After monster sales totals for new cars in February and March, April is shaping up as another solid month for the auto industry. End-of-the-month deals and incentives aim to ensure that’s the case.
Automobiles
The Automaker with a Problem Most Businesses Would Envy
Not long ago, Hyundai had a less-than-stellar reputation for quality and had to resort to gimmicks to sell cars. During the Great Recession, the South Korean automaker’s fleet included the cheapest car sold in the U.S., and it …
Why Millions Won’t Be Able to Afford Cars in the Future
By 2025, the government will require an average fuel economy of 54.5 m.p.g. for cars and trucks sold in the U.S. To meet that requirement, automakers must focus on more efficient, technologically sophisticated cars that cost more upfront to build — and whose costs are ultimately passed along to consumers. How much more will these cars …
Off the Road: 8 Reasons Why We’re Driving Less
In recent months, car sales have been booming at the same time that consumers have been paying more per vehicle. Because demand for cars is high, it would seem like a safe assumption that people need new wheels because we’re all …
Top 10 Most Buzzed-About New Small Cars
Stick Shift Extinction? The Battle to Save the Manual Transmission
Manual-transmission cars cost less than automatics. They also tend to get better gas mileage, and they’re more fun to drive. Even so, cars with manual transmissions now account for less than 10% of vehicles sold, and considering …
When New Cars Are Cheaper Than Used Cars
Sometimes, thanks to a combination of soaring used car values and special dealership and automaker incentives, the stars align and a fluky thing happens: Buying a new car is cheaper than a used version of the same model. It’s …
Consumers Are Upset About High Gas Prices—But Not Enough to Stop Shopping
Plenty of drivers are worked up about the cost of gasoline. In a recent survey, 85% of Americans said that the government should take “immediate actions” to rein in fuel prices. But while there’s no denying people are agitated …
Even with $4 Gas, Few Drivers Choose Electric Cars—Or Even Hybrids
With each passing month, and with the average gallon of gas rising 1¢ more each day, consumers are turning more and more to fuel-efficient cars. The average new car sold in February got 23.2 mpg, up from 22.9 mpg in January and …
Why This Tuesday Is One of the Worst Days of the Year to Buy a Car
March 6 is not a good day to buy a new car. In fact, if you’re hoping to get a decent price at the dealership—and who isn’t?—this Tuesday is supposedly the worst day of the month, and one of the worst days of the entire year, …
Monster Month for Car Sales: Auto Purchases Rise 20% in February
It has been an especially good month for car sales from two American automakers, Ford and Chrysler. The latter’s sales are up 27%, compared with February 2011.
