Auto Trends

Christmas Car, originally uploaded by See El Photo

The automotive experts have spoken again, and guess what they have said? Yup, this holiday season could be the very last of the really great car deals that have been floating around for the past few months. They have been saying this since the end of Cash For Clunkers, clear back at the end of August this year.

Well, this time they really mean it, and here is their reasoning. The surplus of 2009 vehicles is finally tapering down to manageable numbers. Nowhere more is this true than with the extinct Pontiac franchise, who has seen many of their popular vehicles dwindle to the hundreds over the past couple months.

With that said, there are some pretty good deals heading up the holiday season that would look awfully nice in your driveway come Christmas morning. Let’s take a look at these deals from manufacturer to manufacturer:

Audi
Scrooged.

BMW
Throughout the 2009 holiday season BMW will be offering holiday finance credit for those who qualify, up to $2,500. The deal will be covered by most models, offering a minimum of $1,500 credit, lasting through January 5th, 2010.

Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab
Nothing much has changed here. Still just the same old 0% APR financing we have come to expect. They just might have something else up their sleeve come December, as the current financing incentives are set to diminish at the end of November (11/30/90).

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep
Chrysler is planning on a running start to their 5-year plan this month, ramping up deals just in time for Thanksgiving shoppers. They have increased consumer cashback, anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500, over top of existing incentives. This means if a vehicle was already $1,500 off the sticker price, you can go ahead and pull up to an additional $1,500, for a grand total of $3,000 off. They are also offering 0% financing (60 months), lease discounts on minivans (up to $1,000), and cut rate financing for all 2008 and 2009 Dodge Vipers. Deals are set to last through January 4^th, 2010.

Honda
Honda gets in the holiday spirit with 1.9% APR financing up to 36 months on select models through January 4^th, 2010.

Ford, Lincoln, Mercury
Ford continues to pull new customers through their doors despite the economy, and shows no signs of stopping with its current holiday incentives. Through January 4^th, they will be celebrating their “Year End Sales Event”, which translates to $1,000 cashback on most models, and 0% APR financing.

Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes is offering 2.9% APR financing for up to 36 months on select models through January 4^th, 2010.

Toyota
Toyota has scrooged out a bit, pulling back from its prior 0% APR financing, now only offering a 2.9% APR through the magical date of January 4^th, 2010. They do however redeem themselves slightly with cashback offers up to $2,000 on a very select few models, varying from region to region.

Mazda
Scrooged.

Volkswagen
Scrooged again!

You only have until the beginning of January for most of these deals, so its best to get out there… while the gettin’s still good!

Sources: Auto News and U.S. News

MSN Autos released some interesting statistic recently, looking at the most popular vehicles driven in the various areas around the US. Let’s breakdown these findings, and explain what makes these vehicles so popular in their areas.

Boulder, Colorado Loves their Subaru Outback
The Subaru is a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll… a little bit Toyota Land Cruiser and a little cit Toyota Camry. The folks in Boulder Colorado aren’t exactly roughing it, but they do live around the mountains, and they do see their fair share of snow. Coloradoans in general like their SUV’s, with the Toyota Land Cruiser being one of the more popular in the mountain towns, but they also consider themselves pro-environment, which makes these big gas guzzlers a bit of a deterrent in some areas.

Henderson, Nevada Prefers their Toyota Camry LE
Toyota Camry’s are popular nearly everywhere in the US, but particularly in Henderson, Nevada, just a few hops away from Las Vegas. The Camry offers just the right amount of flash, with more importantly, an even greater amount of affordability, practicality, and dependability. Despite all the fancy vehicles you see in downtown Las Vegas, there are also a predominant amount of Toyota Camry’s, often taking the local folks to their favorite hot spots in the Sin City. While Vegas may exude money and flash, those in Henderson are the typical working folks, trying to keep it together one day at a time.

Glendale, Arizona Says they Need their Ford F-150 Platinum
The folks in Glendale are a down-home, all-American, country bunch, who also like to have a little comfort and class mixed in with their vehicles. The F-150 Platinum offers the typical functionality of moderate sized truck, with the extra touches of comfort that you would normally find in a mid-line luxury vehicle. In an area that is considered much more country than city, the folks around these parts occasionally need to  haul ranch supplies (farm, animals, etc.), toys (motorcycles, boats, etc.), and yard equipment (year-round growing season).

Santa Monica Prefers the Emission Conscious Toyota Prius
Santa Monica is a haven of environmentally friendly folks who recycle, reduce, and reuse, while driving their Toyota Prius in the process. It is not uncommon for resident consumers to wait on long lists before getting their Prius, especially considering its worldwide demand. Drivers of the Prius also receive a free car-pool-lane pass, which is reason enough for many long-distance daily commuters. Interestingly, 51 miles South, the residents of Newport Beach much prefer their Mercedes-Benz E350, which offers a more luxurious image for those who prefer to be seen, rather than drive efficiently.

Source: MSN Autos

[Photos via woodleywonderworks, PanMike1, Stradablog, Pete’s Photo Magic, and Kathleen_A]

New York. Sun-kissed Crysler Building., originally uploaded by egold (almost back…)

A little over a year ago, Chrysler Financial became unable to renew its line of credit, therefore it became no longer eligible to continue their leasing program. What followed was a loss in market share, and what some say would become the key event that lead to their ultimate decline that would end in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 30, 2009.

Proof of such accusations comes from market share statistics that pegged Chrysler at somewhere around 11.3 percent before July of 2008, dropping sharply to 11 percent in December 2008, and finally tapering off to just 9.2 percent this past August. What can Chrysler do to renew their market share? Start leasing again of course.

Auto News brings us word that Chrysler’s leasing days maybe closer than some would have thought. This is all thanks to GMAC Financial Services, of whom the Obama administration has appointed to Chrysler. Rumors are pointing to a return to leasing as early as this coming September 18^th, 2009.  Chrysler is waiting on residual value numbers before making the final decision, so at the moment things are still up in the air, according to Chrysler spokespersons.

Just this small move could help dealers push twice as much business through high lease areas, such as Detroit, Michigan. Many dealers complained last summer of losing as much as half their normal volume once their leasing options were stripped from them. Dealers will certainly be looking forward to a return, assuming Chrysler gives the green late later next week.

With the scent of bankruptcy still in the air for Chrysler, they plan on sliding into the leasing scene gradually, with a choice few models, such as possibly the Dodge Ram, Nitro, Journey, Grand Caravan, Jeep Liberty, and Town & Country. While Chrysler has been lagging behind the other former members of the Big Three this summer, this might be their big move to help level out the playing field.

Source: Auto News