Is Auto Leasing Just A Trend Or Is It Here To Stay?

Here are some facts and a little knowledge of where automotive financial trends are taken us.
The average Automobile price tag or MSRP (Manufactures Suggested Retail Price) today is much higher than ever before. In 1989 any car over $12,500 was considered by the IRS to be a luxury automobile. A financed car at the selling price of $10,000 and an average interest rate of 10% , in that day and time, for a term of 48 mos. was $250 per month. With the ever growing price tag of new and pre-owned vehicles today. The average person financing a car at 7% interest can not afford to finance these high ticket items. And with inflation of the all mighty dollar surpassing the depreciation of these assets, they must and need to lease. The average price MSRP today is over $20,000++ with a 48mo term retail finance payment growing over $500 per month. It is stated throughout Industry and Economic articles, that nearly 50% of all cars today with a price tag of over $25,000 are leased and within the near future with the rising cost of technology to build bigger, better, faster and while trying to meet government and the economical needs of motorist, the price tags for automobiles will soar beyond our imagination.
In 1978 Mercedes Benz's new 450SL had a Window Sticker over $20,000 and the general public stood back in shock and said "who in their right mind will ever pay that much for a car"? Even today automobiles "Sticker Shock" people more than ever before. The new 2006 Mercedes Benz SL500 will have an average MSRP of $138,000. A new, fully loaded, Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 4x4 has an MSRP of over $50,000. That same truck cost $28,000 just a few years back. The price has almost doubled in less then a decade. The market for leasing in this State and across this County is most definitely here to stay.

Brad Austin Averitt
Owner and Senoir Account Manager
Best Auto Lease USA
a Division of TransWorld Leasing
Las Colinas, TX
Direct 469-831-3764
Toll Free 877-855-3273
Fax 972-575-8566

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/263081

Flat Automotive Paint - A Comeback Trend?

There are some people who say that the scheme of the car's paint says a lot about the driver more than the real car itself. Borne out by the decades of the customization, a number of whom manage to formulate even the Pinto Wagons look very sinister, while others have the outstanding talent of making even the coolest of cars look boring and outdated. The most essential part of choosing the paint scheme is to choose a theme that suits personality and the car, and then stick to it.
Flat is Back
The strongest activity in the current automotive market is flat paint or semi-gloss (suede) jobs. The coolest things about the flat paint is that it usually looks very good in just about any color, and can also give any car an extra worldly look while applying the bright colors like blue, yellow and red. The flat earth-tones are very classy and present any street-rod with an attractive original paint appearance.
Materials
When doing the flat paint job you'll need specific supplies. For safety, it is advisable to use the respirator mask while sanding, spraying the primer and paint. The sanding creates a heavy toxic dust that when not well protected it can get into the respiratory system and lead to extreme damages over time. Both primer and paint are highly toxic. Latex gloves, goggles and the protective clothing can be worn.
The materials required to paint flat on your car are dual action slander, sandpaper, masking tape, primer, block slander, clear coat, paint of your choice and the flattening agent.
Preparing the Paint
Every flat paint job begins with the car's surface preparation. Sand your car down with the dual action slander and the 80 grit sandpaper. Then clean it off and use the paper and masking tape to cover up any parts of your car that will not need painting. Spray two thin coats of primer, allowing each coat to dry at an average of 30 minutes. Lightly sand the primer with the 120 grit sandpaper and apply a long sanding lump to find any dings or dents. Repair the areas and then spray the primer on those areas. Sand the refurbished areas once more with the 120 grit sandpaper.
Painting Flat
Paint the car, using at least 3 or 4 light paint coats. The spraying strokes can be applied horizontally and overlapping each other. Begin at the vehicle's roof, the hood and the trunk and then shift to the car's side, spraying from the front towards the rear. Let each coat dry for 30 minutes before applying another.
Before spraying the clear coat, add the flattening agent to cut the gloss and shine and create the flat outlook. It is very essential to use the same brand products when painting the car, including the paint, primer, flattening agent and clear coat. Spray 3 thin coats of the flattened clear coat, allowing it an average of 30 minutes to dry between coats.
Many cars on our roads feature the flat paint come back trend. The glossy sheen usually creates a modern look, sleek with aesthetic effect. A new or classic car when customized with the flat paint finish makes it stand out from the rest.

Mehul, is an Internet Marketing expert and writes on various topics and niches. The idea is to generate awareness in the readers to identify relevant information on topics of interest.

Are You the Cadillac or the Hyundai?

A man walked into one of the many Cadillac dealerships in Los Angeles to purchase a car. He was dressed in farmer's bib overalls, muddy boots and was less than clean shaven. The salesmen wouldn't give him the time of day much less take him on a test drive, fearful he might tarnish their sterling reputation. Since Los Angeles has countless Cadillac dealerships, the man walked a few miles down Sunset Boulevard into another Cadillac showroom where they not only offered him hot coffee with a smile, they invited him to look under the hood, kick the tires and go for a spin in more than one of the latest models. It turned out the man was one of the most successful farmers in the San Fernando Valley. That day he purchased not one, but two Cadillacs for cash he pulled out of the pocket of those less than perfect overalls and as he drove back to his farm he passed the first dealership with a wave wearing a satisfied grin. The moral of the story... you never know who you're talking to so always treat everyone the same and be at the top of your game. My grandfather told me this story many years ago and it's been one of those life lessons I'll never forget.
Being the best in the mortgage industry involves far more than getting the lowest rate and best terms for your client. It comes down to knowing your client's industry better than they do so the products you offer will serve them in the long run and bring them back to you time and again.
A loan officer called me recently with three multi- family refinance transactions in his area. When I didn't see the packages for over a week, I emailed him only to find out his client had relinquished the loans to his local bank. I explained to him that the local bank more than likely had only one option for the client and we had several different options including a 30 year amortization that the bank could not match. He went back to the client who indeed had been given only a 15 year amortization option from his bank and was delighted to have the cash flow nearly doubled with the 30 year option. In this case, being the expert really paid off since we could provide the cash out with an 85% LTV as well which the bank would not allow. The net tangible benefit for the client was substantial.
Sometimes saying 'I don't know' is not a bad thing. Being honest enough to say so but willing to go the extra mile is something I've found clients really appreciate. If you stop asking questions, you are not on top of your game and you stop growing your business. You can't know every product on the market but you can do the research on a particular industry to find niche products that will better serve that industry and profession so that you become the 'go to' person in your market. Research you area 'drivers'.
If there is an over- abundance of office space for sale, place ads in professional publications for doctors, lawyers and dentists. Know their industry and the specific things they look for in cash flow, what hurts it and what they need to grow it. Oftentimes they can get into an office building of their own for 15% or less down payment and they can have ancillary income from filling the other offices in the building with complimentary professions that feed off of theirs.
If you live near a college town or military base, self- storage is a key need for that demographic as they typically do not have sufficient storage. Market yourself to the self- storage facilities and offer product they cannot get from their local banks. Send out brochures offering longer amortizations and cash out for improvements such as new roads and RV parking storage if they have unused vacant land on the property.
In the last four years, I've driven past countless construction sites that have sat dormant since the onslaught of the recession. The next time you pass one of those sites, take down the number and call the developer. There are construction funds coming available again and you can offer the developer the opportunity to take his project vertical.
Senior Living is another market that is growing daily and requires niche expertise. Between assisted living facilities and senior care centers, not to mention the baby boomers coming of advance years, opportunities abound in the market.
So ask yourself, are you a Cadillac or a Hyundai?

Next Gen Cadillac CTS to Serve Up Some Surprises

It is widely recognized as the model that turned the tide for Cadillac, GM's luxury car brand. Introduced in 2002, the first generation CTS brought a rear-wheel-drive midsize sedan to the luxury segment, giving Cadillac a five-passenger model that set the course for further brand improvement. The CTS line has since expanded to include wagon, coupe and high performance models, enabling Cadillac to compete against the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The third generation Cadillac CTS will be released for the 2014 model year, with some important changes anticipated.
1. Design -- Don't look for revolutionary changes with the CTS' design. The last model has been a runaway hit and Cadillac will not mess with success. You'll see some evolutionary changes including new headlamps, body creases and rear deck treatments, but the new sedan will come in at about the same size as the new model. Inside, an updated instrument panel, changes in wood trim and leather treatments, and the most recent edition of Cadillac CUE are expected.
2. Models -- GM hasn't confirmed it, but the CTS line is likely to include only sedan body styles going forward. The coupe and wagon will be dropped, styles that will reemerge on the smaller ATS. Cadillac wants to distinguish these two model lines further and the ATS will get more styles to compete against the BMW 3-Series. Expect the V-Series to return, about 12 months after the new model is introduced.
3. Upmarket -- Cadillac has held pricing down on the CTS to curry a following. That move has been a successful one, but the third generation model will be priced along the lines of it competing German models including the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Expect that the 2014 Cadillac CTS will bring in a more robust package of standard accessories and higher trim levels.
4. Powertrains -- A V-8 model will still be available and will likely power the next V-Series CTS. Expect that a V-6 engine to be standard, but rumors of a turbocharged four cylinder engine cannot be squashed. Yes, a diesel CTS seems likely, not initially perhaps by 2015 as Cadillac gauges market interest for these engines as offered by its German rivals. Both manual and automatic six-speed transmissions will be offered.

Follow the Leader: CUE Drives Cadillac Instrument Cluster

Cadillac has taken a step we love - with one caveat. The instrument cluster in the new XTS is now connected to, and powered by, the company's CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system.
The Digital Dash is available on the XTS' Premium and Platinum trim levels and gives the driver four different designs to choose from. This reconfigurable gauge layout is our only bone to pick with the idea. We don't feel that a driver should be "distracted" by instrument cluster choices. But this is not a rant.
In fact, it is quite the opposite. The instrument cluster is the primary source of communication from the car to the driver, revealing its current operation and health. The growing sophistication of automotive infotainment systems in the center stack has, by default, created a second source of that communication. We applaud their marriage as a solid first step to what can be a powerful re-write of the outdated rules of instrument cluster design.
Two way voice communication is seen in the infotainment systems available from most manufacturers. The systems can take voice commands from drivers for a variety of functions and offer turn-by-turn navigation commands to the driver in return. The CUE-powered Digital Dash opens the door to a whole new frontier.
With every new system on today's automobiles comes the problem of how to tell a driver when that system encounters a problem. The industry turns immediately to the old order - it creates a new idiot light. And lately, text has been added in the limited space in the instrument cluster, offering scant information at best.
The power of voice offers a real alternative. Through the infotainment system, an automobile could alert a driver to a problem by voice without the need for the driver to take his or her eyes off the road. It can then offer real help and instruction - the first cut questions that every driver needs answered. "Is this a serious problem?" "Can I keep driving?" "How far can I go / how much time do I have?"
Taken a step further, information could be supplied that would offer a deep explanation of the system and the issue - as deep as a driver requests, and still without requiring their eyes be diverted to the instrument cluster.
Even the fault codes could be made available for repair personnel. But this is about drivers.

In anticipation of Siri integration and an Eyes Free solution, we have previously advocated for the connection of the center stack to the instrument cluster and the replacement of the current warning light system. It is time to develop a truly effective communication system between cars and drivers.
Cadillac has taken the first step.

Drivers need help and at DashboardSymbols.com, we are developing tools to do just that. Our second tool, now available for Apple and Android platforms is a Mobile app that puts a ready reference in the palm of your hands for getting into and starting push-button start vehicle with dead remote controls from 13 major manufacturers. And our original Dashboard Symbols app is available as well.

A Used Jaguar XF Ticks All the Boxes

Buying a quality used car can be something of a headache. What should you buy to get the best value for money, but also the most luxurious, despite being second hand? Well, Jaguar would probably be the best place to start. Jaguar is in the midst of something of a revival and the XF is the tip of the iceberg, here is how it stacks up:
Styling
The XF blows its class competitors out of the water in the styling stakes. Its sleek lines along its length are matched in the front end with curves down to the menacing grill, which delivers the looks like a Jaguar should. The only real complaint is that the back looks like an Aston Martin, which can only be a good thing, right?
Quality and practicality
The XF oozes quality from every pore. The interior has seen no expense spared with innovative lighting putting its class rivals in the shade. The central hub hasn't changed much and still offers the perfect space for the drivers necessities tucked away in a neat central cubby-hole. There's a cosy feel to the front of the car, but the rear still remains a bit cramped. However, you won't mind being just that little bit closer to all of the quality around you.
Performance and Economy
Improvements have been made in the quality of Jaguar's engines, which maintain the potency while not negating the feel and composure that Jaguar are known for. The best has to be the 2.2 diesel, which can race from 0-60 in just 7.4 seconds. Moreover, the diesel engines will give you much more bang for your buck in terms of economy.
Ride and Handling
Not often do cars match up to the ride and handling of a BMW, but Jaguars composure and hugging of the bends overwhelm any of its class rivals. It will not be beaten on comfort and ride if you are someone who racks up the miles. The XF combines blistering pace with effortless grace to be the top of its class.
Overall, the Jaguar XF is one the best saloons available right now and provides a superb update to the outdated S-Type. From the styling to the comfort, the XF offers great value for money; especially if you are buying it second-hand with low mileage.
Buying a quality used car can be something of a headache. What should you buy to get the best value for money, but also the most luxurious, despite being second hand?

Resilience brings reward to Japan's Toyota

Japan's Toyota Motors has revved ahead of U.S.-based General Motors in 2012 to reclaim the title of world's biggest auto manufacturer.

This week, Toyota announced global sales of 9.75 million vehicles, even beating its own forecast of 9.7 million. GM earlier this month had announced global sales of 9.29 million vehicles for 2012 -- about 460,000 fewer vehicles.

READ: Toyota reclaims global auto sales crown

The gap is "fairly sizeable...about 5% or so," says Chris Richter, CLSA Senior Analyst, Japanese Autos in Tokyo. However he sees Japan's return to the top in 2012 as simply "going back to the natural order of things" after Asia's second largest economy was devastated by the 2011 quake and tsunami.

"It's not that General Motors did anything right. They got a free pass in 2011 because the other team (Toyota) wasn't on the field. What we saw in 2012 was a more normal situation in terms of pecking order of global sales."

READ: Toyota set to reclaim 'top car maker' spot from GM

"In 2011, Japan had too many negative events which led to a shortage of (vehicle) supply," agrees J.P. Morgan's Kohei Takahashi, a Tokyo-based auto analyst. "If there were no such kind of events, Toyota should (have been) number one (that year)."

With Toyota's return to the top, the question remains "how does it manage to succeed" just as its tech cousins in Japan have become infamous for hemorrhaging billions of dollars in losses. Panasonic in 2012 reported a record loss of $9.68 billion, while Sony reported a record $5.7 billion loss in last year's fiscal year through March. Meanwhile, Sharp Corp owes $31 billion to the banks.

READ: Toyota to pay $1.1 billion in recall case
Japan's Toyota Motors has revved ahead of U.S.-based General Motors in 2012 to reclaim the title of world's biggest auto manufacturer.

This week, Toyota announced global sales of 9.75 million vehicles, even beating its own forecast of 9.7 million. GM earlier this month had announced global sales of 9.29 million vehicles for 2012 -- about 460,000 fewer vehicles.

READ: Toyota reclaims global auto sales crown

The gap is "fairly sizeable...about 5% or so," says Chris Richter, CLSA Senior Analyst, Japanese Autos in Tokyo. However he sees Japan's return to the top in 2012 as simply "going back to the natural order of things" after Asia's second largest economy was devastated by the 2011 quake and tsunami.

"It's not that General Motors did anything right. They got a free pass in 2011 because the other team (Toyota) wasn't on the field. What we saw in 2012 was a more normal situation in terms of pecking order of global sales."

READ: Toyota set to reclaim 'top car maker' spot from GM

"In 2011, Japan had too many negative events which led to a shortage of (vehicle) supply," agrees J.P. Morgan's Kohei Takahashi, a Tokyo-based auto analyst. "If there were no such kind of events, Toyota should (have been) number one (that year)."

With Toyota's return to the top, the question remains "how does it manage to succeed" just as its tech cousins in Japan have become infamous for hemorrhaging billions of dollars in losses. Panasonic in 2012 reported a record loss of $9.68 billion, while Sony reported a record $5.7 billion loss in last year's fiscal year through March. Meanwhile, Sharp Corp owes $31 billion to the banks.

READ: Toyota to pay $1.1 billion in recall case
While a perceived lack of creativity and innovation plagues Japan's tech industry -- as well as a yen hitting post-WWII highs last year -- "it has a lot to do with a difference in the nature of the auto and tech industries" and a traditionally stronger emphasis on reliability and quality in the former, says CLSA's Richter.

With tech products "consumers are very price motivated. They expect a television to work for several years but when they want to change it they'll chuck it in the bin. But if you buy a new car, you expect it'll work every day you own it and when you resell it you want it to hold its value," he adds.

For Japanese automakers, "perfection and quality of the product matter a lot."

Toyota and GM

In the United States, the world's second largest auto market after China, General Motors is the country's top-selling brand, while Toyota is number three, after Ford Motor.

But domestically in Japan, Toyota is number one as U.S. automakers have little penetration in the country.

That likely will not change, says CLSA's Richter.

"American automakers wouldn't invest in Japan because it's already very crowded and very competitive."

With profit margins in the "low single digits," Richter adds that Japanese automakers don't make much money in Japan as it is. "Ford wouldn't go in" and any idea that Japan makes it difficult for American automakers to enter the Japanese market is just a "political smokescreen to attract government help from Washington."

Richter says the U.S. auto market provides for profit margins in the "high-single" or "low-double digit" range.

Toyota and Volkswagen

While Toyota and GM claimed the top two spots in 2012 global market sales, Volkswagen Group sold 9.09 million vehicles to pull in at number three. Last year was the first time Western Europe's most dominant automaker broke the nine-million vehicle barrier.

Volkswagen passed that milestone not because of stellar sales in Europe but because of BRIC countries, including Brazil and China, where it enjoys growing market share, says Richter.

Europe is a place where "global automakers go to lose money" because "current economic conditions are bad," he says. Just earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its forecast for the eurozone, predicting the region's economic activity would contract for a second consecutive year.

"To the advantage of Japan's automakers, they don't have a large presence in Europe. For European automakers, it (the economy) is a big millstone around their neck in deep water," he adds.

Toyota only has a 5% market share in Europe, says Kohei of J.P. Morgan.

Toyota and Hyundai

While the shadow of successful South Korean tech firms -- like Samsung which posted a record $6.6 billion profit last week -- continue to loom large over their loss-making competitors in Japan "over the next two to three years, Japan will outperform South Korean automakers in terms of sales volumes," predicts Kohei.

South Korea's Hyundai, the country's largest automaker, has recently seen strong demand with supply barely keeping up. And between 2007 and 2012, auto website Edmunds.com revealed the average price for a Hyundai vehicle rose more than 10%, beating the 7.5% industry average rise.

"A couple of years ago, Hyundai went through a very powerful product cycle," says Richter. The Sonata became Hyundai's answer to the Toyota Camry; Hyundai's Elantra to Toyota's Corolla. But that has now changed.

"Japan is at the peak of their product cycle (and) is recovering from the 2011 disaster. We had a new Camry about this time last year. We had a less expensive version of the Prius -- the Prius C as it's marketed in the U.S. We've had new Lexus launches, relaunches of the Avalon and RAV 4."

READ: Toyota making drastic production cuts after Japan quake, tsunami

"In terms of durability, Japan is still better than Korea," adds Kohei. They (Japan) spend lots of money on R&D. In some design and marketing, Korea is better than Japan -- Honda has even started to benchmark Korea as an index of design. (But) Korea's improvements are not a sustainable trend."

Toyota's sales volumes will be the highest in Asia over the next few years, concluded Kohei. And depending on growth in China, it may continue to be tops in the world.