March 2016

Study: 51% of insurance shoppers give incorrect information

(March 22, 2016) SAN FRANCISCO — CoverHound, a digital marketplace for comparing and purchasing insurance, released today the results of a new consumer survey that analyzed its proprietary data to better understand the behavior of auto insurance shoppers. CoverHound uncovered surprising data on people's likelihood in omitting correct information intentionally or by accident when requesting an auto insurance quote.

Subaru big winner in Kelley Brand Image Awards

(March 22, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — The 2016 Brand Image Award winners, based on annual new-car buyer perception data, were announced today by Kelley Blue Book, kbb.com.  Subaru picked up three of the six category awards for non-luxury brands and Lexus won two categories in the luxury brands.

The Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public.  Award categories are calculated among luxury, non-luxury and truck shoppers.

Study finds most expensive, least expensive states to own a car

(March 21, 2016) LOS ANGELES — There's a $7,216 cost difference between owning a car in Michigan and New Hampshire according to a new study from personal finance website GOBankingRates.com. The study considered the costs of six key factors affecting the expenses of owning a vehicle in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Mini, Audi top J.D. Power customer service satisfaction study

(March 17, 2016) TROY, Mich. — Audi and Mini were winners in customer satisfaction at dealership service departments in a benchmark study that J.D. Power and Associates released Wednesday. Mini was the highest ranked mass-market brand in J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Customer Service Index Study while Audi was the top luxury brand.

Surprise survey finding: 92% of Gen Z teens own or plan to own a vehicle

(March 16, 2016) As the automotive industry turns its attention toward the next generation of car shoppers and buyers, Generation Z — those currently age 0-17 — it may be operating under some false assumptions.  New research from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book offers an in-depth look at Generation Z and delivers some surprising insights about how this new cohort differs greatly from the often-discussed Millennial generation that comes before it.  

February's 20-year streak of increased used car prices ends

(March 15, 2016) MCLEAN, Va. — Wholesale used vehicle prices generally rise in February as dealers prepare for increased spring consumer demand. In fact, up to this year, prices had moved higher in February for 20 years straight. The streak came to an end last month, however, as wholesale prices of vehicles up to eight years in age fell by nearly 1 percent from January.

British firm develops 'anti-hack' car device

(March 15, 2016) BANBURY, England — Efforts to combat increasing levels of hi-tech car crime have received a shot in the arm according to a British business that has developed a unique "anti-hack" security device.

Over a year in development and having been subjected to months of rigorous testing, the non-invasive, tamper-proof system is the brainchild of Banbury-based automotive security innovation firm On Board Defence and is the first of its kind to achieve certification from Thatcham Research, the UK motor insurers' research center.

Gas prices post largest weekly increase in more than a year

(March 15, 2016) WASHINGTON — Gas prices have jumped by 12 cents per gallon this week, which is the largest weekly increase since early March 2015. Prices increased by double digits due to a decline in gasoline supplies, relatively strong demand and continued refinery maintenance, according to AAA's weekly report.

KBB study: Ride-sharing services do not pose threat to car buying

(March 10, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — The results are in, and according to Kelley Blue Book, ride- and car-sharing is not an imminent threat to new-car buying and vehicle ownership, despite the growing number of services being offered to consumers. This is just one of many interesting findings from the recent 2016 Kelley Blue Book Ride Sharing/Car Sharing Study, released today by KBB.com

Volvo calls on automotive industry to standardize electric car charging

(March 9, 2016) Volvo Cars believes the global automotive industry should strive towards the introduction of a standardized charging infrastructure for electric cars, says Dr Peter Mertens, the company’s Senior Vice President for Research & Development.

To support this drive towards a global standard for electric car charging, Volvo Cars has decided to throw its weight behind the Charging Interface Initiative, a consortium of stakeholders that was founded to establish their Combined Charging System (CCS) as the standard for charging battery-powered vehicles.