This is the most logical question that anyone and everyone has on their minds. Is the auto industry out of the woods? Is the impact of Recession over? Or, are we inching closer to an end of Recession and its subsequent impact on the car sales across the World?
Now, to be honest, these are very subjective questions that do not have a clear cut answer. Since it is too broad a question, let us try and analyze the available yardsticks that can help us decide or know about the possible direction that the automotive industry is taking for the immediate future.
To begin with, I cannot stop discussing Toyota because if the recalls did not happen the statistics for the automotive industry would have been somewhat better than they have been. So, Toyota’s recalls did dent new sales and deprive a true measure of the success of auto industry. This is especially true for the UK and US markets.
If you have access to the February Sales figures for major countries, then we can talk about an improved performance for all the automotive manufacturing companies, albeit a few that fell on the way because of snags, glitches and recalls (read Toyota). Automakers in the US have reported increase in sales for the month of February and the overall increase has been 13% over last February. All manufacturers, with the exception of Toyota reported increase in Sales with Ford reporting a 24% increase to topple General Motors as the number one maker in the US.
In UK, the automakers have reported a 26% increase in sales, thus making it another positive development. Surprisingly, Toyota has managed an increase of 15% over last February sales. Canada has reported a 25% increase in February sales over the same period last year. Interestingly, Toyota Canada has reported a 25% increase despite all the hue and cry on the recalls.
So, now we head over to the other part of the world. Australia has reported a 17% increase in new car sales with Toyota coming trumps with a 17.8% increase in the sales of new cars for the month of February.
India has reported an increase of 30% in auto sales for the month of February with each manufacturer clocking massive gains. This includes Ford, General Motors and Suzuki. Japan has already declared that the sales of cars, autos and trucks have increased by 35% in February, thus making it one of the healthiest months for automakers.
In China, General Motors has reported a 51% increase in Sales while Ford has reported a 37.5% increase in sales for the month of February.
Now, if you were to get the conclusion from these numbers then we have some sort of good news emerging. Each automaker has reported an increase in new vehicle sales. And the trend is Global in nature from Asia to Europe to the US. Be it Ford or General Motors, things are looking up for all of them. Even Toyota has been able to post a handsome increase in many countries and the impact of recalls is being felt more in the UK and the US.
The increase in Sales is a testimony to the fact that we may not be out of the Recession completely, but we are getting there. And I would say that the trend is likely to sustain over the entire year and that too across the Globe. By the end of the year, if the automotive sector does not look green, then at least the next year will be greener.
Rob May looks to cover interesting topics related to automotive industry. In this article, he presents his views on current status of auto industry. From fuel standpoint, he recommends using fleet cards. A fleet card from Shell or Esso is the right way to manage company fuel requirements.
Many drivers think they can do without buying an extended auto repair warranty. After all, every state in the U.S. requires that you purchase some kind of car insurance coverage, so why not rely on that? Purchasing just this required insurance can be a burden for some drivers, such as those with bad driving records, or those who have a low income.
For these drivers, the temptation to not get any further coverage may be especially strong. However, while it might be true that for a few drivers it is probably not worth the extra expense to purchase such a warranty, it makes sense for most to make this investment. It is all about peace of mind and not wanting to be shocked by a car repair bill out of the blue.
You certainly need to do research when looking for an auto repair warranty. There are many companies on the market and you must be sure of the reputation of the company before making a decision. Checking the online Better Business Bureau is a good start.
One of the main reasons to get an extended auto repair warranty is to cover repair costs for problems that are not caused by accidents. Accidents are rare, and most repairs are for things that wear out as your car ages. For example, you may need to replace your alternator, or a battery, or get new brake pads. Unless you have a super-reliable and brand new car that is unlikely to need frequent repairs, you will probably save money in the long run by purchasing a warranty, and you will certainly gain more peace of mind.
Cars are using more sophisticated technology these days, and the more options a car has, the more likely it is that something will break. Most modern cars have a long list of available options, such as heated seats, traction control, and power windows while minivans and SUVs include many more. Having a lot of these options is nice, but it does make your average repair cost increase significantly. For example, fixing a seat heater can cost $300 or more. So the more options you have, the more sense it makes to get an extended warranty.
You should definitely consider an extended auto repair warranty if you have a car whose parts are expensive. Find out if your car is one of these. Cars with expensive parts include most luxury cars such as Lexus and Cadillac and some non-luxury models such as Volkswagen and Acura.
The main approach for all purchasers is to do their own research. It is possible to get free no obligation quotes for an auto repair warranty to help with research and make sure no money is wasted.
If you by an aftermarket auto repair warranty rather than one offered by the manufacturer, it will be likely to be less expensive. Other ways to lower the cost include agreeing to a maintenance schedule, and making the deductible higher. If you do some careful comparison shopping, a 36-month auto repair warranty can end up costing you as little as $15 per month.
Auto repair warranty contracts are a speciality of John M.Patterson who has had years of experience helping people get the best extended auto warranty and finances deals in the market via his website at http://www.autowarranty-quotes.com.
Do you ever wonder why certain ads catch your eye while others don’t? Or why you just had to stare as that yellow sports car drove by? Or even why you’re wearing the color shirt you are now?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, these reactions are completely normal. Most of us generally accept what entices our minds without giving it a second thought. It all comes down to the fact that color, (yes color) affects us a lot more than we think. In fact, the way we view colors psychologically triggers how we feel and think.
A marketing study dubbed “Color for Impact” reported that “a color ad will be read up to 40% more than a black and white one.” Another study concluded that nearly 80% of first impressions are based solely on reaction to color.
What does all of this mean to you? Think of your car in the same sense as a mood ring. Color might be more significant than just an outer coat of paint. Would you change the color of your car if you knew it meant you were less likely to get a speeding ticket? Or have fewer accidents?
Let’s look in detail at the significance of each car color choice:
Yellow – is said to excite the eyes and stimulate the brain. Pro: A yellow car will likely draw the most attention. Con: Yellow can be distracting. Too much can irritate some.
Blue – is said to cool or calm the senses. Pro: It is also associated with trust and stability (mainly in men). Con: Some blues are associated with sadness.
Green - is said to have strong emotional correspondence with safety. Pro: Some claim that during the period of owning a green car, they never had an accident. Con: Too much green can be unpleasant to some.
Silver/Grey – is considered the safest and most neutral of vehicle colors. Pro: it can catch your eye from anywhere on a sunny day (especially with a metallic finish). Con: in drab weather, you may blend in with the pavement and sky lowering your visibility.
White – is mostly associated with safety and purity. Pro: It is said to be the most widely accepted of car colors. Con: Many people believe that white cars will need to become dirty faster than cars of other colors, although this is disputed.
Red - is associated with aggressive energy. Pro: Red is a vibrant color that catches attention. Con: It has been generally associated with speed and recklessness.
Orange - has very high visibility, so you can use it to catch attention. Pro: Like yellow it excites the mind and has the energy of red. Con: Also like yellow, orange can be overwhelming. Also, it is among the least popular vehicle colors.
Black – is said to be mysterious and sleek. Black complements the night. Pro: Black is associated with elegance and style. Con: Black has low visibility and the highest crash rating of all colors.
Purple – is said to have the stability of blue with the energy of red. This attracts the mind. Pro: It is said that purple represents independence and adventure. Con: In some cultures, purple is associated with femininity and may not be a popular choice for men.
In addition, a study conducted by The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) reported that white cars were statistically significant in having the lowest crash risk in any condition. Black cars had a 12% higher crash risk then white. Silver cars had an 11% higher crash risk. Lastly red and blue cars rated a 7% higher crash risk than white cars by the MUARC.
Color affects us on a conscious and sub-conscious level everyday in almost everyway. From the color of clothes we wear to the color of cars we drive, we are perpetually and usually inadvertently flooding unknown signals into our everyday environments. Maybe next time you purchase a vehicle, you’ll think twice about the color.
Rusty Shakelford works as a freelance writer and marketer for companies like http://www.CarLocate.com , a web portal listing new and used cars. When he is off the clock, Rusty writes, stays up on the latest marketing innovations, and follows the latest on the automotvie industry and cars.
