Car Dealer Daily

Fact: Americans love their cars. We have stories about them, songs about them, and Detroit is even called the “Motor City”! So imagine cruising down the highway behind the wheel of a custom ride with the music blasting and not a care in the world; now this is an image that would make almost any American smile.

Continue reading ‘Ford and Nelly Team Up for the 2011 Mustang’

It’s no surprise that nearly every automaker has been hit by declining sales this year compared with 2008. However, despite the bad economy and bad press for the automotive industry, Reuters’ recent tally of the top-selling vehicles of this year through October shows some relatively shocking results.

Despite the “smaller is better” trend, and the desire for high-mileage vehicles, the top selling vehicle overall appears to be the Ford F-Series pickup truck. Sure it faced a sales decrease of about 23 percent, but this full-size truck still retains plenty of popularity even amid the craze for fuel economy, crossovers, and hybrids. Although both the Chevrolet Silverado pickup and the Dodge Ram pickup lost ground in the rankings, both trucks still remain in the top ten. Continue reading ‘Surprises Inside 2009 Top Selling Vehicles List’

Toyota sales dropped about 11 percent in the month of June. While not a positive outcome, it was a signal that the industry’s recovery may be underway.

Toyota’s market share remains strong and while sales have certainly fallen compared with last year, the numbers are still comparatively healthy next to those of other automakers suggests a Toyota Washington DC dealer. Needless to say, tight credit and unemployment are still factors that are hampering new car sales.

What has helped Toyota more recently is the Cash for Clunkers program. This government program offers up to $4,500 for those who trade in a gas-guzzler for a more fuel efficient vehicle. With Toyota’s reputation for producing economical cars, the program has helped fuel new car sales. Another $2 billion may soon be appropriated for the program to maintain the influx of new car sales that one Toyota Boston dealer says the industry as a whole desperately needed.

In addition to Toyota, Ford, Honda, and Hyundai are already gaining market share from other GM and Chrysler, and look to dethrone Toyota from its dominance in the North American market observes car dealers Santa Maria. But with a recent sales gain due to steep demand for the all-new third generation Prius, Toyota is down but certainly not out of the game. Continue reading ‘Cash For Clunker Fuels Toyota Sales’

Both the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang are all-new for the 2010 model year, and it was only a matter of time to see which one claimed the top muscle car spot. With both models offering new styling, new features, and new attitude, it was the Chevrolet Camaro that successfully outsold the Mustang in the month of June – the first time since 1993.

In June, Chevrolet managed to sell 9,320 Camaros, while Ford took a back seat with 7,362. The end tally may be the fact that the Mustang has been on sale for several months already suggests Car Service Minneapolis, and simply couldn’t compete with the steep demand for the new Camaro’s release.

A few factors have worked in the Chevrolet Camaro’s favor in addition to its recent release. First, Chevrolet Service Peoria suggests that the coupe saw more than 14,000 orders before the vehicle even went on sale. Secondly, according to Salt Lake City used car dealers, the movie Transformers 2 could certainly have helped the new Camaro get noticed by potential buyers.

With everything working in favor of the new Chevy Camaro, it remains to be seen if it can hold the Mustang off for the long haul. It wasn’t since 1985 that the Camaro was able hold the Mustang at bay for a full year, so perhaps Chevrolet has a chance to truly turn things around with this long-anticipated new vehicle. But as the demand for the Camaro subsides following its launch, it will be exciting to see just how this renewed Muscle Car War will turn out. Continue reading ‘All-New Chevrolet Camaro Outsells Mustang’

Ford has been proactive in getting rid of ailing assets lately, including included Jaguar, Land Rover, and even Aston Martin. But one brand that Ford has been slow to remove from its umbrella is Volvo. The Swedish automaker has not attracted promising offers, but recent reports suggest that Chinese automaker Geely is currently a front-runner to purchase Volvo.

News sources in China have reported that Geely has submitted a letter of intent to purchase the company from Ford. However, Ford has not yet released any details regarding a potential purchase notes St Paul Used Cars, but no other names of potential buyers have yet surfaced.

With Volvo suffering from layoffs and sales setbacks, Boston Auto Loans suggests the automaker could benefit from producing cars in Geely facilities in China. The reported offer will include a total investment of up to $10 billion. In addition to potential China-based production facilities, Geely also hopes to assist in the development and deployment of the next generation XC90, which should reach Nashua Volvo Service showrooms within two years.

While Ford has recently denied the sale, and Volvo remaining silent on the issue, Geely appears to be the most likely candidate as a potential buyer. Volvo Service Jersey City points out that other Chinese automakers have also been mentioned as viable buyers.

Since the Swedish government has pledged loans to the automaker to help it limp through the current recession, Volvo New York believes the Volvo brand has become somewhat more attractive for potential buyers. For a Chinese automaker, the Volvo brand would be quite attractive as Volvo has a fairly large dealer network within the lucrative North American auto market, which Chinese automakers have yet to gain. As Volvo’s estimated value continues to plummet, it’s likely that Ford wants to see a sale sooner rather than later. Continue reading ‘Ford May Consider Geely as Potential Volvo Buyer’

Among the most versatile vehicles on the market are full-size pickups that feature four full size doors. Although many buyers are staying clear of trucks due to the preference of more economical vehicles, there’s still a huge need for pickups among a wide demographic, according to commercial equipment leasing companies that regularly deal in commercial vehices. With four-doors, these trucks can haul everything you need, while also providing space for passengers and other cargo. Whether these trucks are used for work or for recreation, they can haul anything you might need.

In addition to providing versatility, today’s full-size trucks are more robust than ever. The Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, and Ford F-150 are also relatively new models, giving buyers plenty of unique features to choose from. Traditionally, these domestic trucks have dominated this segment, but in recent years they’ve lost their appeal slightly thanks to competitive offerings from Nissan, Toyota, and even Honda. That being said, the latest domestic trucks provide more to like than ever, especially in light of its Japanese competition.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 4X4 Crew Cab

Perhaps the best trait of the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado is its driving dynamics. In part due to its relatively light weight compared with its competition, the Chevy Silverado provides solid on-road ride, spirited acceleration, and a noticeably solid structure overall. Braking is also impressive both on road and off road.

Powering the Chevrolet Silverado is a 5.3-liter V8 engine, which produces 315 horsepower and 338 lb ft of torque. This engine not only provides strong acceleration, but it also delivers a towing capacity of 9500 lbs. Today, buyers such as those visiting New Orleans Chevrolet will also be happy to know that the Silverado gets excellent fuel economy for the class, with combined driving delivering about 18 miles per gallon.

Although performance and road handling is where the Chevrolet Silverado shines, the interior is a different story. Seating in both the Dodge Ram and Ford F-150 provide more room and support, and also provide space for storage. For those who keep tools, cargo, and other accessories inside the cabin, this is where the Dodge or the Ford may be a better choice. While the design and layout of the dash is very clean and well-organized, materials were not quite up to the standards its competitors. That being said, many shoppers among Hartford Chevrolet dealers find the Silverado’s interior to be simple, yet spacious with everything they need and more.

2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch 4X4 SuperCrew

The 2009 Ford F-150 received a bit of an update for the current model year. Despite looking remarkably similar to the 2008 model, the Ford F-150 offers increased capacities and capabilities. In fact, the 2009 Ford F-150 offers the best payload rating in its class at 3030 lbs. The F-150 also can tow 11,300 lbs.

Under the hood of the Ford F-150 is a 5.4-liter V8 engine. The engine provides 14 mpg in the city, and 18 in the highway, which is not particularly encouraging. Unfortunately, the EcoBoost V6 is not yet available, which Maine Ford dealers believe will provide the balance fuel efficiency and towing power that ample buyers will want.

The Ford F-150 has always been a great performer on the road according to Used Cars Richmond, and the latest model is no different. In addition to commendable steering and overall operation, the Ford truck is very quiet. There’s also ample interior storage to satisfy just about anyone’s needs. According to Los Angeles Commercial Trucks, this is why the latest F-150 is a popular choice among familities and for commercial buyers alike.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab

With its redesign for 2009, the Dodge Ram is better than ever and also has what we consider to be among the best full-size pickup styling available. The interior of the Dodge Ram also shined, with excellent design, quality materials, comfortable seating, and even a few luxurious touches. There are also plenty of nooks and crannies inside, making it easy to store just about any item you may have.

A unique feature with the Dodge Ram pickup that intrigues many of Chattanooga Dodge dealers‘ customers was the Ram Boxes, which provided a covered storage solution within the side rails of the bed. The design is simple, but makes a huge impact as full-size truck buyers expect innovative storage solutions.

Powered by a 390-horsepower Hemi V8, the Dodge Ram was quicker than either the Chevrolet Silverado or the Ford F-150, but it also provided the worst mileage. While mileage will pose a problem for some potential buyers, truck shoppers at Chrysler dealers Lubbock have been drawn to the Ram as it delivers best in class storage and comfort, which will likely place it at the top of the shopping lists of many other buyers as well.

Continue reading ‘Comparing Domestic Full-Size Four-Door Trucks’

While the Big Three automakers struggle to turn things around, and move away from looming bankruptcy, the domestic car dealers are also facing similar problems. With car dealers closing their doors repeatedly, many dealers that enjoyed relative sales successes just a couple years ago are now simply trying to survive.

The Big Three are looking to Washington to help them remain alive and competitive in a dismal auto market. Even with a potential federal bailout however, many dealers believe the benefits of such as bailout will arrive too late as sales continue to evaporate across the country. In addition to fewer sales opportunities and increased cost of commercial equipment leasing, credit is also evaporating, which is an essential component to the any dealership’s success.

To put the problem into perspective, the National Automobile Dealers Association estimates that about 900 of the 20,700 new car dealers in the US will go out of business by the end of the year, which is slightly higher than their original estimates. Next year, they predict that number could reach into the thousands.

Some analysts believe that some dealerships closing their doors are simply inevitable. There has simply been an overabundance of domestic dealerships in the market. With so many dealers going out of business, it’s estimated that 20,000 employees have lost their jobs in the month of October alone.

Many dealerships are also actively involved in their communities. From Little League sponsorships to philanthropy, dealerships are often prominent fixtures in their local communities. Many dealerships such as a dealer specializing in Pittsburgh 2009 Ford F-150 models has also invested heavily in their businesses in recent years, improving lounges, service bays, and other facilities to encourage customers to return.

Car dealers have faced plenty of hardships within the past two years. Both Los Angeles Ford dealers and Richmond Lincoln Dealers saw skyrocketing gas prices in particular as having a crippling effect on sales of the once-popular sport utility and pickup truck segments, which is precisely where domestic auto sales were strongest. But as the price of gas decreases, the economy continues to falter and credit has become increasingly scarce. Home prices and Wall Street have both tumbled steeply in recent months as well which does not bode well for car sales.

Finance companies such as GMAC, the financial arm of General Motors, have had to tighten their belts as well. In fact, GMAC will no longer be able to finance car buyers with a credit score below 700. This has contributed to fewer customers in dealer showrooms. It also has prevented some dealers from taking on new inventory. Dealers have also been slashing medical benefits for employees and are offering fewer complimentary services to customers in order to curb costs.

Despite the more recent effects of the economic downturn, it has been in the making for quite a while, and doesn’t just affect domestic brands either. With sales continuing to slip, many dealers have bolstered their used car inventory and service facilities in order to make up for new car losses. For example, Denver used cars dealers have seen a resurgence in pre-owned sales thanks to more frugal car buyers. Additionally, the profitability of profit centers has changed at many dealers, causing used cars Reading PA dealers to concentrate on promoting their service facilities as car sales become unstable.

Dealers are not entirely innocent. They could have persuaded Detroit hard to produce cars that offered more efficiency and were built with higher quality. But while sales of trucks and SUVs were strong at dealers such as Lubbock Chevrolet, there simply was no reason to put any pressure on Detroit. While a bailout could be just around the corner, dealers remain skeptical if such help will trickle down in time to save their businesses. Saturn Denver also considers what the bailout will mean for each individual brand under the GM umbrella. Continue reading ‘Domestic Car Dealers in Peril’