IIHS: A ‘Good’ Rating in Driver-side Small Overlap Front Crash Test Saves Lives
By Dave Bean, FMW Associate Editor
According to a new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study, operating a vehicle that does well in its driver-side small overlap front crash test decreases your chance of becoming a road fatality statistic.
A driver behind the wheel of a poorly rated vehicle is 12 percent more likely to die in a front end collision than a driver whose vehicle rated ‘good’.
“The numbers confirm that strong performance in the Institute’s small overlap front crash test translates into big reductions in fatality risk,” said Eric Teoh, director of statistical services at IIHS and one of the study’s authors.
Rivian and MINI Cooper Most Impressive in J.D. Power EV Study
By Dave Bean, FMW Associate Editor
Now that virtually all OEMs have battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on their rosters, those who bought EVs are allowing classic elements such as styling and quality to influence their level of satisfaction with their purchase, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study.
“The electric vehicle landscape is changing quickly, and newer models are bringing in more mainstream, first-time EV buyers,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power.
In its first year of eligibility, premium EV model Rivian R1T recorded the highest level of owner satisfaction in the study. The MINI Cooper Electric won top ranking in the mass market segment.
The Days of Sky-High Trade-In Values Are Over.
If you've been wanting to trade in your old car but waited to do it, you won't get as much for it as you could've during the peak of the pandemic. Trade-in values hit a high of $25,556 in June 2022, according to Edmunds. Meanwhile, the average transaction price for a used vehicle peaked at $31,300 in April 2022, J.D. Power said.
"The low mileage, newer stuff isn't going as fast because you can get something brand new for a really good price or maybe even cheaper," Whitney Yates-Woods, dealer principal of Yates Buick GMC in Goodyear, Arizona, said of used vehicle inventory. "We're trying to stay away from that just-slightly used vehicle.
Open the Door to Success by Becoming NAFA Certified
Earning the CAFM credential is a bold step toward advancing your career and your fleet. BE THE ONE CONSTANT moving your fleet towards greater success.
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Accelerate your preparation for the CAFM exam with CAFM Live—a live instruction program for advanced fleet education, taking place in Baltimore, MD April 16-19 in conjunction with NAFA I&E.
Ford Establishes Latitude AI to Develop Future Automated Driving Technology
Latitude AI – a Ford subsidiary – is developing new automated driving technology with an initial focus on a hands-free, eyes-off driver assist system for next-generation Ford vehicles
“We see automated driving technology as an opportunity to redefine the relationship between people and their vehicles,” said Doug Field, chief advanced product development and technology officer, Ford Motor Company. “Customers using BlueCruise are already experiencing the benefits of hands-off driving."
