September 2016

Study finds drivers over-confident about automated technologies

(September 30, 2016) OTTAWA — Startling results of a national public opinion survey about automated vehicles revealed that public misperceptions and over-confidence in these technologies may have unintended consequences for driver behavior. The May 2016 poll was released today by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) in partnership with the Toyota Canada Foundation (TCF).

More than 2,600 Canadian drivers responded to the poll that investigated driver knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to much anticipated, semi- and fully-automated vehicles.

This reviewer is not awed by the plug-in version of the BMW X5

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 28, 2016) BMW has another entry in the plug-in parade with the 2016 X5 xDrive40e midsize SUV, or Sports Activity Vehicle, as BMW prefers. Frankly, I’m not sure why, but it has naught to do with this particular vehicle. I’m just not a big fan of the craze for plug-in versions of hybrid vehicles. Too much bother for, in many cases, little benefit.

J.D. Power forecasts drop in September new-car sales

(September 28, 2016) DETROIT — For the fifth time in the past seven months, U.S. new-vehicle retail sales are expected to drop in September, falling 1.4% from a year ago, according to a monthly sales forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail sales are on pace to reach 1,185,500 units in September, while total sales are projected to fall 0.8% to 1,429,100.

Study: As autonomous technology advances, Americans still crave control

(September 28, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — With new vehicle technologies being reported every day, autonomous (or self-driving) vehicles are capturing the attention of the automotive industry, consumers, dealers and developers alike. However, new research from Kelley Blue Book reveals that Americans are most comfortable with the vehicles currently on the road today, believing that they are significantly safer than models with a higher level of autonomy.

Gas prices remain steady despite pipeline issues in Southeast

(September 27, 2016) The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline remained relatively stable over the past week, settling at today’s price of $2.21 per gallon. Drivers are paying the same price per gallon month-over-month, and 8 cents less per gallon year-over-year. Although today’s average remains flat compared to one week ago, pump prices have been pressured higher in some regions due to disruptions on the Colonial Pipeline, according to the weekly survey by AAA.

McLaren 570S named Motor Trend's Best Driver's Car

(September 26, 2016) NEW YORK — The 2017 McLaren 570S has been named Motor Trend's Best Driver’s Car for 2016, beating out 12 competitors during vigorous testing during  the leading media brand’s Best Driver’s Car Week.

Edmunds: Model X expands Tesla's reach to a more diverse set of buyers

(September 26, 2016) SANTA MONICA, CA — The Model X is bringing some much-needed diversity to Tesla's customer base, according to a new analysis from Edmunds.com. The analysis suggests that the utility EV attracts a younger, more female, more affluent and less West Coast-centric crowd than Tesla's Model S.

Edmunds' study looked at all 5,523 Model X registrations recorded by Polk during the model's first nine months on the market, and compared them to all 4,242 Model S registrations during the sedan's first nine months of sales. Among Edmunds' findings:

Ford's adaptive steering technology gives steering a new dimension

(September 26, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — From carpool drivers to work crews, folks around the United States are about to discover the only steering wheel that works as hard as they do. Adaptive steering technology makes the all-new Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup and Ford Edge SUV easier to steer at all speeds.

AAA study: U.S. drivers waste $2.1 billion annually on premium gasoline

(September 21, 2016) ORLANDO, Fla. — According to new AAA research, American drivers wasted more than $2.1 billion in the last year by using premium-grade gasoline in vehicles designed to run on regular fuel. With 16.5 million U.S. drivers having used premium fuel despite the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation in the last 12 months, AAA conducted a comprehensive fuel evaluation to determine what, if any, benefit the practice offers to consumers.

Monthly used vehicle values see biggest drop in 2016

(September 20, 2016) MCLEAN, Va. — The September Guidelines report by NADA Used Car Guide notes that wholesale prices of eight-year-old or younger used vehicles in August fell by 2.6 percent compared to July. The decline was the biggest loss recorded so far in 2016. It was also 0.4 percent greater than the three-year average over the same period.

As a result, NADA Used Car Guide's seasonally adjusted used vehicle price index fell by 0.4 percent to 118.6.