Webb Says Used Sales Benefit from Low New-Vehicle Inventory
Fleet sales of new vehicles have risen to 21% from 17.4% a year ago in the 11.2M annual U.S. market. Automakers are not pushing heavily discounted fleet sales. Retail sales are just stagnant in an uncertain economy with high unemployment.
New Ford Explorer Flush with Safety Features
Ford Explorer with Firestone tire failures resulted in rollover problems which led to mandated stability control systems. The all-new 2011 Ford Explorer is full of safety features including a curve control upgrade to the stability control system which slows the vehicle automatically to keep it on the intended track even when drivers take the curve with too much speed.
Ecotality Bringing 15,000 Charging Stations to 13 U.S. Cities
With the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf coming to market later this year, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles are gaining much praise, yet the charging station infrastructure is quite limited. Enter Ecotality, an electric transportation company prepared to launch 15,000 public charging stations in 13 markets.
Fiat Promoting Natural Gas Chrysler Vehicles in U.S.
Fiat SpA has been selling significant volumes of natural gas-powered vehicles in the European market for several years. Now Fiat executives are promoting Chrysler electric vehicles in the U.S. market as a viable transition method during the next two years, before electric vehicles join the ranks of Chrysler products.
Used Vehicle Prices Remain Strong
On average, a three-year-old used car is 11.1 percent higher than it was last year, and General Motors has some of the most dramatic examples of this trend, according to Edmunds.com. All types of used cars are up 5.5 percent. The normal trend is usually just 3.5 percent.
