Automotive Trends and Statistics
5/23/2012
Study: Price of new cars on the rise, but still affordable
While the economic downturn may have taken a toll on many families' finances, today's new cars are actually quite affordable, according to a recent report by Comerica Bank. read more »
5/23/2012
Auto loan delinquencies hit record low
Recent data from the national credit bureau TransUnion shows auto loan late payments have fallen to their lowest point in more than a decade, suggesting Americans may be getting back on-track with regards to their finances. read more »
5/22/2012
Consumer Reports: Fuel economy now the most important factor for drivers
A new poll by Consumer Reports finds that fuel economy is the most important consideration for Americans buying a car - though it hasn't been in the past. read more »
5/18/2012
Edmunds chronicles the search for an affordable used car
Buying a used car can be a harrowing experience for first-time shoppers, especially those on a budget. read more »
5/17/2012
Diesel engines on the horizon
With many drivers focused on maximizing fuel efficiency but not wanting to sacrifice power, diesel engines could soon see a surge in popularity, according to Autoevolution. read more »
5/17/2012
Catalytic converter thefts on the rise
Many drivers may not even know what a catalytic converter is until it becomes the subject of an auto repair. read more »
5/16/2012
Redesigns help drivers save money on new cars
With the economic downturn still taking a toll on many drivers, most shopping for a new car nowadays are looking to save some money. read more »
5/16/2012
AutoTrader: Certified pre-owned interest on the rise
Interest in certified pre-owned vehicles among shoppers on AutoTrader.com rose more than 5 percent in the month of April, according to CBS News. read more »
5/14/2012
KBB: Used Saabs offer great value
It's not often that Kelley Blue Book comes out in favor of a certain brand, but the used car pricing guide recently pointed out that used Saabs offer excellent value to those considering a used car. read more »
5/10/2012
Cars.com highlights underappreciated cars
Some cars enjoy robust sales and plenty of critical praise, but there are just as many that have failed to catch on with the general public. read more »
5/10/2012
Fuel efficiency experts take Passat 1,600 miles on one tank of gas
"Mileage experts" John and Helen Taylor were reportedly able to log some 1,600 miles using a single tank of gas in a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE, breaking the world record for longest distance traveled on a single tank of gas. read more »
5/8/2012
No Kia Sedona in 2013
Americans have moved away from minivans in recent years in favor SUVs and more fuel-efficient crossovers. read more »
5/4/2012
Google talking with automakers about self-driving technology
Google has already unveiled a new car that can drive itself, but when this technology will be made available is still up in the air. read more »
5/3/2012
Prius Plug-In outsells Volt, Leaf, in April
The Prius Plug-In only recently debuted, but the new fully-electric vehicle has already challenged the original two EVs - the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf. read more »
5/2/2012
NADA optimistic for sales boost in coming months
New car sales dipped in April after a red-hot start to the year, but the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) says there's still reason for optimism over the course of 2012. read more »
5/1/2012
TrueCar: April new car prices dip slightly, but still higher than last year
Automotive analysis company TrueCar reports the price of new cars decreased slightly in April compared to March, but is still significantly higher than they were a year prior. read more »
4/30/2012
Honda technology could help bad drivers
Advancements in new car technology have made vehicles that are able to tell when they're past their scheduled maintenance and even automatically avoid accidents. read more »
4/30/2012
AAA: Cost of ownership on the rise
AAA's yearly "Your Driving Costs" study has revealed the average cost of ownership is expected to increase by nearly 2 percent in 2012, primarily due to a jump in fuel prices. read more »
4/27/2012
Customers can only get a four-cylinder on next Mazda6
With four-cylinder engines more powerful than ever and consumers placing a high premium on fuel economy, many automakers are shifting away from six cylinder engines toward smaller designs. read more »
4/27/2012
The best fuel-efficient used cars
Used cars can be a great buy for drivers looking to save money, especially since those who keep up with their scheduled maintenance can lengthen the lifespan of just about any vehicle. read more »
4/26/2012
NRDC report indicates big savings in fuel economy by 2030
A recent statement by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) called for the federal government to rethink the 2030 Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, which will require automakers to offer a fleetwide average of 54.5 MPGs. read more »
4/26/2012
Drivers adjusting to high gas prices
As gas prices rise, many drivers are adjusting their buying habits in order to save money, according to a new survey conducted by Swapalease.com. read more »
4/25/2012
Are gas prices on the decline?
Gas prices have been a major topic for the auto industry this year, as fuel costs have hovered near $4 per gallon for much of 2012. read more »
4/23/2012
Used car prices affecting new car sales
Used car prices are continuing to rise, so much so that they are contributing to an increase in new car sales, reports Kelley Blue Book (KBB). read more »
4/20/2012
Edmunds chooses Honda as brand with Best Retained Value
Edmunds has revealed its 2012 Best Retained Value Awards, which looks at data from used car transactions to determine the models that hold onto their value the longest. read more »
4/20/2012
Hybrid and diesel sales jump as drivers look to save money at the pump
As drivers look to increase the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, sales of diesel and hybrids are on the rise, according to a report by Baum and Associates and HybridCars.com. read more »
4/19/2012
KBB names top green vehicles
With gas prices increasing, many drivers are looking for models that will save them some green at the pump. read more »
4/19/2012
High end Ferraris up for sale in Monaco
Several Ferraris are expected to command millions of dollars in bids at an upcoming auction in Monaco, reports Bloomberg. read more »
4/18/2012
How much do electric vehicles save?
Electric vehicles will be debuting in full force over the next few years, and many consumers may be wondering just how much they'll save with these new cars compared to the current gas-powered models. read more »
4/17/2012
Ward's names 10 Best Interiors
Ward's Automotive is best known for its annual "10 Best Engines" list, but that's not the only part of the car that the company critiques. read more »
4/17/2012
MP3s can lead to distracted driving
Many drivers love to listen to music while they're cruising down the road, and automakers have responded by offering MP3 technology in the newest vehicles. read more »
4/16/2012
Federal fuel efficiency standards may increase new car prices
The federal government and automakers have already agreed on the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will mandate that automakers offer a fleetwide average of 54.5 MPGs by 2025. read more »
4/13/2012
TrueCar: Average MPGs on the rise
There's been an increased emphasis placed on fuel economy in recent years, as many consumers want to save money at the pump. read more »
4/12/2012
National Car Care Month reminds drivers to take care of their vehicles
April is National Car Care Month, and the Car Care Council is taking the opportunity to remind drivers that it's a good time to think about auto maintenance. read more »
4/12/2012
Hyundai to reduce reliance on fleet sales
South Korean automaker Hyundai says it wants to reduce its reliance on fleet sales this year while improving retail sales by 100,000 vehicles, reports Automotive News. read more »
4/12/2012
KBB chooses "Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000"
When it comes to the auto industry, luxury vehicles aren't always the most powerful. read more »
4/11/2012
Auto lenders going after subprime borrowers
Part of the cause of the economic downturn was the practice of subprime lending, which most analysts agree got out of control in the mortgage industry. read more »
4/10/2012
NADA: Used car prices on the rise
The price of used cars will likely peak between April and May, according to a new report from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). read more »
4/6/2012
High gas prices aren't leading to a shift in consumer behavior
Despite high gas prices, many consumers are not panicking and immediately buying eco-friendly vehicles, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. read more »
4/5/2012
Hyundai announces record-setting March
Overall new car sales for the month of March were very strong for the auto industry as a whole, but perhaps no automaker is celebrating more than Hyundai. read more »
4/4/2012
KBB announces Brand Image Awards for 2012
Kelley Blue Book has announced the winners of its 2012 Brand Image Awards, which are based on responses from drivers who fill out the company's Car Brand Perception Survey. read more »
4/3/2012
New car prices rise in March
Sales of new cars rose in the month of March, but that's not the only good news for automakers - the average price of vehicles was up as well, according to TrueCar. read more »
3/30/2012
GM hopes to bridge gap between smartphone and in-car GPS
Sometimes technology progresses so fast that it's difficult to keep up. Just a few years ago, GPS systems were the new must-have features in vehicles. read more »
3/30/2012
Auto sales help spur spending increase
A report by the Commerce Department indicates that consumer spending rose by 0.8 percent in February, the largest gain in seven months, reports Bloomberg. read more »
3/30/2012
Top picks for teen drivers
Many parents opt to buy used cars for their teens when they're old enough to drive, but it's important that families do a bit of research to find which models are well-suited for teen drivers. read more »
3/29/2012
CarMD reports on car repair trends
When the check engine light turns on in your car, it could indicate a slew of problems that range from minor issues like a loose gas cap to more extensive problems such as a faulty oxygen sensor. read more »
3/29/2012
Volvo S40 tops list of cars with most female buyers
Men and women have different buying habits when it comes to automobiles, and there are some cars that are typically thought of as "male," like the Chevrolet Silverado or Ford Mustang. read more »
3/27/2012
AAA study reveals teens' driving distractions
Distracted driving dramatically increases the risk of a car crash. read more »
3/27/2012
Obama talks fuel prices with AAA
After a recent speech on U.S. energy policy, President Obama sat down with representatives of the motor club AAA in order to field questions about the current high gas prices and what the country hopes to do to lower them. read more »
3/23/2012
KBB projects March sales will rise past 1.4 million
Kelley Blue Book reports that March new car sales are slated to hit 1.4 million, which would make it the best March since 2007, the year before the economic downturn. read more »