The Chinese are coming with crash worthy vehicles. Click for more info.
Euro NCAP* released its annual Year in Numbers today where it looks at the highs and lows, as well some of the emerging trends that have appeared during 2022 testing. Perhaps 2022 will be remembered as a record year because Euro NCAP has never conducted as many safety tests or have so many new companies in the program. The addition of Austria and Norway as new members also increased Euro NCAP’s geographic coverage. During 2022, overall, Euro NCAP published a total of 73 safety ratings, of which 67 were for brand-new car models, including 65 models with the lowest safety specification and two ratings for models with optional equipment , plus six for variants of previously tested models.
However, AutoInformed thinks the emerging fresh data on electric vehicles is the most notable result. As in 2021, the EV market continues to expand quickly. During 2022, full electric vehicles made up 22 out of 65 new models, or 34%. Specifically, five out of six Euro NCAP’s Best in Class winners were electric. Europe’s bestselling car the Tesla Model Y and new Model S both achieved Top Scores in Euro NCAP. Perhaps this is a good thing because Tesla’s autopilot is a dismal safety failure on the road, as class action suits in the US attest. Also, since EVs are heavier, it remains to be seen how they affect other non-EVs when the two types collide – so-called crash compatibility. (Two Tesla Recalls – Self Driving Software, Seat Belt Warning) Continue reading
January US Vehicle Sales Up as Transaction Prices Hit Record
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Total new-vehicle sales for January 2023, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,043,100 units, a 5.4% increase from January 2022, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive* released today. New-vehicle transaction prices continue to rise; however the rate of growth continues to relax. The average price will set a January record of $46,437, an increase of 4.2% from a year ago.
The record transaction prices means that buyers are on track to spend nearly $39.9 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest level ever for the month of January, an increase of 2.4% from January 2022 despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to send the US into a recession. The looming Republican creation of a depression over the deficit, aka Congressional contract hit on America II, remains ominous. Continue reading →