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☆ Buick, GM’s low-key pseudo-luxury brand, is suddenly hot
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In the 21st Century, though, Buick, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, has been a quiet spot in GM’s North American brand strategy. Last year, Buick sales rose more than 60% in the US compared to 2022. The Buick Envista introduced last summer is, essentially, a modified version of the well-received Chevrolet Trax, GM’s cheapest crossover SUV. The 1938 Buick Y Job is generally considered the auto industry's first "concept car." Last year, Avenir models, which get some fancier interior materials, more features, and distinctive paint colors, made up almost a third of Buick sales, the highest levels yet, Aldred said.

Persons: Louis Chevrolet, “, it’s, ”, Ivan Drury, Jason Barlow, Envista, Bob Boniface ,, Duncan Aldred, Drury, It’s, Buick, that’s, Aldred Organizations: CNN, Buick, GM, Riviera, Chevrolet Trax, GMC, Chevy, Cox Automotive, Cadillac, General Motors, Liverpool Locations: GM’s, China, the, America, Europe

☆ What’s wrong with Tesla?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-07 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

EV sales growth has been slowing for a while but in the last two quarters, EV sales didn’t increase much at all, according to estimates from Cox Automotive. “Looking at the data, the big [EV] slowdown is shaping up to be a Tesla slowdown,” said Valdez Streaty. Last year, Tesla sales were up 38% compared to 2022, but investors had expected more. While that’s much less than the roughly 80% of EV sales Tesla accounted for in 2019, according to Edmunds.com, it’s still a majority. But, if you leave out Tesla, sales of other electric vehicles, as a group, were up 33%.

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Ford, ”, Valdez, It’s, Teslas, it’s, ” Valdez Streaty, Musk, tirades, Søren Holm, ” Tesla, ” Holm, Holm, “, Chris Isidore Organizations: CNN, Cox Automotive, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, EV, Tesla, Ford, Hyundai, Twitter, Reuters, Caliber, Covid Locations: United States, Edmunds.com, Teslas, Denmark

☆ Musk said Tesla cars would rise in value, H but here’s what really happened
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Back in 2019, Elon Musk made an astonishing claim for Tesla vehicles. But four years after Musk’s 2019 prediction, the average used Tesla Model 3 is selling for $29,000. Sticker prices for new Teslas dropped about 21% over the past year, according to Cox Automotive. Logically, people expect to pay less for a used car than they would for a new one. Why buy a used car if you could get a brand new vehicle for only a little more or maybe even less, after all?

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, ”, Tesla, “, FSD, Ivan Drury, Wall, Teslas, Hertz, ” Hertz, Stephen Scherr, ” Drury, EVs, Drury Organizations: CNN, Cox Automotive, EV, Hyundai, Kia, Audi, Volkswagen, Edmunds.com, Tesla Locations: America, Ford, Edmunds.com, Colorado

☆ Soon you’ll be able to buy a Hyundai on Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

People will be able to shop for Hyundai vehicles on Amazon through an agreement with the South Korean automaker. Laws in most US states protect auto dealerships from automakers who might want to sell directly to consumers. Amazon customers will be able to search dealership inventories through the Amazon website, see pricing for vehicles, and click a button to initiate a purchase. This arrangement was announced as part of a package of deals between Hyundai and Amazon, including that Amazon will provide data storage for Hyundai and that future Hyundai models will include the Alexa voice assistant. Hyundai dealers won’t have to participate in the program, but can opt-in.

Persons: you’ve, Tesla, “ It’s, ”, Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com, Caldwell, Jose Muñoz, Mike Sullivan, weren’t, “ I’ve, ” Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Hyundai, South Korean, Hyundai Santa Fe, Edmunds.com, Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai Santa Monica Locations: Hyundai Santa

☆ New Toyota Camry will be hybrid-only
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America, is going hybrid-only. The Camry is available in a hybrid version now, but the redesigned 2025 Camry will be offered only as a hybrid car combining a gasoline engine with electric motors. Making the Camry hybrid-only is a big step. The Toyota Crown Signia is a new hybrid-only SUV. Besides unveiling the new Camry Tuesday night, Toyota also revealed another new hybrid-only SUV model, the Crown Signia.

Persons: there’s, We’ve, ” Mike Tripp, Tyson Jominy, “ It’s, ”, “, Jominy, Tripp Organizations: CNN, Toyota Camry, Toyota, Camry, J.D, They’re, Corolla, Lexus Locations: America, Sienna, United States

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Expected to Keep Rates on Hold
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Fed last raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, in July to a range of 5.25 to 5.5 percent. In recent weeks, the long-term market rates that influence many types of consumer and business loans have drifted higher, even as the Fed left its key rate on hold. Car LoansHigher loan rates have been dampening auto sales, particularly in the used-car market, because loans are more expensive and prices remain high, experts said. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried an 11.4 percent rate in September, matching a high set earlier in the year. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, that’s, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: LendingTree

Revenue of $44.13 billion rose 5.4% and also exceeded estimates of $42.48 billion, according to data provider FactSet. The UAW has been on strike since Sept. 15 — nearly six weeks — against GM and its Detroit competitors, Ford and Jeep maker Stellantis. Jacobson said the third-quarter strike loss was $200 million, since the walkouts were only in effect the final two weeks of the period. Jacobson said GM still expects to start turning low-to-mid single-digit profit margins on electric vehicles in 2025. The company's U.S. sales rose 21%, and Jacobson said the average U.S. selling price for GM vehicles was $50,750, down only slightly from the previous quarter.

Persons: Paul Jacobson, Jacobson, “, ” Jacobson, ” Jessica Caldwell, ” Organizations: DETROIT, General Motors, United Auto Workers union, GM, Wall, UAW, Detroit, Ford Locations: Detroit, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Louisville , Kentucky, Michigan, North America

☆ GM postpones electric truck production
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —General Motors is putting off adding a second factory for production of its electric pickups until late 2025, the automaker announced Tuesday. But GM had planned to start producing the electric pickups at an additional Michigan factory, Orion Assembly just north of Detroit, as well. Instead, when those electric vehicles go out of production at the end of this year, the factory will not shift quickly to making the trucks. General MotorsGM’s decision will result in fewer electric pickups being built next year but the automaker declined to discuss the extent of a reduction. GM had announced, in 2022, that it would spend $4 billion to convert Orion Assembly to make the electric trucks.

Persons: Bolt, Ford, Joseph Yoon, GM Organizations: CNN —, Motors, Silverado, Hamtramck Assembly, GMC Hummer, GMC Sierra EV, GM, Orion Assembly, Chevrolet Bolt, United Auto Workers, Orion, Chevrolet Silverado EV, General Motors, UAW, Ford, ”, Edmunds.com Locations: Detroit, Michigan

☆ Auto loans are super expensive. Here’s how to shrink your monthly bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

In fact, auto loan interest rates are the highest they’ve been since 2007, when the world was heading into a massive financial crisis. More than 70% of buyers of new large SUVs now have monthly payments over $1,000. Keep it shortPeople often try to reduce their monthly payments by taking out longer loans. Spreading the payments over more years can keep the monthly amount lower, but it means you’re paying more in interest. Leasing is another way to keep monthly payments down.

Persons: It’s, ”, Kevin Roberts, you’re, Roberts, that’s, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Matt Jones, Courtney Alev, Joseph Yoon, TrueCar’s Jones, Jones, “, CarGurus ’ Roberts, Tyson Jominy Organizations: New, New York CNN, Credit Karma, Leasing, “ Leasing, Edmunds, Toyota, Power, Associates Locations: New York, Edmunds, TrueCar.com, Cross, Boston, New York City

DETROIT (AP) — Automakers posted big increases in new vehicle sales during the summer, despite high prices, rising interest rates and even a limited strike against Detroit companies. Industry sales rose 16.3% from July through September as consumer demand stayed strong, even given an average new vehicle loan rate of 7.4% and an average vehicle price of more than $45,500. Vehicle supplies also continued to recover from shortages of computer chips and other parts that began during the pandemic and are finally abating. General Motors posted a 21.2% increase, while Toyota sales rose 12.2%. Kia sales rose 13.8%.

Persons: ”, Ivan Drury, Drury, General Motors, Power, Ford Organizations: DETROIT, Detroit, Industry, Federal Reserve, General, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Analysts, United Auto Workers, General Motors, Stellantis Locations: U.S

☆ OpenAI's GPTBot and other AI web crawlers are being blocked by even more companies now
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Unique, high quality data, mainly scraped from the web, is vital to the performance of AI models. AdvertisementAdvertisementMore and more companies are trying to avoid having their data freely scraped and saved by web crawlers working for the benefit of AI models. Last month, OpenAI last revealed its own crawler, GPTBot, saying it would respect robots.txt, a decades-old method through which a website can tell a web crawler to ignore it. Many more companies are now also blocking CCBot, a web crawler used by Common Crawl. AdvertisementAdvertisementSee below for a full list of the biggest websites now blocking GPTBot and CCBot as of Sept. 22:Blocking GPTBotamazon.comquora.comnytimes.comtheguardian.comshutterstock.comwikihow.comcnn.comsciencedirect.comusatoday.comhealthline.comstackexchange.comalamy.comscribd.comwebmd.combusinessinsider.comdictionary.comreuters.comwashingtonpost.commedicalnewstoday.comnpr.orgcbsnews.comgoodhousekeeping.comamazon.co.uktumblr.comlatimes.cominsider.comglassdoor.comvocabulary.cominvestopedia.comslideshare.netamazon.decosmopolitan.comnbcnews.comindiamart.comstackoverflow.comhindustantimes.combloomberg.comcnbc.compeople.comtvtropes.orgamazon.invimeo.comverywellhealth.comikea.comespn.comindianexpress.comthesaurus.compbs.org123rf.comwattpad.comvariety.comtoday.compopsugar.comthespruce.comuol.com.bramazon.frgeeksforgeeks.orgelle.comeconomictimes.compcmag.comtheverge.comallrecipes.comthoughtco.comrollingstone.comwired.comnextdoor.comhollywoodreporter.comabc.net.auew.comamazon.canews18.comwomenshealthmag.comrateyourmusic.comamazon.co.jptechradar.comairbnb.comndtv.comlifewire.comtomsguide.comvulture.comeverydayhealth.compolygon.comtheconversation.comesquire.comprnewswire.combillboard.commenshealth.commetro.co.ukcountryliving.commashable.comgamesradar.comthehindu.comtimesofindia.comdeadline.comharpersbazaar.commedscape.comnymag.comrefinery29.comradiotimes.comcbssports.comtandfonline.comtheatlantic.comtrulia.comamazon.espinterest.esnationalgeographic.combhg.comeater.comsouthernliving.comhealthgrades.comvice.compicclick.combustle.comnewyorker.comeonline.comdigitalspy.comopentable.compinterest.dethepioneerwoman.comcaranddriver.combyrdie.comlivemint.commedicinenet.comteacherspayteachers.comcookpad.comthespruceeats.combizjournals.compagesjaunes.frliputan6.comdelish.commasterclass.comarchiveofourown.orgvox.comrealsimple.comaarp.orgfrancetvinfo.frpinterest.frkumparan.comtheathletic.comtravelandleisure.comvogue.comlivescience.comapartments.commarketwatch.comglamour.comamazon.itcinemablend.comthrillist.comamazon.com.brpinterest.co.ukangi.comalamy.esusmagazine.comdistractify.combbcgoodfood.comjagran.commercadolibre.com.mxandroidauthority.comcity-data.comfoodandwine.comhellomagazine.comamazon.com.augq.comingles.comamarujala.comieee.orgprevention.comstern.dekbb.comedmunds.commarthastewart.compcgamer.comjustanswer.comhealth.com20minutes.frfortune.comhomes.comscientificamerican.compopularmechanics.comverywellfit.comvanityfair.comchicagotribune.comverywellmind.comhousebeautiful.comcntraveler.comallure.comspanishdict.comneverbounce.comanswers.commoneycontrol.comarchitecturaldigest.comslate.comlonelyplanet.cominverse.comcorriere.itactu.frself.comtripsavvy.cominstyle.comeatingwell.comsuperuser.comwelt.despiegel.dewomansday.comseventeen.comhbr.orgoprahdaily.comautotrader.combonappetit.comsueddeutsche.deseriouseats.comliveabout.comseattletimes.comcoursera.orglivehindustan.comfrance24.comtownandcountrymag.comdotesports.comworldplaces.mefaz.netteenvogue.commotor1.comnj.comglamourmagazine.co.ukokdiario.combrides.comstylecaster.comalamyimages.frjagranjosh.comtheglobeandmail.comaxios.comfrancebleu.frtabelog.comthebalancemoney.comnydailynews.comsheknows.comnaomedical.comverywellfamily.comBlocking CCBot

Persons: —, OpenAI, GPTbot, Conde Nast, Masterclass, Kelly, robots.txt, verywellhealth.com, indianexpress.com Organizations: Service, Amazon, Guardian, NPR, CBS News, CBS Sports, NBC News, CNBC, Yorker, Hearst, New York Times Locations: USA, Europe, Originality.ai, androidauthority.com

☆ The average monthly payment for a new car was $733 in the second quarter of 2023. That could rise if auto workers strike long enough.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The United Auto Workers went on strike on Friday after the union's four-year contract expired. About 13,000 United Auto Workers members went on strike on Friday after the union's four-year contract expired. An analysis by Edmunds.com showed that the average monthly new-car payments for the second quarter of 2023 reached $733. Now, experts say car prices could continue to rise — particularly from vehicles made by the Big Three — if there's a prolonged strike. Spokespersons for UAW, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis did not return a request for comment sent outside of working hours.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Edmunds.com, hobbling, Ford, Stellantis, Jim Farley, Fain Organizations: United Auto Workers, Service, Detroit's, Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Jeep, UAW, General Motors, Associated Press, Detroit automakers, Deutsche Bank, The New York Times, CNBC Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ An auto strike looks likely. Should I buy a car now?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —If you’re thinking about buying a new car, you might be warily watching news about a possible United Auto Workers strike. It depends on the vehicle you’re shopping for and on your own level of flexibility in that choice. New vehicle inventories are leaner than they’ve been before past strikes, said Pat Ryan, CEO of the car shopping site CoPilot, which closely tracks dealership inventories. So vehicle production at Mexican and Canadian factories could well shut down at some point if a strike drags on. In some ways, you might find this all somewhat similar to car shopping during the era of post-covid vehicle shortages, said Ryan.

Persons: Pat Ryan, —, “ They’ve, ” Ryan, Stellantis, Ryan, that’s, ”, Ivan Drury, Michelle Krebs, Thomas Goldsby, Stellantis’s, GM’s, “, you’re Organizations: CNN, United Auto Workers, Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Chevrolet, GM, Dodge, GMC, Edmunds.com, AutoTrader, Ford Bronco, UAW, University of Tennessee, Factories, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Trax, Auto Locations: American, Mexico, Canada, United States, North America, South Korea, Italy, China

☆ Electric Cadillac Escalade has 750 horsepower and can crab walk
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The new all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ shares virtually nothing with the boxy gas-powered Escalade, but it’s possibly the most important flag-bearer yet for the automaker’s transition to electric vehicles. So the new Escalade IQ has flashy light displays and electric motors able to produce a total of 750 horsepower. CadillacWhen it goes on sale next year, the Escalade IQ will be one of Cadillac’s most expensive models. Prices for the gas-powered Cadillac Escalade start at about $81,000, with the average one sold last year going for about $109,000 according to Edmunds.com. GM claims that the Cadillac Escalade IQ is the most aerodynamic large SUV the company has ever produced.

Persons: John Roth GM’s, Cadillac, ”, it’s, Mandi Damman Organizations: CNN, General Motors, GM, EV, Silverado EV, GMC, Hummer, Chevrolet Silverado, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Cadillac, GM’s Locations: Detroit, Hamtramck , Michigan

☆ Electric cars aren’t just for the wealthy anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Thanks to a combination of new models, more production and new tax laws, electric vehicles are no longer just for the wealthy. Currently the “days supply” of electric vehicles – a measure of the number units on dealer lots relative to how quickly they sell – is now twice that of new vehicles overall. The biggest bargain among electric vehicles currently, whether you lease or buy, happens to be one that’s going away soon. A Chevrolet Bolt EV sits parked at a charging station at Stewart Chevrolet on April 25, 2023 in Colma, California. For almost $10,000 less, in terms of sticker price, Hyundai offers the soon-to-be redesigned Kona Electric.

Persons: Kia, Erik Pendzich, it’s, Mark Luxcombe, Wolters, “ There’s, ” Luxcombe, Brian Moody, Moody, ”, Stewart, Justin Sullivan, Kia EV6, Josh Lefkowitz, Tony Quiroga, Bing Guan, Quiroga, Chevrolet Bolt Organizations: CNN, General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, GT, New York, Wolters Kluwer, Cox Automotive, Chevrolet Bolt, Stewart Chevrolet, GM, Angeles, Kona, EV, Chevrolet Locations: America, Colma , California, Los Angeles , California

☆ Tesla created secret team to suppress thousands of driving range complaints
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +19 min

He expected to get something close to the electric sport sedan's advertised driving range: 353 miles on a fully charged battery. The directive to present the optimistic range estimates came from Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, this person said. Driving range is among the most important factors in consumer decisions on which electric car to buy, or whether to buy one at all. Electric cars can lose driving range for a lot of the same reasons as gasoline cars — but to a greater degree. Independent automotive testers commonly examine the EPA-approved fuel-efficiency or driving range claims against their own experience in structured tests or real-world driving.

Persons: Daniel Acker, Alexandre Ponsin, Tesla, Elon Musk, Elon, Scott Case, Case, Gregory Pannone, Pannone, carmaker, Ford, Jonathan Elfalan, Edmunds, Elfalan, They've Organizations: Tesla Motors Inc, North American, Bloomberg, Getty, Reuters, Tesla, South, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai Kona, National Science Foundation, SAE International, U.S, Porsche, Benz, EV, Independent, General Motors, Hyundai, Korea Fair Trade Commission, Service Locations: Detroit , Michigan, Colorado, California, Las Vegas, Austin , Texas, Nevada, U.S, Seattle, Vegas, Henderson, Utah

☆ Tesla’s secret team to suppress thousands of driving range complaints
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +21 min

He expected to get something close to the electric sport sedan’s advertised driving range: 353 miles on a fully charged battery. Driving range is among the most important factors in consumer decisions on which electric car to buy, or whether to buy one at all. Electric cars can lose driving range for a lot of the same reasons as gasoline cars — but to a greater degree. The EPA said all the changes to Tesla’s range estimates were made before the company used the figures on window stickers. Independent automotive testers commonly examine the EPA-approved fuel-efficiency or driving range claims against their own experience in structured tests or real-world driving.

Persons: Alexandre Ponsin, ”, Tesla, Elon Musk, “ Elon, Scott Case, Case, Gregory Pannone, Pannone, “ They've, carmaker, Ford, I’m, ” Pannone, ” Jonathan Elfalan, Edmunds, Elfalan, ” Elfalan, Santa Clara –, Ponsin, ” Ponsin, “, Steve Stecklow, Norihiko, Heekyong Yang, Peter Henderson, Eve Watling, Lucy Ha, Ilan Rubens, Brian Thevenot Organizations: Reuters, Tesla, South, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai Kona, National Science Foundation, SAE International, U.S, Porsche, Benz, EV, Independent, General Motors, Hyundai, Korea Fair Trade Commission, Virtual Service, Santa, San Francisco Art Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Colorado, California, Las Vegas, Austin , Texas, Nevada, U.S, Seattle, Vegas, Henderson, Utah, Santa Clara, London, Austin, Seoul, San Francisco

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Expected to Resume Rate Increases
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Federal Reserve has already raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, to a range of 5 to 5.25 percent to rein in inflation, which is showing signs of slowing. The average credit card rate was 20.44 percent as of July 19, according to Bankrate.com, up from around 16 percent in March last year, when the Fed began its series of rate increases. The average rate on new car loans in June was 7.2 percent, up slightly from the start of the year, according to Edmunds.com. The average rate for an identical loan was 5 percent the same week in 2022. But yields on money market funds offered by brokerage firms are even more alluring because they have tracked the federal funds rate more closely.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, that’s, —, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: Chicago

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged: Live Updates
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | Joe Rennison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Credit card rates are closely linked to the Federal Reserve’s actions, which means consumers have seen those rates rise over the past year. After raising interest rates 10 times over the past 15 months, the Federal Reserve is expected to take a break on Wednesday and hold rates steady. The Federal Reserve has already raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, to a range of 5 to 5.25 percent to rein in inflation, which is showing signs of slowing. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried a 11 percent rate in May, up from 8.2 percent a year earlier. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, Edmunds.com, that’s, —, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: San Francisco .

☆ Fed Expected to Pause Rate Increases: Live Updates
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | Joe Rennison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Federal Reserve has already raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, to a range of 5 to 5.25 percent to rein in inflation, which is showing signs of slowing. The average credit card rate was 20.44 percent as of June 3, according to Bankrate.com, up from around 16 percent in March last year, when the Fed began its series of rate increases. The average rate on new car loans was 7.1 percent in May, according to Edmunds.com, up from 5.1 percent last year. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried a 11 percent rate in May, up from 8.2 percent a year earlier. The average rate for an identical loan was 5.23 percent the same week in 2022.

☆ Best cheap car options in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —You’ve probably seen shocking headlines saying the average price of a new car has reached about $48,000, according to industry analysts like Edmunds.com. The Chevrolet Trax, with a starting price around $20,000, garnered compliments on a recent test drive. The 2023 Kia Rio was rated as the best overall value by Cars.com. “The Nissan Versa [with a manual transmission] is like sixteen and change, and that’s a really, really pretty nice car,” said Quiroga. “But if you’re if you’re willing to persist and stick to your budget, you absolutely can [find a good inexpensive car] if you can keep an open mind.”

Persons: CNN — You’ve, Ford Maverick, Ford “, ”, Tony Quiroga, you’re, Jane Ulitskaya, Kia Rio, Cars.com, Driver’s Quiroga, Zach Gale, ” Gale, Quiroga, Gale, “, it’s Organizations: CNN, Chevrolet Trax, General Motors, Trax, Chevrolet, Ford, Apple, Cars.com, Kia, Android, Ford Maverick XL, Co, MotorTrend’s, Nissan

☆ Toyota unveils new Tacoma pickup hybrid option
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling mid-sized pickup in America for the last 20 years but its territory is getting much more competitive. To help it stay ahead in a crowded auto-industry battle for small-truck customers, Toyota just unveiled an entirely new Tacoma. The Toyota Tacoma Limited is the most luxurious version of the truck. ToyotaPopular with off-road enthusiasts, the new Tacoma will be available in several different off-road-focused versions: the TRD Pro, TRD Off-road, and the new Trailhunter model. TRD Off-Road, on which the hybrid system will be optional, will be engineered for more rugged terrain.

☆ You can make your Mercedes EV go faster for $60 a month
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle owners in North America who want a little more power and speed can now buy 60 horsepower for just $60 a month or, on other models, 80 horsepower for $90 a month. Various automakers have touted the potential for recurring revenue from subscription features like this. The power-unleashing software upgrades are available through the Mercedes Me online store in the vehicles. The availability of downloadable upgrades and features allows Mercedes customers to continuously customize their vehicles to fit changing needs and preferences, Mercedes said in an announcement. Mercedes never wants customers to press a button and get an annoying “Subscribe for use” pop-up on the center screen.

☆ Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Rules Create ‘Chaos for Consumers’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Lawrence Ulrich | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Even as sales of all Hyundai and Kia cars jumped in the first three months of the year, the brands’ electric vehicle sales fell more than 25 percent, according to Kelley Blue Book. Electric car sales on the whole soared to another record in the first quarter, on a pace to top one million cars in 2023, and now account for 7.2 percent of all new cars sold. The credit rules have been changing fast. In September, after the law’s passage, just 7 percent of consumers leased an electric vehicle, according to Edmunds.com. By March, leases accounted for 34 percent of the electric car market.

☆ How little engines are taking over American cars in a big way
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

If Americans have experience with three-cylinder engines, it would probably have been in Europe where the engines are fairly common in tiny “city cars” used for basic, around-town transportation. Now, for the 2023 model year, there are ten different models available in the United States with three-cylinder engines, according to Edmunds.com. All of these are at least offered with three-cylinder engines, if not available only with that engine. Vehicles that would have once have been powered by eight-cylinder engines now have turbocharged six-cylinder engines, instead. GM currently offers two different three-cylinder engines and, Hommes said, plans to continue selling them even as GM moves toward selling nothing but electric passenger vehicles by 2035.

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