shopping

Edmunds: Shopping for a car this year will not be the same

By Betty C. Morrow 1 week ago

2021 was an unusual year for the automotive industry. While customer demand for new cars rebounded from the economic uncertainty of 2020, automakers found themselves unable to meet that demand because of semiconductor chip shortages and supply chain problems. So what should car shoppers expect for 2022? Much of the same, unfortunately.

“Competition for new vehicles will be fierce as inventory shortages persist in 2022,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ senior manager of insights for Edmunds.

Shoppers today must contend with a limited selection, dealership markups, little to no discounts, and a greater sense of urgency to move quickly on a deal. With this in mind, here are five ways that car buying has changed, along with a few tips on how to manage it.

 

ONGOING VEHICLE SHORTAGE MEANS HIGHER PRICES

Vehicles that make their way onto the lot are more likely to be in more expensive trims and either marked

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New Software Allows Shoe Shopping While Charging Your EV, Without Leaving the Car

By Betty C. Morrow 2 weeks ago

A new third-party in-car web browser will allow drivers and passengers to watch, shop and browse all from the comfort of the driver’s seat, without having to pick up a smartphone or tablet.

Vivaldi, a web browser developed by a tech company in Norway, is now available for download in the Polestar 2 electric car in all North American, European and Asia Pacific markets. Polestar 2 is the first auto to carry the browser, which could be coming to other Android Automotive operating systems in the future.

“Now there is basically no limit to the web content you can explore in Polestar 2,” Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said in a press release.

While only available in one car from one brand, this paves the way for Vivaldi or other third-party browsers to make their way into other cars that utilize Android Automotive OS. Many automakers are switching to the

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The biggest mistakes buyers make when shopping for an electric car

By Betty C. Morrow 3 months ago

Electric cars continue to drive their way into the mainstream, and as sales grow we want to help steer you away from any potential mistakes so you can make the right car buying decision that works for you.

Sales of electric vehicles, or EVs, grew five times as fast as sales of gasoline-powered cars, according to data from Autotrader parent Cox Automotive. Still, EVs remain a small percentage — a little under 3% — of the cars Americans currently drive.

Automakers debuted dozens of new electric cars this year. There’s now an electric model available, or on the way soon, in almost every market segment.

Less than $20,000 to spend? Get a Nissan Leaf. Want to spend six figures and set 0-60 mph records? Get a Tesla Model S Plaid or a Porsche Taycan.

Want something functional for a small family with a little bit of style? Try the soon-to-arrive 

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Shopping For A Used Car? So Is Your Local Car Dealership

By Betty C. Morrow 7 months ago
Illustration for article titled Shopping For A Used Car On Facebook Marketplace? So Is Your Local Dealership

Photo: Tim Boyle/Newsmakers (Getty Images)

The used car market is out of control right now. That and more in The Morning Shift for June 14, 2021.

1st Gear: Buying A Car Right Now Sounds Intense

I know a couple people who have bought new cars over the past few months. Both are strong-willed, confident people. They have to be, I think. They also very much did not go used, as demand is currently beyond the pale. Part of the problem is that supplies are low for new cars, and that’s driving even car dealerships to hunt for good used cars in the same places you or I might.

Automotive News spoke to Premier Automotive Group’s dealer principal Troy Duhon, who is reportedly kicking $200 to $400 to salespeople for each used car they pick up, sometimes even on Facebook. It’s becoming a bit of a frenzy.

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