Coronavirus and Cars

Get the latest information on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the auto industry, car buyers, owners, and drivers.

Jun 21, 2021
Average Age of Vehicles on the Road Rises above 12 Years
Vehicles on the road continue getting older, a study from IHS Markit found, even as new car sales recover from last year's pandemic-in…
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Apr 25, 2021
Canadians Crossing Border in Taxis to Avoid Hotel Quarantine for Air Travelers
Canada's required, expensive three-day hotel quarantines are only required if you fly in. Taxi and limo services are getting besieged w…
Jan 18, 2021
Yes, Rolling Down Windows Can Reduce COVID Transmissions in a Car
You need to make sure to roll down either all four, or two on opposite sides of the car that are not next to a driver or passenger, a s…
Dec 31, 2020
Ford Ad Promotes #FinishStrong Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Ford will also promote the new F-150 in commercials during New Year's Day bowl games but has devoted a big chunk of its ad time to this…
Dec 19, 2020
No Big Car Insurance Refund during COVID-19? You Aren't Alone

Insurance companies' pandemic-based premium repayments have not lived up to their earlier promises, U.S. PIRG finds.
Dec 14, 2020
Officially, Masks Are Recommended at Car Dealerships, but Not Everyone Complies

For customers, it's best to be prepared to see salespeople or other staff without masks—and be ready to insist that they put them on.
Dec 12, 2020
Uber Says: Let Drivers Get Priority in Line for COVID-19 Vaccine

The ride-sharing company is asking the feds to consider its drivers as essential workers for purposes of the vaccine.
Nov 29, 2020
Auto Repossessions Likely to Rise in 2021 as COVID-19 Pandemic Goes On
With no new federal aid on the horizon and the pandemic ongoing, experts think many more vehicles could be repo'd. If that's you, start…
Oct 16, 2020
Auto Loans Were Left out of the CARES Act, and People Are Hurting
Over 100 million Americans owe money on a vehicle, and many are facing trouble during the COVID-19 pandemic that the government's not r…
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Oct 2, 2020
2021 BMW M8 Coupe and Convertible Not Coming to U.S. Because of COVID-19
The 2021 M8 Gran Coupe is still available, as is an optional Competition package, but pandemic-related supply issues trim the U.S. M8 l…
Oct 1, 2020
2019 U.S. Traffic Deaths Lowest Since 2014, but 2020 Numbers Aren't Looking Good
In the COVID-19 era, fatal accident percentages are up this year despite the smaller number of vehicles on the roads, NHTSA's latest da…
Sep 13, 2020
Used Cars Are Having a Moment, Creating Opportunity for Sellers
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, used cars are in demand because new-car supplies are low and people are choosing car ownership o…
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Aug 29, 2020
American Driving through Canada to Alaska Facing $569,000 Fine for Stopping to Sightsee
U.S. drivers are allowed across the border right now if they're headed to Alaska, but the Canadian Pandemic Act says they'd better not …
Aug 27, 2020
Americans Are Using Their Cars to Get Some Damn Alone Time
People are getting the memo that cars can help you cope during the pandemic: for scenic drives, as a place to work, and just to get awa…
Jul 20, 2020
COVID-19 Means More Packages, and a New Game: Delivery-Driver Tag
FedEx and UPS drivers are tagging each other's trucks with rival delivery stickers because their jobs are hard and it's fun, the Wall S…
Jul 6, 2020
Airstream, Winnebago Sales Hot as Road Trips Gain Popularity

The coronavirus pandemic has helped make camper vans and travel trailers even more desirable than they already were.
Jul 3, 2020
Ford Buyback Program Addresses Car Buyers' Job-Loss Fears in Pandemic

The Ford Promise program will take back a customer's vehicle if they lose their job in the first year after buying it.
Jun 27, 2020
Used Cars Are Costing Dealers More, But Deals Are Out There
The wholesale used-vehicle market saw values jump above pre-pandemic forecasts, but the situation still looks good from the shopper's p…
Jun 26, 2020
GM Built a C8 Corvette Prototype That Was 75% 3D Printed

The automaker has used 3D printing to help in the coronavirus pandemic, but also to develop the mid-engine Corvette for production.
Jun 17, 2020
Stock Up on Hand Sanitizer from Car-Related Suppliers That Deserve Support

The germ-killing liquid is part of your life now and will be for a while, so stock up from some of these deserving makers.