Could Gas Prices Reach $4.00 in 2011?

Regardless of whether gas prices are the result of supply and demand, an improving world economy, or the result of Wall St. speculators, experts believe gas will continue to rise in 2011, reaching $3.50 and maybe $4.00 before the year is out. Cold weather in Europe and the U.S., as well as improving economic activity and a weak dollar, are causing crude oil prices to rise. Beginning the year at $70.00, crude oil has recently traded around $90.00 per barrel.

 

Electric Delivery Trucks Beat Electric Cars to U.S. Roadways

Battery-powered cars will begin appearing soon in driveways of consumers, but electric vehicles already are gaining early traction in another realm: commercial delivery fleets. Staples Inc., the Frito-Lay, FedEx Corp., AT&T Inc. and a few other companies have begun purchasing electric delivery trucks. Proponents say they make more sense in many ways than electric cars. That's because delivery trucks generally drive short, defined routes each day, which are better suited to the limited range of battery power.

 

Used Car Sales Roaring Back

In what one particular analyst is calling a tremendous comeback story, independent dealers are likely to see their full-year used-vehicle sales climb by about 12 percent, according to CNW Research. The independent stores that have survived the mass closures of the past three years have pressed on and found success through consolidation, maximizing the Web and implementing more effective management systems, explained Art Spinella, president of CNW Research.

 

Ford Targets Fleets with All-Electric Transit Connect Vans

Ford says fleets will purchase up to half of the total electric-vehicle market in the next 10 years. The automaker just started shipping its $57,000 all-electric Transit Connect van. It has an 80-mile range, and first-year production is projected at 600 to 700 units.

 

Manheim’s Tom Webb Questions Used-Car Price Ceiling

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index hit 124.3 in November, up 5.9% over last year. Those numbers prompted economist Tom Webb to express skepticism over the concept of a ceiling on used-car prices caused by trends in the new-vehicle market.