Category Archives: Auto Industry News

Used Mitsubishi Lancers in New York may offset automaker’s production decline

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Mitsubishi - DO NOT USE

Mitsubishi announced that in the past six months, overseas production and exports in markets like the U.S. has dropped significantly, and buyers may consider used Mitsubishi Lancers in New York because of reduced availability of newer options.

A three-month halt to manufacturing in North America has led to June production numbers that are one-quarter what they were the same time a year ago, Mitsubishi noted, and export sales from Japanese plants to the market were down 35 percent over the same period.

Since January, Mitsubishi has built roughly 80 percent fewer cars in North America, and sold one-third the number of vehicles in North America that were manufactured in Japan compared to 2008.

With a smaller number of new cars available, used models like the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer could be worth considering.

The rally-inspired design includes a lower belt line and instrument cluster that can increase visibility for drivers of used Mitsubishi Lancers in New York, according to a Cars.com review.

While the engine is about average in terms of noise heard in the cabin, the reviewer noted that acceleration with the four-cylinder engine is “peppy.”

Cash for Clunkers backlash could increase sales of used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News

One industry group says that car buyers who thought the Cash for Clunkers program would help make new cars more affordable are likely to find that they’re better off with used cars in New Jersey.

The program offers vouchers of up to $4,500 for owners with low fuel mileage who have owned their vehicle for at least a year and then trade it in for a more fuel efficient new car.

It would be just as easy to trade up to a newer used car or through better maintenance of existing cars, argues the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if there is a consumer backlash once car owners realize that ‘Cash for Clunkers’ is nothing more than a … program to fund a government subsidized vehicle trade-in to help new car dealers sell cars,” said Kathleen Schmatz, the association’s president and CEO. “Consumers will soon learn that they are simply trading in their vehicle and will still have to jump through all of the hoops to qualify for and purchase a new vehicle.”

Buyers considering used cars in New York may see new GM ads

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Buick- DO NOT USE, Cadillac - DO NOT USE

General Motors marketing head Bob Lutz has told his advertising teams that he was not impressed with recent marketing efforts for Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac, and some say that his arrival could mean that buyers considering used cars in New York will see new commercials with more input from automotive designers within the company.

He told teams that while recent spots for Cadillac and Chevrolet may have tested well, they were not “effective” advertisements, according to a report in Advertising Age.

“I think you will very quickly see a drastic change in the tone and content of our advertising,” Lutz said according to online magazine. “And if you don’t, it will mean that I have failed.”

The move by Lutz to curtail recent marketing efforts represents one facet of GM’s attempt to become profitable before its chief stakeholder puts the automaker back on the market.

Ron Bloom, chairman of the U.S. Treasury task force overseeing the bailouts of both GM and Chrysler said that he was eager to “dispose” of the government’s stake in General Motors, hopefully by next year, according to an Associated Press report.

CARS law doesn’t beat price of used cars in New York

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Consumers who are perusing listings of used cars in New York may look at the CARS program and wonder if it makes financial sense for them, or helps the environment. Several opponents are hoping they’ll stay away from junking their used cars.

The average price of a new car is $27,800, while used cars run roughly $14,000 dollars, according to Edmunds.com data cited by ABC News.

The program will issue a maximum of $4,500 for trade-ins of used vehicles, bringing the average cost down to $23,000, and the question is whether or not consumers will want to save the $4,500, or the $9,000, according to the news provider.

Opponents of the law aren’t just looking at prices, though, as environmentalists worry that the program won’t have the desired effect of reducing greenhouse gases.

“When introduced, the program had an environmental rationale,” wrote Dan Becker, Safe Climate Campaign director, in a Star-Ledger editorial. “It is now so diluted that in some cases, buying a car or light truck offering an improvement of a mere one mile per gallon over your junked wheels will get you a $3,500 voucher.”

Buyers of used cars in New Jersey see Ford post $2.3B profit

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Financial statements have recently been released by Ford showing more than $2 billion in profit in the last three months, but consumers considering used cars in New York may notice that General Motors is still struggling heavily.

It’s a tale of two sides of the government’s efforts to save the Big Three, and right now Ford is looking better after posting a profit in the second quarter of this year, using restructuring tactics to offset the loss of $1 billion in cashflow, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, told the news provider that he still plans to be cautious in the recovery, and doesn’t expect to post real profits and improve cashflow for the next 18 months, reported the news provider.

The “green shoots” aren’t so strong at General Motors, which saw sales drop by 15 percent worldwide in the same period compared to second quarter figures in 2008, limited only by success in the Chinese market that has seen remarkable growth, noted the Business Courier.

German automakers vie for control as consumers look for used cars in New York

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Two intertwined German automakers are locked into a negotiations struggle over who will own whom, and buyers looking at used cars in New York may soon see Volkswagen take control of Porsche.

The principal problem in trying to understand what’s been happening is that several people are top shareholders in both organizations, and that means that a potential deal could involve anything from a sale of Porsche to Volkswagen, or to Qatar-based investors, reported Reuters.

There are two large numbers that have to be factored in: the taxes from the deal would be be well over $4 billion to merge the two automakers, and the debt of Porsche’s parent company which is more than $10 billion, according to the news provider.

A combination of the two firms would bring makes like Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen all under the same roof, but sources told Bloomberg that a deal isn’t likely until July 29, at the earliest.

“This drama doesn’t seem to end,” said Stefan Bratzel, head of the Center of Automotive Research Institute in Bergisch Gladbach, told the wire service. “Neither Porsche nor Volkswagen can afford any further distraction.”

More people buying used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Edmunds says that there are roughly 100,000 shoppers in the planning and research stages of purchasing a used car in New Jersey and other states, according to recent research.

As dealers continue to offer increasing incentives to spur sales, prospective buyers may find that they have waited too long.

“There has been a recent surge of purchase intent that has not translated into sales,” Dr David Tompkins, Edmunds.com senior analyst. “Given that these 100,000 shoppers represent about 10 percent of monthly sales, automakers and dealers should find a way to capitalize on the opportunity and entice these folks to actually buy.”

An L.A. Times report also sheds light on reasons to consider making a purchase of a used car in New Jersey sooner rather than later, explaining that as people hold onto their cars longer, there is a smaller supply of used cars available from trade-ins and former rentals.

Edmunds.com analysts say that the average trade-in car is driven an extra 8,000 miles before buyers consider bringing it in, the equivalent of 8 months more for the average driver.

Used cars in New York can go to local repair shops without voiding warranties

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Drivers of used cars in New York may worry that with the realignment of General Motors and Chrysler that has led to the closure of more than 1,000 dealerships, many of which no longer retain their service departments, it may be necessary to drive further to find a dealer-sponsored mechanic.

While that could be a concern for some who think that only mechanics at a dealership can do repairs on cars without voiding the warranty, the Car Care Council says that that is not the case.

“Legally, you can have maintenance performed by any mechanic without affecting your warranty,” notes a recent Conumer Reports advisory piece. “Just keep thorough records in case of a warranty claim.”

Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, customers can be sure that their warranties will remain in effect even if they use one of the 130,000 local shops around the country.

While the shops now cover more than 70 percent of repairs for used cars in New York and other states, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, those looking for quality will find that repair shops with ASE-certified technicians and good customer references may provide better service.

Used Pontiac G8s in New Jersey may be last option for enthusiasts who don’t wear a badge

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Pontiac - DO NOT USE

Used Pontiac G8s in New Jersey are unlikely to see newer counterparts in the form of rebadged 2010 models that would be marketed as Chevrolet Caprices, according to General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson.

While Bob Lutz, GM director of marketing[,] told Autoweek that the sedan would see service either in police cruiser trim or as a Caprice, Henderson put the kibosh on any such rumors.

He said that the Australian-sourced G8 could be offered for law enforcement applications, but did not anticipate rebranding or re-badging the car, which GM is expected to cease importing this year, according to an AutoBlog report.

While the G8 was only produced in 2008 and 2009, buyers could also consider older models, like a 2005 used Pontiac GTO in New Jersey.

Both models are “captive imports,” meaning they were both built by Australian automaker Holden and based off that company’s Commodore sedan.

With aggressive hood scoops and a base engine making 350 horsepower, the power belies the ability for the coupe to comfortably fit four adults, note Cars.com editors.

Used cars in New Jersey may be best option now that ‘new’ GM has pared offerings

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Cadillac - DO NOT USE, Chevrolet

A new General Motors is in the offing after a slimmed-down version of the automaker cleared the bankruptcy court on July 10, but enthusiasts of several performance models may look to used cars in New Jersey now that GM has ceased production of several lines.

GM CEO Fritz Henderson says that being able to slough off less profitable makes and suppliers will help to make the company a more fit competitor in the global market place, but adds that government investments have offered “a precious second chance, [but] there are no third chances.”

Car enthusiast site Jalopnik.com has compiled a list of the models that consumers may have considered buying before their production was curtailed as a result of recent restructuring by General Motors and Chrysler.

For fans of the sportier Chevrolet Cobalt, a used Cobalt SS in New Jersey will be the way to go for those who are interested in the high-powered compact coupe that packs a turbocharged 2.2 liter engine. Similarly, those looking for the CTS-V sports car from Cadillac may turn to classifieds for used cars in New York to sate their thirst for luxury and performance, according to the website.