A good sign? The value of trucks and SUVs increased by a greater than expected amount in January, Kelley Blue Book says. The company, which is the leading provider of new and used car information, says the increase may be due to low gas prices and significantly depressed values for trucks and SUVs at the end of 2008. The value of domestic full-size and compact cars also increased in January, indicating returning demand for American-made vehicles.
Where did the people go? An analysis of vacancy rates found that Las Vegas and Detroit are the two emptiest cities in the United States, Forbes.com reports. Both cities have been hard-hit by the recession. Las Vegas, which has been crunched by the declining housing market and fewer gamblers, has a 16% vacancy rate for rental units and a 4.7% vacancy for homes, while Detroit, which has been hurt by the declining industrial market, had a 19.9% vacancy rate for rentals and a 4% vacancy for houses. See the full report here.
