Bargain Hunters Drive New Car Sales Higher in November
Edmunds.com thinks the November's SAAR numbers will increase over October to reach 13.6 million. Thanksgiving weekend brought higher sales than initially expected, driven by bargain-hunting consumers looking for OEM incentives and used-car deals, bringing sale-savvy customers out to the lots.
Owners Want Vehicle Built-In Navigation Systems to be User Friendly
A J.D. Powers study found that many owners are not happy with their vehicle's built-in navigation system. Most disliked are systems that try to combine navigation with audio, climate control and other features. Owners emphasize the importance of ease of use.
Fewer Test Drives for Online Car Buyers
LeaseTrader.com has discovered to its surprise that significantly more people are closing deals through their website without ever test driving their new vehicles. In fact, they say the number of people skipping the test drive has more than doubled since 2007. According to LeaseTrader.com spokesman John Sternal, "I think a lot of people feel the shorter-term commitment that comes with assuming the remainder of someone else's lease kind of limits the downside risk."
Tips for Winter Weather Driving
Every year people are injured or killed because they are unprepared or overconfident on snowy, icy roads. Rules to remember for safe driving in winter weather include having proper equipment, driving slower, and do not tailgate or use cruise control. If weather conditions are too bad, pull over to a safe spot or stay home.
Study: Hybrids More Dangerous for Pedestrians, Safer for Owners
A recent study by Highway Data Loss Institute indicated hybrid vehicle owners are 25 percent less likely to be injured in a crash due to the vehicle's increased weight. However, hybrids are 20 percent more likely to be in a crash with a pedestrian because they can be harder to hear in electric mode. The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 requires electric and hybrid car manufacturers to add noises that alert the blind and other pedestrians.
