Two of the “Big Three” U.S. automakers have gone bankrupt.  Car sales continue to decline.  This would appear to be the most challenging period for the automotive industry in its history.  But despite the gloom, there are some bright spots for auto makers, according to new research from The Nielsen Company.
The re-designed Forester boosted sales for Subaru, while Hyundai and Kia launched new models appealing to younger drivers.  Existing models, such as the Sorento and Sedona posted strong sales growth (69% and 48%, respectively).  And Lincoln was the only U.S. …

Determining which car to buy is an important decision, and usually requires a fair amount of research on the part of the buyer.  Thankfully, the Internet has made that process much easier, and New Zealanders have taken to the web with gusto: 84 percent use the Internet for that purpose, according to Nielsen Online.  Visiting used car dealers and consulting with friends and family were the second and third most popular options, respectively.
But buyers aren’t the only ones who benefit, as 62 percent of sellers use the Internet as a …

By Julie Enzweiler, Nielsen Online
Total North American auto sales are down 32% from October 2007 to October 2008 with November’s sales forecast not showing much improvement.
As the stock market continues its downward spiral and economic conditions deteriorate, consumers are talking online about holding tight to their wallets and are less likely to make a big purchase such as a vehicle.
The number of consumers that were seeking vehicle information on sites like AOL Autos, MSN Autos and Yahoo Autos began to decline around the June – July timeframe, which is exactly …