July 2017

State lines are danger zones for gas prices, GasBuddy finds

(July 29, 2017) BOSTON — GasBuddy, a smartphone app connecting nearly 70 million drivers with the Perfect Pit Stop, has identified the state borders with the most drastic gas price variance — “spread” in industry parlance. According to GasBuddy’s 2017 Summer Travel Survey, a record number of people are traveling more than 500 miles during their road trips, meaning many are crossing state borders.

2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited offers bevy of extra features

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 27, 2017) Last October I spent a week driving a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco and noted how many features were included as standard in the base MSRP of under $22,000.

They included things that are offered only as options or are not available in the class at all, like a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, cross-traffic detection, blind-spot detection, projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights, etc.

Porsche ranks highest for 13th straight year in J.D. Power appeal study

(July 27, 2017) DETROIT — Car owners’ love affair with new vehicles is stronger than ever, as evidenced by a 9-point increase in the APEAL index from last year — tied for the largest gain ever — according to the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, released on July 26.

Porsche ranked highest in overall APEAL for the 13th consecutive year, with an index score of 884. Genesis ranked second overall (869) followed by BMW (855), Audi (854) and Mercedes-Benz (851).

Kelley predicts new-car sales to dip nearly 6 percent in July

(July 27, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — New-vehicle sales are expected to fall nearly 6 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.43 million units in July, resulting in an estimated 16.7 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book.

"The annual selling pace is expected to remain below 17 million SAAR in July with volume dipping slightly from the levels seen in May and June 2017," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Honda Accord leads list of Kelley's 10 Most Awarded Cars for 2017

(July 27, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — With more than 350 new cars to choose from each year, the biggest challenge for consumers lies in sifting through all of them to find the most exceptional vehicle to fulfill their individual wants and needs. To provide shoppers with short lists they can use to start their new-car research with confidence, the editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com, have named the 10 Most Awarded Cars of 2017 and the 10 Most Awarded Brands of 2017.

Green vehicles make a comeback as automakers add SUVs into mix

(July 25, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — After a three-year skid, sales of green vehicles (hybrid, PHEV, EV and hydrogen) revved up in the first half of 2017, thanks in part to what would have once been considered an unlikely source — the light truck segment. According to new analysis from Edmunds, green vehicle sales are up 21.5 percent in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Domestic vehicles dominate Autotrader's hottest cars for summer 2017

(July 20, 2017) ATLANTA — With massive heat waves sweeping the nation and most of America in the throes of the dog days of summer, Autotrader's editors examined recent data to uncover the Hottest Cars for Summer 2017.

The findings reveal that year-to-date, car shoppers visiting Autotrader's website are searching most for vehicles from domestic manufacturers, with nine out of the top 10 cars, trucks and SUVs on the list hailing from American auto companies. 

Gas prices decline moderately during last seven days

(July 18, 2017) At $2.25, the national gas price average is one cent cheaper than a week ago, five cents less than a month ago and four cents more than a year ago, according to weekly statistics by AAA.  Nationwide, last week did not see record demand, but was close to all-time high levels and continues to keep pace with summer 2016 levels. 

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline stocks dropped 1.6 million barrels on the week. That figure brings national levels to 235.7 million barrels, which is approximately 4 million barrels below this time last year.

Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor helps car shoppers in vehicle purchase

(July 18, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book wrote the book on car pricing, literally, earning the trust of car shoppers and dealers for the last 90 years. In fact, more consumers use Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com to research pricing and compare vehicles than any other third-party site, and the industry leader connects with the most female and millennial buyers, nearly double the competition.

Nevertheless, negotiating a fair purchase price of a new or used vehicle remains one of the most frustrating parts of the car buying process for consumers.

Car wash operators seek vehicle manufacturer assistance

(July 17, 2017) CHICAGO — In a new survey of International Carwash Association (ICA) member companies, nearly 40 percent of wash operators reported problems with start/stop systems and forward collision avoidance technology stopping vehicles in automatic car washes. 60 percent reported issues with transmissions that will not allow a vehicle to roll in neutral as full service teams work inside and outside to clean the car.

Vehicle owners and wash operators are seeing increased challenges and interruptions as the application of ADAS technologies increases.