Report: Auto loan delinquency rates at historic lows

Filed under: Car Buying, Earnings/Financials

One indicator of the status of our economy is the rate at which car owners are able to make payments, or rather, aren't. The rate at which owners can't get the check in the mail for their new car is called the delinquency rate, and according to a Los Angeles Times report, it has fallen to an all-time low.

Credit report entity TransUnion began tracking this data in 1999, which it calculates as the percentage of borrowers 60 or more days past due. Currently that rate was recorded at 0.33% for the second quarter of 2012 - down from 0.36% in the first quarter and a full 25% lower than last year.

Auto sales in the U.S. have risen 14% in the first seven months of 2012 to 8.4 million vehicles. Experts suggest this is a result of more relaxed credit conditions, allowing buyers with poorer credit to find a way to purchase a new car. This trend could eventually result in the delinquency rate climbing back up.

"We are at such a low delinquency level" said Peter Tureck, automotive vice president for TransUnion's financial services business wing, "that a slight rise through the end of the year should be expected, though the overall rate will remain relatively low."

Which states have the highest delinquency rates in the country right now? That would be Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all of which are within the 0.55% to 0.60% area.

Auto loan delinquency rates at historic lows originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/auto-loan-delinquency-rates-at-historic-lows/

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First Drive: 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Wagon, Hatchback, Ford, First Drives

No One Ever Said Dethroning A Prius Would Be Easy



It's generally not polite to start a story about a new Ford by referencing a very popular Toyota, but we're going to make an exception this time.

With fuel prices continuing to creep upwards, sales of advanced-powertrain vehicles are booming (in May of this year alone, nearly 46,000 units left showrooms). While some vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, soldier forth with modest sales from month-to-month, Toyota's Prius family of vehicles (the standard Prius, smaller Prius C, larger Prius V and Prius Plug-In Hybrid) consistently leads the sales race. Understandably, that places a big red target on their backs.

Aiming its scope, and bracketing wisely, Ford is introducing a slew of new advance-powertrain models over the next year. These include full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. One of the first to arrive is the all-new C-Max Hybrid, which has the Prius V aligned in its crosshairs, and not a single person carrying a Blue Oval business card is keeping it a secret.

To determine whether or not the new Ford has the right stuff to challenge the Prius V, we put one through its paces in Southern California last week.

Continue reading 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid [w/video]

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-first-drive-review-video/

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition Debuts as Tribute to U.S. Military Members

Press Release: New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Freedom Edition Debuts as Tribute to U.S. Military Members - New Wrangler Freedom edition harkens back to Jeep brand’s military roots - Red, White and Blue Wrangler Freedom edition now available in Jeep showrooms - All 2012 Jeep Wrangler models powered by 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 285 horsepower, with fuel economy up to 21 mpg - $250 from each Wrangler Freedom edition sold to be donated to military charities - Chrysler Group LLC offers a $500 cash allowance to eligible consumers through its ‘Military Bonus Consumer Cash’ program - Jeep Wrangler ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2012-jeep-wrangler-freedom-edition

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SVG on the Celtics "Big Three" Rebuild

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/23/3262134/svg-on-the-celtics-big-three-rebuild

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Triano to coach Canadian men's basketball team (Yahoo! Sports)

TORONTO (AP) -- Jay Triano is returning to coach Canada's men's basketball team.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12qq5maoq/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/triano-coach-canadian-mens-basketball-212825401--nba.html

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Report: Motor Trend tests Tesla Model S, finds 0-60 in 3.9 sec and 100.7 MPGe

Filed under: Sedan, Tesla, Electric

Tesla has said the highest-end Model S has a range of 300 miles (at 55 miles per hour), but until recently, it's been tremendously difficult for anyone outside the company to verify this number. When the EPA did its testing thing, it came up with a 265-mile range estimate for the version with the 85-kWh battery pack. Tesla is even offering a prize of some sort to anyone who drives a Model S over 400 miles on one charge.

Now, Motor Trend writers has had the chance to spend some time in Tesla CEO Elon Musk's personal Performance Signature Model S to see just how far the electric car can be driven. The result? Your results may vary.

First, the good news. Motor Trend ran a battery of tests on the Model S, and its independent measurements discovered the following ways that their independent testing beat the manufacturer's official numbers:

• 0-60 time: 3.9 seconds (Tesla official number is 4.4 seconds)
• Quarter mile: 12.5 seconds at 110.9 mph (12.6 seconds)
• 100.7 MPGe during a 200+ mile drive (EPA says 89 MPGe).

So, then, what's the bad news? At roughly 65 mph with no A/C, MT "only" got 238 miles out of the battery. That's less than advertised, but MT offers an important and reasonable take on this issue:

"But the range that matters is really a psychological/perceptual one, not a specific number. Think about it: We drove from Fontana on the eastern edge of the L.A. basin to San Diego and all the way back to L.A.'s Pacific edge on one charge. Five hours of continuous driving. This is a breakthrough accomplishment that ought to knock down the range anxiety barrier that's substantially limited EV sales."

Word.

Motor Trend tests Tesla Model S, finds 0-60 in 3.9 sec and 100.7 MPGe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/motor-trend-tests-tesla-model-s-finds-0-60-in-3-9-sec-an/

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Report: Cadillac may be working on not one, not two, but several new flagship models

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Luxury

Following the rollout of the 2013 ATS and XTS, Cadillac is not content to rest on its crest-and-laurels. According to a report by TheDetroitBureau.com, the two models are merely the first volley in a larger onslaught of new models.

Though Cadillac doesn't aim to take on the German competitors "car-for-car," it's looking to aggressively expand its lineup. According to Cadillac marketing executive Don Butler, "These are fun, happy times at Cadillac... we're expanding and elevating the brand."

According to Butler, the ATS will be followed by "ten new models in the next three years." In addition to a replacement for the Escalade SUV and the CTS range moving up the ladder to better compete with the BMW 5 Series, word is there will be a compact crossover on the way to slot under the SRX. The new CUV would take on the likes of the X1 and Audi Q3. So while Cadillac says it doesn't intend to compete with the Germans directly, it certainly won't walk away from a fight in certain key market segments.

As expected, in the rollout of models will be a Cadillac version of the Chevrolet Volt, dubbed the ELR. It will be joined by perhaps more than one 'flagship' model. The redesigned Escalade will represent one of those flagships, while some version of the Cadillac Ciel concept is said to be headed for production - albeit a toned-down production reality from the stunning concept you see above. This production Ciel - we're betting on a flagship sedan - will share the Omega platform with a large sedan slotted above the XTS.

The first of these vehicles could be in production as soon as 2014.

Cadillac may be working on not one, not two, but several new flagship models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/cadillac-may-be-working-on-not-one-not-two-but-several-new-fla/

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