Edmunds.com predicts that 2010 will be an improvement over 2008 and 2009. More cars will be sold and produce more profits for automakers due to reductions in factory capacity lessening the need for incentives. Consumers are likely to buy new up-scaled small cars as gas prices rise on improving economy, but this is less certain for the new electric vehicles.
CNW Research has seen a steady hike in residual value losses at the end of a lease term. Officials say the growing gap between contracted residual value and actual end-of-term worth is "troublesome." The last time the industry experienced heavy lease losses, many lenders pulled out of the business.
While building small cars for the masses, Ford built the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor for want-to-be post-apocalyptic heroes. It has great styling and full off-road package with power, payload, towing and ground clearance to spare.
Global Imports BMW is housed in two multi-story buildings once used for offices. There's no conventional retail display, yet the store has earned a Center of Excellence award six straight years. Known as a destination store, it also ranks in the top four for certified sales.
Coulomb Technologies and Aker Wade Power Technologies are developing public charging stations capable of charging an electric vehicle in 30 minutes or less. Level 4 charging stations look like gas pumps and feed power from dedicated 480-volt, 125-amp circuits available for purchase for about $40,000 and about $20,000 for installation.