September 2014

Chevrolet says let the numbers speak for themselves with new Colorado

(September 30, 2014) DETROIT — The numbers speak for themselves. The all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado midsize truck delivers the most horsepower and best highway efficiency of any midsize truck as well as the highest available trailering rating and higher payload ratings than the competition. That means Colorado owners can haul and tow more while using less fuel than Toyota Tacoma or the Nissan Frontier.

AutoTrader names best deals on Certified Pre-Owned, used vehicles

(September 28, 2014) ATLANTA — A rising inventory of Certified Pre-owned (CPO) vehicles from historical highs means great deals for car shoppers looking for used cars in the coming months. AutoTrader.com data shows CPO vehicle inventory has risen six percent since March.

Non-luxury vehicles comprise 80 percent of that inventory, or 380,758 vehicles, giving consumers a smorgasbord of vehicle choices at reasonable prices.

Kelley Blue Book predicts sales to climb 9 percent in September

(September 26, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to increase 9.1 percent year-over-year in September to a total of 1.24 million units, resulting in an estimated 16.4 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com. 

Based on the robust sales pace during the past few months, Kelley Blue Book is adjusting its sales outlook for 2014 from 16.3 million to 16.4 million.    

'Short list' of 23 vehicles announced for Car, Truck of Year

(September 25, 2014) The North American Car and Truck of the Year judges have released their "short list" of 23 finalists for the upcoming 2015 awards. The list includes three Fords, and two Hyundai and two Toyota vehicles.

The Ford Mustang made the final list for Car of the Year and the Ford F-150 and Edge made the finals for Truck of the Year. The Hyundai Sonata and Genesis made the list as did the Toyota Highlander and Camry.

Lending Tree shows how credit scores can adversely affect car loan rates

(September 24, 2014) CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LendingTree has released a year-long study tracking average auto loan rates on new vehicle purchases.  By analyzing over 20,000 loan offers made by lenders on LendingTree's auto loan exchange to borrowers across the credit spectrum, LendingTree found that credit scores have the greatest impact on interest rates offered to prospective borrowers.

Full-size commercial van market back in spotlight, according to ALG

(September 19, 2014) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — ALG, the analytics division of TrueCar, today released the ALG Industry Report for September 2014 noting that the full-size commercial van segment, often ignored by consumers, is back in the spotlight as the refreshed 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, new 2015 Ford Transit and 2015 Ram ProMaster start to arrive on showroom floors.

According to ALG, by focusing on design and economy in the latest development cycle, manufacturers are delivering vehicles with significantly higher residual values and lower ownership costs.

Britain's best used cars: Ford, Hyundai top the list

(September 18, 2014) LONDON — The Ford Focus 1.6 105 Zetec 5 door has been voted the overall What Car? Used Car of the Year for 2014.  The event, which was held at The Hurlingham Club, London, and sponsored by Warranty Direct, was attended by all major vehicle manufacturers and named 13 outstanding category winners.

This year’s other winners include the Hyundai 1.2 Comfort (city car), Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr (small car) and the Lexus IS220d SE (executive car).

Is your car's cabin like a jet fighter cockpit? Probably not

(September 18, 2014) LONDON — It’s a phrase that is littered across new car brochures and press releases the world over — car makers seem obsessed with comparing the cabins of their new vehicles with the cockpit of a jet fighter. But an investigation by Autocar magazine has finally revealed that, however beloved the comparison is to manufacturers, there is no truth in the assertion.

Report finds California's 'hidden gas tax' to cost 18,000 jobs in 2015

(September 17, 2014) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The "hidden gas tax" scheduled to hit California drivers on Jan. 1 will result in a net reduction of nearly $3 billion in economic output and 18,000 jobs in the first year alone, according to an economic analysis released today by the California Drivers Alliance.

According to the analysis, conducted by Dr. Justin L. Adams of Encina Advisors, there is also a nearly one-in-five chance that allowance prices in California's cap-and-trade system could be 300 percent higher than expected, meaning economic losses could skyrocket to $10.8 billion and 66,000 jobs in 2015.

The states with the rudest drivers — and the states that hate them

By Jeffrey Steele
Insure.com

(September 17, 2014) Call it brusque, boorish or downright barbaric. Whatever you call it, weaving in and out of traffic, laying on the horn and saluting with an upright digit is universally regarded as rude. So who is most guilty of this offensive behavior? The top three: Idaho, Washington, D.C., and New York.