Editorial archive

March 2020

U.S. national average gas price falls to $1.99 a gallon

Tags:

(March 30, 2020) BOSTON — GasBuddy reports that the U.S. national average for gasoline has just fallen to $1.99 per gallon, the first time since March 23, 2016. The national average could even dip to $1.49 by mid-April, the lowest since 2004, with potentially hundreds of stations pushing their price to 99 cents per gallon for the first time since the early 2000’s.

Gasoline prices have continuously dropped nationwide since Feb 20, 2020 as the coronavirus crushes the demand for oil and lockdowns reduce driving and keep Americans home.

After spectacular debut, Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV has it all

Tags:

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 29, 2020) Introduced as a 2018 model, the Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV wasted little time making an impression when judges at the North American Auto Show in Detroit selected it as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, making it the first in its class to be so honored.

Survey: Coronavirus boosts car shoppers' anxiety, but many still plan to buy

Tags:

(March 29, 2020) SAN FRANCISCO — The global coronavirus crisis has increased fears that the economy will head into a recession and boosted overall economic anxiety, but many car buyers say they’re still planning on buying a new or used vehicle in 2020, according to a new survey.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado — Flexibility, capability, comfort and value

Tags:

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(March 27, 2020) Long on versatility and capability, but short on driver-assist technology, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is up to meet a variety of roles and pocketbooks. Once upon a time, smaller pickup trucks based their popularity on being among the most inexpensive rides on the road. No flash, little comfort and modest utility, models like the Mazda B-Series/Ford Courier of the 1970s and 1980s weren't much to look at and bare bones at best, but they were cheap to buy and own. They were the darlings of delivery-truck fleets for auto-parts stores everywhere. To realize how times have changed, look no farther than the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado.

Autotrader names Best New Cars for 2020

Tags:

(March 27, 2020) ATLANTA — As shoppers shift online across all categories for both every day essentials and aspirational needs, they are facing a new reality. Within the automotive space, they are experiencing an increasingly crowded virtual marketplace, where visiting multiple dealerships isn’t practical. So, how are new-car buyers to know which vehicles are most worthy of their consideration in today’s environment?

Edmunds predicts March auto sales will be down 35% from March 2019

Tags:

(March 26, 2020) Santa Monica, Calif. — The car shopping experts at Edmunds say that March will be a down month for the auto industry due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, forecasting that 1,044,805 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. for an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 11.9 million. This reflects a 35.5% decrease in sales from March 2019 and a 23.4% decrease from February 2020.

What to read while in quarantine

Tags:

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 25, 2020) As we sit in our self-isolation brought on by COVID-19, the isolation and boredom makes it possible, if not necessary, to catch up on tasks we’ve let slide. It also increases the need for entertainment that is far removed from 24-hour news channels, Facebook, and the often insidious effects that come with our electronic tethers.

Kelley makes its picks — Best Family Cars for 2020

Tags:

(March 25, 2020) IRVINE, Calif. — There is perhaps no stage in life when one carefully considers a new-vehicle purchase more than during the family years. With varying family sizes, needs and budgets to consider, and with many now with many people car shopping from home, the experts at Kelley Blue Book provide new-car buyers with their top recommendations for the Best Family Cars of 2020.

Cameras instead of rearview mirrors — Is that at all possible?

Tags:

(March 24, 2020) STUTTGART, Germany — Cameras on the roof frame and displays at the A-pillars: the new Actros is easy to recognize at first glance due to the missing rearview and wide-angle mirrors. The advantages of the new system are obvious — lower gas consumption due to improved aerodynamics and increased traffic safety thanks to better visibility. But how is it operated, what needs to be considered and do drivers need time to get used to the system?

29 states have gas prices under $2.10 a gallon

Tags:

(March 24, 2020) With the national average at $2.12, pump prices are, on average, 50-cents less than this time last year. Crude oil is the biggest driver of the less expensive gas prices. In the last week, crude oil prices dropped to $22 a barrel — a low not seen since 2002. Crude oil accounts for nearly 60% of the retail pump price. When crude is cheap, gas prices follow suit.