Latest News From Bumper Radio

After a flood, some sellers are trying to pass cars off as good as new.

Buyer, beware of flood damaged cars...

How all components and structure will change completely

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2016  -- We cover cars hybrid vs pure electric, premium vs mainstream, homologated vs car-like vehicles. The changing components from power electronics to new motors and supercapacitors are examined including game changers such as structural components. Vehicle forecasts 2014-2024.

E-cars are oversupplied and changing in all respects but in this frenzy of birth and death the future is being created with hybrid cars rapidly gaining market share now and sale of pure electric cars likely to take off in the second half of the coming decade as certain technical and cost challenges are resolved. Toyota and Tesla have hugely benefitted from correct market positioning but now Toyota is betting strongly on fuel cell hybrids and Tesla on mainstream pure electric cars - both graveyards for many companies in the past. A vicious shakeout of car and battery manufacturers has commenced with the winners expecting riches beyond the dreams of avarice.

Hand-picked by KBB.com editors

Recognized for safety, practicality, and styling

Recognized for a starting price under $20,000

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 3, 2016 -- Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that the 2016 Subaru Impreza was named to Kelley Blue Book's 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2016 for safety, style, and value.  The Impreza is a TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a price starting under $20,000.   

With the school year rapidly approaching, many students and parents are now considering their purchase options for a new car to get to and from campus.  To help narrow down their choices, the editors at Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, hand-picked the Impreza along with nine other vehicles for students.   

The national average price of gas has held relatively steady over the past week and has declined on just one of the past four days. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.12 per gallon, which is the lowest price for this date since 2004 and 26 cents below 2016’s peak price to date of $2.40 on June 11. Today’s price is one cent less than one week ago, 12 cents less than one month ago and 48 cents less than the same date last year.

Abundant supplies of gasoline have contributed to starkly lower gas prices across the country during this summer driving season. However, the U.S. Department of Energy last week reported the largest gasoline supply decline since April (3.3 million barrels), which was enough to at least temporarily reverse the lengthy slide in pump prices over the past several days. Gas prices dropped in 38 states and Washington, D.C. in the past week, but were largely offset by increases in several Midwestern states. Despite a weekly increase in 12 states, prices remain lower in every state versus one year ago, including discounts of 75 cents or more in three Western states.

The staff at Curt's Auto Repair in front of their Phoenix Children's Hospital Summer of Love campaign wall. Curt's is one of Bumper to Bumper Radio's preferred shop network and has been providing quality car care since 1987.

Click here for more information about Curt's Auto Repair

The folks at Accurate Automotive got their Phoenix Children's Hospital campaign set up on day one! Accurate Automotive is a full-service repair shop in Mesa offering a wide range of maintenance and repair services to keep your car running smoothly.

Click here for more information about Accurate Automotive

New AAA Foundation study shows that more than 200,000 Crashes Are Caused by Road Debris

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 11, 2016)- More than 200,000 crashes involved debris on U.S. roadways during the past four years, according to a new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. resulted in approximately 39,000 injuries and more than 500 deaths between 2011 and 2014. AAA is calling for drivers to properly secure their loads to prevent dangerous debris.

July depreciation ties June for the biggest loss recorded in 2016

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 11, 2016  -- Wholesale prices of vehicles up to eight years in age fell by 2.3 percent in July compared to June. According to the August edition of NADA Used Car Guide's Guidelines report, July's decline ties June for the biggest loss recorded this year.

Jonathan Banks, executive analyst at NADA Used Car Guide said, "Price movement at the segment level followed the trend we've witnessed the past few months where car losses were greater than trucks."

Banks went on to say, "Used subcompact car prices fell by an average of 3.9 percent. That's the largest segment decline this past month."

As a result, NADA Used Car Guide's seasonally adjusted used vehicle price index fell by 1.3 percent to 118.9, according to the August Guidelines report.

Editors select the best financing deals from leading certified pre-owned programs.

ATLANTA, Aug. 11, 2016 -- August marks the final days of summer with consumers getting back to routine. It's also a busy month for retailers and deal hunters alike. To help shoppers navigate the various certified pre-owned (CPO) deals, the editors at Autotrader have rounded-up their top picks for the month.

"We encourage shoppers to consider a certified pre-owned model for several reasons," said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. "First, CPO offers peace of mind with a manufacturer-backed warranty and perks that may include 24-hour towing and roadside assistance, trip interruption protection and rental car assistance. Second, CPO cars are a way for shoppers to get more for their money. They can get a nicer car with a few more features versus buying a brand new car. Finally, CPO buyers will receive a detailed checklist of the items inspected by a manufacturer-trained mechanic along with assurance that the vehicle passed inspection or was reconditioned to meet rigorous standards."

DETROIT, Aug. 11, 2016 -- The National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) has selected Fiat Chrysler's 2015 Dodge Viper SRT as its "Collectible Vehicle of the Future" for 2016.

Members of the NAHC Board of Trustees annually choose the "Collectible Vehicle of the Future" from North American-built vehicles introduced during the previous calendar year. The sixth generation of the iconic sports car was selected from new vehicles introduced in 2015.

This year's award was presented by Richard Kollins, chairman of the NAHC board and Chuck Patton, a board member.

The Viper has won the NAHC award four times since 2003. The NAHC honored the Chrysler Viper in 2003, the Dodge Viper in 2007 and the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Viper in 2013.

After dropping 54 of 55 days, the national average price of gasoline at the pump has held steady over the past week but has declined each of the past four days. The national average price for regular unleaded is $2.12 per gallon, which is the lowest price for this date since 2004. Today’s price is fractions of a penny more than one week ago, but is nine cents less than one month ago and 54 cents less than the same date last year.

As is frequently the case, the Midwest features the most dramatic pump price movement in the nation, including the only five states posting a weekly price change of more than a nickel. This past week’s direction was not uniform as prices in Michigan and Ohio have dropped at the same time prices in Kentucky, Indiana and Minnesota have jumped. Motorists in the Midwest are used to these sorts of price swings, as low supply and the resulting sensitivity to production and distribution issues have caused sharp price increases when refineries go offline, followed by rapid decline in prices when those issues are resolved.