Car Buying Service

Car the auto enthusiast on your list, Mopar announced its top 10 list of holiday gift ideas.  “With more than 280,000 parts and accessories, Mopar offers ultimate customization and personalization,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “And for convenience, many of our parts and accessories are available on the Mopar eStore.”

Following are Mopar’s top 10 holiday gift ideas:

Mopar Portable Navigation System: Garmin nuvi 376LMT is an ultra-thin navigator with uRoute technology, trafficTrends and myTrends. Features on the multi-touch dual-orientation 4.3-inch wide-screen glass display include lane-assist with junction view, Bluetooth wireless, FM lifetime map and traffic updates, pre-loaded street maps for North America, spoken street names, Where am I?, photo navigation, ecoRoute™, pedestrian navigation options and hands-free calling capabilities. (part number: 82212492AB, MSRP: $399)

Uconnect WEB: Uconnect Web’s in-car router receives 3G broadband Internet, allowing passengers to surf the Web, social network, look up directions, check e-mail, play online games or download music. Works with any Wi-Fi-enabled device and no cell cards or software required. Subscription is required and sold separately. (part number: 82211856AB, MSRP: $399)

Roadside Safety Kit: Designed to be a valuable asset in a road-side emergency, the kit includes a safety flashlight, fleece blanket, six-gauge jumper cables, safety triangle, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, pliers, two bungee cords and gloves. (part number 82212647, MSRP: $105)

Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): Mopar’s industry-first EVTS works 24/7 with nationwide coverage. This GPS-enabled real-time tracking system includes a $1,000 Theft Protection Warranty and is transferable. Optional upgrade plans provide Emergency Service Dispatch and an ONCall on-board panic button. Features include speed and distance settings with text alerts, unlimited online tracking, and full concierge service is also available. (part number: 82212457, MSRP: $459)

Katzkin Leather Interiors: Katzkin offers premium leather-trimmed packages with embroideries, piping, two-tones, suede and much more in many different colors. Contact your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram or Fiat dealership for more information.

Sport Utility Bars: Built of heavy-duty silver anodized aluminum, these sturdy bars attach to the standard equipment roof side rails, increase a vehicle’s cargo capacity and accommodate all of Mopar’s sport and cargo carriers. (part numbers vary, MSRP: $210 – $403)

Roof Box Cargo Carrier: Keeps cargo dry and secure. Tough, locking thermoplastic carrier features quarter-turn installation and gas-cylinder opening system. Attaches to Sport Utility Bars. (part numbers vary, MSRP: $516-$532)

Premium Carpet Floor Mats: Thick enough to go barefoot, durable enough for the elements, and color-matched to your vehicle’s interior for an integrated appearance, these plush floor mats are custom-contoured for an exact fit. Front mats feature a rubber-nibbed backing to keep them firmly in place. Available in a variety of colors with brand-specific logos. (part numbers vary, MSRP: $35 – $118).

Door Sill Guards: Add a touch of stainless steel style while protecting a vehicle’s interior door sills from scratches. Door-sill guards are available in both non-illuminated and illuminated. (part numbers vary, MSRP: $25 – $454)

All-weather Mats: Custom fit to your vehicle, Mopar’s heavy-duty mats feature deep grooves that help protect the vehicle’s carpet from water, sand, snow and mud. Available in a variety of colors. (part numbers vary, MSRP: $43 – $162)

Source Chrysler Group, Inc.

Tags: General

What Do You Think? »

In a move that will radically change how previously owned vehicles are bought and sold, TrueCar, Inc. (“TrueCar”), creator of the intelligent automotive marketplace for new cars, has announced the release of the new ClearBook – the company’s most comprehensive and fully-featured used car valuation tool to date.

In the same way TrueCar benefits both new car buyers and sellers through comprehensive, unbiased new car pricing data, ClearBook will help those buying, selling or trading-in their car to know the real value of a used vehicle through unprecedented access to current sales data from around the country.

“ClearBook provides total transparency into the complex world of used car pricing,” said TrueCar, Inc. Founder and CEO Scott Painter,  ”For the first time, everyone who wishes to buy, sell or trade-in their previously-owned vehicle will have the tools they need to pay or receive a fair price.  It’s an incredible tool that provides consumers with confidence that dealers offer fair and transparent pricing.”

ClearBook 2.0 features include:

• A full price report for tens of thousands of different used makes and models
• Detailed vehicle pricing information including: expected sale price, recommended list price and trade-in price
• An easy-to-understand transaction-based market curve that contains the most current car pricing and valuation data   

ClearBook users can take advantage of the most highly localized used car values, right down to individual zip codes in the United States with a radius of 100 miles around the user’s locations – all available free on the Clearbook.com site. 

“This is an exciting new day for anyone who needs to buy or sell a used car,” said Katie McCann, Senior Director of Product Management at TrueCar. “Thanks to ClearBook, private buyers and sellers will now be on a level playing field – and those seeking a trade-in at the dealership can get a truly accurate picture of what their current car is worth– something most Americans had given up on long ago.”

Source TrueCar, Inc.

Tags: General

What Do You Think? »

Giving a set of keys to a teen-ager can flood the parent of even the most cautious new driver with fear. Now a new study shows that the safest kind of vehicle for teen drivers might be a big sport utility vehicle.

The research comes from the Highway Loss Data Institute, a firm run by insurance companies to find ways of reducing crashes and deaths. Using five years’ worth of insurance claims from 2005 to 2010, the HLDI compared the collision rates between adults drivers between 35 and 60 years old and teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19.

Regardless of the kind of vehicle involved, the HLDI logically found that teens had accidents at a higher rate than adults. For the sliver of teen-agers who somehow find their way to the seat of a supersport motorcycle, the institute found they were more than four times as likely to get into a crash than an older driver. In vehicles with four wheels, teen drivers were up to 2.5 times more likely to have an accident in sports cars.

What surprised researchers was that the crash rate for teens in small cars of all types was still much higher than average — roughly twice as high as adults in the same vehicles, and only slightly lower than the rise of driving a regular motorcycle.  Kim Hazelbaker, senior vice president of HLDI, said in an institute report that small cars may be less forgiving in sudden maneuvers, or that teens may be encouraged to take more risks due to the car’s size.

The lowest risk vehicle for a teen driver? Large and luxury SUVs, where the crash rates for youths were as little as 10% greater than for adults, and posed a lower crash risk than all but the largest cars.

The reason for the gap? Technology. The HLDI study analyzed claims from vehicles newer than the 2006 model year. By that time, large SUVs came standard with electronic stability control — systems that keep vehicles from skidding in emergency maneuvers which has been shown to drastically reduce crashes — while in many cars the tech was still an option, especially smaller, cheaper models that teens often drive. As of the 2012 model year, all vehicles sold in the United States are required by law to offer ESC standard.

Other HLDI studies have shown newer SUVs also do a better job of protecting passengers from injuries and death in crashes than smaller cars and pickups. It defies parental logic to think the safest ride for a 16-year-old might be a two-ton truck, and no vehicle can keep all reckless drivers from harming themselves or others, but for some teens the best answer to driving safely may be to go big.

Source Yahoo! Autos

Tags: General

What Do You Think? »

Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today reports that car shoppers are encouraged to buy their next used vehicle before the end of the year, as values are expected to increase 4 to 6 percent in early 2012. 

Used-vehicle values have dropped 2.6 percent overall in October, marking the fifth consecutive month of declines.  Since peaking in June, used-vehicle values overall have dropped 10 percent with the most significant declines coming from fuel-efficient vehicles, falling more than 20 percent.  Now that new-vehicle inventory levels, especially for Japanese automakers, have started to return to normal and fuel prices have dropped, the car market has experienced a substantial cooling. 

“Considering the already significant declines in used-car values since June, Kelley Blue Book predicts that values will decline an additional 3 to 4 percent by the end of the year,” said Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.  “Used-car values typically decline through the fourth quarter due to a seasonal drop in demand that lasts through the holiday season.  We believe sales volume also will decline through the remaining fourth quarter, similar to years past, and as a result values will likely remain soft through year-end, with few exceptions.”

Although values are expected to decline in the fourth quarter, Kelley Blue Book analysts predict sales will pick up early in 2012.  Projections for 2012 show values bouncing back in the first quarter of the year. 

“Since 2009, used-vehicle registrations in the first quarter have increased by 15 to 20 percent on average from the preceding fourth quarter, and since we expect a similar increase in demand in 2012, a lack of supply will likely put upward pressure on values early in the year,” said Gutierrez.  “Since we expect fewer leases and trade-ins replenishing supply, values will likely increase across the board as supply struggles to keep pace with demand.  Values for certain segments can change more aggressively should fuel prices increase similar to earlier this year.” 

Since 2009, values have increased between 1 to 4 percent overall in the first quarter, due to this spike in sales.  Due to the potential supply shortfall facing the market next year, Kelley Blue Book reports that values may increase 4 to 6 percent next year. 

Source Kelley Blue Book

Tags: General

What Do You Think? »

More than ever, safe driving has become a topic of conversation around the country.  With the increase in electronic gadgets, there are even greater distractions for drivers everywhere, especially for young and less experienced ones.  However the NHTSA is launching another campaign targeted to help prevent distracted driving among teens.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has partnered with Regal Entertainment Group to launch a distracted driving campaign targeted at teens, a core segment of Regal’s customer base. Coinciding with NHTSA’s roll out of its new website, distraction.gov/teens, Regal will air public service announcements during the week after Thanksgiving across the entire Regal footprint.

Regal Entertainment Group hosted 224 million moviegoers last year and operates more than 500 theaters from Maine to Hawaii. The largest theater circuit in the country is supporting this public service campaign during the week of November 28, one of the busiest weeks of the year for movie theaters.

“Regal Entertainment Group is pleased to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s public service campaign to create awareness of the many driver distractions and to encourage safe driving habits,” stated Greg Dunn, president and COO of Regal Entertainment Group.  “We hope that together we can make a difference by programming the ‘Distracted Driving’ PSA in our theaters across the country during this busy holiday season.”

NHTSA, established in 1970, directs highway safety and consumer programs and is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety.  In addition to its distracted driving campaign, NHTSA sponsors campaigns to reduce impaired driving and increase seatbelt usage.

“Distracted driving is a dangerous behavior, and tragically, teen drivers are the most at risk of being involved in a fatal distracted driving crash,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “That’s why we are thrilled to partner with the Regal Entertainment Group to reach the millions of teens that will visit their theaters this holiday season.  Together, we can save lives by educating teens and their families about the dangers of driving while distracted.”

Source NHTSA

Tags: General

What Do You Think? »