It’s been more than a year since gas prices have dropped consecutive weeks for this long. Travelers will take advantage of that as 55 million Americans hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The average price at the pump nationwide is now the lowest it’s been since late 2022, driven by lower oil prices in recent weeks.

If you’re planning to hit the road Wednesday, experts warn the time of day you choose to drive can make a difference in terms of traffic congestion.

“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said in a statement, adding that leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. is ideal.

Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Georgia. Gas prices are as of November 22.

Georgia by the numbers
– Gas current price: $2.81
– Week change: -$0.03 (-1.0%)
– Year change: -$0.29 (-9.2%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $4.50 (6/15/22)

– Diesel current price: $3.91
– Week change: -$0.04 (-1.1%)
– Year change: -$1.02 (-20.7%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $5.55 (6/15/22)

Metros with most expensive gas in Georgia
#1. Savannah: $2.92
#2. Atlanta: $2.85
#3. Hinesville-Fort Stewart: $2.81
#4. Brunswick: $2.79
#5. Gainesville: $2.77
#6. Macon: $2.76
#7. Valdosta: $2.75
#8. Athens: $2.74
#9. Augusta-Aiken (GA only): $2.73
#10. Dalton: $2.73
#11. Columbus (GA only): $2.73
#12. Albany: $2.71
#13. Rome: $2.71
#14. Catoosa-Dade-Walker: $2.68
#15. Warner Robins: $2.64

States with the most expensive gas
#1. California: $4.94
#2. Hawaii: $4.74
#3. Washington: $4.42

States with the least expensive gas
#1. Texas: $2.75
#2. Mississippi: $2.78
#3. Georgia: $2.81

This story features writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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Mercedes-Benz USA announced the rollout of their proprietary Electric Vehicle charging stations throughout North America at their headquarters in Sandy Springs. In a joint venture with MN8 Energy, MBUSA has promised a $1 billion spend for their network to deliver 2,500 chargers within at least 400 charging hubs across North America by the end of the decade. 

During the roundtable discussion, MBUSA announced charging hubs will open at Buc-ee’s travel centers in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia by the end of 2023, with further expansion in 2024. Charging hubs at Simon Mall locations (including Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia, and Phipps Plaza) are planned to launch in the first half of 2024. This is a bet that Mercedes is making to make charging EVs a seamless part of daily life for consumers and commuters.

Today’s announcement also pays off a promise Mercedes made when they rolled out their EQS 580 in 2021 to build their proprietary network of charging stations.  

To that end, the Mercedes-Benz charging network will have 400 kilowatts per station and the flagship hub is solar powered. When asked, Mercedes-Benz leadership admitted not all charging hubs will be solar powered. Therefore, they will utilize batteries as well as make deals with state governments to ensure the best electricity consumption and delivery methods for consumers as well as their hubs in rural locations. Consumers with certain EVs can recharge their batteries from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes. 

“With the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network in North America, we aim to set a new standard for a quality charging experience for the entire industry,” said Andrew Cornelia, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America LLC. “Our driver-first network will deliver some of the fastest charging speeds and will be openly accessible to all EV drivers from day one.”  

Additionally, the charging networks will be open to all EV manufacturers and drivers.  During the presentation, they promised drivers safe and reputable access. So whether that’s with an app, the Mercedes-Benz app, or a credit card, or with RFID (tap to pay technology), there’ll be multiple ways to do so.

One of the promises they’ve made is there are exclusive benefits for Mercedes drivers. For example, the current Mercedes EVs on the road today will have six months of free access to the Mercedes-Benz high power charging network. Going forward an option will be to have two years of free charging as part of the vehicle purchase. 

Only Rivian and Tesla have constructed their proprietary charging networks. 

With today’s announcement, Mercedes-Benz says they seek to meet the consumers’ demands of tomorrow. MBUSA says they are committed to driving the industry forward and being where people are so they can help drive EV adoption in states with high EV penetration but also help build ahead of the curve. 

“At the onset of MN8’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz to build an unparalleled charging experience, we shared a vision of bringing the decarbonized future faster,” said Jon Yoder, President and CEO of MN8 Energy. “The incredible speed with which we’ve made that vision a reality, demonstrated by the inauguration of the charging experience here at Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters and the sites that will follow later this year, is a testament to the strength of our purpose and outstanding abilities of our teams.” 

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Kia sedans, coupes and SUVs of all colors, makes and models lined up inside the gates of the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center Saturday morning. Some would get help fighting the recent rash of thefts of Kias digitally, while others received hardware that might help.

Both Kia USA and the City of Atlanta participated in a theft software upgrade event outside of the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center Saturday morning. The event allowed local Kia owners to either get a free software update for models between the years 2011-2021 or receive a free wheel lock. 

The wheel locks were distributed by Atlanta Police Department officers and investigators. A number of Atlanta Police Academy recruits were seen taking boxes of the wheel locks off of a truck and onto a table for distribution. Up to 1,000 wheel locks were on hand for Kia owners that were eligible for the software upgrade. Volunteers from Kia Manufacturing Georgia in West Point and Calavan Kia, a dealership in Lithia Springs, also helped expedite the lines and check VINs for eligibility for the software updates.

Multiple Kia models have been stolen in Atlanta at an accelerated rate. The 2011–2021 Forte, 2021–2022 K5, 2011–2020 Optima, 2011–2021 Rio, 2011–2021 Sedona, 2021–2022 Seltos, 2010–2022 Soul and 2011–2022 Sorento have been targeted the most, according to a million-dollar settlement in California. 

The move to make security software updates available can be seen as a way to get out in front of any potential settlements in Georgia. Hundreds of Kia owners experienced their cars being stolen this year. 

“There are two levels,” said James Bell, head of communications for Kia America, about being involved in the event Saturday. “The Atlanta Police Department has been proactive about helping with crime issues involving Kias and we have a big production plant in West Point, so we love Georgia.” 

The event took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and took between 10-15 minutes to be downloaded into the systems. Stickers were placed on the front windshields of cars as they left the Civic Center. The hope is that thieves will think twice about stealing the cars that have the most up-to-date technology.  

Safety tips listed on a flier distributed by Kia volunteers asked owners to not leave keys or key fobs in cars, leave cars running while unattended, and to leave cars locked “every time you walk away from it.”

Bell stated that there will be more events like this taking place around the country. “If this event goes well, and by the looks of things it is, we might be back in Georgia to do this again,” he said. 

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It’s the era of the all-electric vehicle, and the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited with all-wheel drive is one of the standout SUVs for this year. A multiple World Award-winner in 2022, the 2023 Ioniq 5 is available in four trims, and the Limited is the top-of-the-line version with a plethora of amenities, but still one of the most affordable in its class plus the applauded Hyundai warranty package. 

Already a head turner with a futuristic exterior design thanks to a futurist LED lighting package, 20-inch alloy wheels, the interior complements it with a vibe of minimalism to deliver a calming, peaceful cabin that is also spacious. The front’s temperature-controlled, “H-Tex”-trimmed seating is very comfortable, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 64-color ambient lighting, an ear-pleasing BOSE sound system, rear side window sunshades, five USB ports, premium head-up display, active grill shutters, and one of the Limited’s most applauded features, a “vision” panoramic sunroof for optimal stargazing. Hyundai’s signature Bluelink connectivity is also provided for three years. 

Under the hood, this smooth-driving SUV goes from 0 to 60 in about five seconds thanks to the dual engines providing 320 horsepower and 605 Nm (446 lb.-ft.) of torque, complete with all-wheel drive maneuverability. 

The obvious inquiries for an electric car include how long it takes to charge and the driving range. The charging can range from 18 minutes using a rapid charging’s 250kW (800V) to get from 10 percent to 80 percent, while the standard AC level 240-volt version will get from 10 percent to 100 percent charge in seven hours and 10 minutes which is ideal for an overnight plug in. At full charge, the Limited tops out at 266 miles, with a competitive 101 combined city/highway MPGe average. 

Once visiting the website to see the lengthy list of generous features the Ioniq 5 provides—especially the Limited trim—the $56,500 price tag will seem very reasonable. It’s safe to say Hyundai should be prepared for more accolades and medals. In fact, the all-new Ioniq 6 sedan won three World Car Awards including Car of the Year. Well, there you go. 

Fuel Economy (MPGe): 113 city/90 highway/33 combined. 

Price: $56,500

For more information, visit Hyundaiusa.com.

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DETROIT – Ten HBCU students from around the country will gather in Detroit to start a 10-week immersive internship in marketing and communications, learning content creation and familiarizing themselves with the technological advancements that power the automotive industry.

Fellows will work alongside National Newspaper Publication Association (NNPA) journalists and Chevrolet marketing teams while experiencing the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax on a group road trip to grow their professional skills, collaborate on innovative and challenging assignments, and document their journey on social media. This is the seventh year Chevrolet and the NNPA have hosted the Discover the Unexpected (DTU) internship program.   

The 2023 DTU mentors and ambassadors, all HBCU graduates, will provide professional insight, encouragement and advice to students throughout their DTU journey. Television host and actor Terrence Jenkins (known as Terrence J) returns to DTU for his third year as an ambassador.

“Having support and opportunities during your college years is invaluable and will set you on a path of lifelong success,” said Jenkins. “As a proud HBCU graduate, I am thrilled to collaborate with Chevrolet and the NNPA again to uplift the next generation of talented journalists, marketers and content creators.”

Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer, a STEM advocate and educator, is also returning to DTU for his third year as student mentor. ESPN sports journalist and HBCU Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) alum Tiffany Greene joins DTU as a new guest mentor.

This summer, two DTU alumni will start their professional careers at General Motors. Raza El, a two-time DTU fellow will join GMC as an SUV and truck analyst.

“I presented to the CMOs of GM and Chevrolet, and the research I did was actually used,” said El. “It was work that I could put my name on even as an intern.”

Ashley McJunkin will join Chevrolet as the Silverado assistant advertising marketing manager.

“I loved my team, the work environment, culture and values,” said McJunkin. “My DTU experience confirmed that this is what I want to do, and this is the team that I want to be a part of.”

Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer, Chevrolet, said it has been the brand’s honor to watch the growth of the DTU program over the years.

“DTU reinforces Chevrolet’s commitment to HBCUs, allowing students an opportunity to gain experience, mentorship and support to set themselves up for a successful future,” said Majoros. “DTU helps us keep a finger on the pulse of the younger and more diverse buyers who will drive our future and strengthen the diversity of our marketing talent.”

The Chevy DTU program would not be where it is today without Dr. Benjamin Chavis, NNPA President and CEO.

“I am passionate, excited and humbled about the continual success and evolution of our relationship with Chevrolet for DTU,” said Chavis. “This is a life changing opportunity for HBCU students, professionally and personally, preparing them for their professional careers.” The DTU internships will take place from June 5 to August 11, commencing in Detroit with a three-day boot camp. Upon completion of the program, Chevrolet and the NNPA will award each fellow $18,000 between scholarships and stipends, totaling over $750,000 to date. To learn more about Discover the Unexpected, visit www.nnpa.org/chevydtu.

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(CNN) — Progressive and State Farm, two of America’s largest auto insurers, are refusing to write policies in certain cities for some older Hyundai and Kia models that have been deemed too easy to steal, according to the companies.

Several reports say the companies have stopped offering insurance on these vehicles in cities that include Denver, Colorado and St. Louis, Missouri. The insurance companies did not tell CNN which cities or states were involved.

The Highway Loss Data Institute released insurance claims data last September that confirmed what various social media accounts had been saying: Some 2015 through 2019 Hyundai and Kia models are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of similar age, because many of them lack some of the basic auto theft prevention technology included in most other vehicles in those years, according to the HLDI.

Specifically, these SUVs and cars don’t have electronic immobilizers, which rely on a computer chip in the car and another in the key that communicate to confirm that the key really belongs to that vehicle. Without the right key, an immobilizer should do just that — stop the car from moving.

Immobilizers were standard equipment on 96% of vehicles sold for the 2015-2019 model years, according the HLDI, but only 26% of Hyundais and Kias had them at that time. Vehicles that have push-button start systems, rather than relying on metal keys that must be inserted and turned, have immobilizers, but not all models with turn-key ignitions do.

Stealing these vehicles became a social media trend in 2021, according to HLDI, as car thieves began posting videos of their thefts and joyrides and even videos explaining how to steal the cars. In Wisconsin, where the crimes first became prevalent, theft claims of Hyundais and Kias spiked to more than 30 times 2019 levels in dollar terms.

“State Farm has temporarily stopped writing new business in some states for certain model years and trim levels of Hyundai and Kia vehicles because theft losses for these vehicles have increased dramatically,” the insurer said in a statement provided to CNN. “This is a serious problem impacting our customers and the entire auto insurance industry.”

Progressive is also cutting back on insuring these cars in some markets, spokesman Jeff Sibel said in an emailed statement.

“During the past year we’ve seen theft rates for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles more than triple and in some markets these vehicles are almost 20 times more likely to be stolen than other vehicles,” he wrote. “Given that we price our policies based on the level of risk they represent, this explosive increase in thefts in many cases makes these vehicles extremely challenging for us to insure. In response, in some geographic areas we have increased our rates and limited our sale of new insurance policies on some of these models.”

Progressive continues to insure those who already have policies with the company, he said. Progressive is also providing them with advice on how to protect their vehicles from theft.

Michael Barry, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute, said it was very unusual for auto insurers to simply stop writing new policies on a given make or model of vehicle.

“They generally want to expand their market share depending on where they’re doing business,” he said.

Hyundai and Kia operate as separate companies in the United States, but Hyundai Motor Group owns a large stake in Kia and various Hyundai and Kia models share much of their engineering.

Engine immobilizers are now standard on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the companies said in separate statements. Both automakers also said they are developing security software for vehicles that were not originally equipped with an immobilizer. Kia said it has begun notifying owners of the availability of this software, which will be provided at no charge. Hyundai said its free software free update will be available next month.

Hyundai also said it is providing free steering wheel locks to some police departments around the country to give local residents who have Hyundai models that could be easily stolen. Hyundai dealers are also selling and installing security kits for the vehicles, the company said.

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Chevrolet has revealed their new Chevy Bolt EV and EUV. Compared to other electric vehicles, Chevrolet has made their Bolt EVs affordable. The starting price for the Bolt EV is $25,600. The starting price for the Bolt EUV is $27,200.

Chevrolet is giving their customers an incentive if they make the switch to a Bolt vehicle. Chevrolet describes their “Plug-In Promise” initiative as “a fun and responsive all-electric vehicle that offers the perks of driving a Chevrolet along with less scheduled maintenance, new ways to charge and innovative ways to make owning a Bolt EV or Bolt EUV easier than ever.”

Consumers can charge their Chevy Bolt EV and EUV at home or at public stations. In fact, Chevrolet will install an at-home charging station when a customer purchases a Chevy Bolt EV or EUV.  

There are three different chargers for at home charging. Level one charging is a standard electrical outlet used with a 120-volt household outlet. The Bolt will get 4 miles of range per hour of charge. 

There are two level two chargers. The difference is, with the 240-Volt Appliance Outlet, the Bolt EV gets 26 miles of range per hour of charge. With the 240-Volt up to 80 amp, the Bolt EV gets up to 39 miles of range per hour of charge. 

There are over 40,000 public charging stations. In Atlanta, EV owners will find most public charging stations in the Buckhead area.

There are two kinds of chargers at public charging stations. The level 2 charger that gets up to 39 miles of range per hour of charge and the DC fast charge that gets up to 100 miles of range in 30 minutes. 

The Bolt EV has an EPA-est. 259 miles on a full charge. The Bolt EUV has an EPA-est. 247 miles on a full charge. 

Chevrolet has inducted a hands-free driving feature in the Bolt EUV only called “Super Cruise.” According to Chevrolet, Super cruise includes adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and lane-centering. With lane-centering, the Bolt EUV will “Detect curves with real-time cameras, sensors, and GPS.”

As California and Virginia will ban gas powered vehicles by 2035, and as 15 states are implementing zero emissions vehicle requirements, the nation is moving toward electric vehicles to save the environment. What the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV offer is ahead of the curve, while in the long term, General Motors also plans to build an electric vehicle charging station network across America.

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The highly anticipated, all-new GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige has lived up to the hype in virtually all facets. Eyes will be glued to its sleek body design and stealthy LED lighting presentation, this compact luxury SUV provides two engine choices—a turbocharged, 2.5-liter four-cylinder version, and the reviewed twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6—with both using an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter engine labeled the Sport Prestige trim pushes 375 horses, plus the AWD capability makes maneuvering sharp corners a breeze.

The interior is already plush including a panoramic sunroof, but the strongly suggested Select Package (Nappa leather, ventilated front seats; Genesis digital key; surround-view camera system; and banging 16-speaker Lexicon audio system) and Sport Prestige package (21-inch alloy wheels, carbon fiber trim, 12.3-inch digital cluster, three-zone climate control) are highly recommended for the full Genesis experience.

Simply put, this is easily nominated as one of the top debuts of the year. 

Fuel Economy: 19 city/25 highway/21 combined

Price: The 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige is $52,600 MSRP.

For more information, visit Genesis.com.

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Right off the bat, the 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive Coupe is one of this year’s top makeovers. Boasting the automaker’s high-performance “M” insignia, it justly packs a 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine pushing 503 horsepower, resulting in a hair-raising 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It’s the highest performer of all the 2022 M4 coupe versions. 

From a performance and handling perspective, BMW’s signature “XDrive” category signifies intelligent all-wheel-drive capability, plus the technology to distribute power to the wheel, promising the most control and dynamics. This includes the Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, M Drive, and M Driving Dynamics Control. 

The M carbon bucket seats ($3,800) sit low with curves scientifically placed to hug drivers firmly for any sudden turn or launch; ultimately, they give the driver the welcomed experience and mindset of a professional competing in the Grand Prix. The headrest is removable to make room for anyone who desires a helmet when on the track to fully feel this car’s performance capabilities. 

More luxury designations include a theater-esque Harmon Kardon audio system, plus the recommended M Driver’s Package ($2,500); Driver’s Assistance Pro Package ($1,800); Parking Assistance Package ($800); and Executive Package ($1,800) to complete pampering to the highest degree. Our review version was delivered with a stunning Isle of Green exterior and Kyalami orange/black leather interior with M carbon bucket seats. This color combo is a win, but whatever the buyer chooses will turn heads regardless. 

Fuel Economy: 16 city/22 highway/18 combined

Price: $78,800 MSRP and $95,345, including all the aforementioned packages.

For more information, visit Bmwusa.com.

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