Seems that, at the last minute, the big three automakers (which aren’t so big any more, ho ho, that really isn’t funny in any conventional sense) Ford and GM and Chrysler caught on to a fact that they probably should have caught on to long before now, that big cars are out.

What’s in, you ask? Golf carts!

Okay, so I’m being a little facetious there– but I’m not too far off from the truth.  The key thing here is, people don’t want bigger and more  than they had last year.  People are a little more willing to fix what they have and make do rather than going out and buying the latest and greatest.  To be fair however, some of this is forced on them.  Loans for big and fancy are a whole a lot harder to come by than they were this time last year, let alone this time five years ago.

But a small loan for a small car? Comparatively, far simpler.

Will this trend stay a trend?  No way to know that just yet.  But you know we’ll keep an eye on it.

Tags: auto loans, big cars, car buyers, car buying, Loans, small cars

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When it comes to buying a second-hand car, car mileage was seen as the top consideration for selecting a new vehicle. This was revealed by CarMax in a survey they had conducted online. The next factors were car accident frame damages and regular maintenance.

Going back to car mileage, it is not surprising. The longer a car runs, the more issues on wear and tear for the entire car surfaces. They may not necessarily be glaring, but the fact remains, the more a car is used, the depreciation value starts to sink in.

This is not of course to discourage people from buying a car that has been used over and over again. The fact remains first owners need cars for various reasons. They are the means for everyday transportation and depending on their profession or venture, car use may really be a need.

Of course, the pricing factor will play a vital role. It is only common to find that cars which are extensively used to carry a lower market value would naturally be priced lower. The more things you do to dilapidate your car only leads to being valued lower since they have been obviously used in any which way where owners would want a car in the first place.

(Source) Press

Tags: buying a second hand car, car accident, car buying, car car, car mileage, carmax, Cars, damages, depreciation, everyday transportation, press car, profession, surfaces, tops car, wear and tear

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A new version of the Female Friendly Interactive Training Center program has been announced by AskPatty.com, a program that aims to improve online training meant for women on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty among potential customers.

Through this program, women who successfully complete the program can go on and help build, develop and maintain an efficient workforce that should benefit auto retailers and dealerships in handling customers and the business operations more efficiently. At the rate that things are going on these days, it is apparent that such a training module is a big boost, particularly since it is something they can learn online.

“Our goal is to provide training for automotive retail locations that is beneficial to the entire staff to help women have a great experience with all aspects of the car buying and automotive ownership experience. By utilizing this web based platform we can deliver timely video training along with testing to provide the participants with the necessary tools to increase sales and customer satisfaction with women,” according to Jody DeVere, Founder and CEO of AskPatty.com.

(Source) Press

Tags: auto retailers, business operations, car buying, customer satisfaction, devere, interactive training, necessary tools, ownership experience, participants, retail locations, video training, workforce

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When it comes to buying a car, the necessary background check is needed to be assured that you are getting the quality vehicle without any hidden defects. And to make Carfax known, Zimmerman Advertising has announced an integrated marketing campaign with the said data firm. The campaign breaks with a series of :30 TV spots that depict several comical versions of a used car negotiation, with the car buyer firmly insisting, “Show me the CARFAX!” each time to the dealership employee.

Cars are expensive, and there’s a lot on the line when it comes to purchasing one. CARFAX helps buyers and sellers of used cars negotiate with confidence. Given the state of the economic environment and the seismic shift to cost-consciousness and value, CARFAX becomes even more valuable as consumers consider spending their hard-earned cash on a used vehicle. CARFAX is an essential part of the car buying process.

Zimmerman competed against four other prestigious national agencies for the CARFAX account. Zimmerman hit on the “Show me the CARFAX” concept early in the process and proceeded to validate gut instinct with research and field-testing.

“This campaign highlights the benefits for the two essential groups: the buyer who needs to be educated to ask for the product, and the seller who should have it readily available,” Auerbach notes. “Buying a used car is as simple as saying, ‘Show Me The CARFAX.’”

(Source) Press

Tags: background check, buyers and sellers, car buyer, car buying, carfax, consumers, economic environment, employee cars, integrated marketing campaign, necessary background, quality vehicle, tv spots, zimmerman

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Car buying seems to be the last thing on the mind of consumers today. However, it also remains that many are voluntarily shying away from it for the fact that it all seems to be a waste of time, no thanks to the tightening financial situation that makes lending harder these days.

Despite challenging credit conditions in the auto industry over the past year, carmakers say financing availability has improved in 2009 as banks have received financial relief from the government. So credit-worthy buyers are getting approved.

The good news, according to Edmunds.com, is that now is a fantastic time to shop for a new car. Most manufacturers are offering great deals, making new cars better deals than many used cars.

To ensure getting great financing options like zero percent offers, or bank or credit union loans, Edmunds advises checking your credit rating before you shop, and make as big a down payment as you can.

(Source) Press

Tags: auto industry, banks, car buying, consumers, credit rating, credit union loans, economic turmoil, financial situation, financing options, great deals, how to buy a new car, zero percent

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In a move that is certain to entice car buying, Hyundai has relaxed its car lending policies by allowing people to return their cars if they lose their jobs. The program is only applicable to buyers who purchase their car within a year.

This is a move that will certainly be favorable to car buyers who are caught in possible layoffs. Many potential car buyers who want to buy a brand new vehicle are hesitant these days mainly because of fear that they may not be able to pay off their monthly amortization if they should be laid off.

In a way, you can look at this scenario as similar to car rentals. The only thing is you are getting a brand new Hyundai which can be yours if you can fulfill the monthly obligations for at least a year. Not a bad deal if you are dying to own a brand new car.

Via Reuters

Tags: amortization, brand new car, car buyers, car buying, car rentals, Cars, jobs, new hyundai

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