Report: Auto leasing surges to highest level since 2005

From: Dan Roth

Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 6:41 PM

Subject: Report: Auto leasing surges to highest level since 2005

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising

Leasing is back in a big way, says The Detroit News. After virtually disappearing, lease packages with monthly payments below $199 and no money down are popping up everywhere lately, and those deals are finding consumers. Take it as a sign of economic improvement, but the reemergence could come back to bite automakers in a few years, too. With leases accounting for more than twenty percent of new car sales in February and March, a whole bunch of returned vehicles could flood the used market in just a few years, cratering the resale values that make automakers and lenders so enthusiastic to offer good lease terms right now.

If irrational exuberance takes hold again and artificially low, unsustainable lease rates are used to pump up sales figures, it's hard to see how we're not in for an eventual crash. Attractive lease deals on brand-new models like the Chevrolet Cruze are cause for concern to some analysts. Leasing is more often used to move luxury vehicles and aging models, so coming out of the gate with a sharp lease deal smacks of a grab at market share. General Motors counters that it has merely brought leasing back to 15-20 percent of sales, a healthy level, and it's being careful.

Dealers are happy to see the increased showroom traffic the new surge in leasing has brought. Many stores saw sales implode as the recession was busy taking everyone off a cliff. Being able to offer a popular car with an affordable payment again is an effective sheepdog to direct people into dealerships, and besides, the used car market has been depleted for months thanks to measures like Cash For Clunkers and people holding on to their cars longer, keeping them out of circulation.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Auto leasing surges to highest level since 2005 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to Get EcoBoost in Your Television

 

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 12:56 PM

Subject: How to Get EcoBoost in Your Television

We're busy crunching numbers and making pretty charts to summarize our recent twin truck Ford F-150 EcoBoost road test but you can learn more about Ford's all-new gasoline turbo direct injection six-cylinder this Sunday on TV.

NBC will broadcast the "Ford F-150 EcoBoost Torture Test" at 4:30 p.m. ET, which details the incredible punishment inflicted on the 3.5 liter V-6 engine. The program, narrated by Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame, uses footage from the six webisodes and the tear down event, according to Ford spokesman Richard Truett.

If you have questions during or after the show, jump online for a live chat with Jim Mazuchowski, Ford's manager of V-6 engines, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm ET at www.thefordstory.com.

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

From: Chris Shunk

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 2:31 PM

Subject: Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi

2010 Audi S4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ordering a special edition luxury vehicle from Germany can take some time. The plant needs to put you in the production queue with the rest of the orders, shipping across the Atlantic can eat up weeks and parts availability can also throw off timing. Such a protracted timeline played out for Audi forum member Datz as he waited for his brand new S4, except three months became five months and then his December order led to a July delivery.

Instead of sitting back and listening to excuse after excuse from the dealership, Datz reportedly took to the Internets in search of justice. The expectant owner even sent a note out to Audi U.S.A. chief Johan de Nysschen, and he says he focused his vitriol on Audi's goal to be the global leader in luxury autos instead of complaining about his plight at the dealership.

Instead of ignoring the email, de Nysschen took action, calling the disgruntled buyer to see how he could hep. The Audi boss apologized for the delays, telling him that his $2,500 Daytona Gray paint job and trunk component delays were the issue, though he reportedly added that those issues are Audi's, not his.

Calling the customer was a very cool thing for de Nysschen to do, but he went a monumental leap forward by providing a 2010 S4 loaner to use while he waited for his new vehicle. He also called the plant and had production moved up to April, with a June delivery date. Nicely done Audi, and way to use the Internet to your advantage, Datz! Now you can beat the snot out of the loaner to get it out of your system before you get your own S4 to coddle.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4

Photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audizine.com via Quattro World via Motor Authority]

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar Introduces Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck Conversion Kit

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 4:03 PM

Subject: Video: Mopar Introduces Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck Conversion Kit

Yesterday, we told you about the Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence headed to Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT. It previews a conversion kit that Chrysler's Mopar parts division will sell that will allow off-road enthusiasts to turn a Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited into a pickup truck.

Today, we have video of Jim Sassorossi, head of Mopar sales and marketing, introducing it to the media.

Better Ways to Buy Tires

Better Ways to Buy Tires

Investing in tires generally is difficult to understand. It's so hard to know where to start, and especially if you're new to buying tires you might not know where to begin. I'm sure this asset will help you purchase your next set of tires. This is the kind of guide we wish we would of had the first time we bought tires.

Step 1: Closely examine the tires you have on your car at this time. Examine the volume, brand, model #'s etc... All this information is easily read off the sidewall of the tire. If you don't understand what it all means, that's ok. Be sure you jot it down on a piece of paper for reference though. You should also confirm that you actually need new tires.

Step 2: Call up our featured tire shop or the tire shop of your choice and say: Hi, I own a 2003 Honda Civic and I'd like to see what you have in stock that would fit my car? (replace your make and model obviously) Make sure you have pen and paper handy, and copy down everything they say. Get the exact pricing information including installation, and all the detailed info on the tires. If they don't tell you,get an idea of the mileage the manufacture expects for the specific tire. NOTE: There are shops that won't be able to tell you what tires fit your vehicle. That's exactly why I had you copy down your current tire information. Give them this information instead and they should be able to help.

Step 3: Call around to a few other tire shops and compare the prices, mileage, and other factors of the tires.

Step 4: With all this information in hand, narrow your choices down to 2-3 potential tires. Look up the details of your tire possibilities in a search engine and see what the experts say about each tire. Read customer comments, trade blogs, anything you can find.

Step 5: You're all set, you've done your homework and are ready to make a tire purchase.

We really hope this guide helped you in some way. If you learn something you'd like to share during your tire purchase please leave a comment so others can learn as well. Thanks!

Learn more about tires and how to make an excellent tire purchase at our site http://howtobuytireskc.weebly.com/