Blue Book Briefing
June 2009 - Blue Book Briefing
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· NEW-VEHICLE MARKET ANALYSIS – Timely commentary from Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com: HALF-EMPTY OR HALF-FULL?
· 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
· Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Names Top 10 Road Trip Cars of 2009
· Most New-Car Shoppers Say ‘Cash-for-Clunkers’ Would Not Affect Purchase Timeframe
· Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Names 10 Great ‘Mom Cars’ for Mother’s Day 2009
Half-Empty or Half-Full?
- Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director & executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com
The newly proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations are, by far, the most stringent ever imposed upon the industry and consumers. They present the kind of epoch-changing playing field that, in years past, very well might have been fought against tooth-and-nail by automakers. Yet the new regulations were met by automakers not with derision, as could have been predicted, but with an eerie unanimity. While some auto manufacturing executives might have been working overtime to keep a smile on their faces as President Barack Obama introduced the new rules, which require the U.S. passenger vehicle fleet to average 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, the overall feeling seemed to be one of relief…and perhaps a bit of inevitability.
As with all good compromises, the announcement seemed to have something in it for everyone. The environmentalists received a set of fuel economy standards that specify the biggest jump in government-mandated fuel economy in history – incremental increases of some five percent each year. They also won clear acknowledgement that the federal government feels carbon dioxide emissions are a public health threat and must be curbed. The auto manufacturers received strong assurances that they would have to meet just one set of standards to participate in the United States market, not two or three or perhaps dozens, as could have been the case had states and localities been turned loose to establish their own individual emissions standards. In addition, the government promised to spend billions of dollars to subsidize car manufacturers’ research and development efforts in reaching the new standards. That aspect helped mollify not only the vehicle makers, but also the United Auto Workers union, which otherwise might have seen in the proposal a serious threat to the survival of the domestic automakers, and thus its own survival.
So in the broad wake of the proposals, the various constituencies are, at least on the surface, largely happy. While the auto industry could have looked at the regulations as being a glass half-empty because of their daunting stringency, the industry appears to be regarding them as a glass half-full. In other words, they could have been worse, and states like California might have piled on with even more onerous regulations.
What remains is for the auto industry to try to persuade consumers to embrace higher fuel economy solutions at what almost certainly will be a greater cost per vehicle. That’s not an easy row to hoe, but for the moment, the manufacturers at least know what they are up against.
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 2009.
· 2010 DOE Budget Favors Funding Plug-ins/Hybrids Over Fuel Cells
· Audi Bets More on the Power of Four
· Better Place Shows Better Way to Swap EV Battery Packs
· Daimler Buys 10 Percent of Tesla, Forms Strategic Development Pact
· Ford's Revamped SUV Factory Will Build Next-Gen Focus and Focus EV
· Fusion Hybrid Goes 1,445.7 Miles on One Tank in Charity Run
· GM and University of Michigan Form New Auto Research Alliance
· GM Confirms Plug-In Hybrid Package Will Stay After Saturn Goes
· GM Presents Two-Mode Transmission for Front-Drive Applications
· Hitachi Releases Info on Latest, Most Efficient EV Battery Design
· Honda Begins Building the Civic GX at New Indiana Plant
· New Insight Makes Hybrid History by Topping Japan's Best-Seller List
· New Study Says Bioelectricty Bests Biofuel in Total Efficiency
· New Two-Speed EV Transmission Promises Better Range, Battery Life
· Obama Plan Paves Way for Unified Mileage/Emissions Standards
· OriginOil Claims Cost-Cutting Breakthrough in Getting Oil from Algae
· Quick Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius
· SAE Campaigning for More Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning Refrigerant
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 2009.
· Cadillac CTS-V Feature Video
· Hyundai Nuvis Concept Auto Show Video
· Kia Soul and Nissan Cube Go Head to Head Feature Video
· 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 Auto Show Video
· 10 Great Mom Cars: The Fun and The Functional
· 100-Word Car Review: 2009 BMW X5 Diesel
· 100-Word Car Review: Infiniti G35 Wagon (a.k.a. EX35)
· 1957 Ferrari 250 TR Sets a New Record in Classic Car Auction
· 2010 Nissan Cube: Gen Y is Square in its Sights
· Aston Martin Shows Limited-Production One-77 Supercar
· BMW Reveals Pricing and EPA Numbers for the New Z4 Roadster
· Chrysler-Fiat Alliance Imminent
· Chrysler Will Shed 25 Percent of its Dealers
· DOT Strengthens Rollover Protection Rules
· Fiat Makes a Play for GM's Opel Division
· First Look: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
· Ford Pushes the Envelope -- and Shopping Cart -- to Gain Safety Edge
· GAO Says GPS System is Bordering on Breakdown
· GM Says Pontiac Must Go But GMC Will Stay
· Hyundai Steps Up Equus Evaluation Program for U.S.
· Lexus Prices Its New IS-Series Convertibles
· Lotus Launches Elise "Purist" Edition
· Mercedes-Benz Drops Prices on 2010 E-Class Lineup
· Mercury Sable Sails Off Into the Sunset
· Mini One-Off Revisits George Harrison's Original Custom for Charity
· OnStar Adding Injury Severity Prediction Capability in 2010
· Porsche and VW to Consolidate Corporate Operations
· President Obama Outlines Chrysler's Future
· Speed Snack: Make Mine a 1,104-Horsepower Danish
· Volkswagen Breaks Ground for New Tennessee Factory
· Volvo Fast-Tracking its 2010 S60 with a Free Racing Simulation Game
NEW-VEHICLE REVIEWS ON KBB.COM - VIDEO:
The following new-vehicle video reviews by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during May 2009. 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.
· Volkswagen Routan Video Review
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 2009. 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.
2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is a powerful full-size pickup that can deliver 40 percent better city and 25 percent better overall fuel economy compared to its conventional counterparts without sacrificing full-size truck capabilities, which include a 1,459-pound maximum payload and a 6,100-pound towing capacity. Teaming GM's sophisticated Two-Mode Hybrid system with a 332-horsepower aluminum 6.0-liter gasoline V8, it can operate battery-only up to 30 mph, yet drives much like any large pickup under most conditions. Most importantly, it consumes significantly less fuel at both city and highway speeds and even when fully loaded or towing. With EPA economy ratings of 21/22 city/highway mpg with two-wheel-drive and 20/20 city/highway mpg with four-wheel-drive, its 26-gallon fuel tank can deliver a range of 500 miles or more…
The 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid is a powerful full-size pickup that can deliver 40 percent better city and 25 percent better overall fuel economy compared to its conventional counterparts without sacrificing full-size truck capabilities, which include a 1,459-pound maximum payload and a 6,100-pound towing capacity. Teaming GM's sophisticated Two-Mode Hybrid system with a 332-horsepower aluminum 6.0-liter gasoline V8, it can operate battery-only up to 30 mph, yet drives like any other large pickup under most conditions. Most importantly, it consumes significantly less fuel at both city and highway speeds and even when fully loaded or towing. With EPA economy ratings of 21/22 city/highway mpg with two-wheel-drive and 20/20 city/highway mpg with four-wheel-drive, its 26-gallon fuel tank can deliver a range of 500 miles or more…
Jaguar's rolling showcase and largest, most luxurious sedan, the XJ, touts the company's latest achievements in engineering, technology and luxury. Wrapped in a lightweight all-aluminum body, the 2009 Jaguar XJ is surprisingly agile for its size, yet remarkably solid. Offered in a variety of trims, including two stretched wheelbase versions and the legendary performance cat, the XJR, the XJ is without question the finest Jaguar product to date. Faced with radically new designs emerging from Audi, BMW and Lexus, Jaguar's strategy to stick with its traditional styling may prove problematic. With sales still not as robust as Jaguar would like, it may be possible to wrangle a good deal on a new XJ…
The 2009 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 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 than what you might get come trade-in time, the Sedona should be at the top of your shopping list…
2009 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 pavement use. Available with an optional 390-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…
It seems fairly obvious that if you build a vehicle with the right looks, the right equipment and the right price, success is sure to follow. That's the case with the Mitsubishi Outlander, a phenomenal crossover SUV with an impressive list of standard and available equipment unmatched by anything in its class. Sharing its platform with the Lancer sedan (and the hot-performing Evo sport variant) the sporty Outlander sets new standards in refinement and performance. Combined with available features that include a hard drive-based navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 650-watt audio system, Bluetooth hands-free phone interface and keyless entry and start, it wouldn't have been surprising if Mitsubishi had also given its compact crossover a new name. Like the latest Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe, the Outlander also offers a small, "just in case" third-row seat…
To most consumers, touting its four-door masterpiece as a "coupe" makes little sense, but one cannot argue with the sheer beauty that is the newly improved 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS. With its stunningly sleek profile and lavish four-passenger interior, the CLS is clearly not your run-of-the-mill luxury sedan; it's a car equally adept at satisfying both the driver's senses and ego. The CLS' head-turning good looks are backed by two engine choices, including a supercharged AMG creation capable of generating an eye-popping 507 horsepower. For the well-to-do who seek a vehicle as dynamic as it is expensive, the Mercedes-Benz CLS ranks among a select few that can truly be called "exclusive...”
While not as racy as the contemporary GL-Class or in the running to win any awards for aerodynamic efficiency, there is no denying the ability of the G-Class Benz to make a lasting impression. Big, boxy and about as modern as a dial-up phone, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G550's military roots serve it well, especially when it comes to off-road capability. Aftermarket manufacturers have a wide assortment of chrome accents and big wheels, allowing the discerning G550 driver to personalize his or her vehicle in ways the original designers could never have imagined. But be warned: Though it competes with luxury giant Land Rover's Range Rover, the G550 does not return the same refined ride or quiet cabin…
The flagship sets the standard for a carmaker's lineup, as it's a showcase for the best the company has to offer. Though there are a couple of higher rungs on Mercedes' sedan ladder (the rare, V12-powered S600 and the even more-rare AMG performance models), the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 is the mainstream top of the list. With the premium V8 and recently redesigned 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, the vehicle is equipped with arguably the most popular combination of features to be found on a big Mercedes in the U.S. market…
It is a good time to be an entry-level car buyer. At one time saving money on your new-car purchase meant settling for subpar comfort, safety and style. If you need proof that those days are over, just look at the 2009 Nissan Cube. Despite a starting price under $15,000, the Cube offers a host of advanced safety features, a roomy five-passenger interior, an impressive standard equipment list and a bevy of high-end options and accessories. Maybe the most striking aspect of the Nissan Cube is its design. Blocky car design is nothing new, but risky features like an asymmetrical rear end, modern iPod-like lines and an intense attention to details help the Cube stand apart from the other slickly-styled economy wagons out there…
In 2007 Suzuki introduced two timely new vehicles, including the crossover XL7, and celebrated a marked increase in sales. The current fluctuation in fuel costs and slow down in big SUV sales actually bodes well for Suzuki, as many Americans are looking to move to smaller, more fuel-efficient versions of their big SUVs. Crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) like the 2009 XL7 are built on car-like unibodies and have some attributes of both minivans and SUVs. The sleek XL7 joins the crossover segment as a modern, style-conscious seven-passenger vehicle with optional all-wheel drive and excellent fuel economy. There are three trim levels: Premium, Luxury and Limited…
KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S KBB.COM NAMES TOP 10 ROAD TRIP CARS OF 2009
Kbb.com Editors Offer Their Top New Car Choices for Road Trips in a Variety of Categories
IRVINE, Calif., May 21, 2009 – The Top 10 Road Trip Cars of 2009, www.kbb.com/roadtripcars2009, were named today by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information.
Memorial Day weekend typically ushers in the beginning of the summer driving season, and with most people increasingly pinching their pennies due to the current state of the economy, Americans are expected to take to the roads for their vacations this year. With hundreds of thousands of miles under their collective tires, the editors at Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com have taken more than their share of road trips, and they can attest that not all are created equal. Some involve the transport of numerous people and literally tons of stuff; others involve nothing but the oneness of car and driver. In an effort to reveal the best vehicle for each journey drivers might take, the kbb.com editors combined their shared wisdom to deliver their list of the Top 10 Road Trip Cars of 2009.
“Given the gloomy state of the economy, the lure of escaping everyday life via the open road is more appealing now than ever,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “And if that were not motivation enough, the current crop of cars and trucks offer more than its share of gems that just beg to be driven.”
For 2009, the kbb.com editors broke the list down into common road-trip categories, and then named their top pick for each. In addition to the sampling of categories outlined below, the editors also named their top choice ride for a ski trip, family outing, new grad trip and romantic getaway.
Sample Choices from kbb.com’s Top 10 Road Trip Cars for 2009 List
Cross-Country Trip: Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI
Solo Flight: Porsche Cayman S
Towing Trip: Ford F-150
Driver’s Trip: Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Camping Trip: Honda Element
Spring Break Trip: Ford Mustang Convertible
For the remaining Top 10 Road Trip Cars choices, including full editorial commentary and reasoning behind each of the editors’ picks, visit the Top 10 Road Trip Cars of 2009 story in kbb.com’s Latest News section at www.kbb.com/roadtripcars2009.
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MOST NEW-CAR SHOPPERS SAY ‘CASH-FOR-CLUNKERS’ WOULD NOT AFFECT PURCHASE TIMEFRAME
Kbb.com Market Intelligence Survey of New-Car Shoppers Details Awareness, Interest in ‘Cash-for-Clunkers’
IRVINE, Calif., May 19, 2009 – Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today announces the results of the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence survey of in-market new-car shoppers on kbb.com, detailing consumers’ opinions on the ‘cash-for-clunkers’ proposal.
When provided specifics about the ‘cash-for-clunkers’ bill as it is currently proposed, 38 percent of in-market new-car shoppers said it would have no effect on their purchase timeframe because they do not have a vehicle to turn in that meets the parameters of the program. However, 13 percent of consumers say they would be highly motivated to purchase a new vehicle sooner due to ‘cash-for-clunkers,’ and an additional 26 percent want to learn more about the program, even if it would not affect their vehicle purchase timing.
“The latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data is quite telling, showing that most consumers will not change their purchase timeframe if a ‘cash-for-clunkers,’ bill passes, largely because their trade-in does not meet the program’s requirements,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “But since more than 10 percent say the program will motivate them to buy a new car sooner, it may result in an increase in new-car sales, and that could do nothing but help an industry in need of some upward impetus.”
In addition, the Kelley Blue Book survey found only 36 percent of in-market new-car shoppers were aware of the ‘cash-for-clunkers’ proposal. Of those aware of the bill, 77 percent understood the current terms, namely that the government will provide between $2,000 and $4,500 vouchers to people who will swap out their older model vehicles with poor gas mileage for new, more fuel-efficient models.
This Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence study was fielded to 725 in-market new-car shoppers on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com from May 11-18, 2009. Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence will continue to track this data in the coming weeks.
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KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S KBB.COM NAMES 10 GREAT ‘MOM CARS’ FOR MOTHER’S DAY 2009
Kbb.com Editors Offer Their New Car Choices for Mom, both Fun and Functional
IRVINE, Calif., May 7, 2009 – The 10 Great Mom Cars for Mother’s Day 2009, www.kbb.com/10greatmomcars, were named today by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information.
The kbb.com editors know that the car mom needs and the car mom wants are rarely one and the same. Roomy, functional and easy-to-clean are common requirements of the stereotypical ‘Mom Car,’ but when the sun is shining, the kids are at school and there’s time for a little shopping and lunch, she’d rather grab the keys to something fancy and fun. Maybe the best ‘Mom Car,’ then, is two cars.
“We know that moms have a tough decision when it comes to car shopping, because they have to consider not just their own needs and wants, but what is practical and best for their family,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “For this list of 10 Great Mom Cars for Mother’s Day 2009, we considered both sides of the debate and decided that mom shouldn’t have to settle – there are both functional and fun choices for her out there.”
With that in mind, the kbb.com editors put together a list of five standout new soccer-mobiles and paired each with a more personal - but somehow similar - escape pod. For full editorial commentary and reasoning behind each of the choices, visit the 10 Great Mom Cars story in kbb.com’s Latest News section at www.kbb.com/10greatmomcars.
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KELLEY BLUE BOOK PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACTS:
Robyn Eckard
Director of Public Relations
949-268-3049
Joanna McNally
Senior Public Relations Manager
949-268-3079
Brenna Robinson
Public Relations Manager
949-267-4781
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 Web site, 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. – 2008 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car blue book values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.
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