The issue on up to how much gas prices would increase is still wandering in the minds of many. But thanks to the efforts of Kelley Blue Book, a survey was conducted among the potential new car buyers, the group expected to increase as the summer comes in.

Based on their feedback, it seems that many are bracing for the worst as far as expected price per gallon of gas is concerned. We have been seeing an erratic market and it seems that this is nothing compared to what may happen in the following months. There are a lot of factors but generally, looking out for the worst is not surprising anymore.

Some are speculating a $5 to the gallon and others at $3. Whatever the case may be, it seems that the bottom-line is that they are ready for it even though many fear it. And if there is one factor that one area that will be affected by it, it has to be the fact that car sales will be severely affected.

Actually we are experiencing this now. Seeing these big car manufacturers close or groping for survival is a sign that the consumers are playing it safe. And while crazy discounts are being given, the fact is that people need to be financially wise nowadays. For that aspect alone, the demand and outlook for new cars is not yet established and may even become worse for the time being.

(Source) Press

Tags: big car, bottom line, car buyers, car manufacturers, car sales, consumers, erratic market, gallon of gas, gas increases, gas prices, kelley blue book, many fear, new car, new cars, price per gallon, survival

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Ford is thankful that it has one vehicle doing well in the market. The vehicle is their Ford Fusion and thanks to the growing popularity of this vehicle, they have moved up in the retail market share for April.

In April, the Ford Fusion paced the share performance. Fusion sales totaled 18,321, a record for any month. April was the first full month of sales for the redesigned 2010 model and the new Fusion Hybrid version, and April is believed to be the first month that Fusion was among the top three-selling mid-size sedans. Recent independent studies rate Fusion and the Mercury Milan – the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America – as having the best predicted reliability among all mid-size sedans.

The new Fusion Hybrid is one of four hybrid models offered by Ford. Hybrid models also are offered in the Mercury Milan mid-size sedan and the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner small utility vehicles. All Ford hybrid models are the most fuel-efficient vehicles in their class, and the Ford Escape and Ford Fusion recently were named to Kelley Blue Book’s list of Top 10 Green Cars. In April, combined sales of all hybrid models totaled 2,299, up 21 percent versus a year ago.

Other new Ford products contributed to the retail share performance, including the new F-150 pickup, America’s best-selling vehicle, and Ford Flex, the distinctively styled crossover utility that had its best sales month ever (3,190).

(Source) Press

Tags: Crossover, ford escape, ford fusion, ford products, fuel efficient vehicles, green cars, hybrid models, hybrid version, kelley blue book, Mercury, mercury mariner, mercury milan, mid size sedans, new ford, utility vehicles

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Ford gets the nod of Kelly Blue Book as two of its vehicles have been included in the Top 10 Green Cars list. Today, editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid to its 2009 list of “Top 10 Green Cars.”

“This recognition says strong things about Ford as a hybrid manufacturer,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “What we really like about both the Fusion and Escape Hybrids is that they do everything great hybrids should do – in terms of providing excellent fuel economy – but at the same time, they drive like conventional vehicles.”

Nerad says fuel economy was just one of the factors editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com took into consideration when selecting this year’s list of “Top 10 Green Cars.”

“We go beyond fuel economy and powertrain, and we look at things that people generally look at when buying any car, such as comfort, convenience, safety and value for the money,” he said.

Ford Hybrid Marketing Manager David Finnegan says winning two of the 10 spots on kbb.com’s “Top 10 Green Cars” list for 2009 demonstrates Ford’s versatility as a hybrid manufacturer.

“We are continuing to expand our portfolio to offer consumers a wider range of alternatives,” said Finnegan. “Not only do we have the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet with the Ford Escape Hybrid but we also are committed to being a leader in the car segment. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid provides 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, making it North America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan.”

(Source) Press

Tags: car segment, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, ford fusion, ford vehicles, fuel economy, fuel efficient suv, green cars, hybrid marketing, hybrids, kelley blue book, kelly blue book

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Kelley Blue Book has announced the BMW Group’s up2drive.com is their choice as its executive online lender for the kbb.com website. Kelley Blue Book is a leading provider of automotive information including new car prices; car reviews and news; used car Blue Book(R) Values, auto classifieds along with car dealer information and locations.

An automotive financing Web site that features convenient loan services, up2drive.com is designed to empower consumers through every step of the car buying, refinancing and selling process. Launched in the fall of 2007, up2drive.com is a direct-to-consumer lending business unit of BMW Group Financial Services that is backed by the same award-winning customer service that provides automotive loans to BMW Group customers in the U.S.

Qualifying potential buyers researching the purchase and financing of a vehicle on kbb.com can access a direct link to up2drive.com, where they easily can apply and be approved for a loan. Once approved, buyers can use up2drive.com’s unique loan process, the drive check(TM), to negotiate with private sellers or auto dealers as if they have cash on hand – saving them valuable time and money.

One of the few companies specializing in direct-to-consumer automotive financing, up2drive.com offers competitive rates, award-winning service, and time-saving tools.

(Source) Press

Tags: Auto Dealers, automotive information, award winning service, BMW, bmw group financial services, business unit, car blue book, car dealer, group customers, group financial, kelley blue book, loan process, loan services, new car prices, private sellers, up2drive

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For motorists who want the best car deals in the market, your best bet is to check out Kelley’s Blue Book. And if you happen to see a couple of Kia vehicles included in the 5 Great Deals list, don’t be surprised.

Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the all-new 2010 Soul passenger vehicle and 2009 Borrego LX recently have been included in Kelley Blue Book’s weekly “5 Great Deals” list on kbb.com. The two newest vehicles to join Kia Motors’ ever-expanding lineup were lauded for offering attractive pricing on top of an impressive combination of capabilities and value.

Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, a leading automotive information company, issues a new “5 Great Deals” list each week to make new car buyers aware of packages and offers that dealers in their area are offering. New cars with low financing, cash back and low-payment leases often make the list. Kbb.com featured the 2010 Kia Soul as one of its “5 Great Deals” for the week of March 9, and the 2009 Kia Borrego LX for the week of March 16.

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the all-new versatile five door begins at $13,300(1) for the base trim, while Soul+ starts at $14,950 and tops out at $17,100 when all options are included. Moving up to the Soul!, pricing begins at $16,950 and peaks at $17,900 with all available options included; and the Soul sport, designed for those with active lifestyles, starts at $16,950 and tops out at $18,600 with all available options included.

With a starting price under $27,000, the 2009 Borrego, recently given a “Best Bet” distinction by The Car Book 2009, offers consumers a midsize SUV that combines practicality and luxury. With Borrego’s impressive class-leading towing capacity of 7,500 pounds when paired with the V8 engine and best-in-class fuel economy of 15/22 city/highway when the V8 2WD engine is under the hood, the 2009 Borrego, also available with a V6 option, gives consumers a reliable SUV perfect for long weekends or camping trips while keeping passengers comfortable in a nicely appointed interior.

(Source) Press

Tags: automotive information, car buyers, car deals, kbb, kelley blue book, kia motors america, kia vehicles, midsize suv

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With a new and improved Ford Escape from its 2008 model, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has been unanimously chosen by Kelley Blue Book as one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.”

“After undergoing a major overhaul for the 2008 model year, the Ford Escape Hybrid is improved again for 2009 with a more powerful and more efficient gas-electric powertrain,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “Its fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon in the city is even better than that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.”

The 2009 model features new comfort-designed seats with soy-based foam that substitutes for petroleum-based products to conserve limited resources and reduce CO2 emissions. Eco-friendly seat fabrics made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials also are offered on the

Earning a spot on kbb.com’s exclusive list of “2009 Best New Family Vehicles” is not the only accolade the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has received. Ward’s Automotive Group named Ford’s redesigned Escape Hybrid engine to its “2009 10 Best Engines” list. The vehicle also was recognized as “Best Crossover/SUV Value Under $28,000″ by Intellichoice.com, a leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis.

(Source) Press

Tags: crossover suv, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, hybrid engine, kelley blue book, kelly blue book, miles per gallon, petroleum based products, recycled materials, toyota camry, toyota camry hybrid

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