Matt Ellinwood
Matt Ellinwood is an automotive expert at RepairPal, the leading online source of auto repair resources and estimates. With many ASE Master certified mechanics on staff who have decades of experience, RepairPal knows all the fine points of car repair.
Posts by Matt Ellinwood
I read this morning (on Autoblog) that while overall new car and truck sales have taken an absolute bruising in recent months, the share of those sales going to new SUVs and trucks has actually increased. The article notes that this gain coincides with a slide in gas prices over the same time period: "Truck sales fell below 10% of overall vehicle sales back in May and June, but the price of gas falling from an average of $4.
I read this morning (on Autoblog) that while overall new car and truck sales have taken an absolute bruising in recent months, the share of those sales going to new SUVs and trucks has actually increased. The article notes that this gain coincides with a slide in gas prices over the same time period: "Truck sales fell below 10% of overall vehicle sales back in May and June, but the price of gas falling from an average of $4.
We've been hard at work adding requested models! We found the data, and now here they are! Buick Enclave, Buick Lucerne, Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac DTS, Cadillac STS, Cadillac STS-V, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Aveo5, Geo Metro, Chevrolet HHR, Chevy Cobalt, Chevy Cobalt SS, Chevy Equinox, Chevy Express Vans (1500,2500,3500), Chevrolet Colorado (2008), Chrysler Aspen, GMC Rally Wagon (1500,2500,3500), GMC Vandura (1500,2500,3500), GMC Savana Vans (1500,2500,3500), GMC Acadia, GMC Canyon (2008), Hummer H3, Hyundai Azera, Kia Rondo, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn Aura, Saturn Outlook, Suzuki Reno, Volkswagen GTI, and Volkswagen Rabbit .
We've been hard at work adding requested models! We found the data, and now here they are! Buick Enclave, Buick Lucerne, Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac DTS, Cadillac STS, Cadillac STS-V, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Aveo5, Geo Metro, Chevrolet HHR, Chevy Cobalt, Chevy Cobalt SS, Chevy Equinox, Chevy Express Vans (1500,2500,3500), Chevrolet Colorado (2008), Chrysler Aspen, GMC Rally Wagon (1500,2500,3500), GMC Vandura (1500,2500,3500), GMC Savana Vans (1500,2500,3500), GMC Acadia, GMC Canyon (2008), Hummer H3, Hyundai Azera, Kia Rondo, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn Aura, Saturn Outlook, Suzuki Reno, Volkswagen GTI, and Volkswagen Rabbit .
SEMA is in full-swing today, and alternative fuel applications are all the rage. Yesterday, I wrote about air cars, and today I'm blow away by the Ronn Motor Company's Scorpion.
SEMA is in full-swing today, and alternative fuel applications are all the rage. Yesterday, I wrote about air cars, and today I'm blow away by the Ronn Motor Company's Scorpion.
David Leggett mentions today in his blog at just-auto.com that in the midst of the horrible economic turmoil and uncertainty facing General Motors, the company has opened an auto manufacturing facility outside of St.
David Leggett mentions today in his blog at just-auto.com that in the midst of the horrible economic turmoil and uncertainty facing General Motors, the company has opened an auto manufacturing facility outside of St.
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) published their quarterly industry indicators this week, and there was a lot of interesting and very depressing news, but the following graphic (source: AAIA) describing the recent relationship between gas prices at the pump and the total miles driven by American, month over month, is astounding! The precipitous drop in miles driven is profound, and though it looks as though when gas hits 4 or more dollars a gallon, driver behavior changes, my guess is that there is more going on. The relationship may be between how quickly prices go up and the change to miles driven.
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) published their quarterly industry indicators this week, and there was a lot of interesting and very depressing news, but the following graphic (source: AAIA) describing the recent relationship between gas prices at the pump and the total miles driven by American, month over month, is astounding! The precipitous drop in miles driven is profound, and though it looks as though when gas hits 4 or more dollars a gallon, driver behavior changes, my guess is that there is more going on. The relationship may be between how quickly prices go up and the change to miles driven.
As we were all expecting, the auto industry November sales numbers are very, very bad across the board. You can read all of the gory details on Autoblog.
As we were all expecting, the auto industry November sales numbers are very, very bad across the board. You can read all of the gory details on Autoblog.
Last night, RepairPal was honored to be a runner-up for the Silicon Valley Business Journal's Internet Emerging Technology Award. For such a young company and product--we've only been up and running since June--it was a compliment to be considered among a roster of well-established, innovative firms crossing a bevy of technology categories.
Last night, RepairPal was honored to be a runner-up for the Silicon Valley Business Journal's Internet Emerging Technology Award. For such a young company and product--we've only been up and running since June--it was a compliment to be considered among a roster of well-established, innovative firms crossing a bevy of technology categories.
Irv, one of our expert technicians, recently sent this along to us. Apparently, this driver ran over a mattress with his truck and decided to keep on driving.
Irv, one of our expert technicians, recently sent this along to us. Apparently, this driver ran over a mattress with his truck and decided to keep on driving.
We were saddened to hear from one of our users this morning that the Blass Bros Garage is Catawissa, Pennsylvania, was destroyed by fire last night. The remarkable level of service provided by Blass Bros is apparent in the message we received from their customers.
We were saddened to hear from one of our users this morning that the Blass Bros Garage is Catawissa, Pennsylvania, was destroyed by fire last night. The remarkable level of service provided by Blass Bros is apparent in the message we received from their customers.
A news story broke in California last week that Jerry Brown, California's Attorney General, and district attorneys in two counties are filing suit against the owner of 22 Midas repair shops, accusing him of defrauding his customers by luring them into shops with cheap brake job specials and then aggressively selling them services. The suit apparently alleges that these additional services were not needed, and the claims in the suit are $222 million!! We hate hearing about this sort of incident because of the damage it does to the reputation of honest players in auto repair and also how it adds to the angst of customers needing help with service and repair.
A news story broke in California last week that Jerry Brown, California's Attorney General, and district attorneys in two counties are filing suit against the owner of 22 Midas repair shops, accusing him of defrauding his customers by luring them into shops with cheap brake job specials and then aggressively selling them services. The suit apparently alleges that these additional services were not needed, and the claims in the suit are $222 million!! We hate hearing about this sort of incident because of the damage it does to the reputation of honest players in auto repair and also how it adds to the angst of customers needing help with service and repair.
General Motors is apparently recalling 1.5 million cars and trucks to correct a problem with the heating system for washer fluid.
General Motors is apparently recalling 1.5 million cars and trucks to correct a problem with the heating system for washer fluid.