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| Industry News in the Last 24 | |
| August 29, 2008 | |
 Chrysler Looking at Options For the Viper Chrysler LLC is mulling strategic options for its Dodge Viper, possibly a sell-off, in a move toward shoring up core operations. Viper is high-end hot rod nameplate and should bring big bucks if sold. MSNBC.msn.com, August 27, 2008 |
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 Toyota Slashes Sales Forecast Still closing in on GM as world's largest automaker, Toyota Motor Corp lowered its sales estimation for 2009 from 10.4 million to 9.7 million units. Global auto market "nebulous and uncertain," says President Katsuaki Watanabe. Wall Street Journal, August 28, 2008 |
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 An Escalating Uphill Battle for Big Trucks, Especially From Japanese Makers Nissan and Toyota are setting new records for incentives in July, especially on trucks, in an attempt to clear inventories as the demand for them plunges. Both companies surpass the $5,000 mark for the first time. Edmunds Auto Observer, August 28, 2008 |
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| WHAT'S SIGNIFICANT THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS | |
While the industry continues to develop hybrids and electric propulsion systems, Ford is banking on its EcoBoost engines to fill the gap. Ford will begin rolling out the new engines next year beginning with the Lincoln MKS sedan. |
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What could be risky partnerships, Chrysler is rebadging the Nissan Versa and maybe the Altima to fill in production lineup, using excess factory capacity to build a pickup for Nissan and a minivan for VW. Definitely not a "car guy" idea. |
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New fuel stack from Nissan has double the power density of the previous generation with no sacrifice in performance. Also 35% less expensive using only half as much platinum. Fleets will be testing the new fuel stacks by the end of this year. |
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 Car Leasing Dog Days -- Opportunity With a Capital "O"Car leasing days may be over, but here are a few points to ponder that may brighten your day. 1. The recent move by Chrysler and others to eliminate leasing or tighten qualification criteria couldn’t be worse for new car dealers and consumers. But in many ways it spells O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y for savvy used car operations that can quickly adapt to the realities of a dramatically changing marketplace. 2. It should come as no surprise that the major new car manufacturers, dealers and institutional lenders like GMAC are eliminating once popular (but increasingly unprofitable) auto lease programs that put car-buyers into vehicles they couldn’t otherwise afford to purchase. Leases accounted for 55% of total sales at Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, 43% at Toyota’s Lexus and 42% at GM's Cadillac, according to JD Power. Eliminating leases may accelerate the inventory shift on many new car lots toward smaller, lower-priced cars buyers can afford. 3. Ceased leasing programs and limited financing options will drive larger numbers of car buyers to used car lots, it won’t change customer expectations. Used car dealers will have to prepare for customers that demand a variety in car inventory, availability of financing options, and a high level of customer and vehicle service. Those dealers who recognize and can adapt to these new demands by investing in their dealerships’ look and image, and can manage cash to expand their inventory and provide the consumer with viable financing options will fare the best. 4. Similarly, dealers who take steps to improve their operational efficiency and more effectively manage their business risk will do well. Used car dealers must expand the range of tools in their toolbox to manage underwriting, provide a diverse inventory, offer financing options with multiple lenders, and potentially develop an in-house financing program to meet the range of customer financing demands. 5. By leveraging market opportunities that occur even in a troubled economy, used-car dealerships have the opportunity to earn a far greater percentage of auto sales. How quickly they adapt their operations to take advantage of the opportunity will ultimately determine who “grows” and who “goes.” Mike Sheridan is founder and president of Global Debt Network Automotive (GDNAuto). For more information, visit www.gdnauto.com. |
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 Flex-Fuel Conversion Kits for Sale!For anywhere from $500-$1,000 an existing Toyota Prius can be converted to a second-generation ethanol-type vehicle and we can replace fossil fuels altogether! The Prius, already America's most fuel efficient car could be converted to run on cellulosic ethanol with a flex-fuel conversion kit from one of two U.S.-based companies -- Change2E85 of AAMCO -- although a Dutch firm also claims to have developed a kit as well. Click on the headline for more information. Click on the image to see a video of how to install the kit! |
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 GM: From EV1 to Chevy VoltGM's EV1 electric car began as the Impact concept vehicle that debuted at the Los Angeles auto show in 1990. In limited production, it nonetheless was heralded as the "poster child" for electric vehicles and was the basis for CARB's 1998 Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate, selling at select Saturn dealers in CA and AZ beginning in 1996. Batteries cost too much and it soon faded, but GM hasn't given up the idea. Rev forward to 2010 and the Chevy Volt, and GM raises its hopes again. Click on the headline to view the EV1 evolution and click on the image for updates on the Chevy Volt! |
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Dealer Track Adds Real-Time Market Pricing DealerTrack, Inc, leading provider of on-demand software and data solutions, adds real-time market pricing functionality to its comprehensive InventoryPro inventory management solution for auto dealers. Dealers gain access metrics from multiple sources, search real-time auctions for sourcing and vehicle stocking, see at a glance how local competitors are pricing particular vehicles, receive real-time retail market pricing data and local market trends. For more infomation: www.dealertrack.com or 888.600.8760. |
LeaseCompare.com Steps into Auto Leasing Gap LeaseCompare.com, independent leasing company and leader in online direct-to-consumer auto leasing, has the financial resources to provide new/used car leasing, including SUVs, from banks, credit unions and other finance sources. Site visitors can instantly compare payments, rates and residual values from each source and select the best lease for their driving habits.Dealers looking for leasing sources to offer customers can use programs available on dealer-only LeaseCompare website www.DoALease.com. |
Dealer.com Launches Lead Calculator Dealer.com, leading provider of online marketing solutions, launches Live Visitor Lead Calculator™, revolutionary new tool allowing dealers to estimate potential sales SmartSite™ will generate before they buy. Ten+ years of data collected from 7,000+ dealer websites predicts the approximate number of visitors a particular region will organically generate. Includes both form submissions and phone leads but not numbers achieved by adding a paid search program. For more info: www.dealer.com or 888.894.8989. |
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