1. “You might be in the wrong garage.”
There are many choices as to where consumers can take their car when it’s in need of maintenance or repair. Those include going to the car dealer, a department or chain-store franchise, or an independent mechanic at a service station. Where you should go depends on what type of repair your car needs and its age and condition. But in most cases, mechanics in each type of repair shop may try to convince you that they’re the best ones for the job.
Work under factory warranty should go to the dealer, says Mark Eskeldson, founder of CarInfo.com, which provides consumer-protection advice to car buyers and owners. That’s where you’ll find some of the best-trained mechanics who are trained to fix problems that pop up with new car models, he says.
But because dealer overhead is high, expect to pay top dollar for repairs not covered under your warranty.
Before leaving your car at an independent automotive shop (or any repair facility) find out if the mechanic working on your car is ASE Certified ( or factory certified) on the component or system that needs fixing. Don't let some junior mechanic work on your car that is not certified or qualified on that particular repair area. He could do more harm than good.
Chain and department-store shops often advertise free services for routine services like oil changes or tune-ups, but beware if their mechanic insists that your car needs major repairs after he inspects it. Get a second opinion to confirm it isn’t a ploy to get you to spend more money, he says.
2. “My fancy certificates might not mean very much.”
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifies auto technicians (or mechanics) in eight specialties, including brakes, electrical systems, engines, and heating and air-conditioning, ect... Although auto mechanics must have two years of hands-on work experience and pass an extensive standardized exam to become certified, an ASE sticker in your repair shop’s window is no guarantee that the work will be done properly or that all of the technicians employed are all ASE certified, or if they are Certified in the repair are you need says Tony Molla, a spokesman for ASE.
Most repair shops hire both certified and uncertified mechanics. And only 33% of ASE mechanics are certified in all eight specialties and earn “Master Technician” status. Be sure to ask who is going to do the work on your car and what areas that person is certified in. Also check to see when the certification expires. ASE-certified mechanics are supposed to recertify every five years.
In addition, you may look for repair shops that are endorsed by AAA with work being guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles. These facilities must meet rigorous standards and guarantee their work for all customers, says Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for AAA New York. Also, AAA agrees to arbitrate disputes between its members and approved repair shops.
3. “I make unnecessary repairs.”
You drop off your car at a mechanic’s shop for routine maintenance or a repair only to find out that the mechanic made additional repairs that you didn’t request but that he deemed “necessary.”
Recommendations for unnecessary maintenance are a common complaint among consumers, says Sherry Mehl, the chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) in California. (The bureau works to protect consumers within the automotive repair marketplace.) For instance, shops can suggest flushing a radiator or fluids, which can harm some cars, she says. (Car owners’ manuals specify if flushing will help.)
Consumer complaints about auto parts and repairs are on the rise, according to the Federal Trade Commission. For 2009, the FTC has 2,689 complaints, up from 2,438 in 2008 and 1,698 in 2007. It was dishonest practices that cost Santa Ana-based EZ Lube $5 million in a civil settlement for unfair business practices in December 2007. An investigation by the Orange County district attorney’s office “uncovered a pattern of unfair and deceptive business practices at several EZ Lube locations where consumers were being sold unneeded parts and services,” according to the DA’s statement. As part of the settlement, EZ Lube agreed to pay restitution to anyone with a legitimate claim over the past five years. (When reached for comment, a spokesperson for EZ Lube referred us to a company’s press release on the matter, which reads: “It is our goal to make sure all of our customers are protected by the highest safeguards in the industry when they bring their vehicle to one of our stores.”)
“Most unnecessary repairs are due to the fact that cars are so incredibly complex that often a shop ends up trying a few things in order to solve the problem,” says Jack Gillis, author of "The Car Book" and director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America, a consumer-advocacy organization. When a repair baffles a mediocre mechanic, he or she will probably keep replacing suspect parts until the problem is finally solved. Many of the parts replaced may have nothing to do with the problem, but you’ll probably end up paying for them anyway, he says.
4. “You might be charged for work that hasn’t been done.”
It happens on purpose. It happens by mistake. Either way, it happens. Let’s say you drop your car off at the garage to have the fluids, belts and filters replaced. But the garage is busy, the mechanic who works on your car is a new hire, and the station manager hasn’t left very clear instructions. As a result, the belts never get replaced, but you drive away thinking you’ve got brand-new ones. When Gillis worked at the Department of Transportation in the 1980s, he says it was one of the most common complaints, and that it remains so today.
A good way to avoid the problem of work that was supposed to have been done but wasn’t: Ask to see the old parts. In some cases, mechanics can give you the parts they’ve removed from your car. (One exception is if the warranty requires they be sent back to the manufacturer.) “If you have a concern that a part was replaced when it shouldn’t have been, you should ask for it back,” says Mehl. (Rules vary by state; in California, for example, mechanics can give parts to customers.) California residents can contact BAR, and it’ll send a representative to examine the customer’s invoice and the part. “If it’s not faulty, we can take disciplinary action,” she says.
In addition, Gillis suggests taping to your steering wheel an itemized list of all the repairs you want made. That way the mechanic who works on it — in most cases not the person you talked to when you drove in — will have direct instructions from you.
5. “You should get a second opinion.”
Getting a second opinion is a must for major repairs, since it’s a competitive business and prices can be all over the map. You may have to pay a few dollars more for an extra estimate, but the hundreds you could potentially save by shopping carefully will more than make up for it.
When exactly is it time to seek out a second opinion? A general rule of thumb is that you should get more than one mechanic’s take on a repair if you expect to pay more than $200 for it, says Gillis. If your mechanic calls in the middle of a job with a laundry list of additional repairs, that’s also a good time to seek another opinion of the problem and an estimate for the cost of fixing it. Beware of the mechanic who tries to stop you by saying that he’s already taken apart the engine or the transmission. If you were able to drive the car into the shop, you should be able to drive it back out for a second opinion.
6. “Rebuilt parts can be as good as new — and less expensive.”
When it comes time to replace a part on your car, you can save money by buying it used. But often you must specify that you want a remanufactured part or the mechanic will likely install an expensive new one.
However, recycled parts aren’t right for every replacement. “Customers may save some money, but buying a recycled part isn’t so simple,” says Chuck Sulkala, executive director of the National Auto Body Council and owner of a Boston-based car body shop. “You need to make sure it provides exactly what you’re looking for and what you need.” For example, a customer who needs to replace a car’s fender and gets a salvaged one could find that its moldings or side lights are different, he says, even if the fender comes from the same car model that’s just two or three years older. Sulkala says: “You can use it, but what good is the molding going to do if it’s in the wrong location?”
7. “Your car is too high-tech for me."
Cars have become incredibly sophisticated over the past 10 years, but some mechanics haven’t caught up. Car dealers are required by most manufacturers to buy the expensive diagnostic equipment needed to pinpoint the source of computer problems. That means their technicians are more likely to be factory-trained in these complicated repairs.
Still, not all mechanics are properly trained in the computerized systems found in most cars today, says Gillis. That could be because independent car mechanics have to bear most of the costs when upgrading their technology. Independent car technicians must make the same investment in sophisticated diagnostic equipment if they expect to be able to diagnose and repair these complex cars, says Molla.
If you drive an expensive European car, consider checking out specialty shops that focus on one or two foreign makes. Mechanics at these outfits are often as well or better trained than those at the dealer and they usually charge less. Meanwhile, most Japanese and Korean models are serviceable by independent repair shops, says Molla.
8. “I may send your car somewhere else for repairs — which will cost you.”
Let’s say you’re taking your car in for several repairs at once — replacing the battery and headlamps, changing the oil, and repairing the fuel-injection system. Some independent shop may not have the facilities or expertise to do them all in-house, and if so, it may pay another shop to do all or part of the work. This kind of auto-repair outsourcing can add significantly to the final price tag on the job, since your mechanic will have to charge a premium for the work he subbed out.
“If I have to carry all of the equipment in order to fix everything on a vehicle, it would make no sense,” says Sulkala, especially if he doesn't do that type of work on a daily basis. For example, he’s not asked to upholster cars often, so when a customer requests that he says, “I’ll bring it someone I know and trust who has that expertise.” As a result, the customer might incur additional costs. But, he adds, the price charged is at a discounted wholesale rate and not at a retail door rate.
When you take your car in for repairs, ask if all the work will be done on-site before you agree to anything. If your mechanic tells you he needs to subcontract some of it, tell him not to do those repairs and take the car yourself to a shop that can handle the rest of the job.
9. “The less you know about your warranty, the happier I am.”
Confusion about your warranty is good for a repair shop. After all, it’s not in an independent mechanic’s best interest to tell you when a repair is under warranty because if he’s mum, he can charge you for it. Dealerships, meanwhile, make little money on warranty repairs, so they look to get as much non-warranty work as possible.
The way dealership warranties often work is that if you get the car repaired somewhere else and something goes wrong as a result of that repair, the cost of fixing the problem will no longer be covered by the warranty. So say you get an oil change at a quick-service franchise shop and the mechanic does something wrong that eventually damages your engine; the dealer doesn’t have to honor your warranty when your engine is finally repaired, says Gillis. But some dealers like to take it a step further by making it seem as if you have to bring your car to them for all repairs or risk losing your warranty protection.
Don’t fall for it. Taking routine work such as oil changes, tire rotations, and even your 10,000-mile checkups to the less-expensive chains won’t jeopardize your warranty in most cases. Nor will emergency repairs that would normally be covered under the warranty. Just be sure to keep all your receipts, says Gillis. That way, if the dealer tries to claim you have an engine problem because you failed to get an oil change, for example, you can prove otherwise.
10. “You have more power here than you think.”
If you feel you’ve been wronged by an auto mechanic, you can take action. File a complaint with your state’s Better Business Bureau and the attorney general’s office. This will help unsuspecting consumers who check on the reputations of potential car mechanics to avoid shoddy repairmen.
In some states, you have even more recourse; in California, BAR will attempt to resolve each complaint it receives. To check if your state has a similar agency, contact your state highway department. Finally, if your auto-repair garage is endorsed by the AAA, contact the organization. If your complaint is egregious enough, or joined by others, the outfit may lose the AAA’s seal of approval. “This is an exceedingly rare event,” says Sinclair. “Shops work hard to obtain and retain their AAA certification and would bend over backwards to correct any problems that may lead to a loss of AAA’s ‘seal of approval’.”
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Showing posts with label auto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Sunday, May 9, 2010
4 Ugly Cars Only Their Mothers Could Love
This is an article, written by Tom Ripley for 'Driving Today', that brings back memories!
"For reasons known only to God and the executive committees that approved them, ugly cars exist in nature. And in spite of their often ungainly and grotesque countenances, somebody loves them. So let’s celebrate that unconditional love by taking a closer look at the pantheon of cars only their mother could love.
Ugly Car No. 1: AMC Pacer
Sure, this is the go-to ugly car, but it is the go-to because it was so ugly. Looking something like an upside-down cereal bowl balancing on toothpicks, the Pacer’s body was way too big for its undersized tires. To that, you can add positively enormous side glass, windshield and backlight, allowing you a very good look at the idiot who bought it. Inside, the over-long six-cylinder engine intrudes into the passenger compartment because when AMC designed it, they thought it would be equipped with a more compact, rotary engine.
Ugly Car No. 2: Renault Fuego
Some of the most beautiful classics of the ’30s came from French design studios, but by the early 1980s (and some would say well before), the French had lost their touch. The Fuego was a weak attempt at a sports coupe, kind of a limp-wristed Mustang saddled with a tiny engine and a lackluster profile. And as with so many ugly cars, the closer you look at it, the worse it gets. Details like the undersized tires and black body stripe did nothing but add to the overall malaise. Inside, the Fuego was an ergonomic disaster.
Ugly Car No. 3: Yugo GV
Malcolm Bricklin’s attempt to use geopolitical realities to bring a price leader to the U.S. market failed largely because the car -- Yugo GV (for great value) -- was one of the worst vehicles ever foisted on the American public. In this car, as your mother once told you, ugly is as ugly does. The 1.1-liter engine that claimed to offer 58 horsepower was feeble, and the drivetrain had so much slop in it that if you accelerated, the car pulled to the left, and if you let off the accelerator, the car pulled to the right. Fit-and-finish inside and out were in the “you’ve got to be kidding” category.
Ugly Car No. 4: Pontiac Aztek
When you see a Pontiac Aztek on the road -- something that is still possible though unfortunate -- you have to wonder how a group of sighted auto executives approved the vehicle’s design. Some cars have hidden flaws, but the Aztek hides nothing. It is flawed everywhere: awkward profile, ungainly front and rear ends, plus loose, flapping-in-the-breeze trim. From the driver’s seat, the Aztek wasn’t nearly as bad as from the outside, but that’s like getting comfortable in the belly of a whale. The mundane 3.4-liter V-6 offered just 185 horsepower, not sufficient to get the Aztek out of our sight nearly quick enough."
WEBSITE: http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
"For reasons known only to God and the executive committees that approved them, ugly cars exist in nature. And in spite of their often ungainly and grotesque countenances, somebody loves them. So let’s celebrate that unconditional love by taking a closer look at the pantheon of cars only their mother could love.
Ugly Car No. 1: AMC Pacer
Sure, this is the go-to ugly car, but it is the go-to because it was so ugly. Looking something like an upside-down cereal bowl balancing on toothpicks, the Pacer’s body was way too big for its undersized tires. To that, you can add positively enormous side glass, windshield and backlight, allowing you a very good look at the idiot who bought it. Inside, the over-long six-cylinder engine intrudes into the passenger compartment because when AMC designed it, they thought it would be equipped with a more compact, rotary engine.
Ugly Car No. 2: Renault Fuego
Some of the most beautiful classics of the ’30s came from French design studios, but by the early 1980s (and some would say well before), the French had lost their touch. The Fuego was a weak attempt at a sports coupe, kind of a limp-wristed Mustang saddled with a tiny engine and a lackluster profile. And as with so many ugly cars, the closer you look at it, the worse it gets. Details like the undersized tires and black body stripe did nothing but add to the overall malaise. Inside, the Fuego was an ergonomic disaster.
Ugly Car No. 3: Yugo GV
Malcolm Bricklin’s attempt to use geopolitical realities to bring a price leader to the U.S. market failed largely because the car -- Yugo GV (for great value) -- was one of the worst vehicles ever foisted on the American public. In this car, as your mother once told you, ugly is as ugly does. The 1.1-liter engine that claimed to offer 58 horsepower was feeble, and the drivetrain had so much slop in it that if you accelerated, the car pulled to the left, and if you let off the accelerator, the car pulled to the right. Fit-and-finish inside and out were in the “you’ve got to be kidding” category.
Ugly Car No. 4: Pontiac Aztek
When you see a Pontiac Aztek on the road -- something that is still possible though unfortunate -- you have to wonder how a group of sighted auto executives approved the vehicle’s design. Some cars have hidden flaws, but the Aztek hides nothing. It is flawed everywhere: awkward profile, ungainly front and rear ends, plus loose, flapping-in-the-breeze trim. From the driver’s seat, the Aztek wasn’t nearly as bad as from the outside, but that’s like getting comfortable in the belly of a whale. The mundane 3.4-liter V-6 offered just 185 horsepower, not sufficient to get the Aztek out of our sight nearly quick enough."
WEBSITE: http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
Sunday, April 25, 2010
25 Facts About Tampa Bay AutoNetwork - Tampa Used Car Dealer
1. Family Owned & Operated
2. BBB Accredited
3. 'A' Rated BBB Member
4. eBay Motors Platinum Level PowerSellers
5. 100% Poistive Feedback on eBay Motors
6. Carfax Certified Dealer
7. Favorite Place on Google
8. No Commision's
9. World Wide Customer Base
10. World Wide Shipping
11. Disocunted Shipping Rates
12. Preferred Credit Union Dealer
13. Treating People the Way We Want to be Treated
14. Built on Honesty & Integrity
15. Selling Serviced, Inspected, and Detailed Vehicles
16. Offering Local Trade-Ins @ Dealer Wholesale Prices
17. Specializing in Hard to Find Luxury and Specialty Vehicles: 4 Door Sedans, 2 Door Coupes, Roadsters, Convertibles, Sport Utility, Specialty Trucks....
18. Personalized Service
19. Phenomenal Communication
20. Provider of Nationwide Extended Service Plans
21. Unique, Hassle-Free Experience
22. Honoring Promises
23. Building Trust
24. Truth in Advertising
25. Conveniently Located
WEBSITE: http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
2. BBB Accredited
3. 'A' Rated BBB Member
4. eBay Motors Platinum Level PowerSellers
5. 100% Poistive Feedback on eBay Motors
6. Carfax Certified Dealer
7. Favorite Place on Google
8. No Commision's
9. World Wide Customer Base
10. World Wide Shipping
11. Disocunted Shipping Rates
12. Preferred Credit Union Dealer
13. Treating People the Way We Want to be Treated
14. Built on Honesty & Integrity
15. Selling Serviced, Inspected, and Detailed Vehicles
16. Offering Local Trade-Ins @ Dealer Wholesale Prices
17. Specializing in Hard to Find Luxury and Specialty Vehicles: 4 Door Sedans, 2 Door Coupes, Roadsters, Convertibles, Sport Utility, Specialty Trucks....
18. Personalized Service
19. Phenomenal Communication
20. Provider of Nationwide Extended Service Plans
21. Unique, Hassle-Free Experience
22. Honoring Promises
23. Building Trust
24. Truth in Advertising
25. Conveniently Located
WEBSITE: http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Auto Sales Rise in January 2010
DETROIT — Toyota's auto sales fell 16 percent in January, a month in which it recalled millions of vehicles and halted sales of several models. Most other automakers reported higher sales and looked for opportunities to snatch sales from the troubled Japanese automaker.
Automakers expected sales to improve over January 2009, when they dipped to a 26-year low due to the tough economy.
General Motors said its January sales rose 14 percent because of higher fleet and crossover vehicle sales. Crossovers are SUV-like in size but sit on a car instead of a truck frame. Ford Motor Co., meanwhile, saw sales rise 25 percent on higher fleet sales, while Nissan's rose 16 percent, thanks to higher demand for sedans like the Versa, Sentra and Maxima. Hyundai's sales rose 24 percent as sales of the newly redesigned Tucson sport utility vehicle doubled.
Chrysler fell 8 percent on declining sales of Ram trucks and Jeeps, while Honda's sales slipped 5 percent on weaker SUV and crossover demand.
Toyota said on Jan. 26 it would suspend sales of the Camry sedan, its top-selling vehicle, and seven other cars and trucks following a recall over sticky accelerator pedals that could cause sudden acceleration.
"There is no doubt that the stop sale, which was put in place last week, impacted our sales," said Bob Carter, Toyota's group vice president and general manager.
Car-buying Web site Edmunds.com predicted Toyota's U.S. market share would drop to 14.7 percent in January, its lowest level since March 2006.
Showing how quickly the newer, leaner GM can react, it offered zero percent financing and other incentives to Toyota drivers last week. Ford also offered incentives to Toyota drivers who trade in vehicles.
"This was an opportunity to help customers who are truly concerned about their personal safety," she said.
George Pipas, Ford's top sales analyst, said he did not see evidence that Ford was taking buyers from Toyota. Pipas said much of Ford's sales increase came from a jump in sales to rental car companies, governments and other large fleet buyers. Ford said fleet sales jumped more than 150 percent over January 2009, an indication that the credit crunch was lifting and businesses could spend on fleets again.
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http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
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Automakers expected sales to improve over January 2009, when they dipped to a 26-year low due to the tough economy.
General Motors said its January sales rose 14 percent because of higher fleet and crossover vehicle sales. Crossovers are SUV-like in size but sit on a car instead of a truck frame. Ford Motor Co., meanwhile, saw sales rise 25 percent on higher fleet sales, while Nissan's rose 16 percent, thanks to higher demand for sedans like the Versa, Sentra and Maxima. Hyundai's sales rose 24 percent as sales of the newly redesigned Tucson sport utility vehicle doubled.
Chrysler fell 8 percent on declining sales of Ram trucks and Jeeps, while Honda's sales slipped 5 percent on weaker SUV and crossover demand.
Toyota said on Jan. 26 it would suspend sales of the Camry sedan, its top-selling vehicle, and seven other cars and trucks following a recall over sticky accelerator pedals that could cause sudden acceleration.
"There is no doubt that the stop sale, which was put in place last week, impacted our sales," said Bob Carter, Toyota's group vice president and general manager.
Car-buying Web site Edmunds.com predicted Toyota's U.S. market share would drop to 14.7 percent in January, its lowest level since March 2006.
Showing how quickly the newer, leaner GM can react, it offered zero percent financing and other incentives to Toyota drivers last week. Ford also offered incentives to Toyota drivers who trade in vehicles.
"This was an opportunity to help customers who are truly concerned about their personal safety," she said.
George Pipas, Ford's top sales analyst, said he did not see evidence that Ford was taking buyers from Toyota. Pipas said much of Ford's sales increase came from a jump in sales to rental car companies, governments and other large fleet buyers. Ford said fleet sales jumped more than 150 percent over January 2009, an indication that the credit crunch was lifting and businesses could spend on fleets again.
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
Friday, December 18, 2009
Is Your Check Engine Light On?
Have you ever noticed that when your Check Engine Light comes on, the car runs fine? There are no noises or signs of anything uncommon going on? Why? Becasue there isn't anything seriously wrong. It's more than likely a quick, easy, inexpensive fix that shouldn't cost you any more than a couple hundred dollars, at most.
Here's What To Do and What Not To Do.... and Why:
- First and foremost, DO NOT FREAK OUT! Why? Because you will end up spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars more than you should.
- After you DON'T freak out, check your gas cap. Why? Because a loose gas cap is a common reason for triggering a Check Engine Light. It sounds too simple and silly to be true, but guess what.... it's true. After filling up your tank, make sure the cap clicks at least 3 times before jumping back in your car. If this is what triggered the light, it will turn off once it's tightened.
- If that didn't fix the problem, go to an Advance Auto Parts, Discount Auto Parts, or NAPA store. Why? Because they ARE NOT mechanics. They sell parts, not fix or replace them. They will scan your car for free and they will be honest with you, unlike most mechanics (unfortunately). Their scanner will pull a "code" which will be translated into the actual problem (if there actually is a problem). In turn, they may try to sell you the part (more than likely a sensor or hose), but it's up to you whether or not you want to purchase the part yourself. Either way, you will know exactly what triggered the light to come on, so you will not be taken advantage of by a Service Shop or Repair Facility. You can save some money by purchasing the part at the Auto Parts Store and having a Service or Repair Facility install it. Believe it or not, it can actually be absolutely NOTHING AT ALL (you'll see what we mean later in this article). If this is the case, the Auto Parts store can reset the computer and the light will turn off.
- DO NOT go to AAMCO, or any other Franchise Service and Repair Facility for their FREE diagnosis of what triggered the light. Why? You know, as well as us, that nothing is FREE at these places. Well, the actual scan might be, but we will guarantee their estimate for repairs will exceed a couple hundred dollars, when in fact it should barely cost that much to fix.
- DO NOT go to the Manufacturer's Service Department. Why? Same as above, except they will not scan the car for free, they'll probably charge you an hour labor, when in fact it will take them all but 30 seconds to scan, and then hit you up for $400-$500 in unecessary repairs. You'll be surprised how many Manufacturer's set the cars computer to trigger that light at certain mileage intervals, in hopes you will freak out, run to them, and get charged hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars for them to do absolutely NOTHING but reset the computer! The same thing that can be done at NAPA, Discount Auto Parts, or Advance Auto Parts stores for FREE!
That's it. It's that simple. Again, common reasons are a loose gas cap, or a $50-$150 sensor, or maybe a hose with a leak, or in fact nothing at all! So don't get all nervous and think your car is broken, because in fact it's not that serious of an issue.
One thing we do want to point out is if the Check Engine Light is flashing. If this happens, you actually do have some serious issues. In this case, get to a reputable Service and Repair Facility ASAP. Why? More times than none, a flashing Check Engine Light is in fact a direct engine or transmission issue.
- Tampa Bay Auto Network
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Monday, December 14, 2009
Surviving a Credit Crunch
After the mortgage meltdown in mid-2007, lenders cracked down on home equity loans, causing consumers to turn credit cards as a lending source. Credit card debt and delinquencies rose. Credit card companies, feeling the brunt of delinquencies, began cracking down on credit, increasing interest rates and credit card fees, and decreasing credit limits.
What's a Credit Crunch?
A credit crunch is a period of time in which credit and loans are more difficult and costly to obtain.
There are individuals and companies who invest in debt. These investors make money when consumers pay back their credit card and loan balances. Investors don't make money when consumers don't pay back their debt.
When credit card and loan delinquencies rise, debt investments become unattrative, leading investors to pull their funding. As a result, banks become stricter with lending and consumers, especially those with credit problems, find it harder to get credit.
Here's what you can do to survive a credit crunch.
Keep Paying Your Credit Cards and Loans On Time.
Credit card companies have to make money to stay in business. When investors start pulling funding, credit card companies find ways to get more money from cardholders. Increased late fees and interest rates are one way of doing this. Because of universal default, your interest rate on a particular credit card could increase even if you're late on another credit card's payment.
According to Smart Money, banks could start sending accounts to collections sooner, if credit card delinquencies rise at a swift rate.
Not only do timely payments save you money and keep you out of collections, it also keeps your credit score healthy. A good credit score indicates a trustworthy borrower - one that credit card companies aren't afraid to give credit to.
Keep Your Balances Low
Since credit card issuers are tightening credit, they may decrease your credit limit, leaving you at or above your limit. In ordinary times, your credit limit would only be lowered in response to some negative action on your part, like repeatedly going over your limit or missing credit card payments. In a credit crunch, credit card issuers will decrease your credit limit simply because of market conditions.
A lower credit limit can hurt your credit, making it seem like you've maxed out your credit cards, even though you may not have. Keeping a low balance will reduce the damage of a lowered credit limit. A zero balance will eliminate the damage all together.
Have An Emergency Fund
An emergency fund keeps you from having to resort to credit during an emergency. During a credit crunch, if you need credit and don't have it, you might have a card time getting it. If you already have a reserve of cash, you won't have to resort to credit at all. Ideally, you'd have an emergency fund anyway - credit crunch or not.
Take Steps To Improve Your Credit
Risky borrowers - those who are likely to become delinquent on their credit cards - are hurt most by a credit crunch. They pay higher finance charges and fees on their credit accounts. It's also harder for these consumers to get new credit.
Consumers can reduce the effects of a credit crunch by taking steps to improve their credit. Making timely payments on all bills, keeping credit card balances low, and limiting new applications for credit are all ways you can improve your credit.
Stay Smart With Your Credit Card Usage
Good credit goes a long way during a credit crunch. If you have good credit, keep it that way. Charge only what you can afford and pay your balance in full each month.
Be aware that creditors might decrease your credit limit, especially if they suspect you'll miss a payment. Pay attention to your credit card statements and other notices that come from your credit card companies to catch a lowered limit as soon as possible.
- Tampa Bay Auto Network
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http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
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What's a Credit Crunch?
A credit crunch is a period of time in which credit and loans are more difficult and costly to obtain.
There are individuals and companies who invest in debt. These investors make money when consumers pay back their credit card and loan balances. Investors don't make money when consumers don't pay back their debt.
When credit card and loan delinquencies rise, debt investments become unattrative, leading investors to pull their funding. As a result, banks become stricter with lending and consumers, especially those with credit problems, find it harder to get credit.
Here's what you can do to survive a credit crunch.
Keep Paying Your Credit Cards and Loans On Time.
Credit card companies have to make money to stay in business. When investors start pulling funding, credit card companies find ways to get more money from cardholders. Increased late fees and interest rates are one way of doing this. Because of universal default, your interest rate on a particular credit card could increase even if you're late on another credit card's payment.
According to Smart Money, banks could start sending accounts to collections sooner, if credit card delinquencies rise at a swift rate.
Not only do timely payments save you money and keep you out of collections, it also keeps your credit score healthy. A good credit score indicates a trustworthy borrower - one that credit card companies aren't afraid to give credit to.
Keep Your Balances Low
Since credit card issuers are tightening credit, they may decrease your credit limit, leaving you at or above your limit. In ordinary times, your credit limit would only be lowered in response to some negative action on your part, like repeatedly going over your limit or missing credit card payments. In a credit crunch, credit card issuers will decrease your credit limit simply because of market conditions.
A lower credit limit can hurt your credit, making it seem like you've maxed out your credit cards, even though you may not have. Keeping a low balance will reduce the damage of a lowered credit limit. A zero balance will eliminate the damage all together.
Have An Emergency Fund
An emergency fund keeps you from having to resort to credit during an emergency. During a credit crunch, if you need credit and don't have it, you might have a card time getting it. If you already have a reserve of cash, you won't have to resort to credit at all. Ideally, you'd have an emergency fund anyway - credit crunch or not.
Take Steps To Improve Your Credit
Risky borrowers - those who are likely to become delinquent on their credit cards - are hurt most by a credit crunch. They pay higher finance charges and fees on their credit accounts. It's also harder for these consumers to get new credit.
Consumers can reduce the effects of a credit crunch by taking steps to improve their credit. Making timely payments on all bills, keeping credit card balances low, and limiting new applications for credit are all ways you can improve your credit.
Stay Smart With Your Credit Card Usage
Good credit goes a long way during a credit crunch. If you have good credit, keep it that way. Charge only what you can afford and pay your balance in full each month.
Be aware that creditors might decrease your credit limit, especially if they suspect you'll miss a payment. Pay attention to your credit card statements and other notices that come from your credit card companies to catch a lowered limit as soon as possible.
- Tampa Bay Auto Network
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tips and Advice on Reading Used Car Vehicle Identification Numbers - VINs
The most important number in a used car is not its price or fuel economy rating. It is its Vehicle Identification Number or VIN, as it is more commonly known. Reading used car vehicle identification numbers will help you know if the used car or truck you are buying has the equipment you think it does.
How To Read a VIN
A VIN is basically a serial number for your car, truck or SUV. It is 17 characters long and is a mixture of numbers and letters. It has four parts:
• World Manufacturer's Identification (WMI - three numbers or letters)
• Vehicle Description Section (VDS - five numbers or letters)
• The VIN Accuracy Check Digit (one number)
• Vehicle Identification Section (VIS - eight numbers or letters)
The First Three Characters
These numbers and letters are the manufacturer identification and tell you where the vehicle was built.
The First Character tells you where the vehicle was built. The U.S. is 1 or 4, Canada is 2, and Mexico is 3. Australia, New Zealand and some South American countries are also represented by numbers. Some of the more common countries are: Japan (J), Italy (Z), Germany (W) and Great Britain (S).
The Second Character will tell you the manufacturer while the Third Character identifies the kind of vehicle or the company’s manufacturing division.
The 4th to 8th Characters
This is the vehicle description series. It identifies the body style, powerplant, brakes, and the restraint system. The problem is different companies put the information in different places. With GM, for example, the restraint info is in the 7th character position, while BMW has the code in its 8th character position. By the way, if you’re buying a Chevy Impala and the 7th digit is a “0” your airbags have been deleted.
The 9th Character
This is something called a check digit. It verifies the previous 8 characters based on a mathematical computation developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The 10th Character
This represents the year the car was built. Cars built before 1980 don’t have VINs, which is why the system starts in 1980. You will also notice the system does not use every letter in the alphabet. I, O, Q, U, and Z are omitted. The system are repeats itself every 30 years probably assuming most people could tell the difference between a 1980 and 2010 model.
• A: 1980
• B: 1981
• C: 1982
• D: 1983
• E: 1984
• F: 1985
• G: 1986
• H: 1987
• J: 1988
• K: 1989
• L: 1990
• M: 1991
• N: 1992
• P: 1993
• R: 1994
• S: 1995
• T: 1996
• V: 1997
• W: 1998
• X: 1999
• Y: 2000
• 1: 2001
• 2: 2002
• 3: 2003
• 4: 2004
• 5: 2005
• 6: 2006
• 7: 2007
• 8: 2008
• 9: 2009
• A: 2010
• B: 2011
• C: 2012
• D: 2013
• E: 2014
• F: 2015
The 11th Character
This tells you the plant where your car was built. Frankly, when buying a used car, this should not be a huge concern. Quality problems will have demonstrated themselves long before your purchase.
The 12th through 17th Characters
These are what most of us call the serial numbers of the car. Each manufacturer has a different system for what this means.
In the end, the best bet for understanding various components of a used vehicle’s VIN, is to go to a search engine and type in Understanding BMW VIN. It will take you to various sites that will help you further decipher the VIN.
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
How To Read a VIN
A VIN is basically a serial number for your car, truck or SUV. It is 17 characters long and is a mixture of numbers and letters. It has four parts:
• World Manufacturer's Identification (WMI - three numbers or letters)
• Vehicle Description Section (VDS - five numbers or letters)
• The VIN Accuracy Check Digit (one number)
• Vehicle Identification Section (VIS - eight numbers or letters)
The First Three Characters
These numbers and letters are the manufacturer identification and tell you where the vehicle was built.
The First Character tells you where the vehicle was built. The U.S. is 1 or 4, Canada is 2, and Mexico is 3. Australia, New Zealand and some South American countries are also represented by numbers. Some of the more common countries are: Japan (J), Italy (Z), Germany (W) and Great Britain (S).
The Second Character will tell you the manufacturer while the Third Character identifies the kind of vehicle or the company’s manufacturing division.
The 4th to 8th Characters
This is the vehicle description series. It identifies the body style, powerplant, brakes, and the restraint system. The problem is different companies put the information in different places. With GM, for example, the restraint info is in the 7th character position, while BMW has the code in its 8th character position. By the way, if you’re buying a Chevy Impala and the 7th digit is a “0” your airbags have been deleted.
The 9th Character
This is something called a check digit. It verifies the previous 8 characters based on a mathematical computation developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The 10th Character
This represents the year the car was built. Cars built before 1980 don’t have VINs, which is why the system starts in 1980. You will also notice the system does not use every letter in the alphabet. I, O, Q, U, and Z are omitted. The system are repeats itself every 30 years probably assuming most people could tell the difference between a 1980 and 2010 model.
• A: 1980
• B: 1981
• C: 1982
• D: 1983
• E: 1984
• F: 1985
• G: 1986
• H: 1987
• J: 1988
• K: 1989
• L: 1990
• M: 1991
• N: 1992
• P: 1993
• R: 1994
• S: 1995
• T: 1996
• V: 1997
• W: 1998
• X: 1999
• Y: 2000
• 1: 2001
• 2: 2002
• 3: 2003
• 4: 2004
• 5: 2005
• 6: 2006
• 7: 2007
• 8: 2008
• 9: 2009
• A: 2010
• B: 2011
• C: 2012
• D: 2013
• E: 2014
• F: 2015
The 11th Character
This tells you the plant where your car was built. Frankly, when buying a used car, this should not be a huge concern. Quality problems will have demonstrated themselves long before your purchase.
The 12th through 17th Characters
These are what most of us call the serial numbers of the car. Each manufacturer has a different system for what this means.
In the end, the best bet for understanding various components of a used vehicle’s VIN, is to go to a search engine and type in Understanding BMW VIN. It will take you to various sites that will help you further decipher the VIN.
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Predicting What A Used Car Will Be Worth
Do you have your eye on a new car or truck that has just been introduced, but you know you can’t afford it new? Well, there is a simple formula for predicting what a used vehicle is going to be worth three years down the road.
The first fact to consider is almost all used cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers lose a minimum of 24% of their value after 12 months. That’s based on the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price.
To keep things simple, a used car costing $20,000 would be worth $15,200 after one year. So say the folks from Black Book (www.blackbookusa.com). It sounds like a dating sight, but it’s actually the number one resource for predicting a car’s residual value when it goes on sale. That’s extremely important for setting leasing rates.
Then, from the basic 24% drop in value, you can start deducting 6% a year. A decent used car, introduced with the price of $20,000, would have an estimated value breaking down this way:
•After 12 months: $15,200
•After 24 months: $14,288
•After 36 months: $13,430
•After 48 months: $12,624
Of course, this formula will not work 100% of the time because some cars and trucks have residual values that drop like stones after 12 months. Case in point would be the Chevy HHR.
• 2009 Chevrolet HHR LT - $20,729
• 2008 Chevrolet HHR LT - $11,225 dealer price, according to Edmunds.com.
That’s a drop of 46% in one year. Wait two years and you’re looking at a $10,551 vehicle. Proving pretty much if you want a Chevy HHR, buy a used one. You are going to save a ton of money.
Use this basic formula to help you get started on what the value of a used car should be. It will save you from spending too much on your next used car or it will help you put aside the right amount if you’re a good saver!
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
The first fact to consider is almost all used cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers lose a minimum of 24% of their value after 12 months. That’s based on the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price.
To keep things simple, a used car costing $20,000 would be worth $15,200 after one year. So say the folks from Black Book (www.blackbookusa.com). It sounds like a dating sight, but it’s actually the number one resource for predicting a car’s residual value when it goes on sale. That’s extremely important for setting leasing rates.
Then, from the basic 24% drop in value, you can start deducting 6% a year. A decent used car, introduced with the price of $20,000, would have an estimated value breaking down this way:
•After 12 months: $15,200
•After 24 months: $14,288
•After 36 months: $13,430
•After 48 months: $12,624
Of course, this formula will not work 100% of the time because some cars and trucks have residual values that drop like stones after 12 months. Case in point would be the Chevy HHR.
• 2009 Chevrolet HHR LT - $20,729
• 2008 Chevrolet HHR LT - $11,225 dealer price, according to Edmunds.com.
That’s a drop of 46% in one year. Wait two years and you’re looking at a $10,551 vehicle. Proving pretty much if you want a Chevy HHR, buy a used one. You are going to save a ton of money.
Use this basic formula to help you get started on what the value of a used car should be. It will save you from spending too much on your next used car or it will help you put aside the right amount if you’re a good saver!
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Are You a Distracted Driver?
Ever tried to eat a burger while driving? What about trying to separate your two fighting kids in the back seat? Ever reached down to pick up a CD that fell on the floor while driving? These are just a few of the most common driver distractions.
We all become more comfortable driving as the years progress, but unfortunately many of us become a little too confident. Your license to drive is not a license to drive while simultaneously putting on your makeup and shoving down a quick breakfast.
Let's take a look at some common driver distractions. Are you guilty of any of these?
• Cell Phones—Cell phone use in cars has been a hot topic ever since cell phones started becoming popular. We all know that talking on our phones can distract our attention from driving. We all know that we should use hands-free devices whenever possible (although these can still be a distraction, just like the distracting discussions topic above). Yet a large percentage of us still talk on our cell phones frequently while driving. Try to keep your cell phone use while driving limited to emergencies only. If you get a call you really want to take, pull over in a safe spot and have your conversation.
• Text Messaging—An even greater distraction than cell phones, text messaging while driving is becoming such a concern that many local and state governments are considering legislation that would make it illegal to text while driving (Washington state has already passed such legislation). Teenagers are especially prone to the dangers of texting while driving. If there is a teen driver with access to a cell phone in your household, talk to them about the dangers of texting while driving. Just as important, make sure you set an example for your teen by not texting while driving yourself.
• Outside Distractions—Whether it's a restaurant that just opened, a human billboard pointing the way to new homes, a beautiful rainbow or a bad accident, most of us just cannot resist the urge to take a peek, even when we should be concentrating on the road.
• Sicknesses—A sudden onset of sneezes, a bad cough and searching your car for a tissue to catch that runny nose are all examples of how being sick can distract you from driving. Not to mention the fact that most of us are not at our most alert when we are sick. That's why it is extra important to pay attention to the road and to wait until you are stopped at a traffic light to reach for that tissue. Of course, we can't predict sneezes, but make sure you quickly look back to the road after you sneeze.
• Inspector Gadget—Cars these days often have more controls than a small plane. Besides the obvious stereo and temperature controls, many cars have features such as navigation systems and televisions. CD players can be especially distracting, as it takes at least one hand off the steering wheel to pick out a CD and put it in the player, especially if your pack of CDs is on the ground and you have to reach for them…which brings us to…
• Reaching for the Unreachable—We are all guilty of this at one time or another. For some reason, we just HAVE to have that book in the back seat in our hands now. But this is one of the worst driver distractions, as it usually means that our hand or hands are off the wheel AND our eyes are off the road. Next time, try to make yourself wait to grab that errant CD until you are stopped at a traffic light. Or, if it's safe, pull over and grab whatever you need.
• Eating and Drinking—One of the most common driver distractions is eating and/or drinking while driving. These days, we all seem to be in a rush, and many of us try to scarf down our breakfast or lunch on our way to work. Some of the worst foods to eat while driving are coffee/tea (a hot spill on your leg will certainly distract you), messy hamburgers or sandwiches that drop stuff all over you while you are driving, anything fried that leaves you with greasy hands that could slip off the steering wheel, and, similarly, things like chocolate and jelly doughnuts that leave your hands sticky or slick. Try to avoid eating on the road whenever possible. If you are in a rush, grab a quick bite and eat it in the parking lot before leaving.
• Distracting Discussions—Ever gotten in a heated debate while driving? What about listening and intervening as your children in the backseat start arguing? Interaction with your passengers is another common driving distraction. This can especially be a problem for new drivers, who should focus all their attention on their driving and not on their passengers.
• Beautification—Again, you're running late. You forgot to put on your mascara/brush your hair/shave. What better place to do it than in the car, right? Wrong! Things that involve tools not only take your hands off the steering wheel and your eyes off the road, they also have the potential to inflict pain and cause further distraction. If you are applying eye makeup or shaving and you have to brake suddenly, think of the injuries that could ensue!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that distracted driving causes around 25 percent of the auto accidents in the U.S. each year. That's nearly 1.6 million accidents annually caused by many of the things we discussed above, most of which are so easily preventable. Try to avoid letting distractions take your attention away from what you should be doing, concentrating on driving and protecting the lives of you and your passengers.
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
We all become more comfortable driving as the years progress, but unfortunately many of us become a little too confident. Your license to drive is not a license to drive while simultaneously putting on your makeup and shoving down a quick breakfast.
Let's take a look at some common driver distractions. Are you guilty of any of these?
• Cell Phones—Cell phone use in cars has been a hot topic ever since cell phones started becoming popular. We all know that talking on our phones can distract our attention from driving. We all know that we should use hands-free devices whenever possible (although these can still be a distraction, just like the distracting discussions topic above). Yet a large percentage of us still talk on our cell phones frequently while driving. Try to keep your cell phone use while driving limited to emergencies only. If you get a call you really want to take, pull over in a safe spot and have your conversation.
• Text Messaging—An even greater distraction than cell phones, text messaging while driving is becoming such a concern that many local and state governments are considering legislation that would make it illegal to text while driving (Washington state has already passed such legislation). Teenagers are especially prone to the dangers of texting while driving. If there is a teen driver with access to a cell phone in your household, talk to them about the dangers of texting while driving. Just as important, make sure you set an example for your teen by not texting while driving yourself.
• Outside Distractions—Whether it's a restaurant that just opened, a human billboard pointing the way to new homes, a beautiful rainbow or a bad accident, most of us just cannot resist the urge to take a peek, even when we should be concentrating on the road.
• Sicknesses—A sudden onset of sneezes, a bad cough and searching your car for a tissue to catch that runny nose are all examples of how being sick can distract you from driving. Not to mention the fact that most of us are not at our most alert when we are sick. That's why it is extra important to pay attention to the road and to wait until you are stopped at a traffic light to reach for that tissue. Of course, we can't predict sneezes, but make sure you quickly look back to the road after you sneeze.
• Inspector Gadget—Cars these days often have more controls than a small plane. Besides the obvious stereo and temperature controls, many cars have features such as navigation systems and televisions. CD players can be especially distracting, as it takes at least one hand off the steering wheel to pick out a CD and put it in the player, especially if your pack of CDs is on the ground and you have to reach for them…which brings us to…
• Reaching for the Unreachable—We are all guilty of this at one time or another. For some reason, we just HAVE to have that book in the back seat in our hands now. But this is one of the worst driver distractions, as it usually means that our hand or hands are off the wheel AND our eyes are off the road. Next time, try to make yourself wait to grab that errant CD until you are stopped at a traffic light. Or, if it's safe, pull over and grab whatever you need.
• Eating and Drinking—One of the most common driver distractions is eating and/or drinking while driving. These days, we all seem to be in a rush, and many of us try to scarf down our breakfast or lunch on our way to work. Some of the worst foods to eat while driving are coffee/tea (a hot spill on your leg will certainly distract you), messy hamburgers or sandwiches that drop stuff all over you while you are driving, anything fried that leaves you with greasy hands that could slip off the steering wheel, and, similarly, things like chocolate and jelly doughnuts that leave your hands sticky or slick. Try to avoid eating on the road whenever possible. If you are in a rush, grab a quick bite and eat it in the parking lot before leaving.
• Distracting Discussions—Ever gotten in a heated debate while driving? What about listening and intervening as your children in the backseat start arguing? Interaction with your passengers is another common driving distraction. This can especially be a problem for new drivers, who should focus all their attention on their driving and not on their passengers.
• Beautification—Again, you're running late. You forgot to put on your mascara/brush your hair/shave. What better place to do it than in the car, right? Wrong! Things that involve tools not only take your hands off the steering wheel and your eyes off the road, they also have the potential to inflict pain and cause further distraction. If you are applying eye makeup or shaving and you have to brake suddenly, think of the injuries that could ensue!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that distracted driving causes around 25 percent of the auto accidents in the U.S. each year. That's nearly 1.6 million accidents annually caused by many of the things we discussed above, most of which are so easily preventable. Try to avoid letting distractions take your attention away from what you should be doing, concentrating on driving and protecting the lives of you and your passengers.
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Silver is the Most Popular Car Color for Ninth Year in a Row
Silver is overwhelmingly the most popular car color worldwide for the ninth consecutive year, according to data released on October 2 by auto paint giant PPG Industries.
The color silver includes charcoal and gray shades, giving it a leg up on more clearly defined colors such as black, white and red.
The European auto palate prefers silver and charcoal 35 percent of the time, followed by black, 22 percent, and blue and white, at 13 percent each. Red, commonly associated with fast Italian sports cars, is actually as rare in Europe as Italian sports cars themselves, at just 8 percent.
The Asia/Pacific region was a near mirror of Europe's preferences at the top with silver and charcoal the most common color (34 percent), followed by black (21 percent), white (17 percent) and blue (9 percent).
In North America silver and charcoal was not so dominant but still victorious, at 25 percent, followed by white (18 percent), black (16 percent), red (12 percent) and blue (11 percent).
The auto industry today would not agree with carmaker Henry Ford, who famously said of his revolutionary Model T in 1909: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black."
"Clearly, the automotive industry is moving toward more color choices," said Jane E. Harrington, PPG manager of color styling and automotive coatings. "Going forward, automotive manufacturers are going to be relying on color more and more to distinguish their brands."
The survey was released at this year's annual Automotive Colour Trend Show in Switzerland, where the Pittsburgh-based company revealed new color ideas such as Outer Space Blue, Champagne Silver and Hulk, the same shade of green as the famed comic book character.
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http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
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http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
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The color silver includes charcoal and gray shades, giving it a leg up on more clearly defined colors such as black, white and red.
The European auto palate prefers silver and charcoal 35 percent of the time, followed by black, 22 percent, and blue and white, at 13 percent each. Red, commonly associated with fast Italian sports cars, is actually as rare in Europe as Italian sports cars themselves, at just 8 percent.
The Asia/Pacific region was a near mirror of Europe's preferences at the top with silver and charcoal the most common color (34 percent), followed by black (21 percent), white (17 percent) and blue (9 percent).
In North America silver and charcoal was not so dominant but still victorious, at 25 percent, followed by white (18 percent), black (16 percent), red (12 percent) and blue (11 percent).
The auto industry today would not agree with carmaker Henry Ford, who famously said of his revolutionary Model T in 1909: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black."
"Clearly, the automotive industry is moving toward more color choices," said Jane E. Harrington, PPG manager of color styling and automotive coatings. "Going forward, automotive manufacturers are going to be relying on color more and more to distinguish their brands."
The survey was released at this year's annual Automotive Colour Trend Show in Switzerland, where the Pittsburgh-based company revealed new color ideas such as Outer Space Blue, Champagne Silver and Hulk, the same shade of green as the famed comic book character.
WEBSITE:
http://www.tampabayautonetwork.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/TmpAutoNtwrk
YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TampaBayAutoNetwork
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