Stories about the automotive industry have been in the newspapers and on the television newscasts for months now, which has been bleak stories to say the least.  Lately, there has been some positive stories from the auto industry, most notably stories about improving auto sales across the country.  In 2009, the  automotive industry struggled the most out of any other industry in the country.  There were thousands of jobs lost and hundreds of manufacturing plants closed due to the recession and Americans not buying new cars.

Both General Motors and Chrysler suffered various bankruptcy reorganizations during 2009 because of the recession.  There is hope though.  The month of December could have been the most profitable and successful month in 2009 for the automotive industry, while pending final statistics.  Various experts within the automotive industry feel that it might have posted double-digit figures in sales.  J.D. Power and Associates is one of the most well known statistic companies around.  They estimated December 2009 would be better than December 2008 for the auto industry.

It is estimated that total auto sales for the month of December should surpass 1,029,000, which is up seven percent from December 2008.  On the other side of things, Edmunds.com has predicted, based on sale results of 2009, over 11 million vehicles will be sold in 2010.  In 2009, there were only 10 million sold.  Recently, the sale of hybrid vehicles has helped the automotive industry.  Ford sold 31,000 units through the month of November.

Although the automotive industry has faced what could only be described as a bit of a speed bump in recent years, Baltimore Used Cars already sees 2010 as a turning point in the business. While automakers are changing the way they design and produce cars, consumers are also refocusing on value above all else. Even while new car sales may be rebounding, Worcester Auto Body sees that more drivers are interested in holding on to their vehicles for longer periods of time.

***

Read more in depth about upcoming auto sales on our blog.

Giving money away is certainly one of the best ways to stimulate a frenzy. Case in point is the Cash for Clunkers program, which had quickly burned through its $1 billion budget before Congress approved the allocation of another $2 billion last week to keep the program afloat.

Interestingly, there are apparently more clunkers on the road than many on Capitol Hill initially realized, suggests Saint Paul Ford dealers. As a result, the program was temporarily suspending after only a week of running to allow lawmakers to determine the fate of the program. Ultimately, it was decided that spending more was the appropriate solution.

Cash for Clunkers, officially called Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), provides $3500 to $4500 to those that purchase a new car and trade-in an older clunker. The system is designed to get older, gas-guzzling vehicles off the road and to encourage the sale of fuel efficient vehicles.

Unlike a normal trade-in, old clunkers are required to be destroyed by the dealer. As Honda Service San Luis Obispo explains, car dealers therefore will not be able to take advantage of any remaining value the vehicle might have. While the program has certainly sent plenty of consumers to dealerships, some visitors to Philadelphia Used Cars have suggested that simply throwing away vehicles that may still have value is a bit wasteful – particularly when taxpayers are paying for the vehicle’s destruction.

While some that are not in the market for a new car, and do not own a clunker, may argue that the program has inherent flaws, Cash for Clunkers has nonetheless stimulated new car sales ( at least temporarily). This is important considering new car sales have continued to plummet in recent months. While this program may not help most drivers, it certainly is already helping new car dealers as plenty of consumers are interested in getting $3500 to $4500 off the price of a new car.

* * *

See the latests car dealer news on Car Dealer Daily.

Just a couple years ago, sport utility vehicles dominated the shopping lists of new car buyers. Specifically, buyers wanted large SUVs, and sales of Tahoes, Expeditions, and even Hummers flourished. But times have changed, and the ‘bigger is better’ mantra is now a thing of the past.

But even despite a rapid change in consumer demand, the general love of the sport utility did not completely vanish. Instead, the feelings were simply redirected to a new form of SUV – the crossover. Consumers realized that the crossover vehicle had just about everything they wanted; the space and versatility of a SUV, with the car-like driving dynamics and fuel economy of a car. American drivers also came to realize that the crossover was designed for the urban driving, and not the Rubicon, which to the surprise of many former Tahoe owners, is actually a good thing.

Let’s take a look at some of these magical crossovers that truly offer the functionality, fun, and frugality that was never quite achieved with the larger sport utilities of recent years.

Volkswagen Tiguan

While it may still be a new comer to the segment, the Volkswagen Tiguan was worth the wait. Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (the same engine in the sporty GTI), the Tiguan is plenty peppy, while delivering a commendable 24 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city. The turbo four is also mated to a smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, drivers from Dartmouth Volkswagen to Volkswagen Saint Louis have found a roomy, well-appointed interior with excellent quality materials throughout. There’s even an oversized panoramic sunroof that adds plenty of light to the interior. For those who want entry level luxuries and European styling, the VW Tiguan is worth a look.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester has remained a popular compact crossover since its inception, but the most recent model offers much more than previous generations. Perhaps the biggest difference between the current Forester and its predecessor is the styling. With more modern, yet conservative lines, more buyers at Massachusetts Subaru dealers and other locations are likely to notice the Forester. Plus, with an available turbocharged boxer engine, the Forester offers the performance to match its new-found good looks. With sportiness, versatility, and also safety, assured, the new Subaru Forester is quickly rising to the top of many crossover buyers’ shopping listings.

Nissan Rogue

Car-like driving dynamics is one of the major appeals of the crossover, and in those terms, the Nissan Rogue doesn’t disappoint. Hartford Nissan drivers have noted that the steering is quick, and the four cylinder engine never feels underpowered. The Rogue is offered with a continuously variable transmission as well, delivering power and efficiency. With all-wheel drive and excellent ground clearance, Tacoma Nissan dealers stress that the Rogue also offers excellent all-weather driving capabilities. Passengers in the rear quarter may find the Rogue to be a bit cramped, but up front there is plenty of room. The Nissan Rogue also gets 27 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city.

Mazda CX-7

The Mazda CX-7 is the largest crossover of the group, and certainly shouldn’t go unnoticed. Although is offers ample room, the CX-7 is nimble and quite, and is among the sportiest compact crossovers available. The turbocharged engine offers ample power according to Pittsburgh Mazda car buyers, while also delivering 23 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg city. Mazda Sugarland drivers have also been attracted to the Mazda since it provides a very car-like demeanor in city and freeway driving. If you like the curvy, athletic looks of this Mazda, you’ll also like the interior which also offers distinctive style and excellent fit and finish.

Ford Escape

If you have more conservative tastes, and prefer a crossover that still has boxy, truck-like styling, you’re in the luck! The Ford Escape offers the styling that’s reminiscent of the larger Explorer or Expedition, while also providing excellent on road manners that one would expect from this segment. With a powerful four cylinder that delivers outstanding fuel economy (22 mpg city, 28 mpg hwy), the Ford Escape is also unique in that it also offers a powerful V6 option, and even a hybrid model which delivers the best fuel economy in its class and has excited eco-conscious consumers among Newark Ford dealers. With many reports claiming that Ford vehicles are on par with Toyota and Honda in terms of reliability, the latest Ford Escape promises to offer more practicality than you may think.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V may be a more familiar nameplate than others in this list, but it remains among the most competitive and most desirable compact crossovers available. Why? Well for starters, Birmingham Honda dealers say the Honda CR-V simply does everything well. Although it’s not the fastest, nor the largest, the CR-V offers strong mileage, decent performance, ample versatility, and incredible value and reliability. The CR-V is also a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which Honda Long Beach is proud to promote to potential CR-V shoppers. If you’re looking to get the most for your money, the Honda CR-V could be your best choice.

Toyota RAV4

Last, but certainly not least, the Toyota RAV4 was one of the first compact crossover vehicles available when it first debuted. Since then the RAV4 has become larger and more powerful, with available third row seating and an optional V6 engine. Although it offers loads of power, Long Beach Toyota dealers stress that the Toyota RAV4 still achieves competitive mileage, with 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. Despite plenty of newer models to choose from, such as the aforementioned Tiguan, many buyers at a Westminster Toyota dealer have still been drawn to all that the RAV4 offers.

* * *

Check out the latest new cars on this blog.

Car buying these days isn’t easy. Lenders are tightening their belts and offering fewer loans, not to mention offering fewer leases. Some automakers such as Chrysler have even cut out leasing programs completely. To make matters worse, trade-in values have also plummeted, particularly for trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Despite the adverse market conditions, the fact remains that it’s certainly a buyer’s market. With car dealers hurting, they’ve become desperate to sell cars. Because of this, potential car buyers can expect to see substantial discounts when they head to dealerships.

Many automakers are offering plenty of incentives these days, in many cases saving buyers thousands of dollars. For example, Toyota is now offering 0 percent financing, which Toyota dealers Olympia says is uncharacteristic of the automaker as such as promotion is more commonly found among domestics. Trucks and SUVs especially have seen huge discounts among Detroit Chevrolet dealers, in some cases tens of thousands in discounts.

While it may be a buyer’s market, auto sales continue to fall each month, with auto sales reaching their lowest point in decades. Although fresh 2009 models are not hitting the showrooms of Boston Infiniti dealers and other dealers across the country, many 2008 models remain unsold on dealer lots. This has placed a huge strain on dealers as the cost to finance these vehicles is steep, and having them sit unsold for longer periods of time has placed a heavy toll on many dealerships. In fact, hundreds of dealerships are expected to go out of business by year’s end according to the National Automobile Dealers Association.

With all the turbulence in the current auto market, how exactly should one go about buying a new car? Just as importantly, what should be done with your old car? These are important questions in the current unstable economic atmosphere.

Perhaps the best place to begin is to explore your financing options. Regardless of whether you have good credit or bad credit, your financing options may be limited, making it wise to begin shopping for financing first. Needles to say, however, those with bad credit may have a little more difficulty says Bad Credit Car Loans Chicago, especially considering some lenders, such as GMAC, will no longer consider shoppers with credit scores below 700.

If you are fortunate enough to have solid credit, you’re likely to find an easy approval process and even some pretty attractive interest rates for your new car. For those with less than ideal credit, you may be looking at having to put a 15 percent down payment on your vehicle to qualify. While a new car may be tough to secure financing for, used cars Nashville dealers say that a pre-owned car is usually easier to get financed.

Shop for a car loan before you shop for the car to help save money and make the process a bit smoother. There are plenty of websites that can help you shopper for a loan online, such as E-Loan. Your local credit union or bank may also be offering attractive rates.

Finally, pay a visit to the dealership. In many cases you may be able to find better financing options elsewhere, so it will be advantageous to secure financing before stepping on the lot. However, some buyers of certain makes, such as Nissan or Toyota, may find 0 percent financing available if they have an excellent credit history, which has made Nissan Saint Louis customers quite relieved upon their new car purchase.

Another important aspect of the financing process to consider is the length of the loan period. If you intend to hang on to the car for much longer than six years, then you shouldn’t have a problem. But if you’re looking to buy a new car in three years, Toyota dealer Hays warns that a longer loan may not be a good deal.

The problem with longer loans is that a vehicle depreciates so quickly over a long period, and you may end up paying much more than the vehicle is worth.

Consider what you’re going to do with your current vehicle. Detroit Chevrolet dealers warn that if your current vehicle is a truck or SUV, you may find that you vehicle isn’t worth nearly has much as what you paid for it. The value of pickups and SUVs, for example, has fallen by about 23 percent compared with last year. With that in mind, prepare for some bad news. While you may want to get something brand new, the steep depreciation is another reason to consider holding on to your current vehicle. Check out Kelley Blue Book to see what your vehicle is worth and the decide what your next move will be. Some of Durango Toyota customers have even considered finding an online Toyota parts store and simply investing in fixing up their current vehicle.

In today’s economy it’s the wisest move is to think conservatively. When buying a car, take your time and shop for the best deal possible.

* * *

Look for more car buying tips right here at Car Dealer Daily.

With gas prices on the rise and the economy making consumers and lenders nervous, it’s truly no wonder why auto sales overall are down. And with fewer sales, competition for auto sales is intense, especially among high-demand segments such as among compacts and subcompacts.

The highest selling subcompact cars are the Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit. Both offer reliability and excellent fuel economy, not to mention an affordable price tag. The Honda Fit, says Honda Lexington, has also recently been redesigned, which should already be in Honda showrooms. With the new model, the previous generation models should be available with outstanding deals as dealers want to move those models first. Domestic automakers are struggling in this segment, with the Chevrolet Aveo suffering from dwindling sales and being the only subcompact in Boonville Chevrolet inventory to compete against fresh imports, such as the Fit.

Among compact cars, Ford is gaining momentum thanks to the recently redesign Ford Focus, which provides efficiency and attractive features for Littleton CO Ford dealer customers such as the Sync system. However, Ford can’t quite compete with the Toyota Corolla which has seen strong sales at Yakima Toyota, although they’re still down compared with last year. A stronger seller at the moment is the Honda Civic, which has boosted sales recently. Although they’re far behind, sales of the Chevrolet Cobalt, and Pontiac’s G5, are up slightly.

Compact SUV sales are in high demand. The appeal of the SUV remains among many new car buyers. Many simply want their SUV to be smaller and more fuel efficient. The Ford Escape, which was redesigned relatively recently, has remained popular, although it has sold few models than last year. A hybrid is Escape also appeals to plenty of buyers. The Honda CR-V and the Toyota dealer Minneapolis‘s Toyota RAV4 remain the top sellers in the segments. Meanwhile, larger crossovers have lost ground, such as the Taurus X.

The luxury SUV segment is perhaps the hardest hit. Many consumers who can afford to buy a luxury SUV don’t really care about the cost of gas, but many consumers do. There are simply too many changes and in the economy not to consider such costs. As such, despite strong sales at Lincoln Mercury Los Angeles, the Lincoln Navigator and the Cadillac Escalade overall have both dropped in sales compared with last year’s figures. There has been a spike in sales among the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus version, the LX, due to a redesign that was long overdue.

Trucks are also having difficulty when it comes to sales.  The once dominant Ford F-series has recently suffered a 40 percent decrease in sales nationwide. In response, Ford actually delayed production on the all-new 2009 model F-series. However, trucks have remained decent in pre-owned sales according to Used Cars Richmond VA who have offered plenty of dealers to keep inventory moving steadily. But even better than used trucks are used hybrids at Used Cars Shreveport, where pre-owned models don’t stay on the lot for long. The Toyota Tundra has also been hit by sales declines, but sales have increased slightly due to a recent redesign – redesign that has also helped the Sequoia SUV, which is based on the new Tundra. Sales of the Chevrolet Silverado have done decently at Birmingham Chevrolet dealers considering, and the Employee Pricing incentive program has helped the sales of the Silverado and other GM models.

* * *

Find the latest dealer news at Car Dealer Daily here.