Energy Department Revives Fuel-efficient Vehicle Loan Program - March 26, 2015 - Wsj.com

[Hotscoots]

All car dealers have competition . Amongst themselves and also with competing brands . Their profit margins are extremely small and rely on extemporaneous sales of options and trade-ins . It's ironic how folks love Apple and hate car dealers . One is gouging your eyes out and one barely keeping the lights on . Guess which one

 

[eddie66]

All car dealers have competition . Amongst themselves and also with competing brands . Their profit margins are extremely small and rely on extemporaneous sales of options and trade-ins . It's ironic how folks love Apple and hate car dealers . One is gouging your eyes out and one barely keeping the lights on . Guess which one

Never cared for car dealerships, and less for car salesman.

 

[Neal]

Unfortunately, the last paragraph says it all.

...The dealership model has its supporters—most of whom are car dealers or their lobbyists. Trade groups like the National Automobile Dealers Association are spending time and effort attempting to convince consumers that the current model of obfuscatory pricing, predatory sales tactics, bargaining, and haggling is really awesome for consumers; state lobbying groups are also putting in tremendous amounts of money ensuring legislation passes that maintains the status quo. In Texas, for example, Texas Monthly reporter Paul Burka opined that Tesla lost its 2013 legislative push because it simply didn’t spend enough money on lobbyists. This year, Tesla is reportedly spending up to $1.18 million on 21 lobbyists to fight against the auto dealer associations’ own lobbyists.

One thing that I've learned from this Elio journey is just how powerful the Auto dealer associations and lobbyists are.

 

[Rickb]

One thing that I've learned from this Elio journey is just how powerful the Auto dealer associations and lobbyists are.

The NADA's PAC contributions to federal candidates from Open Secrets website:

Most all of the individual contributors to this PAC of $200 came directly from Car Dealers. The 71% is certainly the anti direct to consumer sales model movement by sponsoring legislation that target Tesla Motors and likely EM. They are powerful indeed. Interesting to check the list of recipients to see if my representative is listed. Also, are these NADA PAC candidates connected to the DOE ATVM loan approval in any way. Ploitics is complicated and very twisted over the past few political cycles.

 

[John Painter]

No FUD.

............"If the dealership model is eliminated for manufactures like Ford and Gm, where do you think you will get your car serviced?
Where do you think you will get warranty work done?"............

These are legitimate questions.
Is "recall work" on your Honda certified if you get it done at the WalMart on DeZavala at I10 north?
Do they even have the required tools to do the service?

As I said, Elio has a plan.
Where is the FTCs plan?
You don't throw out the current method until you can articulate its replacement.

Technically you can do your own warranty service work yourself, or anyone else with the tools and skills can as well.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

All car dealers have competition . Amongst themselves and also with competing brands . Their profit margins are extremely small and rely on extemporaneous sales of options and trade-ins . It's ironic how folks love Apple and hate car dealers . One is gouging your eyes out and one barely keeping the lights on . Guess which one

No they don't. They have associations where they collaborate on models available, options available, and price.

Dealer profit margins are small?
BWAHAHAHA!!!! oh my.... (wipes tear)

You are mixing auto manufacturers and dealers.

Just because a single, poorly managed auto manufacturer goes Tango Uni, doesn't mean all auto dealerships don't make a HUGE profit.

 

[WilliamH]

Technically you can do your own warranty service work yourself, or anyone else with the tools and skills can as well.

......"or anyone else with the tools and skills"......
Used to be a trained GM technician ('63 Buick) . I could even rebuild automatic transmissions. The specialist tools today make that almost impossible.

 

[Hotscoots]

Your statements do not coincide with my personal 40 year experiences . When shopping for a specific new car , like most people , I will also shop for the best price. If there is collusion amongst the dealerships , how is it possible to glean $1000-$1500 variations in price? As we live in a robust information age , I suggest you research dealer invoice prices listed vs actual sales. Often , dealers will sell at or below dealer invoice depending on variables at the dealership. Variables like Low monthly sales volume, model incentives or bloated inventory all factor in. It's easy to chortle about other's profit , but I assure you that car dealerships work on relatively short margins compared to most other businesses .
Used cars typically earn 3-5x the profit margin of new cars .

 

[Jeff Porter]

No they don't. They have associations where they collaborate on models available, options available, and price.

Dealer profit margins are small?
BWAHAHAHA!!!! oh my.... (wipes tear)

You are mixing auto manufacturers and dealers.

Just because a single, poorly managed auto manufacturer goes Tango Uni, doesn't mean all auto dealerships don't make a HUGE profit.

I got your Tango Uni reference there. I think. lol

Will put what I think it is in white font here (hold down left mouse button and swipe to read it) -> Tits Up

 

[NSTG8R]

I got your Tango Uni reference there. I think. lol

Will put what I think it is in white font here (hold down left mouse button and swipe to read it) -> Tits Up

Yep, that's how I read it!

BTW, cool way to throw 'secret' messages into a post.