If you're a Detroit 3 dealer, don't expect a blowout factory sale this winter. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are planning big first-quarter production cuts - a clear sign they want to limit factory rebates.
GM to shift small crossover to GMC
General Motors will replace the Pontiac Torrent with a small GMC crossover for the 2009 model year. The new vehicle will be called the Terrain, say sources familiar with GM's product plans.
Nardelli hemmed in by Cerberus credit crunch
CEO Bob Nardelli and his management team are working on a short financial leash as they struggle to turn around ailing Chrysler LLC. They're limited to the roughly $10 billion in cash they have on hand. The company can't borrow any more.
Chrysler will cut fleet sales
Chrysler LLC plans to reduce fleet sales in 2008, CEO Bob Nardelli said. At a media event last week, he said 20 percent of annual sales would be a good target.
Crisis is looming for Plastech
One of North America's largest minority-owned auto parts suppliers is tottering into a financial crisis caused by its customers' production cutbacks. Over the past two weeks, Plastech Engineered Products Inc.
Exports of U.S. auto parts rise in quarter
U.S. auto parts exports rose by $1.48 billion in the third quarter as the falling dollar made U.S. goods cheaper abroad, according to corrected Department of Commerce data.
Last Mercury-only store exits new-car business
A breed many never knew existed became extinct last week: The nation's last Mercury-only dealership departed the new-car business. Community Motor Co. in Canonsburg, Pa.
Nissan sales boss retires
Bill Bosley, general manager of Nissan Division, has retired. Bosley, 53, will be succeeded on Jan. 1 by Al Castignetti, regional vice president over Nissan's Northeast sales region.
Climate bill dangles $40 billion for auto industry
Things are not really rosy in Washington right now for the automobile industry, but automakers and suppliers could be among the ultimate winners if the federal government caps greenhouse gas emissions.
Welcome to Perfect Auto World
SELLING A BUS
Sell a bus, bus conversion, tour bus, Class A RV, or church shuttle bus? Follow these guidelines to ensure your bus, motor coach or recreational bus conversion sale goes well. Most sellers want maximum profit in the shortest time while incurring the least hassle and cost. Just remember the buyer wants the same things.
The biggest problem with selling a used bus is that there is a very limited market for such luxury purchases combined with the fact that EVERY bus is custom. There is no such thing as a "stock" bus or RV. This means you are selling a very particular item to a minuscule or sometimes nonexistent customer and most importantly you have to FIND that customer.
Disadvantages - never address the disadvantages listed unless the buyer brings it up. Be prepared if they do though. Sometimes it is best to simply reply using the least words possible. For example if the buyer says "I heard that Eagle buses were better than this Prevost your selling" You may answer simply..."really?". Going into a lengthy defense can often just cause the two of you to spend too much time on negative issues.
The "why are you selling" question - Be prepared to answer this one. I advise all buyers to ask this question and look right into the eyes of the seller and watch for the sellers reaction when they do. Even someone who does not pratice this technique can often spot a "seller" who is hesitant and may be covering something up, offers a wierd answer, is caught off guard, slips up and tells you something they did not intend to, etc. So, as the seller BE PREPARED. If you don't have time to use the bus, say so. If it is not what you thought it would be when you bought it, so be it.
Service Records - Many buyers feel very wary of purchasing anything without paperwork. Repair receipts, title documents, service records, and original purchase price paid.
Pricing - the buyer doesn't usually care how much you owe, so instead figure out the real value of the vehicle and adjust lower depending on how FAST you want serious offers. Do not bring up what you paid for the bus unless it is relative to the current value and in YOUR favor to do so. It is rare that a bus, motor coach or RV is sold by a private individual at a premium price. Today's buyer has substantial resources available to them in determining what they THINK your bus is worth.
Condition - Everything should work on your bus. If something is broke, either fix it or disclose it to the prospective buyer. This will validate your trustworthiness and add value to everything you say afterwards.
Marketing - take 100 photographs using a digital camera. Shoot close-ups, full views, bays, storage, engine compartments, tire depth, dash close-ups, special or significant features of the bus, upholstery, floorplans, new or upgraded items. List every feature of your bus.
You cannot be too redundant. If your list is long, and makes sense, the buyer will read it and be impressed or glance it over and say to themselves "hey this person is thorough and probably took care of this bus" Either way you win. List how many air conditioners you have, heating units, entertainment and electronic equipment, lighting, furniture, engine, transmission, exhaust, chassis, roof type, flooring. Pick up a brochure from the original manufacturer for your exact bus or rv.
Closing the Deal - if the buyer just will not make the purchase and you have done all you can do, make sure you FIND OUT WHY! Sometimes they are just tire kickers and dreamers, or maybe they had a problem behind the scenes that came up during the negotiations. But then again maybe not. Maybe there was a real legitimate reason why they didn't buy your bus for sale. Make them tell you truthfully what you could have done differently or what you could do to the bus to help you sell it to the next guy.
HOW TO BUY A MOTORCYCLE
Nobody really has to buy a motorcycle. But these days plenty of people want to. And you may be one of them. Before you plunk down your money, swing your leg over the seat and feel that warm breeze of freedom, you need to resolve several critical issues.
Am I an experienced rider? Riding a motorcycle is undeniably fun. It also can be lethal if done wrong. Therefore, before you even consider buying any kind of motorcycle, assess your skills and abilities. If you're a rank novice, you need to learn how to ride. If you've been away from motorcycling for a while, you should take a refresher course. And if you don't already have a motorcycle license, you're going to need one to ride legally. The best course of action is to go to a riding school.
How do I intend to ride? The kind of riding you're interested in fairly well dictates the type of bike you should shop for. Conversely, the kind of bike you ride largely defines your motorcycling world and lifestyle. So, besides selecting the motorcycle based on its mechanical and performance attributes, consider what circles you'll likely be riding in--so to speak. If you don't think of yourself as a racer or a biker in the Wild One vein, and you would be comfortable at, say, an Eagles reunion concert, consider a traditional bike. People attracted to sportbikes, on the other hand, tend to indulge in extreme activities--think The Fast and the Furious, only on two wheels. If you want to hang with the hip-hop crowd, maybe you're a sportbike candidate.
How much should I spend? It's a discretionary purchase--the mortgage comes first, okay? Depending on the type of motorcycle you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere from under $5000 to $25,000 for a new bike. Motorcycle dealers, like auto dealers, will do what they can to help you with financing options, and many offer used bikes as well.
Do I really need a new bike? For many riders, a used motorcycle is a better option. Besides being more affordable than a new bike, a used one is a sensible transitional machine. You may find that the bike you bought to get you back in the game is somehow lacking after you've spent some serious time on it. And the reality is, sooner or later your first motorcycle is going to hit the pavement. There's no reason that the bike you ding up needs to be an expensive one right out of the crate. Give yourself a few months to get comfortable--then you'll be more than ready for a new set of wheels.
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Sell a bus, bus conversion, tour bus, Class A RV, or church shuttle bus? Follow these guidelines to ensure your bus, motor coach or recreational bus conversion sale goes well. Most sellers want maximum profit in the shortest time while incurring the least hassle and cost. Just remember the buyer wants the same things.
Nobody really has to buy a motorcycle. But these days plenty of people want to. And you may be one of them. Before you plunk down your money, swing your leg over the seat and feel that warm breeze of freedom, you need to resolve several critical issues.