November 2016

National U.S. average gas price continues slide ahead of OPEC meeting

(November 29, 2016) Drivers this year paid the second lowest gas prices for Thanksgiving since 2008, and the national average has steadily dropped days ahead of Wednesday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria. During the meeting, OPEC is expected to carve out the details for a production cut which could potentially result in an increase in global oil prices, though the details of the agreement are still unclear, according to AAA.

Today’s average price of $2.13 per gallon is down one cent per gallon for the week, seven cents over the last month and is only nine cents more compared to a year ago.

Atlanta Concours gears up for second year at Chateau Elan

(November 25, 2016) ATLANTA, Ga. — Following a successful "coming out" party on the grounds of Chateau Elan in Braselton, the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance is moving forward with an even higher level of Concours tradition and programs slated for its second year, scheduled for Sept.30 – October 1 at the same prestigious location — with an increase in sponsorship levels expected to nearly double its 2016 impact, and a further expanse in the quality cars stemming from 18 states, as well as Eastern Canada.

Black Friday expected to help new-car sales rise 4 percent

(November 24, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to increase 4 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.37 million units in November 2016, resulting in an estimated 17.7 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.

This will be the highest November sales total on record, beating the previous record of 1.32 million units in November 2001.

More car shoppers underwater on trade-ins with negative equity

(November 19 2016) SANTA MONICA, Calif. —  A rising number of car shoppers have negative equity on their trade-ins when they're purchasing their next vehicle, reports Edmunds.com. According to Edmunds data, an estimated 32 percent of all trade-ins toward the purchase of a new car through the first three quarters of 2016 were underwater.

Donating food in exchange for parking fine emerges as holiday trend

(December 18, 2016) ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Paying a parking ticket can make anyone feel like Scrooge, but what if your payment could help feed those in need? This holiday season, a growing number of cities are waiving their parking-ticket fines in exchange for donations to local food banks.

Honda Civic repeats as Kelley Blue Book's pick as overall best buy of year

(November 16, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book kbb.com has announced the winners of the 2017 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, honoring the top new model-year vehicle choices available in the U.S. market.  The 2017 Honda Civic was named Kelley Blue Book's Overall Best Buy of 2017, alongside Best Buy Award winners in 12 major vehicle categories.

The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards are designed to provide a significant service to new-car buyers by identifying the cream of the crop of all available 2017 model-year vehicles. 

AAA predicts 48.7 million Americans to travel this Thanksgiving

(November 16, 2016) ORLANDO, Fla.  — AAA projects that 48.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, an increase of one million travelers compared with last year. This represents a 1.9 percent increase over 2015, and the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007.

The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 27.

Finalists named for North American Car of the Year awards

(November 16, 216) The Chevrolet Bolt, Genesis G90 and Volvo S90 were named finalists for the North American Car of the Year, while the Ford F-series Super Duty, Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Titan were named truck finalists.

A new utility category has been added. The finals are the Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar F-Pace and Mazda CX-The new category reflects the growing popularity for SUV-style vehicles.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV wins Motor Trend 'Car of the Year'

(November 15, 2016) LOS ANGELES — Motor Trend magazine has recognized the Chevrolet Bolt EV — the all-new affordable electric vehicle offering an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a full charge — as its 2017 Car of the Year.

The editors based their selection on the Bolt EV’s performance in six evaluation categories: advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance of intended function.

National average gas price drops for 10 consecutive days

(November 15, 2016) Pump prices have fallen for 10 consecutive days, reaching today’s national average price of $2.17 per gallon, according to statistics compiled by AAA.  Drivers are benefitting from the price of retail gasoline with today’s average five cents less per gallon than one week ago and eight cents less than one month ago.

The abundance of crude oil in the global market is contributing to lower prices, and as a result, retail averages are the same price as compared to one year ago.