March 2022

Edmunds: New vehicle sales expected to drop in first quarter



(March 31, 2022) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The car shopping experts at Edmunds forecast that 3,296,280 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2022, which reflects a 15.2% decrease from the first quarter of 2021 but a 0.4% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Although Q1 new-vehicle sales volumes are expected to see a year-over-year decline, Edmunds analysts note that vehicles are selling quickly: Edmunds data reveals that in Q1 2022, 41% of all new vehicles sold within the first week of arriving on a dealer lot, compared to 20% in Q1 2021.

BMW kicks up performance with Competition model for M3 sedan



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 30, 2022) The 2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive sedan is a “hot take” on the German automaker’s fleet of M performance models that are at home on the track as well as country club drives.

Gas prices stabilize, but for how long?



(March 29, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the cost of a barrel of oil has remained near $110, the gas price decline has slowed. After hitting $4.33 on March 11, the national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.24, but only down a penny since last week. Domestically, gasoline demand is again defying seasonal trends and has dipped for the second straight week, perhaps due to higher pump prices and consumers altering their driving habits.

2022 Kia EV6 — Forget Tesla, this is the electric vehicle you’ll want to buy



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 28, 2022) Visually, Kia’s all-new electric-only vehicle strikes an eclectic if not quirky exterior design. Sitting somewhere between a crossover, a wagon and a sportback sedan, it makes a more than favorable impression. Stunning would not be an exaggeration. The EV6 is sized similarly to the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

2022 Honda Civic Si takes us back to our commutes



By Casey Williams
MyCarData

(March 27, 2022) Honda Civics are durable and efficient, the kind of cars you buy for commuting to work and back while dropping Jr. and Little Miss off at early band practice.  But, unlike some of their competitors, they also have souls, the kind of cars you buy for a little you time on a twisting two-lane with your favorite playlist.  Both of these cars come together in one with the 2022 Civic Si sedan.

Los Angeles becomes first major U.S. city to reach $6 average gas price



(March 23, 2022) BOSTON — Los Angeles on Mach 22 became the first major city in the U.S. to reach an average gas price of $6 or more, according to GasBuddy, a fuel savings platform designed to save money on gas. The national average gas price in the U.S. has begun to decline since its peak of $4.35 per gallon, set on March 10, but prices on the West Coast, and specifically California, have continued to soar.

Gas prices sink slowly, but will they rebound?



(March 22, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — After hitting a record $4.33 on March 11, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has fallen to $4.25. The primary reason is the lower global price of crude oil, which peaked shortly after Russia launched its war in Ukraine, but is now more than $20 lower and hovering near $105 a barrel. Domestically, gasoline demand is defying seasonal trends and has dipped slightly, perhaps in response to higher prices at the pump.

Edmunds says consumers can make thousands on expiring leases



(March 21, 2022) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Consumers with a lease expiring in 2022 could be leaving thousands of dollars in cash on the table if they don't plan ahead and check on the equity in their vehicle. According to the car shopping experts at Edmunds, skyrocketing demand in the used car market is driving up trade-in values and therefore putting a large number of consumers in an unprecedented position to take advantage of positive equity.

2022 Infiniti QX50 compact SUV offers intriguing choice



By Paul Birden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 20, 2022) Infiniti gave its QX50 a redesign for 2019 models, moving the luxury compact SUV into its second generation since replacing the EX in the 2014 model year. For this year’s models, the Japanese automaker adds to the list of standard equipment for the 2022 Infiniti QX50 with such features as its ProPilot Assist system and Apple CarPlay and convenience items like a charge port for rear-seat riders, welcome lights on the rear door handles, and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

2022 Lexus NX 350 — NX gets a redo with new engines, tech, safety features



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 20, 2022) When it comes to luxury-subcompact utility vehicles, there are plenty of choices and prices are generally climbing as more and more automakers luxe up advanced design, technology, driver assistance features and powertrain options including turbocharging, plug-in hybrids and even all-electric choices.