Industry Experts Predict Gloomy Holiday Shopping Season Sep 20, 2009
But experts say much of the rise was attributable to the government's "cash for clunkers" auto buying incentive program, and not to a surge in consumer confidence. "The consumer is still seeing unemployment rising. They are definitely saving more and spending a lot less," Michael Dart, a principal at retail analyst Kurt Salmon Associates, told Reuters. (Fox News)
Recession Becomes Opportunity as Activision, Smucker Bolster Market Share Sep 6, 2009
As U.S. auto buying fell to the in three decades, CEO forced the 106-year-old automaker to deal with its diminished place in a changing market. There was a move by the company to accept the reality of today rather than thinking things are going to get better, CFO said in an Aug. 21 interview. (Bloomberg -- US)
Consumer Reports Survey: Car Buyers Are Thinking American, But Not All Brands Are Equal Sep 3, 2009
Free auto buying advice: Car buyers interested in learning a step-by-step strategy on the smart way to buy a new or used car, from 'how to do your homework' to 'negotiating at the dealership,' are welcome to read Consumer Reports' new- and used-car buying advice. This latest Auto Pulse survey was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center using a nationally representative probability sample. (PR Newswire)
CRIF Continues U.S. Expansion With Acquisition of Aimbridge Indirect Lending, LLC and Member Lending Acceptance, LLC Aug 13, 2009
Founded in 1984, Aimbridge(R) Lending Solutions is a provider of integrated multi-channel, multi-lender auto buying and lending services which markets auto loans and insurance products through partnerships with financial institutions and auto dealerships. Aimbridge's turn-key solutions include indirect auto loan origination processing, funding and loan closing, direct lending systems, after hours underwriting support services, imaging and document management technologies, and aggregated online... (PR Newswire)
The Triumph of Hope over Experience Aug 4, 2009
Derided as "automotive birth control" by car aficionados, these Washington mandated vehicles have been seen by the auto buying public (particularly in the exurbs) as unattractive, unsafe, slow and incapable of meeting the basic transportation needs of working families. Consider: every Toyota Prius, the icon of fuel efficiency, is sold at a loss. (Townhall.com)
