RV, marine and other specialty sales are being offered more often by auto auctions. Some are even selling aircraft. Promotion and reconditioning are key to these sales, just like an auto auction.
Fleets benefit from solid preventive maintenance programs. Some fleets outsource PM to vendors who perform the services on-site and after-hours, resulting in no downtime. Others do so to reduce work backlog so shop technicians can concentrate on repairs. Reasons vary but solution works for many fleets.
Wachovia Bank has extended a $10 million line of credit to the remarketing firm of FLD. Money was made available immediately to purchase vehicles directly from clients.
NHTSA has adopted new regulations for side curtain airbags. All passenger cars will need to be equipped with the safety device by September 1, 2013. Vehicles that weigh 8,500 pounds to 10,000 pounds get a one-year delay. A new testing regime will require automakers to demonstrate the safety of rear seat passengers. Automakers feel they are well ahead of the new regulations, and added costs are estimated to be low.