Author: Eliza Ronalds-Hannon

Leave the Hybrid, Take the Electric Motor

As auto makers worldwide ramp up efforts to promote new and improved electric models, some engineers are spreading a less expensive message: with a little expertise, or at least the help of an expert, you can turn your own gas-fueled car into an electric vehicle. In a course on electric […]

Auto Sales Will Dip in April, Perhaps Beyond

This year’s brisk first quarter auto sales will show signs of slowing when April numbers are released early next week, experts say. “It’s nothing too drastic, but we’re looking at some deceleration,” said Max Clarke, chief U.S. economist with Singapore-based IDEAglobal Ltd. His company has scaled back their annualized predictions […]

Supply Anxiety Drives Strong March Auto Sales

Toyota salesman Mitch Schechter made good money selling Prius hybrids in March, but he stands to make a killing in April. The Prius is one of several models that suffered production shutdowns in Japan after the March 11th earthquake. Spurred by the fear of limited inventory, consumers then flocked to […]

With Gas Prices Up, New Auto Sales Follow

U.S. auto sales surged by 27 percent in February, as a hike in oil prices sent consumers shopping for more efficient vehicles. With an annualized sales rate of 12.9 million vehicles, the month was one of industry’s strongest in the past year, and exceeded the predictions of most analysts. The […]