Chrysler got a new lease on life some months back with regards to its current financial standing. Now it seems that they have totally forgotten how to redeem itself from their poor showing as the company is still mum on what it plans to do with their current product line. There has been no word on new vehicles that would be coming out and yet we are nearing the close of 2009. Has Chrysler totally lost it?

Unlike Ford which has put much of its weight on their electric car, the Volt, Chrysler has not leaked or shown any new car models to look forward to. Rather they are providing customers with perks like car leasing and specialized features. How long can they do that? Unless they start getting their act together they are better off closing the company or perhaps selling it to someone else. They do have plans of a brand makeover but time is essential. Apparently Chrysler forgot all about that.

Tags: auto chrysler, available resources, car industry, car leasing, car models, Cars, Dodge, doors, economic turmoil, electric car, Ford, makeover, market position, models, new blood, new car, new direction, new lease on life, new vehicles, quick time, rebates, signs of life, special offers, trucks, Volt, waste of time

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Ford Motors is setting its sights on unveiling new compact car made for the Indian market. The new car model is the Ford Figo, a new and fresh face which is Ford’s bet to compete with the growing demand for small cars in India. Only the exterior design was revealed to the public at the press conference held in New Delhi and further details will be unveiled once the vehicle production launches in 2010.

For the record, Figo is an Italian word for “Cool”. Production for the Ford Figo will be held at the expanded integrated manufacturing facility near Chennai.

Image Courtesy: BBC News

(Source) Press

Tags: BBC, car model, compact car, debut, figo, ford motors, India, integrated manufacturing, italian word, new car, new delhi, new ford, news source, small cars

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If you are tired of the poor illumination that your car headlights offer, here is an ideal replacement to get brighter and whiter lighting for cars through the night. The Sylvania 9003 SU BP TWIN SilverStar Ultra Headlight Pack boasts of a dual filament for 55W/65W providing 100% street legal illumination.

This new car headlight bulbs will provide better and reliable lighting which promises a longer life compared to others in the market. This operates with internal gas pressure which significantly reduces the rate of tungsten evaporation. Its analogous non-halogen incandescent lamp operates the same filament temperature with greater luminance and efficiency.

Price: $33.26

(Source) Amazon

Tags: car headlight bulbs, car headlights, Cars, dual filament, efficiency, evaporation, halogen, incandescent lamp, lighting, luminance, new car, poor illumination, street legal, sylvania, tungsten

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For car owners looking to purchase or get new car seat covers, check out this special deal. These new Universal Full Set Car Seat are made from innovative fabrics carrying a fashionable design pattern.

As most common car seat covers in the market today, the Universal Full Set Car Seat perks up the old looking seats and protects them as well from being worn out. They are easy to install and fits most vehicles.

Included are the following:

• 2 pcs front bucket seat covers
• 1 pc rear bench seat’s back covers
• 1 pc rear bench seat covers
• 4 pcs headrest covers

Price: $24.99

(Source) Amazon

Tags: amazon, bucket seat, car owners, car seat, fabrics, fashionable design, new car, rear bench seat

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People who are planning and scheduling to get an Audi any time soon will be in for a treat. Aside from driving out their new car, they will have a three-month trial offer for “Sirius Everything” package. SIRIUS will be included as standard equipment in key models that include the A3, A4, A5, A6, A8 and R8 models as well as the Audi Q7 and Q5 models.

SIRIUS XM Radio is America’s satellite radio company delivering to subscribers commercial-free music channels, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, and traffic and weather.

(Source) Press

Tags: A3, A4, A5, A8, audi q7, commercial free music, free music channels, models, new car, premier sports, r8, radio company, satellite radio, sirius, sports news, subscribers, traffic, weather source

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In one of the tempting deals seen yet to entice car purchase, Volvo Cars of North America announces a special treat that should really spur some sales. The new Volvo Overseas Delivery Program offers a very tempting offer where you can get the chance to win 2 free tickets to West Sweden and make use of your purchased Volvo vehicle with no extra charge.

The promo starts from July 20 to September 1. Visitors simply have to register at the site and create an ideal Swedish travel itinerary with the online trip planner. The submitted itinerary will be entered for a chance to win which covers one week of hotel stays, flights for two and use of a Volvo car for an unforgettable experience.

Volvo will provide two complimentary airline tickets to Gothenburg, Sweden, where the customer will pick up their new car directly from the Volvo factory. Then, they can head out on a European road trip and simply drop off the car and Volvo will ship it to the United States for free.

Now with that deal, what more can you ask for? No more worries on car rentals or modes of transportation. Better yet, you are using your own car which also comes with insurance good for 15 days.

(Source) Press

Tags: airline tickets, car purchase, car rentals, flights, gothenburg sweden, Insurance, modes of transportation, new car, overseas delivery program, own car, road trip, swedish travel, travel itinerary, trip planner, Volvo, volvo car, volvo cars of north america, west sweden, worries

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The celebrated Car Allowance Rebate System is starting to show the fine prints which most motorists failed to look at. There are some small bits of highlights that people have forgotten to look into and this includes the higher rates for car insurance.

Apparently, when this CARS program was signed into law, much of the focus was into the amount they could get for their old cars. However, insurance premiums were not even considered nor mentioned by most motorists. The only thing that mattered was the savings they can get from the new car which incidentally was way off compared to an actual trade-in.

There had to be a catch and unfortunately this is one of them. Assuming you get the whole $4,500 rebate, you are still not getting the right value for your car. So as a wise motorist, why would you bite? Rather than spend on a new car, you are perhaps better off with your old one and with nothing to worry about.

Keep in mind that in whatever good deal you seem to get into, read everything to the last letter. Some may be aware while others are not. Just be wise on car buying choices. It may place you in a worse bind than when you simply had a functioning car which could be better compared to sacrificing the actual value it has over the market.

(Source) Press

Tags: bind, car allowance, car insurance, choices, Insurance, insurance expenses, insurance premiums, motorists, new car, old cars, rebate system

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Hyundai was the first one to honor the cash for clunkers program and it looks like the gamble is paying off. Out of all the cars that were preferred by car buyers after the trade-in, Hyundai Elantra stood tall. The Elantra topped the likes of other cars such as Ford and Dodge. Hyundai accounted for 41% while Ford 32%.

Apparently the price disparity had a bearing here. After the trade-in, they Hyundai Elantra ran a total cost of $8,620. Remember, though many people are hesitant on what car to get after the car rebate program, they will always consider the cost of the new vehicle. Though there will be exceptions such as brand preference, hard times means wiser buying.

Ford ran second but it still had quite a number of buyers. So if other car manufacturers should follow, who knows which other car would make the grade? Again, it depends on the price after discount, something which for now, points motorists to the Hyundai Elantra.

(Source) Press

Tags: brand preference, car buyers, car manufacturers, car purchases, car rebate, Cars, disparity, Dodge, exceptions, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, motorists, new car, rebate program

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After a tumultuous couple of months clouding the popular car brand, General Motors is now ready to stand up once again, starting a new chapter with a new and supposedly better GM in the U.S. auto industry. Among the highlights of the new GM include leaner greener models and now 61% owned by the U.S. government.

The debts have been cleared and the business continues. But if GM is not careful in its strategic approach, they may end up falling short of attaining goals they have. Apparently, these are only some things they have to watch out for.

With a grueling economy and people choosing to shy away from new car purchases for now, GM has its work cut out for them. New marketing approaches and wiser cars for the conservative motorists have to be done if GM wants to make the new company fare better than the old one.

“It is the smaller, leaner, tougher, better cost-focused GM,” said George Magliano, an automotive analyst with the consulting firm IHS Global Insight. “But they still have to deal with the problems that they faced longer-term.”

(Source) Yahoo News

Tags: auto industry, car brand, car purchases, consulting firm, debts, economy, General Motors, global insight, GM, marketing approaches, models, motorists, new car, new chapter, new marketing

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Are you familiar with the celebrated Cash for Clunkers deal already? Well if the past posts from companies and groups still leave you out and thinking, here is another company which takes its turn to educate and orient you on the latest car scrappage scheme for your old vehicle.

Saga Car Insurance briefs us this time on what the car scrappage scheme is all about. Areas such as which vehicles are included in the scheme and how much you can get for it are once again enumerated to help people consider the pricing factor and discounts should they decide to get a new vehicle.

How the scheme is funded
Approximately half the cash incentive for each sale will come from the Government, whilst the car manufacturers themselves will pay out the remaining £1,000. The car manufacturers will have to sign up to the scheme to take advantage of the offer, whilst dealers will take care of all the paperwork, as well as arranging for the old car to be scrapped.

The conditions
All scrappage cars must have a valid MOT and be registered with the DVLA. Also, the owner must have a UK address and been the registered keeper for at least a year. The new car must be sold only to the person who is offering the scrappage car and be a brand new UK specification vehicle.

Divided opinions
But it would appear that ‘Bangers for Cash’ is already proving to be controversial. One reason being the fact that you can trade your old car in for any new car or van, not just low pollution models, and the second is that the scrappage allowance will be available on all new cars – not just those built in the UK.

(Source) Press

Tags: bangers, briefs, car insurance, car manufacturers, car scrappage scheme, cash incentive, motorists, new car, new cars, one reason, paperwork, pollution models, saga, uk address, uk source

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It has been a gloomy atmosphere anywhere in the auto industry and while many are practically giving up, here is something that should wake up the sleeping retailers to put to good use the various car incentive schemes and make it work in their favor.

We are all aware of the celebrated “Cash for Clunkers” and sales tax deductions and while most car dealers barely know what it is all about, they can really be made towards the favor of car dealers if they study it closely.

“Salespeople who quickly identify prospects with clunkers and get them into the store position themselves to win more than their fair share of the deals.”

And for that, Cars.com offers a free webinar to explain these options. Much of the topic that will be covered include:

• Implement the CARS program at their store.
• Reach prospects with “clunkers” and bring them into the dealership.
• Build an effective online marketing strategy to reach in-market shoppers.
• Leverage government incentives within their processes to close new-car deals.

With nothing much to lose, this is something that car dealers should really check out. Perhaps a better explanation on what the new alternatives are today can help shed some light towards their business performance.

(Source) Press

Tags: auto industry, business performance, car dealers, car deals, car sales, effective online marketing, fair share, free webinar, gloomy atmosphere, government incentives, incentive schemes, leverage, new car, online marketing strategy, performance source, prospects, sales tax, sales tax deductions, salespeople, shoppers

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It was just a matter of time before anyone would think of it and apparently it has happened. I am talking about the scams associated with the Car Allowance Rebate System which seems to be now the target of lowdown people who are aiming to gyp people out of their money. And the medium is still through email which calls on interested people to register for the CARS or Cash for Clunkers program

www.cashforclunkersfacts.com posted a warning. We also urge consumers not to give out their social security numbers or other sensitive information to anyone calling or emailing them to register for the CARS program or the Cash for Clunkers program.

To check if you are eligible for the CARS program, all you have to do is go to the site and check it out for yourself. If they are qualified, they can go to a local dealer and purchase their new car. These are the only steps and nothing else.

Other than that, discard and disregard that email. Don’t add another headache to your growing pains of financial strains today.

(Source) Press http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2571704.htm

Tags: car allowance, Cars, consumers, email, financial strains, growing pains, headache, matter of time, money, new car, rebate system, scams, social security, social security numbers, target

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Controversial or not, Volkswagen of America has vowed its support for the “Cash for Clunkers” program of the government where each of their vehicles for their 2009 lineup qualifies for the said program. Under the “Cash for Clunkers” programs, potential new car buyers can get up to $4,500 off from the purchase price of new vehicles who trade-in their old cars.

In order to qualify, eligible new vehicles must achieve at least 22 miles-per-gallon for automobiles, and at least 18 mpg for small light-duty trucks and SUV’s, and trade-in vehicles must achieve 18 mpg or less.

“Volkswagen of America supports this historic decision of the United States Government to enact the Cash for Clunkers program.” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America. “The fact that Volkswagen has long been known for producing fun-to-drive, fuel efficient vehicles, combined with our eight Top Safety Pick rated vehicles by the IIHS, should put Volkswagen on any new car buyers shopping list.” added Jacoby.

Among the new cars that Volkswagen has lined up include:

• 2009 Rabbit
• GTI
• Jetta
• Jetta SportWagen
• New Beetle
• New Beetle convertible
• Passat
• Passat Wagon
• Eos
• CC

(Source) Press

Tags: car buyers, fuel efficient vehicles, IIHS, Jetta, jetta sportwagen, light duty trucks, miles per gallon, new beetle, new car, new cars, new vehicles, old cars, president ceo, rabbit gti, shopping list, Stefan Jacoby, united states government, volkswagen, volkswagen of america

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The issue on up to how much gas prices would increase is still wandering in the minds of many. But thanks to the efforts of Kelley Blue Book, a survey was conducted among the potential new car buyers, the group expected to increase as the summer comes in.

Based on their feedback, it seems that many are bracing for the worst as far as expected price per gallon of gas is concerned. We have been seeing an erratic market and it seems that this is nothing compared to what may happen in the following months. There are a lot of factors but generally, looking out for the worst is not surprising anymore.

Some are speculating a $5 to the gallon and others at $3. Whatever the case may be, it seems that the bottom-line is that they are ready for it even though many fear it. And if there is one factor that one area that will be affected by it, it has to be the fact that car sales will be severely affected.

Actually we are experiencing this now. Seeing these big car manufacturers close or groping for survival is a sign that the consumers are playing it safe. And while crazy discounts are being given, the fact is that people need to be financially wise nowadays. For that aspect alone, the demand and outlook for new cars is not yet established and may even become worse for the time being.

(Source) Press

Tags: big car, bottom line, car buyers, car manufacturers, car sales, consumers, erratic market, gallon of gas, gas increases, gas prices, kelley blue book, many fear, new car, new cars, price per gallon, survival

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The Cash for Clunkers has been approved and the next step that many are certainly awaiting would be the list of vehicles that qualify for the said program. The list of cars have been released but this early, the terms of the deal are not the ideal.

Surely, vehicles still operating satisfactory may be better off being sold by owners or even trading it in. Whichever course of action a car owner may choose, it certainly looks ideal if this Cash for Clunkers Rebate program is the final guidelines issued:

• It will offer no more than $4,500 to new car buyers.
• It will require the trade-in vehicle to be crushed (which means that owners will not collect any trade-in value.)
• Cars to be scrapped would have to have EPA combined fuel economy ratings of 18 miles per gallon or less, and the new vehicle purchased must earn better mileage.
• The participant must have owned the “clunker” for one year.

Vehicles:

• 1996 Honda Passport ($1,227)
• 1997 Lincoln Continental ($1,179)
• 1998 Chevrolet Silverado ($3,378)
• 1995 Audi A6 ($1,261)
• 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser ($4,042)

“This legislation attempts to offer a benefit for the environment and to spur vehicle sales, but the reality is that it does neither very well,” asserted Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “In terms of vehicle sales, the only consumers who will be interested are those willing to take no more than $4,500 for their current car and yet be financially able to buy a new one – quite a narrow profile.”

(Source) Press

Tags: audi a6, better mileage, car buyers, car owner, Chevrolet, chevrolet silverado, clunker, fuel economy ratings, Honda, honda passport, lincoln continental, mileage, narrow profile, new car, participant, rebate program, toyota land cruiser

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