Car

Car buyers are giving up as chip shortage dwindles new car inventories further

By Betty C. Morrow 4 days ago
Car dealership

The days of cars stocked in the back are no longer.


Ken Biddulph/EyeEm/Getty Images

It’s no secret the new car buying process is currently a challenge. With no end in sight to the semiconductor chip shortage, new car inventories remain thin and average prices inch up from the $40,000 mark. Now, new data shows car buyers are starting to simply throw in the towel on the process. According to Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive data from Tuesday, nearly half of new car shoppers are walking away.

Instead, they’re prepared to postpone their new car search for months in hopes the chip shortage will ease and supplies help find an equilibrium once again. “The latest KBB research indicates that most consumers anticipate negative impacts on the automotive market due to the chip shortage, from increased prices to inventory shortages and longer delivery times,” said Vanessa Ton, senior industry

… Read More

There Is Only One TVR T440R Sports Car in the World, and It Is Now up for Sale

By Betty C. Morrow 6 days ago

TVR may have hoped that the T440R sports car would change the future of automotive design, but the company went out of business before that could happen.

Despite this unfortunate bit of timing, the British marque managed to build one example of the beautiful, futuristic sports car before going under. And now the one-of-a-kind coupé could be yours, via UK rare car dealer Auto Lounge.

More from Robb Report

The 2003 T440R was a homologated road car based on the British marque’s T400R race car which raced at Spa, Sebring and Le Mans in 2003, reports CarBuzz. The company built four cars in order to meet FIA homologation requirements. Three of those were Typhons, which were each fitted with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter straight-six engine.

2003 TVR T440R - Credit: Auto Lounge

2003 TVR T440R – Credit: Auto Lounge

Auto Lounge

Unlike those road cars, the T440R was powered by an even brawnier 4.2-liter straight-six,

… Read More

2022 North American Car, Truck, Utility of the Year semifinalists named

By Betty C. Morrow 6 days ago

The 2022 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year semifinalists were announced Tuesday at the inaugural Motor Bella at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.

The vehicles were chosen by a jury of 50 U.S. and Canadian automotive journalists from a list of 36. Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan is on the jury. 

There are now eight cars, six trucks and nine utility vehicles seeking top honors. 

“This year’s group of semifinalists includes some of the most interesting and innovative cars, trucks and utility vehicle candidates in recent memory, and a larger number of new trucks than we’ve seen in many years,”  Gary Witzenburg, NACTOY president, said in a news release. “And it features more electric vehicles than we’ve ever seen, all of which our jurors will continue to test and evaluate prior to our next vote.”

A comparison drive will take place Oct. 18-21, and the

… Read More

Mercedes-Benz Thought-Driven Car Is Inspired By James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’

By Betty C. Morrow 1 week ago

German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz seems to be going all out with its dream project – the AVTR concept car that is expected to be something right out from maverick filmmaker James Cameron’s popular science fiction movie Avatar. While the luxury automotive brand has been working on this project for the past few months, they just raised the bar to the next level by unveiling a new version of the concept car that would use the Brain-Computer Interface technology.

Known for their high-end luxury vehicles and setting new market trends with their innovative technology, Mercedes-Benz is leaving no stoned unturned with its futuristic AVTR concept car. In addition to the breathtaking design, the German carmaker is determined to introduce humans to the wild concept of thought-driven vehicles. And at the recent IAA 2021 show in Munich, Mercedes-Benz revealed its BCI technology car version that sent a wave of astonishment across the

… Read More