Nutson's Weekly Automotive News Wrap-up September 8-14, 2024
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Here are Larry's top story picks from this past week's important to you, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive news nuggets.
Nutson's Auto News Wrap-up Week Of September 8-14, 2024
- Prices down. For the 11th straight month, the average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle in the U.S. was lower year over year, according to data released by Kelley Blue Book, as higher inventories continue to add price pressure to the market. At $47,870, the new-vehicle ATP in August was also lower by 0.6% compared to the revised July ATP of $48,166. Incentive levels increased month over month and year over year in August, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. The average incentive package in August equaled 7.2% of ATP, up from 7.0% in July to the highest level since the first half of 2021. The average transaction price for an EV in July, at $56,575, was marginally higher than the revised July ATP of $56,435 but lower year over year by more than 1.2%, suggesting the EV price declines are slowing.
- Too much tech. Are vehicle owners becoming overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality? The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study suggests that could be the case. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Read more HERE
- Hybrids on the rise. US consumer interest in electrified vehicles has dropped to 34%, a decline from 48% last year, with interest in fully electric vehicles falling to 11%, according to EY's Mobility Consumer Index. While charging infrastructure has improved and range anxiety has decreased, hybrids' flexibility is drawing more buyers in the US. Full story HERE
- New Prius MPG champ. The Prius continues to impress and has recently achieved a new high bar for efficiency. Hypermiler, Wayne Gerdes has been awarded the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S. from the west coast to east coast. Earlier this summer, Gerdes drove from Los Angeles City Hall all the way to New York City Hall in a Prius LE and achieved a staggering fuel economy average for the entire trip of 93.158 MPG combined. This smashed the previous record which was in the mid-70s MPG combined. Gerdes’ journey of 3,211.7 miles across the country took him through a wide variety of terrain as well as unpredictable weather. See more HERE
- Auto Hall of Fame. Bill Ford, executive chair of the Ford Motor Co., is among this year’s inductees into the Automotive Hall of Fame, and in a first for the organization founded in 1939, the ceremony will be broadcast live. Induction into the Hall of Fame is an honor that has been bestowed on big names across the automotive spectrum. Other new inductees this year are: Betsy Ancker-Johnson, Vic Edelbrock Sr. and Vic Edelbrock Jr., and John James.
- NACTOY Best. Twenty-five vehicles have been named the “Best of 2025” by the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards organization and will move on to the second round of judging. The semifinalist vehicles were revealed at “Cars at the Station,” an event developed by automotive enthusiast brand Hagerty in partnership with Michigan Central Station, Newlab and the City of Detroit. See the list here. HERE
- Electris school buses. California, New York and Illinois are the top three states for total electric school buses, according to a new analysis released by U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Environment America Research & Policy Center. The three states also lead the nation in combined federal and state investments into electric bus fleets. HERE
- Slow down or else. On Aug. 31 lawmakers in California passed a bill to require speed warnings on new vehicles starting in 2030. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D), the bill’s sponsor, said the number of people dying in crashes is a state and national crisis. Road safety advocates are calling for this fairly simple fix: Passive Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) System--- an onboard technology that can warn lead-footed drivers to slow down. The next step: Active ISA actually interacts with the vehicle control systems and does the slowing.
- New post office mail van. The US Postal Service’s new delivery vehicles have appeared and they aren’t going to win a beauty contest. They're tall and ungainly. The windshields are vast. Their hoods resemble a duck bill. Their bumpers are enormous. They do have air conditioning, making postal delivery drivers happy. Have a look HERE
- Volkswagen recall. Volkswagen is recalling nearly 100,000 of its ID4 EVs over faulty door handles. Insufficient water protection in the 2021-24 Volkswagen ID4 door handles could cause the door to fly open while the vehicle is moving.
- Ram recall. Stellantis NA is recalling over 1.2 million certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems." According to NHTSA, if the stability control system is disabled, and the driver isn’t aware, that could cause a collision.
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards, Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy