The Grayline » Industry

Most Reliable Car Is A Honda

Christopher — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:12:09 +0000

The 09 Honda Insight has made Consumer Reports most reliable new car of the year. Oddly enough the hybrid wasn't alone on the list, where 5 of the top 8 most reliable cars for 2009 were a hybrid.

It's good news for Honda and definitely something to brag about, except for Consumer Reports makes the statement that just because it's most reliable doesn't mean it's recommended. Specifically the Insight's underpowered demeanor was sighted as an example. Seems like a nod to Honda on what to work on to create the perfect hybrid, which can be recommended for purchase.

Lastly, I just feel like the string of hybrids being listed on the most reliable list is a bit suspicious. Granted, this is most reliable 'new' car, but where will these vehicles be 5 years from now. As a consumer that's what I'm most concerned with, longevity and total cost of ownership.

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Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Most Reliable Car Is A Honda

Dwindling Car Lot Inventory

Christopher — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:22:46 +0000

I was reading an article earlier today discussing the state of the US economy and what it means to domestic car manufacturers. They listed the start of the recession as December of 2007, which means we are about to reach 2 years. Couple this with the news that GM had been losing money on Saturn since day one and it's face palm city.

They say the Midwest is always the last to feel economic changes, well let me tell you we are feeling it. I've been noticing locally much of the car manufacturers are starting to not park their inventory as close together. A few years ago you couldn't even drive onto a car lot, now there's enough room to maneuver a school bus. They say we are starting to come out of the recession, I hope THEY are right.

But it's not just new car inventory that seems to be slipping away. I've been actively searching for a used car in the $10,000 range for months, without any luck. People are holding onto their used cars longer or got rid of them 2 months ago in the cash for clunkers program.

Come on economy, start getting better, I'm tired of writing about bad news in the automotive industry.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Dwindling Car Lot Inventory

Cash For Clunkers Future

Christopher — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:04:53 +0000

By now everyone has heard of the Cash For Clunkers program by the US Government. It's the program where the government (see tax payers dollars) gives large incentives to consumers looking to buy a new fuel efficient vehicle. It breaks down by allowing a higher dollar amount, up to a max of $4,500, for buying a vehicle that gets over 10 more mpg than the vehicle you are trading in.

It's a program that has proved very successful on paper, so much so they have even extended the program by an additional $2 billion. However, such a program can't last forever, which got me asking a few questions.

First question, will future buyers be waiting around for government assistance before they buy their next vehicle? That is to say, once this incentive ends will the sales dry up until the next government intervention or will dealerships be capable of staying afloat on their own? I'm on the mind that sales will again tank, more dealerships will close, and consumers will hold on to their money again until the next incentive.

Similar consumer buying habits changed back in the mid 90's when 0% financing was first introduced. It created a flux of buyers looking to capitalize. However, once dealerships tried to end the special promotion the sales ended as well. Just to keep the status quo, dealerships have had to continue that special promotion to some extent to maintain sales. Are we going down this road again?

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Cash For Clunkers Future

What’s Selling Cars?

Christopher — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:17:45 +0000

Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock

In this economy all manufacturers are struggling to sell new cars and all are trying some new angles to bring the customers in. Recently we've seen such deals where a manufacturer will buy your car back if you lose your job or even another will make your payments for you if you lose your job. The latest gimmick is from Hyundai and it might make you choose them over the other players in the field for your next new car purchase.

Hyundai has announced the Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock which will fix your gas price at just $1.49 per gallon for 12 months. This assurance program is being offered to all new Hyundai buyers or the option of taking $1000 cash. Estimates put the number of new Hyundai buyers at 1/3 that take the cash over the gas card. But why?

Because most Hyundai vehicles get such good gas mileage it will be very difficult to save more than $1000 in gas savings. Industry analysts believe gas will remain below $3.00 per gallon for the next year. This means your savings per fill up will be less and less and most estimates put the figure around $580 in a year. Well, the $1000 sounds a lot better than $580, which is average if you are driving around 12,000 miles per year.

Whichever incentive you choose it's still thinking outside the box and if prices hit $5 per gallon you know you'll be covered.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

What’s Selling Cars?

Chrysler Built Your Routan

Christopher — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:11:11 +0000

That's right, the new minivan from VW, the Routan, was built and designed by our domestic buddies Chrysler. Volkswagen, trying to attract as many customers as possible, rushed the Routan onto the market and brought a quality mini-van option to the dealership floors. Rush is not a bad thing, especially when you consider the Routan, which is based off of the wildly popular Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

The VW Routan gets almost everything right, safety, options, cargo space, and thanks to VW some decent styling. Basically the only thing touched by VW was the exterior styling ques and some of the upgraded seat options. Even more impressive is that the base price for a VW Routan is only about $26,000.

Brooke Shields has been doing her best to get the word out about the new Routan. However, according to VW only a little over 4,000 units have been sold to date. Looks like Brooke has a little ways to go before baby making becomes a Routan past time.

VW Routan

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Chrysler Built Your Routan

Why Toyota Wants GM To Succeed

Christopher — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:31:23 +0000

World markets are a tricky thing and staying in the customers good graces can be a balancing act. That's why, at least vocally, Toyota hopes that GM will succeed and are constantly sending good wishes their way. But why would a competitor, in a ever growing cut-throat market, want it's biggest competitor to succeed?

Let's look at history, even a few short decades ago. In the 80's and before there was huge hatred toward the foreign market. The perceived quality of foreign vehicles had not yet been established, so Toyota like other brands were just trying to prove themselves. Another challenge they were trying to overcome was the general publics patriotism, the hope, and want for an American company to dominate the industry.

How far have we come? Obviously Toyota took over GM as the largest car manufacturer in the world, owed largely to it's ever increasing US market share. So what does Toyota risk, if they don't actively support it's domestic competitors? In a sensitive market, walking on egg shells may be the only thing that keeps Toyota from slipping back into the early 80's in the eyes of American car buyers.

Consider the devastation to Toyota domestically if the American people decide to rally against foreign competitors and strongly support their domestic car manufacturers again. Potentially, all the work Toyota had done to generate brand quality would be destroyed. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but there is a reason the owl wants the rabbits to mate.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Why Toyota Wants GM To Succeed

Does Barack Know What’s Best For GM?

Christopher — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:20:56 +0000

GM Restructuring

Does the President of The United States of America really know what's best for the auto industry or more specifically GM? I suspect he does not, nor does his appointed Auto Task Force, but that's not stopping him from taking control and throwing more weight around in the free market than I feel is justified. It's a difficult political stance to take in the face of growing government and strong liberal support, but I say, let them fail. But let's take a look at what it means to let domestic car manufacturers, like GM, go under.

The first argument always brought up is the threat of losing so many jobs at one time. GM, not too long ago was one of the largest employers in the world and going under inevitably meant thousands of lost jobs. However, this seems to be a misguided opinion on the face of what bankrupt means in the US. Just because GM may file for some chapter of bankruptcy, does not mean they will stop making cars. What bankrupt means in the US, is that they will be allowed to restructure, renegotiate, and hopefully get the company moving in the right direction again.

Most important to GM's potential restructuring plan would be the ability to renegotiate their Union contracts. It's been proven for years that the payout to GM employees per hour is far above what competitors are paying, yet still satisfactory wages. Pile this unnecessary expense on top of the money they spend on pensions and it spells a huge disaster in a failed auto market.

These are just a few examples of what could potentially happen with GM failing and I don't think it means closing doors and never making cars. But what kind of impact will Barack Obama have on GM at a time when the automotive market is as unpredictable as ever. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is buying little hybrid cars. So what will the Auto Task Force appointed by Barack Obama instruct GM to do?

For starters, as part of the bail out, CEO Rick Wagoner will be required to step down from his position. The COO Frederick Henderson will be assuming the CEO's vacated position. But since Barack Obama specifically asks for Rick's resignment, who really is the CEO of GM if everyone answers to Barack?

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Does Barack Know What’s Best For GM?

Ford: Buy One Car Get One Free

Christopher — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:34:05 +0000

Ford BOGO

Crazy economic times calls for crazy measures to insure a propserous and profitable future. Laughing in the face of naysayers, Ford has announced the best new car buying insentive ever. Buy one new car, get one new car of equal or lesser value, for FREE!

It's a radical step, but one that Ford hopes will shock the domestic car market back to it's previous self. The insentive has been labeled as bold, inspirational, and a bit dense by other manufacturers like GM and Chrysler...but what do they know? A little green monster is rearing it's ugly head and Ford is the one with the last laugh.

As of this post all major Ford dealerships are taking part in this once in a lifetime opportunity. As of 9:00 AM this morning, the most popular cars being purchased are the Ford Fusion and of course the F150 pickup is also flying off of dealer show room floors. Husbands and wives rejoice, need a new car, well get two!

"Efter I'siz buy my Ford F1scfifty truck, tha dealer handed me tew sets o keyses. Boy howdy, you shudda seen meh face. I'siz always buy Ford inda future." - April Pfhols

So help jump start the economy, go buy a Ford and enjoy your second car for FREE!

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Ford: Buy One Car Get One Free

1 Millionth Toyota Hybrid Sold

Christopher — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:32:03 +0000

We're not talking world wide, because that happened about a year ago, but Toyota has officially sold over 1 million hybrids in the United States. This sales figure includes all hybrids under the Toyota and Lexus branding, quite a feat. Gas prices last summer obviously helped drive the hybrid market, but there is something to say about having over 1 million hybrid cars on the road today from one manufacturer.

Toyota has been dominating the hybrid market with over 75% of the market share. Furthermore they have been offering 6 differnet hybrid badged cars under Toyota and Lexus manufacturing, where other domestic manufacturers are simply trying to catch up.

Continually pushing the hybrid envelope, Toyota plans to offer a luxury edition Priusy hybrid in 2010. No doubt, if anyone has any money left, greenies will be buying this luxury early adopted technology right off the manufacturing line.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

1 Millionth Toyota Hybrid Sold

Difference Between Hybrid and Regular Cars

Christopher — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:57:50 +0000

No longer is buying a new vehicle limited to buying either a gas or diesel engine, now buyers have the option to buy hybrid or regular cars. The difference between hybrid and regular cars lies in the power train and varies by technology. This article will discuss what it means to be a hybrid, the difference types of hybrids, and what maks a hybrid different than a traditional car.

What Does Hybrid Mean

The real definition of the word Hybrid means a mixed origin or composition, in the case of hybrid cars were are making reference to the composition of the engine. A hybrid engine has two different components that make similar types of power, typically the different components are gasoline and electric. The actual technology used withing hybrid motors can vary, but essentially a hybrid engine is a composition of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

Difference Between Hybrid Engine and Normal Engine

Because of the addition of an electric motor, to the internal combustion engine, for a primary power source, the engine is now considered a hybrid. A traditional car will not have an electrical motor to assist the engine make power or supplement power during low load times. Because of the assitance of an electrical motor, hybrid cars are more fuel efficient, and produce less emmissions.

Different Types of Hybrid Motors

Not only is a hybrid motor different than a traditional motor, but there are also several different types of hybrid motors. So many in fact, that I could not cover them all in one article. For the sake of space, let's look at two different types of hybrid motors in cars. The two main different hybrid vehicles when buying new cars will be 'Series Hybrids' and 'Plug-In Hybrids'.

A Series Hybrid uses the internal combustion motor to charge a generator, instead of directly powering the wheels. The generator then produces power for actual power to the wheels for a car to move.

A Plug-In Hybrid uses a type of battery that stores electric power, derived from plugging into special outlet. The battery then assists the internal combustion engine during low power loads, thus saving gas. The Plug In Electric Hybrid can also be known as a PHEV and may not be considered as Green as a series hybrid, since the power must still come from traditional resources when charging the battery.

Mercedes BlueHybrid

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This has been a post into a series of articles on explaining entry level questions to automotive enthusiasts.