In its "Hagerty Hot List" released on Thursday, Hagerty shared which new 2017 vehicles might one day join the ranks of fully drivable classic collectibles.
The list names 10 vehicles in the 2017 production run by major worldwide automakers that valuation experts at the insurance provider for classic vehicles say are likely to grow in value and appeal to classic car enthusiasts.
"All 10 have that 'it' factor that makes them stand out from the crowd," said Hagerty chief executive officer McKeel Hagerty in a news release.
"In some cases, it's power; in some cases, it's innovation or drivability. But all of them have the qualities that define a future classic."
Hagerty only considered vehicles produced within the 2017 model year and with an MSRP of less than $100,000.
Taking the No. 1 spot on the list this year is the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, followed by the Audi TT-RS and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, respectively.
“The Camaro has seen many generations and performance upgrades, and this is the most important one yet. The 2017 Camaro ZL1 has a stat sheet that would make last year's Corvette nervous, and comes to the table ready to race. The legend continues to inspire today just as it did 50 years ago, as the Camaro reaches a whole new audience with this instant collector's item,” the company said in the release.
The Hagerty "Hot List" for 2017 includes:
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio ($72,000)
2. Audi TT-RS ($60,000 est.)
3. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ($61,140)
4. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 ($40,995)
5. Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport ($65,450)
6. Fiat 124 Spider Abarth ($28,195)
7. Ford Raptor ($49,520)
8. Mazda Miata RF ($31,555)
9. Porsche 718 Cayman / Boxster ($53,900-$56,000)
10. Toyota 86 ($26,255)
Hagerty provides online valuation tools and publishes Hagerty Price Guide, which it says are the premier guides for post-war collectible automobiles.
The team at online vehicle sales platform Shift sifted through reports about how various models stack up using 10 different characteristics such as depreciation, fuel efficiency, safety and spaciousness to determine what site officials said are the top 10 best used cars for 2017.
“Even though there were many ways we could have sliced this, we wanted to find the best overall vehicles that would be no-regret purchases,” Shift said in a blog post, authored by Jeremy Yuan, announcing its selections.
All but one of the choices came from Asian automakers as the rundown included:
1. Mazda3
2. Honda Insight
3. Hyundai Genesis Coupe
4. Honda CR-V
5. Hyundai Sonata
6. Kia Optima
7. Toyota Prius
8. Hyundai Santa Fe
9. Scion FR-S
10. Ford F-150
More details about how Shift compiled its list can be found in the blog post here.
IHS Markit recognized auto manufacturers and brands for loyalty leadership at its 21st annual Automotive Loyalty Awards during the Automotive News World Congress on Tuesday night.
General Motors received the evening’s top award, “Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer,” and winners in more than 30 categories were recognized, including Ford for “Overall Loyalty to Make.”
”We are proud to recognize so many loyalty leaders in the automotive industry,” said IHS Markit automotive senior vice president Joe LaFeir in a news release. “Our Automotive Loyalty Awards program highlights the ongoing successes of automakers and brands that continue to win back customers in this hyper-competitive environment. We commend those that are working to improve their efforts in this area.”
Manufacturers and brands are recognized for superior customer retention and conquest efforts during the 2016 model year..
As far as overall loyalty numbers, IHS Markit reports that in 2016 loyalty rate increased 1.3 percentage points.
Of the 17.5 million new vehicle registrations during the 2016 model year, 52.8 percent of customers purchased a vehicle from the same make they already owned, according to IHS Markit.
The following is a complete list of the 2016 Model Year Automotive Loyalty Award winners:
Manufacturer and Make Loyalty Awards
Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer – GENERAL MOTORS
Overall Loyalty to Make – FORD
Most Improved Loyalty to Make – TESLA
Highest Conquest Percentage – JEEP
Most Improved Conquest Percentage – VOLVO
Most Improved Super Loyalists – CADILLAC
Ethnic Market Loyalty to Make – FORD
African-American Market Loyalty to Make – FORD
Asian Market Loyalty to Make – MERCEDES-BENZ
Hispanic Market Loyalty to Make – TOYOTA
Segment Model Loyalty Awards
Luxury Compact CUV – ACURA RDX
Luxury Full-Size SUV – MERCEDES-BENZ GLS
Luxury Mid-Size CUV – LINCOLN MKX
Luxury Mid-Size SUV – MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS
Luxury Sport Car – PORSCHE 911
Luxury Traditional Compact Car – LINCOLN MKZ
Luxury Traditional Full-Size Car – MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS
Luxury Traditional Mid-Size Car – LEXUS ES
Luxury Traditional Sub-Compact Car – ACURA ILX
Non-Luxury Compact CUV – NISSAN ROGUE
Non-Luxury Compact SUV – JEEP WRANGLER
Non-Luxury Full-Size Three-Quarter To One-Ton Pickup – FORD F-SERIES
Non-Luxury Full-Size Half-Ton Pickup – RAM 1500
Non-Luxury Full-Size SUV – GMC YUKON DENALI XL
Non-Luxury Mid-Size CUV – SUBARU OUTBACK
Non-Luxury Mid-Size Pickup – TOYOTA TACOMA
Non-Luxury Mid-Size SUV – JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
Non-Luxury Mid-Size Van – CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY
Non-Luxury Sport Car – VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Non-Luxury Sport Mid-Size Car – DODGE CHALLENGER
Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car – CHEVROLET VOLT
Non-Luxury Traditional Full-Size Car – NISSAN MAXIMA
Non-Luxury Traditional Mid-Size Car – HONDA ACCORD
CarGurus combed through analysis of 900 million used-car searches on the car-shopping website from 2016 and found that Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, respectively, were the most sought-after brands nationally.
But the site also delved into the used-car search patterns of five major U.S. metropolitan areas to see which brands were resonating the most.
In its first-ever Year in Review Used Car Shopper Interest Study, which was released Monday, CarGurus outlined the most-searched used vehicles in the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta markets.
BMW was tops in the Big Apple, taking a 9.5-percent share of used-car searches in 2016. Los Angeles was geared toward Toyota, which took a 9.4-percent share.
Pre-owned car shoppers in Chicago leaned toward Chevrolet (11.3 percent), as did shoppers in Dallas (12.7 percent) and Atlanta (10.2 percent).
As far as vehicle body style, sedan was uniformly the most popular across each of the five metro areas, generating from 29.1 percent (Dallas) to 34.9 percent (New York) of search traffic.
Below is the top 10 most-searched used-car brands by metro area, along with 2016 share of search traffic. Data via CarGurus:
New York
1. BMW 9.5%
2. Toyota 7.6%
2. Honda 7.6%
4. Ford 7.4%
5. Mercedes-Benz 7.3%
6. Chevrolet 6.1%
7. Nissan 5.6%
8. Jeep 4.6%
9. Audi 4.2%
10. Dodge 3.7%
Los Angeles
1. Toyota 9.4%
2. Chevrolet 9.0%
3. BMW 8.2%
3. Ford 8.2%
5. Mercedes-Benz 6.9%
6. Honda 6.4%
7. Nissan 4.6%
8. Dodge 4.3%
9. Lexus 4.2%
10. Audi 3.3%
Chicago
1. Chevrolet 11.3%
2. Ford 9.1%
3. Toyota 6.2%
4. BMW 6.1%
5. Mercedes-Benz 5.3%
5. Jeep 5.3%
7. Dodge 5.0%
8. Honda 4.7%
9. Nissan 4.6%
10. Audi 3.8%
Dallas
1. Chevrolet 12.7%
2. Ford 11.7%
3. Toyota 7.0%
4. Dodge 6.6%
5. BMW 5.5%
6. Mercedes-Benz 5.4%
7. Nissan 4.9%
8. Honda 4.3%
9. Jeep 3.9%
10. Lexus 3.7%
Atlanta
1. Chevrolet 10.2%
2. Ford 9.7%
3. Toyota 7.8%
4. BMW 7.1%
5. Mercedes-Benz 6.4%
6. Honda 5.5%
7. Nissan 5.4%
8. Dodge 5.2%
9. Lexus 4.0%
10. Jeep 4.1%
After analyzing the 900 million used-car searches on its website in 2016, CarGurus found that when it comes to sought-after used vehicles, Ford and Chevrolet lead the way.
The Big 3 rivals took five of the top six spots on the car-shopping website’s list of 10 most-searched used cars in 2016, according to the company's first-ever Year in Review Used Car Shopper Interest Study released Monday.
They were also the top two most-searched used-car brands, with Chevy at No. 1 and Ford in second.
Ford’s Mustang and F-150 were Nos. 1 and 2 on the model list, respectively, while Chevy’s Silverado, Corvette and Camaro took spots four through six.
Also highlighting the list, CarGurus said, were pickup trucks.
Three pickup truck models made the top 10, but more importantly, they had the biggest upswing in traffic within that list. Searches for the F-150 were up 10.8 percent, while searches for the Silverado were up 12.4 percent.
The Toyota Tacoma — which placed seventh — had a 6.9-percent increase in interest.
The Toyota brand, meanwhile, came in third on the brand list. GMC had the largest upswing in popularity for the 10 top brands (up 5.8 percent).
“It comes as no surprise to see the car manufacturers with the most popular pickup trucks sit atop our list of most popular used car brands for 2016, while the manufacturers without those types of vehicles in their lineup saw shoppers’ interest decrease,” CarGurus data analyst Lisa Rosenberg said in a news release.
“Over the past four years, the strong demand in pickup trucks has helped that category retain its value extremely well when compared to the rest of the used auto market, and it is likely that this trend should continue in 2017,” she said.
Top 10 most-searched used-car models in 2016, with year-over-year change in interest, per CarGurus:
1. Ford Mustang -3.2%
2. Ford F-150 10.8%
3. Jeep Wrangler 5.1%
4. Chevrolet Silverado 12.4%
5. Chevrolet Corvette -2.1%
6. Chevrolet Camaro 4.4%
7. Toyota Tacoma 6.9%
8. Honda Accord -2.1%
9. BMW 3 Series -4.4%
10. Dodge Charger 2.4%
Top 10 most-searched used-car brands in 2016, with year-over-year change in interest, per CarGurus:
1. Chevrolet 2.4%
2. Ford 3.9%
3. Toyota 2.3%
4. BMW 0.3%
5. Honda -2.9%
6. Dodge 0.6%
7. Mercedes-Benz 1.3%
8. Nissan -8.3%
9. Jeep 3.9%
10. GMC 5.8%
They might not always appear on the driveway wrapped in a giant bow, but gifted cars — either to a loved one or one’s self — are a big deal.
And millennials, it turns out, are the demographic most likely to be doing the gifting.
According to eBay Motors’ just-released Holiday Automotive Gifting Survey, millennials were more likely than baby boomers or Gen X-ers to be planning to give a car as a Christmas gift this year. Millennials also were the most likely to self-gift; of those who reported having gifted a vehicle in the last year, 58 percent said the car they had purchased was for themselves.
It was a finding that surprised Jay Hanson, who is vice president of North America, hard goods at eBay Motors.
“You would think that Gen-Xers or baby boomers might have more relational opportunity to gift somebody a car,” he told Auto Remarketing, “but it was the millennials who were proving to be the most generous.
“It makes me think I need to up my game with my Christmas list,” quipped Hanson, himself a member of Generation X.
General results
Thirty percent of survey respondents said they had purchased a vehicle as a gift for themselves (47 percent) or someone else (53 percent) in celebration, or in recognition of, a major life milestone or for the holidays within the last year.
And 31 percent said they had received a vehicle as a gift.
Among those who had purchased a vehicle as a gift, college graduations and 16th birthdays tied for the most common occasions, followed by high school graduations. Celebrating Christmas tied with “other” celebrations as the third-most common reason.
Nearly half of all respondents paid for the gifted vehicle through financing, and the majority purchased at a dealership. And a majority of respondents purchased a vehicle as a gift bought new as opposed to used (56 percent versus 44 percent). That being said, millennials were the most likely to gift a used vehicle.
Happy holidays
Eight percent of respondents said they planned to surprise someone with a car for Christmas this year, with millennials — one in 10 — leading the pack.
When asked what vehicle they are considering, Ford was the most popular across all three generations, especially among millennials. The Ford Focus ranked as the second-most-considered vehicle model among all respondents. By vehicle models, Toyota Camry received the highest popularity, followed by Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Nissan Rogue.
The most favorite automaker differed across the generations: Ford is the most considered brand among millennials, while Nissan and Toyota are the most considered brands for Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers, respectively.
Fun facts
The survey turned up some quirky data, too.
“I was fascinated by the pop culture data that we got out of it,” Hanson said, “such as the holiday songs people most wanted to hear in their vehicles, starting with Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You.’ And I’m happy to see that my own favorite came in at No. 2: ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’ So that was interesting to see.”
When it comes to pop culture vehicles that folks want for Christmas, the Aston Martin Vanquish from “James Bond: Die Another Day” was the most wanted among all respondents.
As for the most-coveted fantasy vehicle, that distinction goes to the Batmobile.
Parts and accessories also make popular Christmas gifts, with 43 percent of respondents saying they’ve purchased them for themselves or someone else.
As for stocking stuffers, gas cards were the resounding winner with three quarters (75 percent) of all respondents indicating they wanted to receive one.
And about that giant bow? Seventeen percent of respondents who purchased a vehicle for someone else did indeed spring for the classic giftwrap.
Surprise!
When it comes to surprising a loved one with a car, respondents shared their stories, including:
- “Told her I needed her to help me pick up a car for a friend and after she drove it a while I asked if she likes it. When she said she loved it I told her it was for her.” – A male baby boomer who purchased a blue Hyundai Veloster 2014 for his child for college graduation
- “Told him to come look at my new truck, as we were looking at it is told him I was kidding that it was really his and happy birthday and gave him the keys.” – A male Gen-Xer who purchased a blue Chevy Silverado 1990 for his little brother as his 16th birthday gift.
- “Had her close her eyes as we walked outside. Pressed panic button on remote and asked her to open eyes” – A male Gen-Xer who purchased a red Mercedes C240 2009 for his wife as a Christmas gift.
Others shared anecdotes of receiving a surprise vehicle:
- “My husband called me and told me I had to pick him up because his car was being serviced. When I got there someone from the dealership told me to come in because my husbanded needed help. When I went in he was standing next to a car with a ribbon on it.” – A female Baby Boomer who received a vehicle as a Christmas gift
- “I asked for a car during my senior year of high school but never got one. Then after I graduated I was at work and when I was getting ready to go home I got picked up in my new car by my mom and a couple of my friends.” – A male millennial who received a vehicle as a high school graduation gift
- “He sat in our neighbor’s garage then on Christmas morning he asked me to come have a cup of coffee with him outside and there it was a brand's Mazda rx8 or 9 I can't remember…it had a big red bow on it!!” – A female Gen-Xer who received a vehicle as a Christmas gift.
No regrets
Buyer’s remorse does not appear to be a big factor in vehicle gifting, with only 4 percent of givers reporting they regretted their decision. Vehicle defects and too-high monthly payments led the reasons.
One respondent who has purchased a Plymouth Voyager for his wife for Christmas told him she was upset that she wasn’t with him when she bought it — that she had no say.
When it comes to vehicle gifting, one should treat it like any other gift: “You do want to make sure that it’s something that connects with them directly and that they’ll appreciate,” Hanson said.
The zombies are here.
Except instead of two legs, they have four wheels.
We’re talking about zombie cars — discontinued makes and models that are coming back to life.
CarGurus has dug through its “data graveyard” and compiled a list of discontinued vehicles for which consumer interest has steadily increased since 2014.
According to CarGurus’ data, discontinued models make up about 12 percent of used-car inventory available for sale in the U.S.
Used-car dealers typically are able to sell these “dead” cars just as fast as still-manufactured models of the same age in terms of average days on market.
“Our data shows that interest in dead cars is very much alive, and for good reason: Many discontinued cars offer decent quality at a discounted price,” said CarGurus marketing analyst Lisa Rosenberg.
“That said, shoppers that are new to the car-pocalype should double down on their research before buying an obsolete car. Do your price homework, shop at a reputable dealer and definitely get the car inspected by a mechanic that can give insight on future expected maintenance issues.”
The Top 10 zombie vehicles (with dates of manufacture) are:
— Mazda Speed3 (2007-2013)
— Mazda2 (2001-2014)
— Toyota Supra (1983-1998)
— Toyota Pickup (1978-1995)
— Volkswagen EuroVan (1993-2003)
— Bugatti Veyron (2006-2010)
— Porsche 968 (1992-1995)
— GMC Syclone (1991)
— Jeep Commander (2006-2010)
— Ford Bronco II (1984-1990)
Take, for example, the GMC Syclone. "280-horsepower and all-wheel drive might not sound like much compared to today’s trucks, but in 1991, they were enough to warrant a ridiculous name like Syclone," CarGurus said in commentary on the results.
CarGurus surmises that the rarity of the model, combined with American's love of pickups and favorable customer reviews on CarGurus.com, has helped give extra life to this discontinued model.
For more information about the zombie car list and tips to keep in mind when purchasing a discontinued car, click here.
With tailgating season in full swing on college campuses and near NFL stadiums, online retailer Vroom compiled a list of the best pickups for enjoying time with family and friends before kickoff.
Vroom thinks football fans can have a great tailgate event with one of these seven options, whether the tailgating set-up is sparse or supersized.
Here are Vroom’s picks for the top seven trucks for tailgating along with commentary about each one:
1. Ford F-series
There’s a reason every tailgate parking lot is crowded with this classic, All-American truck, which is also the official truck of the NFL. The F-series trucks come with a roomy bed that can handle all of your tailgating accessories. Even better, once you unpack your gear, there’s plenty of space for a couple of chairs so you can survey the scene from your perch atop your throne. The F-350 even boasts a 110-volt/400-watt inverter outlet that’s perfect for juicing up a flat-screen TV or speaker.
2. Dodge Ram
Dodge’s answer to Ford’s F-series, the Ram pickup series makes an excellent tailgate vehicle. Each pickup comes with an air suspension system that lowers the entire truck to make it easier to climb in and out of the bed. You can ditch the cooler at home — a waterproof bed liner means you can pack the truck bed with ice and your favorite brews. The RamBox cargo management system is also a plus when it comes to storage solutions, offering bed tie-downs, cargo partitions, and LED lighting.
3. Chevrolet Silverado
Boasting a roll-formed steel bed floor and rugged cargo box, the Chevy Silverado is one tough, full-size truck. It’s full of small hacks that’ll make your tailgating easier, including upper tie downs built into the bed to secure your load and a cornerstep built into the rear bumper (along with pocket grips on the side rails) to make getting in and out a breeze. Newer models even come with articulating running boards that extend backwards to give you easy access to the front of the bed.
4. Chevrolet Colorado
A midsize pickup, the Chevy Colorado is a favorite among tailgaters (and probably among Denver Broncos fans). Colorado fans are onto something, as the vehicle nabbed MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year award in 2015 and 2016. The EZ Lift tailgate feature means with a simple handle pull, the tailgate falls open gracefully. It also makes it a cinch to remove the tailgate entirely. You determine the best way to organize your tailgating accessories with the GearOn storage system, a customizable bed divider that allows for two-tier loading.
5. Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma makes it easier than ever to protect your tailgating gear while you’re away, thanks to a locking tailgate handle and an available locking cover that slides right over the truck bed. Newer models feature a rugged bed liner made of reinforced fiber, adjustable tie-down cleats, and handy storage compartments built into the truck’s sides. Perhaps the most tailgating-friendly feature is the bed-mounted 120-volt/400-watt outlet, so you can plug in a speaker and blast your team’s fight song from the bed itself.
6. Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is a versatile tailgating vehicle that is customizable to your needs, as it’s available with three bed sizes: short, standard and long. The tailgate lowers and lifts easily with the touch of just two fingers and can be easily locked. Tie-down cleats will help keep your grill secure when transporting to and from the tailgate. Raining? No problem. Fold-up rear seats allow extra storage inside the cabin for anything you want to shield from the elements.
7. Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is a midsize truck, perfect for maneuvering through crowded parking lots and backing into tight spaces. The Utili-track cargo-carrying system is unique in that its partitions lock into the channels on the floor, not just in the walls. You can snap in your tie-down cleats anywhere along the Utili-track system, making it easier to secure awkwardly shaped cargo. A sliding bed extender makes the bed just a little bit longer, when you need to squeeze in one more lawn chair, and step rails grant you easy access to the roof and the front of the truck bed.
A recent study found that a bigger car could be the key to a better family driving experience.
CarGurus’ Family Driving Survey found that parents who drive multiple children around in sedans are less satisfied with their vehicles than those driving minivans and SUVs.
Twenty-one percent of sedan owners said their car does not meet their family’s needs, while only 7 percent of minivan and SUV owners expressed dissatisfaction.
Of all the respondents reporting that their current primary car does not meet their family's driving needs, 62 percent said it’s because the car is too small.
“Parents weigh many important factors when they consider their family car, but it seems that bigger capacity is one of the best indicators for overall satisfaction, especially as kids grow up,” said Matt Smith, editor at CarGurus.
“The benefits of more space and improved comfort and convenience features are huge for families, and manufacturers are delivering on these bigger expectations at many budgets and with improved fuel efficiency. Sustained low gas prices also make the super-sized ride a lot more palatable for families.”
But while minivans and SUVs may be the preference for families with multiple children, buyers are not likely to find deals on these vehicles right now.
“The bottom line for shoppers is that following the crowd will cost you,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. “With so many SUVs and CUVs selling well — Honda HR-V, for example — great deals are not likely on those vehicles. Be prepared to pay full price.”
What’s happening in the family automobile
Families today are spending a lot of time on the road and doing a lot of “living” in their cars. More than half (56 percent) of parents with middle-school-age children report they are driving their kids to and from school or extracurricular activities at least five days per week. One in three middle school parents report spending four hours or more per week driving their kids around.
Almost half of parents surveyed (45 percent) said they are most likely to have a conversation with their children about their day while driving in the car versus at the dinner table or at bedtime.
Besides conversation, a lot more “family room” activity is happening in the car. A majority of parents allow their children to:
—Eat in the car (78 percent)
—Read in the car (73 percent)
—Use mobile devices to play games or watch media online (70 percent)
—Choose the music for the ride (60 percent)
When families with multiple children were asked which feature would be of primary importance when considering purchasing a family car today, price, safety, cargo capacity and fuel economy ranked the highest out of 12 features.
Family-friendly features such entertainment technology and video screens, and convenience features such as an automatic tailgate lift were of least importance to most parents. Resale value was also not a high priority for families with multiple children. This feedback helped inform CarGurus’ choices for Best Family Cars for 2016, which can be found here.
While September was a lackluster month for new car sales, Americans’ passion for larger vehicles is supplanting the popularity of smaller models.
“Even as the Big Three U.S. automakers fail to show sales increases in September, and records are not being set, the numbers are still historically solid. Low fuel prices and a consumer passion for crossovers, SUVs and trucks continues to buoy sales of those models as traditional sedans and coupes fall out of favor,” said Michael Harley, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.
According to the American International Auto Dealers Association, crossover SUVs and pickup trucks accounted for 59.9 percent of all vehicle sales in September — up 4.5 percent from last September — while car sales were down 7.1 percent to 40.1 percent of all vehicles sold.
CarGurus gathered online responses from 1,400 parents with children 18 or younger on their family driving behaviors and vehicle needs. Click here to view the full results.
With so many resources available, it’s easier than ever to find deals on used wheels.
But are there regional degrees of car-buying savvy?
Vroom examined the last three years’ worth of sales data from its site — tens of thousands of transactions — and came up with a list of the 10 states whose residents consistently find the best deals while shopping for used cars.
These are buyers who save the most on the cars they buy, compared with estimated values based on real-time used-vehicle valuations by vAuto.
“People saved on average hundreds to thousands of dollars,” said Scott Chesrown, Vroom’s chief revenue officer. “Roughly 6 to 9 percent below what’s available in their market.”
As far as the impetus for this study, which turned up some interesting insight for the Vroom team, “We wanted to see what we could learn from our prior transactions that could give us insight into where customer demand is and what types of demand we could match up to our inventory … to help us make better purchasing decisions,” Chesrown said.
The 10 states are:
- Oklahoma
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- New York
- Missouri
- Pennsylvania
“Aside from California having twice as many vehicle registrations because such it’s such a large, populated state, pretty much most everything on the list kind of surprised me,” Chesrown said.
That includes his home state of Colorado, where his father owned a large franchise.
“Colorado has the fewest vehicles per capita in the U.S., which means there may be fewer dealership options — and thus less competitive local prices.
“Just hearing that even compared to New York it has less vehicles per capita was kind of mind-boggling,” Chesrown said.
“Arizona was also a surprise,” he said. “Arizonans who shopped on Vroom may have avoided the costly markups and hidden fees often associated with buying from local used car salesmen.”
Here are some other stats the experts at Vroom unearthed:
—Oklahomans require vehicles that can withstand a beating from harsh weather. Large pickup trucks like the Titan, Silverado, Ram and F-Series sell here at a rate more than twice as high as the national average.
—The state has 91 vehicles for every 100 residents, making it the 12th-highest state in the country in terms of vehicles per capita.
—Michigan is the center of American car manufacturing, so it’s no surprise that residents know how to buy a car with finesse. There are 13 assembly plants in Michigan, responsible for 20 percent of all U.S. production — far more than any other state.
—In a state with varied terrain — and one that experiences all four seasons — New Mexico residents need cars that are dependable, trustworthy and fairly priced.
—There are a lot of retirees in Arizona, particularly in places like Sun City, where 66 percent of the population is 65 or older. With age comes wisdom, it seems, as Arizonans know a thing or two about scoring a good deal on their vehicles.
—California has 840 miles of coastline and 51,326 miles of state highway. It makes sense that its residents are savvy when it comes to car shopping, since California has 21 million licensed drivers, nearly double the amount of any other state.
—Colorado has the fewest vehicles per capita of any state — there are only 34 vehicles for every 100 people. Trucks from the Ford F-Series family are the most popular vehicles in the Mile High State.
—A car can be a burden in New York City. There are only 57 cars for every 100 people in New York, making it the state with the third fewest vehicles per capita. The most popular car among New Yorkers is the Honda Accord.
—Missouri has nearly 4 million licensed drivers, which is noteworthy, since it has only 6 million residents total. The Dodge Caravan sells at 208 percent of the national average here.
—Pennsylvania has the fourth most interstate mileage of any state. Driving on those roads are more than 8.3 million licensed drivers — the fifth most in the nation. It’s no wonder that residents here can spot a deal from miles away.
