Category Archives: General Auto News

Jeep Grand Cherokee drivers may given V-6 diesel option

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Posted in General Auto News

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been among the most popular SUVs in the United States for years, and thanks to some European ingenuity, it is about to get an efficiency upgrade. Motor Trend reports that American drivers may now get the option of a new Italian turbodiesel V-6 in addition to transmission upgrades.

The diesel engine was introduced in European models earlier this year, and has been well-received by international drivers. According to the news source, the upgraded engine provides a more powerful option for Grand Cherokee drivers, and meshes especially well with the new, elegant design of the classic SUV. Additionally, it offers up an impressive 28 miles-per-gallon while performing at at maximum of 287 horsepower.

"There's a better than 50 percent chance that the diesel will make it to the USA," Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, told reporters at an event in Italy meant to broaden the international appeal of Jeep.

Drivers looking to purchase a used Jeep or Chrysler at an affordable price may want to turn to New Jersey State Auto Auction. Regardless of the make or model, there are plenty of cars for sale at an affordable price. 

Report: Japanese automakers stand to lose sales because of earthquake

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Posted in General Auto News, Toyota

New research shows that Japanese automakers stand to lose nearly 200,000 sales to competitors due to the lingering effects of last month's massive earthquake.

Toyota, Nissan and Honda are still dealing with supply chain issues as they try to source parts from manufacturers that were badly damaged by the quake. That's led to a major production slowdown that is affecting their ability to deliver vehicles to the U.S.

Because of this, a new A.T. Kearney report sees U.S. buyers turning elsewhere. In total, the Japanese manufacturers could lose 193,000 new car sales to competitors from the U.S. and Europe. That may sound like a drop in the bucket when the total sales for the year is projected to be above 13 million, but given the extremely competitive nature of the auto industry, the difference is significant.

"It's a pretty big deal in a very highly competitive market," said Dan Cheng, A.T. Kearney's automotive branch head.

New car prices continue to be high because of the limited supply in the wake of the earthquake and high gas prices driving up demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. Drivers looking to save money should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction and shop used cars, which are typically much cheaper.
 

IIHS commends Ford, Toyota, for pickup roofs

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently revealed the test results of its new roof-strength procedure for pickup trucks, and Ford and Toyota now have something to brag about.

The group, which runs safety tests for every vehicle, found that the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra were the best of the bunch when it came to roof strength, with both cars earning the top rating of "good" in the tests. Roof strength is seen as one of the key components for surviving rollover crashes, and thus the IIHS has began incorporating roof strength into its safety considerations.

In the latest batch of testing, the crew-cab models of the most popular pickup trucks were put to the test. After Toyota and Ford, the Nissan Titan was awarded with an "acceptable" commendation. The trucks bringing up the rear were all American models: the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram and GMC Sierra all only managed "marginal" ratings.

The news is certainly good for Ford and Toyota, but the IIHS cautions that the rating only applies to the newest Ford F-150s, specifically those manufactured after February of this year. Ford made some major changes to its roof recently in order to make it stronger, which were seen as key in the automaker passing the test.

Drivers interested in a used pickup should do their research on safety before buying. Fortunately, there's plenty of crash test data available from the IIHS and other sources, which date back several years.  

After earthquake, Nissan stands strong

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Posted in General Auto News, Nissan

When it initially hit, the Japanese earthquake looked to have been equally disastrous for all three automakers: Nissan, Honda and Toyota. However, new information has revealed that Nissan may not be struggling as much as initially thought.

In a letter to its U.S. dealers, the Japanese brand claimed it has a 64-day stock of vehicles, compared to 48 for Toyota and 36 for Honda. This gives Nissan a significant edge over its rivals going into the summer sales months.

""We are in very good shape and have a competitive advantage over our main rivals going into May, and one that is only likely to get stronger as we go through the summer," Al Castignetti, Nissan's vice president of U.S. sales, said in the letter. "I am sure we will also get some surprises as we stretch our suppliers, but we expect to have better pipeline supply than either Toyota or Honda."

Castignetti went on to say that the company wants to "rev the Nissan engine" and grab market share from its rivals over the coming months. This could mean some significant savings for buyers if Nissan decides to use aggressive pricing to do so.

While new cars may have discounts from time to time, buying a used car is always cheaper. New Jersey State Auto Auction offers a great selection of used Nissans as well as other brands at affordable prices.

New Jersey woman regains stolen car after 36 years

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

After an online car-buying transaction gone wrong, a New Jersey woman ended up reunited with her used Chevrolet Camaro, which was stolen 36 years ago.

Keith Williams of Santa Maria, California, frequently buys used cars online, as he collects classic models. A beautifully-restored 1969 Camaro caught his eye, but he was concerned when he got the car. The buyer listed the vehicle as an SS, but Williams noted a number of inconsistencies between that version of the car and the one he had.

Williams went to the police with his findings and they ran the vehicle identification number. That led them to New Jersey, where the Newark Police Department was able to find an old police report – on microfilm – that revealed the car had originally been stolen back in 1975.

The police were able to track down the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, and reunite her with the old car. Williams made out okay, as he had buyer's insurance, which sent him a full refund for the purchase he made online.

Buying used cars online can be a bit dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Instead, consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of vehicles at affordable prices. 

Prices rise for fuel efficient cars

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Posted in General Auto News, Toyota

A new report from Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the used car pricing guide, is showing rising values for fuel-efficient models, as more Americans look for vehicles that will help them save some money at the pump.

The KBB Market Report for May 2011 indicates that these cars are in high demand and are driving up used car prices very quickly. As compared to January of this year, prices on average are up 20 percent across the fuel-efficient market segment. And with gas prices remaining high, KBB doesn't predict that these prices will be dropping off anytime soon.

For example, the report shows that drivers looking to buy a used Toyota Prius will be paying $3,800 more than they would have in January, due to a combination of both the gas crisis and an expected short supply of the vehicles because of the Japanese earthquake. The Ford Fusion saw a similar price jump at $1,800 over its January value.

Of course, the pendulum swings both ways, and dealers are also paying a lot more for fuel-efficient vehicles. If you've been thinking about trading your Prius or another fuel-efficient car, there's no better time to do so, as you could end up getting a great deal.

Chevy to recall Cruze for steering issue

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

General Motors announced today that it will be recalling its best-selling Chevrolet Cruze model for an issue related to the steering column, which may have been installed incorrectly.

The notice does not cover every Cruze manufactured and sold in the U.S., but rather all of the models shipped from the Lordstown, Ohio, manufacturing plant, some 154,000 vehicles. The automaker became aware of an issue where the steering column may have been improperly fitted to the car in some cases. In addition, dealers will also check for a problem with the shift linkage on automatic versions of the Cruze.

"We think very few vehicles in the population have either issue, but we chose to conduct these inspections to give customers additional peace of mind about the quality of the Cruze," said GM’s vice president of global quality Terry Woychowski. "I conducted a quality inspection of the Lordstown plant this week and I am confident we have made the necessary process changes so neither of these conditions happens again."

GM has invested a lot into the Cruze, which is seen by many analysts as the most significant model for the company since it emerged from bankruptcy. Compact and fuel-efficient, the car has been a hit thus far, and was the second-best seller for the company throughout April behind the Chevrolet Silverado.

New models tend to carry inflated price tags, so drivers may want to wait until the used Chevrolet Cruzes begin hitting New Jersey State Auto Auction, where they can find great savings. 

Mercedes announces pricing for new coupes

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has announced the pricing for three of its upcoming models, and as you might have expected, they're not cheap.

The 2012 SLK and CLS coupes are on the way, and they'll be fetching a pretty penny. The SLK350 is the cheapest of the lot at $54,800, while the CLS550 is priced at $71,300. Neither approaches the CLS63 AMG however, which will sell for a whopping $94,000.

All three models have significant upgrades for the 2012 model year. The SLK features a new V6 engine with direct injection and multispark ignition. Both versions of the CLS will be sporting a new V8 engine: a 4.6-liter and 5.5-liter, respectively. The larger version reportedly produces a staggering 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque for the CLS63 AMG, according to USA Today.

The prices on these cars might be high, but there's no denying that they're great vehicles. Drivers who want to get in a luxury vehicle without breaking the bank may want to wait for the cars to hit the used auto market. New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide selection of used Mercedes and other vehicles at affordable prices.
 

Volt, Leaf, earn safety commendations

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News, Nissan

Customers who buy a Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt can now drive not only knowing that they're helping the environment, but that they're also in a very safe vehicle.

Both electric cars received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) coveted "Top Safety Pick" award, which puts them in the top 57 percent of vehicles tested. Both vehicles posted strong marks in front, side and rear crash tests.

Joe Nolan, chief administrative officer for the test, said that the vehicles' extra body mass and weight of their battery packs made them overall safer vehicles compared to similarly-sized hatchbacks and compacts.

"What powers the wheels is different, but the level of safety for the Volt and Leaf is as high as any of our other top crash test performers," he told Reuters.

The IIHS is underwritten by insurance companies and primarily provides them with data on the safety of a vehicle so that the insurers can adjust their premiums accordingly.

The Volt and Leaf are still pricey, so drivers might be better served by waiting for them to hit the used car market before they make their purchase. Once they do, New Jersey State Auto Auction can provide a fair deal on the two models or any other vehicles that a driver may be considering.

Edmunds: Compact car prices on the rise

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Posted in General Auto News, How To

The recent uptick in fuel costs has caused the prices on many used car models to soar as of late, especially compact cars with good fuel economy ratings.

According to data from Edmunds reported by MSNBC, the price of a used Honda Accord has gone up significantly since September, with a purported price increase of 24 percent. Used Hyundai Sonatas are also up in price, with an average jump of 22 percent. Other big movers include the Honda Civic at 13 percent and the Nissan Sentra at 12 percent.

"Gas prices are definitely starting to ripple in the used car market right now," Bill Visnic, an analyst for Edmunds, told the news source.

The news may not inspire much confidence in drivers considering a used vehicle, but analysts believe that the recent trend is just the tip of what could eventually be a much larger surge in small car prices. In the past, seeing the price of fuel reach above $4 per gallon tends to send consumers into a panic, trading in their large vehicles for smaller ones. The price has already been above $4 in some parts of the country, but the national average is still at $3.80 – meaning small car prices could go higher still if costs continue to rise.

In addition, the recent Japanese earthquake may mean a shortage of vehicles over the summer, making the future appear a bit bleak pricing-wise. Many dealers are already preparing to have a reduced supply of cars for sale, meaning that incentives are drying up and prices may begin climbing in anticipation of the shortfall.

Of course, for those who can weather the low fuel economy, this can be a great time to get a deal on a used SUV or sports car. It's true you might be paying a bit more at the pump while the prices remain high, but if you end up with significant savings on the initial deal, it'll be worth it in the long run.

In essence, it might be smart for drivers considering the purchase of a used car to buy as soon as possible, before the prices start to go up even further. Shopping at New Jersey State Auto Auction can ensure that you get a fair deal no matter what the national pressures may be. Financing is available for those who qualify, and there is a wide selection of cars for sale no matter if you're looking for an SUV or small car.