Blue Book Briefing
June 2010 - Blue Book Briefing
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· INDUSTRY INSIGHTS – Timely commentary from Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com: WHICH ROAD IS THE RIGHT ROAD?
· LATEST NEWS & BLOGS ON KBB® GREEN – The latest news and blogs posted to KBB Green from the editorial staff of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
· LATEST NEWS STORIES ON KBB.COM – The latest video and written news stories by the editorial staff of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
· NEW-VEHICLE REVIEWS ON KBB.COM – All-new and updated video and written reviews from the editorial staff of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
· Kbb.com’s Top 10 Road Trip Cars: 2010 Hot Rides to Get You to Hot Summer Destinations
· Cheap Thrills: Kbb.com Names 2010 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
· Kbb.com App for iPhone® Empowers On-the-Go Shoppers with Arsenal of Car-Buying Information
· CDMdata, Inc. Launches All-New Pre-Owned Classifieds Package on Kelley Blue Book’s Top-Rated Website
· Kelley Blue Book Launches Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Values, New Kbb.com Section
· Kbb.com Announces $10,000 Video Car Review Contest, Be an Editor for a Day
Which Road is the Right Road?
- Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
It generally is assumed that the more choices consumers have, the better it is for them. Build a better mousetrap, and the public will beat a path to your door – that is the time-worn saying. Certainly, the concept of competition for a consumer’s dollar is one of the critical supporting tenets of capitalism, the market-driven economic system that has made the U.S. economy the world’s most vibrant. But today’s worldwide geo-political realities have prompted some to question the wide variety of choices auto manufacturers are being forced to make now and, very likely, the wide variety of choices consumers will have to make in the next decade.
What geo-politics have put in play in the auto industry is the entire concept of the “conventional powertrain.” After Charles F. Kettering’s invention of the electric self-starter in 1912, the auto industry rapidly adopted the spark-ignition gasoline-fueled engine as the engine of choice for passenger cars. Over the course of the next 80 years, four-stroke gasoline engines were the predominant engine for consumer vehicles. Yes, diesels made some inroads, especially in Europe where tax policies of the various European governments favored diesels over gasoline engines, but in the grand scheme of things gasoline engines became the de facto standard. Development of automotive powerplants largely was centered around that type of engine, supplemented by compression ignition (diesel) engines here and there. Auto manufacturers and backyard inventors experimented with other forms of propulsion – steam, gas turbines, battery electrics, gasoline-electric hybrids, etc. – but gasoline engines reigned supreme.
Now, however, the specter of global warming, re-labeled global climate change, has flipped all that around, and we have to wonder if this will be good for the consumer and for the auto industry that serves consumers. And note, we will not argue the global climate change issue in this column; this time we simply want to examine what the perceived threat of human-driven climate change has done and will do to the auto industry and to people who buy cars.
In the short run it will bring consumers much more choice in powertrain. We already have seen an influx of gasoline-electric hybrids, and we are on the verge of seeing the introduction of plug-in hybrids (notably a Toyota Prius plug-in), electrically driven vehicles like the imminent Chevrolet Volt and full-battery electrics such as the Nissan LEAF. Specialty makers like Tesla Motors and Fisker already have fielded their first entrants, and more vehicles in each of these categories will undoubtedly come to market. We also will see diesel-electric hybrids and potentially fuel cell-powered vehicles available for consumer purchase before the decade ends.
So, consumer choice regarding vehicle powertrain will increase markedly. What is debatable is the consumer benefit to all this choice. Certainly, if all this enables us to avoid frying the planet, melting the icecaps and causing the oceans to rise to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, that is major consumer benefit. But those “effects” can be challenged. What cannot be challenged is the fact that government regulations, both here and abroad, are driving these changes. They are not being driven by consumer demand. This puts the industry in a very difficult position.
Developing all these technologies comes at a great price. In fact, in a discussion I had today with a high-ranking executive in charge of global engineering for a giant automaker, he referred to the costs of the simultaneous development of so many different technologies as “unsustainable.” Rather than concentrating on one or two key powertrain types, the world’s car companies now are forced to investigate and develop many, because they don’t know which ones the public will favor, and, perhaps more important in the current political climate worldwide, they don’t know which ones the next set of regulations will favor. It is a squeeze that will undoubtedly result in higher vehicle prices, fewer new-vehicle sales and, potentially, less overall economic growth. This is not something that is far off in the future, either. Instead, it is unfolding as we speak, and it will get more intense before it gets better.
LATEST NEWS & BLOGS ON KBB GREEN:
Check out the very latest news and blog entries by visiting www.kbb.com/green and clicking on News & Blogs.
The following latest news & blogs by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during May 2010.
· GM to launch hydrogen fuel-cell test program in Hawaii
· New study claims EV growth will remain in the slow lane
· SAE creates new standard for interactive EV-to-grid communications
· Volkswagen shows all-electric Golf, reaffirms major EV commitment
· Zytek unveils advanced modular EV powertrain
LATEST NEWS STORIES ON KBB.COM:
Check out the very latest news stories by visiting www.kbb.com and scrolling down to the Latest News & Articles link on the home page.
The following latest news stories by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during May 2010.
· 2010 Ford Transit Connect Video Review
· 2010 Ford Mustang SHELBY GT500 Driving in HD
· Days 1-7: Coast-to-Coast in a Suzuki Kizashi
Written Stories Posted to kbb.com:
· 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000
· 2011 Chevrolet Cruze First Drive
· 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD Pickups Get Top Tow Marks
· 2011 Ford Fiesta Review: You're not gonna believe this
· 2011 Ford Fiesta will deliver best-in-class EPA fuel economy
· 2011 Hyundai Avante Portends Upcoming U.S. Elantra
· 2011 Jaguar XJ: Civility meets firepower
· 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee to offer more for less
· 2011 Shelby GT350 will offer non-supercharged/autoshifted options
· AAA launches free TripTik Mobile iPhone app
· Aston Martin V12 Vantage coming to the U.S.
· Aston Martin teams with Nike for new Kobe Bryant shoe
· Bertone Opens Design House in Beijing
· Buick to add new models, trims trim levels, expand its horizons
· China's BYD Auto Will Set Up U.S. Headquarters in Los Angeles
· Chrysler Offering Zero-Percent Financing On Most 2010 Models in May
· Chrysler accelerates new product launch schedule
· Denali trim now available on all 2011 GMC Sierra HD models
· Fast Look: SVT storms VIR in a 2011 Ford Shelby GT500
· First Look: 2010 Kia Ghost Soul
· First Look: 2011 Ford DUB Edition Mustang
· First Look: 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS
· First Look: 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package
· Ford confirms U.S. 2012 Grand C-MAX will be built in Spain
· GM Investing $890 Million in Next-Gen Small Block V8 Program
· GM Pulls Plug on Chevy Orlando Crossover for U.S.
· GM Will Launch Chevrolet Marque in Korea
· Honda says OK to Civic GX retail sales in Oklahoma
· Infiniti prepping two new variants for Pebble Beach
· KBB Weekend Wrap-up: Video contest, Cruze drive, Audi R8 GT...
· Limited-Production Lightning: Audi R8 GT
· Lotus Claims Big Weight Cuts Possible for Little Added Cost
· MINI devotees set to descend on Denver this August
· Mercedes-Benz unveils new V6 and V8 engine families
· NICB report finds jump in fraudulent 'staged accident' claims
· One-off 2011 Corvette commemorates 50th Anniversary at Le Mans
· Panoz Teases 2011 Abruzzi 'Spirit of Le Mans'
· Summer Road Trip 2010: 10 Places to Go, 10 Cars to Take
· Suzuki brings back 'Free Gas for Summer' promotion
· The KBB.com $10,000 Video Contest
· Top 5 reasons to download the new KBB.com iPhone app
· Toyota Fills Out Its North American Quality Advisory Panel
· VW's 'App My Ride' Contest Seeking New In-Car Infotainment Ideas
NEW-VEHICLE REVIEWS ON KBB.COM - WRITTEN:
The following new-vehicle reviews written by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during May 2010. To see any new-vehicle review from kbb.com’s editorial staff, please visit www.kbb.com and click on the News and Reviews tab, then select the make and model.
Have you heard the story about the domestic auto industry that kept claiming its products were as good as Japan's best? It's a twist on the tale of the boy who cried wolf. In Aesop's original, nobody believes the boy when things really do go bad. In our update, people are skeptical when things really do go good. That's the battle Ford faces in selling America on the most impressive, most recommendable, most buyable lineup a domestic automaker has offered in many drivers' lifetimes. Do we think the 2011 Ford Fiesta is as good as Japan's best in the category (the Honda Fit)? It's better…
The 2010 Chevrolet Express Van is really three vans in one. Its massive interior can be configured to hold up to 15 passengers, making it an ideal company shuttle or airport limo. Strip the interior bare and the Express Van becomes a cavernous cargo container or the ideal platform to build a rolling workshop. And for those looking for the ultimate in customization, aftermarket companies can outfit the Express Van with plush captain's-chair seating, a built-in refrigerator and a convertible sofa bed. No matter what the mission, Chevrolet provides not just the platform, but the hardware to back it up. From its powerful engine lineup to its optional heavy-duty transmission oil cooler, the Express Van is designed to be a hard-working vehicle…
Armed with a number of improvements aimed at improving passenger comfort, fuel economy and carrying capacity, Ford's 2010 E-Series full-size van continues to serve as the backbone of the service and passenger shuttle industry. The big E-Series offers a number of configurations, including passenger, cargo and cutaway, and is available in half, three-quarter and one-ton models…
The 2010 GMC Savana is a favorite of small business owners and working people everywhere. No pickup or SUV can match the Savana's cargo-hauling capabilities, nor can they be so easily retrofitted to serve specific needs. Be it a rolling carpenter shop or a 15-passenger transport, the Savana serves an important role in an ever-more-mobile society. GMC, however, can no longer afford complacency now that Ford offers the comfortable Transit Connect and a full-size E-Series van that can go toe-to-toe with the Savana…
Who would have thought the company that brought us the lackluster Excel subcompact two decades ago would now be building a car rivaling some of the best near-luxury sedans in America? Hyundai's evolution from an entry-level upstart to a full-line manufacturer of quality automobiles is nothing short of amazing and culminates with one of its newest achievements, the 2010 Azera. Designed to compete with the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon, the Azera offers an impressive array of features, including a huge rear seat and a choice of two strong V6 engines, all at an unbeatable price. One of the most powerful Hyundais ever built, the company takes pride in pointing out the Azera Limited equipped with the 3.8-liter V6 offers more standard horsepower than the BMW 528i…
The 2010 Kia Sedona minivan is a consumer's best friend and a nightmare for rival manufacturers. In just a few short years, Kia has transformed the Sedona from a middle-of-the-road minivan into a first-rate people mover. With horsepower near the top of its class, a "Top Safety Pick" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), seating for seven and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, it's hard to argue with the Sedona. Toss in a sticker price thousands of dollars less than a comparably-equipped Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna and the Sedona looks downright unbeatable. Of course, the Sedona's resale figures can't compare with its Japanese rivals, but if the initial bottom line is more important to you than what you might get come trade-in time, the Sedona should be at the top of your shopping list…
2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Looking for something as plush as the big Land Rover Range Rover, but with a more playful side? Try the smaller Range Rover Sport. The Sport's shortened wheelbase means slightly less passenger and cargo capacity, but the tradeoff in improved stability, ride and handling is well worth it. Off-road ability is not forsaken, either, and the Range Rover Sport can climb the steepest terrain with the best in its class, even with its performance tires that are oriented more toward on-road use. Available with an optional 510-horsepower supercharged V8 engine, the Range Rover Sport is well equipped to compete with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 and Infiniti FX50…
In the world of premium sports cars, few names stand as strong as the Porsche 911. The rear-engine rear-drive icon has dazzled performance-driving fans around the world since it was introduced in 1964. With so much of the Porsche mystique tied to the success of the 911, it is understandable that changes to the model tend to be subtle and deliberate. The current generation 911, internally dubbed the 997, was revised both visually and mechanically in 2009 and carries on for 2010 with no changes. Available in coupe, convertible or glass-roof Targa body styles, the 911 carries on as one of the most recognizable desireable performance cars currently sold…
In the world of premium sports cars few names stand as strong as the Porsche 911 Turbo. The rear-engine rear-drive icon has dazzled performance driving fans around the world since it was added to the 911 lineup in 1974. With so much of the Porsche mystique tied to the success of the 911 Turbo, it is understandable that changes to the model tend to be subtle and deliberate. The current generation 911 Turbo, internally dubbed the 997, was launched in 2006 and carries on for 2010 with light exterior revisions and more extensive mechanical improvements. Available in coupe or convertible body styles, the 911 Turbo remains one of the most recognizable desireable performance cars currently sold…
Kbb.com's Top 10 Road Trip Cars: 2010 Hot Rides to Get You to Hot Summer Destinations
Editors Pair 10 Road Trip-Worthy Summer Events with Best New Vehicles for the Journey
IRVINE, Calif., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars today were named by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information. In a new twist on an annual list kbb.com has published since 2004, this year the editors chose 10 road trip-worthy summer events -- from the Iowa State Fair to the Sasquatch! Music Festival - and then picked the most fitting new cars for those journeys… MORE
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Cheap Thrills: kbb.com Names 2010 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
Editors Choose Top Cool, Affordable Rides; Continued Emphasis on Personality, Versatility, Technology
IRVINE, Calif., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2010 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 today were named by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information. The vehicles that made Kelley Blue Book's 2010 list of Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 -- typically a gas-sipping and obviously affordable bunch – keep getting cooler each year. More fun, more practical and more amenity-laden than ever before, today's entry-level vehicles deliver more than simply affordable and efficient transportation... MORE
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Kbb.com App for iPhone® Empowers on-the-go Shoppers with Arsenal of Car-Buying Information
Chevrolet Named Charter Sponsor of Kelley Blue Book's All-New App
IRVINE, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information, today announces the official launch of its application for iPhone. The free, interactive kbb.com app provides iPhone users with the trusted Kelley Blue Book® Values and crucial information to negotiate with dealers on the spot. With this app, users will find both new- and used-car values, including MSRP, Invoice, New Car Blue Book, Certified Pre-Owned, Suggested Retail, Private Party and Trade-In Values… MORE
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CDMdata, Inc. Launches All-New Pre-Owned Classifieds Package on Kelley Blue Book's Top-Rated Website
Increase Brand Exposure, Connect Directly to the Consumer on Kbb.com
IRVINE, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- CDMdata, a Kelley Blue Book company, today announces its all-new Pre-Owned Classifieds Package for dealers on kbb.com's The Trusted Marketplace(SM), Kelley Blue Book's online classifieds section. Available exclusively to CDM customers, the Pre-Owned Classifieds Package places dealership inventory prominently on kbb.com, the No. 1 automotive website according to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc., 2009 Summer Automotive Website Usefulness Study… MORE
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Kelley Blue Book Launches Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Values, New kbb.com Section
Together with Lexus, New Section Provides Education and Information on Certified Vehicles, Buying Process
IRVINE, Calif., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-car information, today announces the official launch of the company's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicle Value and CPO section on its top-rated Web site for consumer automotive shopping information… MORE
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Toyota Falls from Top Spot, Boosting Ford to No. 1 in All-New 'Automotive Brand Indicator' Data from Kelley Blue Book
All-New KBB Market Intelligence Data Reports Each Automotive Brand's Strength Over Time and Relative to Competition
IRVINE, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com today announces the latest results from the company's all-new 'Automotive Brand Indicator' (ABI), showing Toyota dropping from the top spot among all brands to No. 2, boosting Ford to No. 1 for Q1 2010… MORE
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KBB.com Announces $10,000 Video Car Review Contest, Be an Editor for a Day
Company Looking for Two-Minute Automotive Video Reviews, General Awesomeness Required
IRVINE, Calif., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information, announces a new video car review contest offering a grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to play Kelley Blue Book Editor for a day. Anyone with a video camera and an interesting take on a car of their choice is encouraged to step up to the plate and show the Kelley Blue Book editors a video review of two minutes or less. A panel of judges will judge entries based on creativity, the ability to capture the essence of the vehicle being reviewed, cool and unusual visuals, overall presentation, professionalism, and 'general awesomeness…' MORE
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KELLEY BLUE BOOK PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACTS:
Robyn Eckard
Director of Public Relations
949-268-3049
Joanna Pinkham
Senior Public Relations Manager
949-268-3079
Brenna Robinson
Public Relations Manager
949-267-4781
Rebekah King
Consumer Communications Manager
949-267-4982
About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new- and used-vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated website, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Website Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information website among new- and used-vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.
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