence Day road trips and raise attention for the ongoing Snickers Brand FUEL Game taking place at retailers nationwide throughout the driving season, today Mars Chocolate North America announced it will offer a special one-day-only giveaway of $20,000 in free cash-for-gas to road-trippers on Thursday, July 3.

Transaction prices reach record high as new-vehicle sales improve

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(July 1, 2014) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Total new-vehicle retail sales in the United States are expected to reach 6.5 million for the first half of 2014, a 6 percent increase over the first half of 2013, according to an analysis by J.D. Power.

Retail sales at the beginning of 2014 were hampered by extreme weather conditions, but spring has brought a string of record-setting months, as sales have increased on a year-over-year basis for each of the first six months of 2014 (on a selling-day adjusted basis), according to data collected by the Power Information Network (PIN) from J.D. Power.