February 2020

Edmunds report reveals record growth in full-size truck segment

(February 28, 2020) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Trucks are making a big comeback, according to a new report released by the car-shopping experts at Edmunds. Edmunds data reveals that market share for full-size trucks hit a 14-year high in 2019, constituting 14.5% of the new vehicle market, and full-size truck sales climbed to 2.4 million in 2019, which represents a 123% increase from 2009.

February retail sales to surpass more than a million units

(February 28, 2020) New-vehicle retail sales in February are expected to be up from a year ago, according to a forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail sales are projected to reach 1,016,000 units, a 0.2% increase compared with February 2019.

Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 8.5% over last year. (Note: February 2020 contains one extra weekend and two additional selling days than February 2019.)

Hyundai completes its fleet of SUVs with new subcompact Venue

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 26, 2020) Hyundai has rounded out its portfolio of SUVs and crossovers with the 2020 Venue. As a subcompact, it is the smallest of the South Korean automakers SUV fleet that includes the Kona and Kona Electric, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, and the hydrogen fuel-cell NEXO, but it punches way above its weight with a long list of features not usually found in its class.

Majority of motorists paying more to fill-up at the pump this week

(February 25, 2020) More than half of all state gas price averages increased as much as three cents in the last week. The jumps, which caused the national gas price average to increase by a penny to $2.47, was caused by a decrease in U.S. gasoline stocks and increases in demand.

The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest data show total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 2 million barrels to 259.1 million barrels, while demand increased from 8.72 million barrels a day to 8.92 million barrels a day. Some of the decrease in stocks can be attributed to refinery maintenance.

New AAA report finds genders handle reductions in driving differently

(February 24, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that as older adults reduce their driving, men report having fewer resources for making important life decisions. Compared to women, men over age 65 who have reduced their driving in the last year report lower levels of social support when it comes to advice, suggestions and information about issues they may be facing. 

2020 AMG GLC43 ups performance for the popular Mercedes SUV

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 22, 2020) Introduced as a replacement for the midsize GLK-Class, the GLC-Series has become the most popular SUV in the Mercedes-Benz stable in just four years, outselling even the company’s much-admired, entry-level C-Class sedans and coupes.

Also available as a coupe, GLC-Series sales in the U.S. were 73,650 for 2019, up 5.6 percent over 2018 numbers and over 24,000 more units than the C-Class, the company reported.

2020 Hyundai Kona — A standout small crossover

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(February 21, 2020) A wonderful blend of style, capability and value, the 2020 Hyundai Kona packs a lot into its compact-crossover package. Depending on your point of view, its exterior styling is either born of genius or an auto designer's stab at cubism. Its face, in particular, is a riot of shapes and contrasts. In any event, there is nothing else on the road that looks quite like it.

Average transaction price for new vehicle $37,851 according to KBB

(February 21, 2020) IRVINE, Calif. — The valuation analysts at Kelley Blue Book have reported the estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $37,851 in January. New-vehicle prices increased $1,296 (up 3.5%) from January 2019, while falling $806 (down 2.1%) from last month.  

"Much of the year-over-year gains were mix-related, as cars went from 30% of the market in January 2019 to just 25% in January 2020," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Autotrader names 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2020

(February 20, 2020) ATLANTA — A new car's exterior design may get noticed first, but in reality, drivers spend most of their time inside their vehicle. An expensive, high-performance sports car can feel cheapened by a lackluster interior, and an economy car with an above-average cabin can feel much more expensive than it really is.

To help car buyers look beyond a new car's outward appearance and focus more on the beauty within, the experts at Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2020.

National gas price average jumps two cents

(February 20, 2020) State gas price averages are fluctuating across the country, causing the national gas price average to increase by two cents on the week to $2.44. Since last week, most states saw gas price increases or decreases by as much as three cents. However, eight states did see prices increase by a nickel or more.