June 2016

Survey: New Yorkers and Californians ready for autonomous cars

(June 30, 2016) ROCKLEIGH, N.J.  — Nine out of ten New Yorkers and 86 percent of residents in California feel that autonomous cars could make life easier, according to Volvo Cars’ Future of Driving survey, the largest online consumer conversation about autonomous driving to date with nearly 50,000 responses worldwide.

Lincoln says it is only luxury automaker with standard pickup, delivery

(June 30, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Lincoln adds the luxury segment’s only standard Pickup and Delivery Service across all 2017 nameplates starting with the all-new Lincoln Continental. The exclusive standard service builds on the brand’s commitment to providing a human, warm and personal experience at all Lincoln dealerships.  

Kelley predicts record new-car sales for June

(June 28, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to increase 5 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.55 million units in June, resulting in an estimated 17.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.  The 1.55 million units would bring the first half of the year's total to 8.66 million, the highest on record and up 2 percent from last year.

Versatile Ford Transit Connect helps balance work and play — and side business

(June 25, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — New Ford Transit Connect Wagon owner Devin Stovall is one of a growing number of entrepreneurs putting their passion to work in a side venture. Stovall — a husband and father of two from Lincoln Heights, Calif. — recently won a customized 2016 Transit Connect Wagon as the randomly selected recipient of the Ford #Unminivan Giveaway.

MIT Technology Review ranks Toyota 17th 'smartest company'

(June 23, 2016) PLANO, Texas — MIT Technology Review has named Toyota one of the world’s smartest companies, placing the automaker among respected tech leaders like Amazon, Alphabet, and Facebook, and ahead of others such as Microsoft, IBM, and Intel. Ranked #17, Toyota was one of only two automakers to achieve the distinction.

Tesla was the only other automobile company ranked in the top 50 coming in at number four.

J.D. Power ranks Kia highest in new vehicle quality beating premium brands

(June 23, 2016) DETROIT — Kia ranked highest in J.D. Power initial quality rankings of new vehicles with a score of 83 PP100, the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings. It is also the second consecutive year that Kia, which ranked second in 2015, has led all non-premium makes in initial quality.

Gas prices drop for more than a week

(June 22, 2016) Gas prices have fallen for nine consecutive days, reaching an average of $2.33 per gallon. Gasoline demand remains on track to set a new all-time high for the 2016 summer driving season, however, crude oil remains relatively less expensive than recent years which is contributing to direct savings at the pump, according to AAA's weekly report. 

MotorwayAmerica editors to 'get their kicks on Route 66'

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman
MotorwayAmerica

(June 23, 2016) It's 1955 and John Smith, his wife, and three children are anticipating and planning for the most monumental vacation they've ever taken. Come July, the family of five will pack up their 1954 Ford station wagon and embark on a grand adventure leaving their Chicago home and heading to Route 66 — the Mother Road — eventually ending their journey 2,448 miles later in Santa Monica, Calif.

Satisfaction with large auto insurers goes down over high price perception

(June 22, 2016) DETROIT — After improving in each of the past two years, a decline in satisfaction  among the nation's largest auto insurers is driving overall industry satisfaction downward as customers react negatively to the perception of price increases, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Auto Insurance Study released this week.

The study examined customer satisfaction in five factors (in order of importance): interaction; policy offerings; price; billing process and policy information (formerly billing and payment); and claims. Satisfaction is measured on a 1,000-point scale.

Electric 80e Days Around-the-World rally arrives in Lisbon

(June 22, 2016) LISBON, Portugal — Earlier this week, 11 international teams, driving 100% electric cars with the goal of going around the world in 80 days or less, reached Lisbon, Portugal — the finish line of the shortest stage for the European part of the 80edays Electric Vehicle endurance challenge.