Editorial archive

August 2017

Auto loan interest rates hit six-month low, Edmunds reports

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(August 3, 2017) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Interest rates on new-vehicle loans fell to a six-molow in July as automakers ramped up summer zero-percent finance deals, according to a new analysis from Edmunds. The annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles averaged 4.77 percent in July, down from 4.96 percent in June. And 11.3 percent of purchasers who financed took advantage of zero-percent financing, up from 9.47 percent in June and 10.2 percent a year ago.

Superchargers Online first Eaton authorized service center

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(August 3, 3017) SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Superchargers Online, a leading distributor of superchargers and supercharger parts, announced that it has been named as the first Eaton Authorized Service Center in North America. This new designation allows Superchargers Online to offer repair and rebuild services utilizing Eaton factory parts for OEM and aftermarket Eaton-based hybrid-roots superchargers.

FCA, Toyota win awards for innovation in automobile lightweighting

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(August 1, 2017) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Altair and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) have announced the winners of the 5th annual Altair Enlighten Award, which strives to promote and celebrate innovation in automotive lightweighting. 

The winner of the Full Vehicle category was the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, which is an impressive 249 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Toyota’s carbon fiber closure panels for the 2017 Prius Prime and Lexus LC500, and Faurecia’s Adaptive Valve for exhaust systems employed on the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado took the top honors for the module category.

New-car transaction prices rise nearly 2 percent year-over-year in July

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(August 1, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — The analysts at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com today reported the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $34,721 in July.  New-car prices have increased by $573 (up 1.7 percent) from July 2016, while decreasing slightly (down 0.3 percent) from last month.  

"Once again, the declining sales of cars and the growing popularity of SUVs is driving up the average transaction price," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.