Kelley Blue Book says overall wholesale prices dipped 1.5% in September, led by much steeper declines in CUV prices. Analysts say CUV prices could be weakened further as automakers continue to add new models to the segment.
Euro NCAP handed out nine awards for advanced safety technology at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. NCAP is similar to NHTSA in America. Four of the technologies are also available in vehicles sold domestically.
Detroit automakers are able to boost overall sales figures thanks to rebounding fleet sales, accounting for about 32 percent of sales, with more companies looking to replace aging fleets now that the economy is in a somewhat recovery mode.
NHTSA is changing the requirements for 2011 crash-test star ratings to make them more stringent and consumer friendly. New criteria include a side pole crash and recognition of high-tech crash avoidance features like electronic stability control.
Full-size passenger wagons, cargo vans and pickups showed gains in wholesale prices, despite the overall softening of the used car market. Beggs: dealers are still looking for inventory in a very limited market. Click here to see Ricky Beggs' assessment on video.