California is the second-most expensive state in which to operate a motor vehicle, according to a new study released by Bankrate.com.  The report weighed the costs of gasoline, insurance, repairs, taxes and fees in each state; California came in at $3,966 per year, significantly above the national average of $3,201.  Bankrate said that Georgia is the most expensive state, where a typical drive spends $4,233 annually.  Oregon is the cheapest state in which to operate a vehicle, with an annual cost of $2,204.  Bankrate credits the absence of a state sales tax and relative low car insurance costs; also, the typical Oregon resident drives 16 percent fewer miles than the national average.

Wyoming, Rhode Island, and Nevada rounded out the five most-expensive states.  Alaska, South Dakota, Montana and Indiana were the other least expensive states.

Patrick Dorais has been named acting Chief, Bureau of Automotive Repair, following the retirement of John Wallauch.  He most recently served as BAR's Deputy Chief of Smog Check Operations, Engineering, Research, Administration and Consumer Assistance Division.

As deputy chief from 1995-1999, he was instrumental in the implementation of the enhanced Smog Check Program.  He served as acting chief and chief between 2000-2004.  In early 2004, Mr. Dorais was named deputy chief of the Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education where he served until his return to BAR in July 2007.

ASCCA has worked with Pat over the past several years on various matters, from regulatory proposals to Smog Check legislation to other matters relevant to the automotive repair industry.  He has also regularly participated in ASCCA's annual legislative day.

California new car sales continue to increase, with the Toyota Prius leading the way.  In the latest quarterly report from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), new motor vehicle sales totaled 850,712 in the first half of 2013, a 12.5 percent increase over 756,324 in the same period last year.  CNCDA also reported that domestic brand registrations increased 19.3 percent in the first six months of 2013.

Second quarter new vehicle registrations totaled 447,054, up 12.4 percent from 397,689 in the second quarter of 2012.  CNCDA also predicts that new vehicle registrations in 2013 will total nearly 1.7 million, compared with 1.53 million in 2012, a 60 percent improvement from 2006, the low point in the recession.

The Toyota Prius continues to hold on to its lead as the best selling new car through the first half of the year.  The Prius hybrid, which comes in multiple variations, had 33,987 registrations, ahead of the 31,798 registrations for the Honda Civic.  Other top sellers statewide included the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla.  The Prius was also the best selling new car in California in 2012.

CNCDA also noted that California's hybrid retail market continues to lead the nation by a large margin.  Midyear retail registrations for new hybrid vehicles totaled more than 59,000, or nearly five times more than the next-closest state.