Dealer Insight Newsletter January 2011

Volume II Issue No. I January 2011

The 2011 Edmunds Facelift

Edmunds.com Site Redesign - Dealership Presence Points
Article by John Giamalvo

As technology, devices and access speeds have advanced, along with constantly changing consumer behaviors, Web companies are compelled to continually evolve. Since 1996 Edmunds.com has gone through numerous facelifts and redesigns. On December 9, 2010 Edmunds.com completed launching its much anticipated full-site redesign. Considering there were nearly a million and a half active content pages you could imagine the task. Kudos to the design and IT teams!

This month's Edmunds.com Market Intelligence report is available below. We hope that you find this information useful to your business whether as a representative franchise or competitor.

Please note, this data is derived from the automakers' monthly press releases, and the figures are a combination of retail and fleet (rental, government, business, etc.).

GM Ford Chrysler Toyota Nissan Honda

APRs Hit an All-Time Low for Car Buyers in December 2010
Article by Edmunds.com

December car buyers enjoyed the lowest-ever annual percentage rates (APRs) on their auto loans, according to data gathered by Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. The average auto loan carried an APR of 4.16% in the final month of the year, down 0.33 points from November and 0.55 points from December 2009. An estimated 15.4% of all auto loans carried zero interest, the third highest monthly pace in 2010.

Relative to 2009, 2010's automotive sales figures showed slight improvement, up to roughly 11.5 million from 2009's abysmal 10.4 million. The 10 models listed below are the ones that fared best in a year marked by slow recovery.

As the list shows, Americans still love trucks - the Ford F-150 continues its reign as sales champion. The Honda CR-V was the best-selling crossover in the land and the placement of models like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu shows that family sedans are still very much in fashion with most buyers.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world's largest consumer technology trade show and this year it was host to over 2,700 technology companies. Many of these companies presented products that will be of interest to folks who love to outfit their cars with the last word in automotive technology.

Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, is the top non-automaker — and #3 overall — on the list of the Top 100 Auto Industry Influencers in North America, according to an analysis of Twitter activity conducted by the Automotive Digital Marketing (ADM) Professional Community. Twitter@edmunds earns its ranking by appearing on 60 automotive-themed Twitter lists. The feed falls just behind Ford's and GM's feeds on the ADM ranking.

What if a gallon of gasoline cost $2 in the middle of the night, was free at lunch and set you back $8 in the afternoon? Welcome to the world of electric cars. If you buy one, the cost of a fill-up will largely depend on when and where you recharge it, not to mention the rates your utility company offers.

If you're shopping for a crossover or SUV, you're likely focused on things like horsepower and cargo capacity. One other consideration is insurance expense. Your insurance premiums can take a big bite out of your budget, especially if you're leaning toward a luxury model.

There's a good chance you might be overwhelmed by the various automotive awards presented each year. There's an even better chance that you simply don't care because you can't figure out how all these award winners are chosen.

2009 Nissan GT-R by AMS
Performance Full Test and Video

Video Highlights by

2011 Detroit Auto Show Highlights

Video Highlights by

2011 Detroit Auto Show Guide

Video Highlights by

2012 Chevrolet Sonic - 2011 Detroit Auto Show

2011 Jeep Compass First Drive
Article by Inside Line

The bet was simple: There was no way that the restyled 2011 Jeep Compass could make it through the advanced off-road course designed for the more capable Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. After all, this snow-covered trail offered some of the hairiest features we've witnessed on a press drive: slippery boulders, axle-twisting off-camber obstacles, plus steep drops and deep holes certain to remove the lesser Jeep's bumpers or underbody.

When it comes to respectability in the midsize sport sedan segment, all roads lead through BMW's 5 Series. It's been ruling this class for decades now, and for good reason. It has the uncanny ability to satisfy both driving enthusiasts and buyers who are simply looking for a luxury sedan with German cachet.

Last year it was all doom and gloom in the auto industry. If a company's sales were flat that was considered good, as most were in freefall. This year the outlook is considerably better. Sales are headed up and new products are flowing in at a furious pace.

Do You Disagree with True Market Value^® (TMV^®) Prices Reported on Edmunds.com?

If you think our numbers do not accurately reflect transactions in your area, you can help us refine our prices by providing sales data from your dealership. Please read our TMV® Description and FAQs, then complete and return our Data Polling and License Agreement.

For more information about including your sales transaction data in our calculations, call (310) 309-4937.