Tag Archives: fuel costs

Auto Loan: EPA Promises More Fuel Economy Audits

In recent months, some automakers have been criticized for exaggerating the fuel economy of their newer models, and in response, the EPA will be auditing more fuel economy tests.

Ford, Hyundai, and Kia have been accused of overstating the fuel economy of their vehicles. As a result, Hyundai and Kia have had to adjust the ratings on some of their 2011, 2012, and 2013 models, and the EPA has promised to be more vigilant in checking these fuel economy claims.

At first glance, it doesn’t look too good for automakers. They said that their vehicles could achieve a fuel economy when it turned out that they could not. The truth of the matter, however, is much more complicated. Weather can affect the mpg of hybrid and electric cars, and different drivers can achieve different fuel economies. These automakers weren’t necessarily misrepresenting their fuel economy to the public but rather the average consumer misunderstood the mpg rating and thought it was a guarantee.

Even with the rating adjustments, the fuel economy on new vehicles is better than ever, and with gas prices today, consumers can save a lot of money on gas by trading in their older, less fuel-efficient model for a newer vehicle. Approved Loan Store can help you whether if you’re going for a trade in or just looking for a good deal on a new or used car. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here.

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Paul Ryan Budget Would Cancel Loans to Auto Industry

In the midst of the partisan bickering in Washington D.C. over the budget recently, the auto industry has been put on the chopping block by Paul Ryan’s Republican-backed budget.

Right now, there is a loan program in place for green energy efforts called the Advanced Technology Manufacturing Program. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush back in 2007, and part of the $25 billion program includes $16 billion which would go towards modifying auto factories. In Ryan’s proposal “The Path to Prosperity,” he was highly critical of President Obama over green initiatives, apparently forgetting that President Bush had signed it into law, and he claimed it “blocks proven domestic energy sources while spending recklessly on uncompetitive alternatives.”

Now, there should be debate over government spending in this country, and both Democrats and Republicans need to be willing to compromise. However, it is unfair of Paul Ryan to pin this program on President Obama and label it as “spending recklessly.” Alternative energy sources are the future, and we need car manufacturers making hybrid and electric cars now. If hybrid and electric cars start selling now, we will get early adapters in the next few years, and by the time we need to switch completely to hybrid or electric cars, America will be ready. Manufacturing fuel-efficient cars should not be a partisan issue; it should be common sense.

Looking for a new or more fuel-efficient car? Fill out Approved Loan Store’s car loan application here, and keep up with the latest new and trends from the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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Gas Prices Increasing Used Car Prices?

There’s been a lot of news on the rise of gas prices lately. With the increase of sales for the auto industry, it’s clear that people are looking for a car that spends more time on the road and less at the pump.

Kelly Blue Book has put out a report stating that rising gas prices might be driving the used car prices up 20 percent this year. While prices only saw a moderate growth of .4 percent in February, the prices saw a fast increase in the final week of the month. Compact cars rose 1.3 percent in that time and hybrids had an 3.6 percent increase.

Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelly Blue Book, said of the increase, “Dealers have been aggressively bidding on fuel-efficient vehicles at auction as consumer demand increases in response to rising gas prices. If the past is any indication of things to come, Kelley Blue Book could see values of used fuel-efficient vehicles increase more than 20 percent during the course of the next few months.”

Now is definitely the time to get into the dealership to get the car that you’ve been wanting. There is a wide range of fuel-efficient models, new and used, to choose from. Apply online on Approved Loan Store’s website and see how we can pair you up with a local dealer. Check out our Facebook page and you can read the latest industry trends and see testimonials from our satisfied customers.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net