Blue Book Briefing
July 2010 - Blue Book Briefing
 |
· INDUSTRY INSIGHTS – Timely commentary from Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com: WILL CPO BRIDGE THE DIVIDE BETWEEN NEW AND USED?
· 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
· Hyundai, Ford Increase Share of Market Interest on Kbb.com as Toyota, Honda Decline
· Ford F-150 Takes Top Spot in Kbb.com Full-Size Pickup Truck Comparison Test
· Kbb.com $10,000 Video Car Review Contest Closes June 15
· Kbb.com Names Top 10 Fast-Lane Four-Cylinders, Celebrates ‘Four is More’ Enthusiasm
· Industry Chooses Kelley Blue Book® Values Over Competition in Automotive Digest Poll
· Kelley Blue Book Named a Winner in SNW’s Spring 2010 ‘Best Practices’ Awards Program
Will CPO Bridge the Divide Between New and Used?
- Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
In the overall context of the car-buying-related market intelligence and analysis we gather and disseminate at Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, it was just a tiny blip. In fact, none of us would say the results were even “scientific.” However, a recent online survey conducted on the kbb.com home page by Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence did prompt some thinking that can have serious ramifications for the auto industry moving forward.
Online we asked the question, “Should a teen’s first car be new or used?” The response to that question was that consumers thought a teen’s first car should be a used car, and by a very large margin. In fact, only three percent of respondents said that a teen’s first car should be a new car, confirming that, especially in this era of gloomy economic news, the ‘Protestant Work Ethic’ is alive and well. Reinforcing that conclusion were the 11 percent of respondents who said teens shouldn’t own cars at all. (Happily, back when I was a teen my parents didn’t fall into this group). A far larger percentage of respondents – 28 percent – were both diplomats and pragmatists. They said the choice of a first car depends upon what that particular teen can afford.
Certainly all of this is mildly interesting in an Infographics Age sense, but where it struck a chord was in what type of used car respondents specified more often. Thirty percent of those responding to the poll said a teen’s first car should be a “certified” used car, a CPO vehicle in industry parlance. There was a decided preference for CPO vehicles as well. Just 20 percent of respondents said that a teen’s first vehicle should be a non-certified used car. (For those of you who are doing the math, seven percent of respondents said it doesn’t matter what type of cars teens should have, which makes one wonder why they made the effort to respond only to say it really is of no consequence).
What these results suggest is that CPO vehicles are gaining visibility and credibility with the public. As such, Kelley Blue Book recently launched an all-new CPO section of kbb.com (www.kbb.com/cpo) to address the growing consumer interest in CPO vehicles. My personal sense of it is that many consumers are increasingly interested in the financial benefits of purchasing (or even leasing) a CPO vehicle versus a new vehicle. Because it is impossible from a visual point of view for most consumers to tell the difference between a two-year-old model and a brand-new edition of the same car these days, the choice of a CPO vehicle becomes ever-more compelling. The current era of high unemployment, pay cuts and downsizing has, at the same time, put new-car ownership out of the reach of many more Americans – another good reason for consumers to consider a pre-owned vehicle.
What this could imply for the future is a smaller new-vehicle market than we have traditionally seen and a more robust and profitable nearly-new market, populated by CPO vehicles and other well-maintained, low-mileage recent vehicles. Certainly, this has significant ramifications for auto manufacturers and the new- and used-vehicle dealers, and it begs as many new questions as it answers. As you might guess, we at Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com will continue to investigate consumer attitudes in this area.
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 June 2010.
· Audi Updates its Autonomous TTS Pikes Peak challenger
· Chevy and OnStar launch EV safety training for first responders
· First Drive: 2010 smart fortwo electric drive
· Nissan says LEAF is sold out, breaks ground on new battery plant
· Original Honda Insight heads EPA's all-time Top 10 Fuel Sippers List
· Toyota and Tesla share electric dreams for NUMMI
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 June 2010.
Written Stories Posted to kbb.com:
· 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000
· 2011 Chevy Cruze will start under $17,000
· 2011 Ford Mustang V6 goes 776.5 miles on one tank of gas at Bristol
· 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder First-drive Review
· 2011 Volvo C30 R-Design First-drive Review
· Audi claims 1-2-3 sweep at Le Mans
· Buick says yes to hot Regal GS
· Cadillac institutes no-cost maintenance for all 2011 models
· Chrysler invests $300M to build eight-speed autoshifters in Indiana
· Cool Customer: 2011 BMW Frozen Gray M3 Coupe
· Domestics best imports for first time in latest J.D. Power IQS study
· First Drive: 2010 smart fortwo electric drive
· First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
· First Drive: 2011 Volvo C30 R-Design
· First Look: 2011 Ford Mustang RTR
· First Look: 2011 Honda Odyssey
· First Look: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
· First peek: 2011 Ford Explorer
· First to Worst: 2010 Full-size Pickup Truck Comparison Test
· Ford adds new SYNC services to its TDI app
· Formula One returning to America in 2012
· GM creates new operation to pursue innovative technology
· GM recalls 1.5 million vehicles to eliminate potential fire hazard
· Honda to install brake override systems on vehicles by end of 2011
· IIHS awards five mid-size SUVs 'Top Safety Pick' status
· James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 to be auctioned for charity
· KBB.com video contest closing soon, $10,000 still up for grabs
· Latest BMW 'Art Car' makes Paris debut
· Lincoln summer sales incentive offers free scheduled maintenance
· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell Prototype: Electric Dream Machine
· Mercury -- going, going, gone by the end of the year
· New Morgan EvaGT to debut at Pebble Beach Concours
· Panoz unveils its Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans supercoupe
· Summer Road Trip 2010: 10 Places to Go, 10 Cars to Take
· Toyota commits Mississippi plant to build Corollas starting in 2011
· Volkswagen buys controlling interest in Italdesign Giugiaro
· Will Mercury be the next to say goodbye?
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 June 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.
Introduced in 2006 and 2007 respectively, the Cayman S and Cayman have wasted no time in serving notice of their intentions to rivals such as the Audi TTS Quattro Coupe, BMW Z4 M Coupe, Nissan 370Z and Mercedes-Benz SLK350. Although the Cayman is slightly less potent than its S sibling, it is still remarkably engaging, not to mention considerably more affordable. Both cars offer a close encounter with 911-style driving experiences for thousands of dollars less. While sharing a good deal of basic engineering with Porsche's entry-level Boxster line, the Cayman's more rigid, closed-body structure gives this mid-engine rear-wheel-drive two-seater even better handling and a more graceful appearance. Although a tad pricy, the 265-horsepower Cayman and 320-horsepower Cayman S still deliver a great return on your fun-to-drive investment…
There are a number of seven-passenger SUVs on the market, so what's so special about the 2010 Subaru Tribeca? For starters, every Tribeca is equipped with an advanced and capable all-wheel-drive system, a comforting thought for those whose daily commute sometimes includes deep snow and heavy rain. The Tribeca's unique boxer engine design lowers the vehicle's center of gravity and improves vehicle stability, and the Tribeca rates well in the government's front- and side-impact crash tests. Finally, the Tribeca's roomy interior coddles its passengers and stimulates its driver with loads of features, although the same enthusiasm is harder to generate when it comes to the Tribeca's exterior styling…
Kelley Blue Book Implements Industry-Changing Data System, Providing Consumers, Industry with Heightened Precision, Transparency
Sophisticated Forecasting Models Allow Automotive Businesses to Transact on Future Values Instead of What Happened Last Week
IRVINE, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used- vehicle information, today announces that the company has implemented a new multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art vehicle information management system (VIMS), positioning the company to deliver unprecedented market insights. With a massive increase in data collection, transparency into its processes, sophisticated forecasting models and formidable analytic capabilities, businesses and consumers can now, more than ever, look to Kelley Blue Book's weekly values as the most trusted in the industry… MORE
#
Hyundai, Ford Increase Share of Market Interest on Kbb.com as Toyota, Honda Decline
Korean, Certain Domestic Brands Continue to Show Strong Consumer Interest as Mainstay Japanese Brands Falter
IRVINE, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today announces the results of the latest analysis by Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence of recent kbb.com Web traffic patterns, including the top five upward-climbing and downward-declining brands in share of market interest for May 2010 when compared to May 2009. Hyundai and Ford showed a significant increase in share of market interest during the same time dominant brands Toyota and Honda showed a significant decrease in share of market interest… MORE
#
Ford F-150 Takes Top Spot in Kbb.com Full-Size Pickup Truck Comparison Test
Kbb.com Editors Detail 'First to Worst' as They Rank Five Full-Size New Pickup Trucks
IRVINE, Calif., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ford F-150 took the top spot in an all-new full-size pickup comparison test, 'First to Worst: Kbb.com Ranks Five Full-Size Pickups,' by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information… MORE
#
Kbb.com $10,000 Video Car Review Contest Closes June 15
Last Chance to Enter a Two-Minute Automotive Video Review; General Awesomeness Required
IRVINE, Calif., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-car information, announces that its new video car review contest offering a grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to play Kelley Blue Book Editor for a day is coming to a close. Anyone with a video camera and an interesting take on a car of their choice is encouraged to step up to the plate before Tuesday, June 15, 2010 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
#
Kbb.com Names Top 10 Fast-Lane Four-Cylinders, Celebrates 'Four is More' Enthusiasm
Editors Detail 10 New High-Performance Cars Featuring a 21st-Century Twist: Four-Cylinder Engines
IRVINE, Calif., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Top 10 Fast-Lane Four-Cylinders today were named by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information. Call it a sign of the times: In an era when relentlessly high fuel prices and increasingly stringent emissions requirements put a serious squeeze on displacement and cylinder counts, greater numbers of automakers are rallying behind the battle cry "Four is More" when it comes to creating performance cars with a 21st-century twist… MORE
#
Industry Chooses Kelley Blue Book® Values over Competition in Automotive Digest Poll
KBB Preferred 3-to-1 by Industry as Only Used-Car Valuation Source
IRVINE, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information, today announces it ranked highest in an AutomotiveDigest.com poll asking site visitors "If you were to use only one Used-Vehicle Value Guide, which one would it be?" Kelley Blue Book garnered 66.23 percent of the votes, followed by NADA Used Car Guide (16.88 percent), Black Book (14.29 percent) and Galves Auto Price List (2.60 percent)… MORE
#
Kelley Blue Book Named a Winner in SNW's Spring 2010 'Best Practices' Awards Program
KBB Recognized for Excellence in Virtualization and Cloud Computing
IRVINE, Calif., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information, today announces its recent win in SNW's Spring 2010 "Best Practices" Awards Program, in the Virtualization and Cloud Computing category… MORE
#
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.
# # #
|
Director, Public Relations |
|
|
| For general or customer service inquiries, please call 1-800-258-3266. |
||
|
|
||
){kind=small}