1. FIAT 500 and MICROSOFT A HIT at CES 2010

    January 8, 2010 by mycarlady

    I found the FIAT 500 in the Microsoft booth at 2010 CES next to a hulking Ford F350 DEWALT edition (more next time) it held it’s own with clever lines and cool technology.  It’s this combination and fuel economy that will win over the skeptics (me) if it delivers. For now I was awed my the TECHNOLOGY of the BLUEandME® which offers an awesome stereo sound system and the newest wave in manufacturer integrated driving systems.

    While the FORD SYNC is a long way ahead of everyone in the SAFe Driver campaigns to keep your hands ON the wheel , i.e. voice activation (more to come in next post).

    ECO:DRIVE is unique because it goes beyond the available FUEL ECONOMY trackers in today’s iPhone apps.  This system plugs and plays, stores the data and analyzes your carbon footprint.  I’m hoping they will add the SPEECH RECOGNITION software for email and text to the package by the time the car arrives next year.

     I have to say, the car felt heavier and more solid (when you slam the door) than the SMART car, however, my judgment will remain open until I get one to test drive in the 110 heat of Las Vegas. Then I’ll do the obvious 4 way comparison of the FIAT 500,smartpassioncoupe MINI COOPER,VW BEETLE and SMART PASSION. (shown here) 

    Until then, enjoy this snap shot of ECODRIVE and check out the software at www.fiat.com/ecodrive.

    Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com

    Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS

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  2. WILL CHRYSLER SURVIVE?

    December 20, 2009 by mycarlady

    WILL CHRYSLER SURVIVE?

     “What FIAT doesn’t realize is that most American drivers are larger {fat} people who will not fit comfortably in their tiny cars. Not to mention, when you put a family of four in the FIAT 500, where does the luggage go?”so says a prominent Las Vegas dealer choosing to be anonymous for this article.

     Given the love for the Chrysler 300, Charger, Durango and Magnum, does FIAT have a chance of converting traditional large car buyers? Probably not.  However, in the new fractionalized (niche) car market the only way I envision the successful pairing of these two companies is to position FIAT as the “SCION” of Chrysler for the up and coming youth market. In this manner it could succeed, at least long enough to build in the step levels to mature this client from Fiat into homogenized Fiat-Chrysler product, as the size of the customer and family matures. Throw in some hybrid or alternative fuel options and Chrysler might survive, re-incarnated, but alive.  The keys to this successful transition are: sharp styling, no discounting, superior quality control, outstanding 100k warranty and a top-notch salesmanship experience at the dealer level.   I’d love to see this happen, but I’m not holding my breath.

     SO, in the interest of what’s a great car buy today?  As a car buyer’s agent, I can only recommend these models to my clients, to insure their car holds as much value as possible in these uncertain times.  I expect only 7 models from Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge to survive.

    • Chrysler Sebring Convertible (Hardtop)

    • Chrysler 300 SRT

    • Chrysler Town & Country

    • Dodge Charger SRT

    • Dodge Challenger SRT

    • Dodge Ram/Cummins 1500, 2500 Diesel, 3500 Diesel

    • Jeep Wrangler RUBICON

    My crystal ball says FIAT (if they stick around) will eventually drop the actual brand name when the baby-boomers have forgotten there ever was a Chrysler. Remember AMC, DAEWOO, YUGO, EDSEL, and OLDSMOBILE brands, exactly.

    In the meantime, the likely re-branding of the dealership building could look like this; “CHRYSLER-JEEP-DODGE-FIAT”, “AMER-FIAT” (AMERIFART for short) or just FIAT, selling the above mentioned, remaining models.  If the current Chrysler dealer network can survive long enough to see the economy revive, the American tax payer can take satisfaction in having preserved an entity with classic name plates of more value for their potential collectability as a muscle car antique than its overall market penetration. 

    I would say now is the best time to buy that Challenger, Charger or 300 SRTNEW or USED ! These will be the “investment” cars for your portfolio, redeeming better than a 0 coupon bond in the year 2050. Not only are prices at their ROCK BOTTOM, but these are great driving cars while you wait for your grandkids to inherit them, and gas is still (relatively) cheap. Dodge Charger RT 

    You can’t drive a Warhol, but you can enjoy the engine roar of a Charger “BEE” as others gawk on the Yellow, Purple, or Blue limited edition paint as you peel away.  Think I’m crazy?   Have you priced the Ford Model T, ’60 Mustang or “70 Corvette? The famous Barrett-Jackson auction-car show spectacle drew over 50k people to Las Vegas, in a “lousy” economy.

     SO, if you really want to get a great deal on these or any other make or model, give me a call. I know where the best deals are hidden. As YOUR personal car buyer’s agent, I do all the work, negotiating, trades, finance and incentives, delivering the car to your driveway without you breaking a sweat.  Unlike an AUTO BROKER, you pay me a flat fee, disclosed upfront, so you never wonder if you “left money on the table”.

     Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com

    Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS

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  3. AMERICAN CARS-Buy or Die?

    October 12, 2009 by My Carlady
    Dodge Charger

    Dodge Charger

    A recent article in MONEY.CNN gives a shout-out to why American car buyers should think twice about buying imports or vehicles whose headquarters, design and technology labs are centered in other countries.  The premise is that buying Ford, GM or Chrysler products is still better for OUR economy than buying a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, even though many of their vehicles are made here by Americans.  Add to the stateside list BMW, Kia, Hyundai,  Mazda who also have plants in the U.S. and what the author doesn’t tell you is when you tally all those 13-14 “import” plants employees, does it total more or less than the total employee count of GM, Ford and Chrysler in the US, including DEALERSHIPS!

    The truth is… most Americans would love to buy an AMERICAN CAR, knowing the funds go back into the US economy. However, 30% of current car owners in the US have owned a Ford, Chrysler or GM product in their lifetime, which failed to meet the expectation of the owner.  This is not a case of managing expectations, it’s about living up to your promises…aka WARRANTY.

    When Hyundai and Kia felt the wrath of negative customer satisfaction for  shoddy construction, poor dealer performance and crashing resale value, they returned to the drawing board and later delivered a high quality product with a 100k mile or 10yr. warranty. The American consumer took notice and voted with their pocketbooks. Hyundai has continued to deliver with clever advertising and promises that resonate with the nervous car buyer. Imagine our US Car companies taking a marketing lesson from the Koreans.  This year Hyundai made money and increased market share while everyone else fell back.

    Ford has experienced a strong demand for their 2010 product, and 25% of consumers surveyed acknowledge a lsight bias to Ford over the GM and Chrysler domestic product, because “Ford didn’t take a government handout.”

    American’s aren’t stupid. They know the money they spend feeds the German, Japanese and Korean infrastructure supported by those foreign governments.  Even American business owners regret the situation when their own competition may be from off-shore sources, yet,  they don’t want to buy a lemon or worse; be rewarded for brand loyalty with a stick in the eye. 

    Attn DODGE: If you want Americans to buy your new 2010 RAM 2500/3500 Cummins Diesel my readers and I would like to suggest you offer some major LOYALTY CASH or BUYBACK to everyone driving a 2007-2009 Cummins DPF problem.  You know who they are and thanks to the Internet everyone else does too.  Anyone researching the Dodge product has read this blog, asked their friends and will steer clear of your 2010 because of the HISTORY OF DODGE CUMMINS DPF, TURBO and CEL problems, REGARDLESS of how much you PROMISE them a newer, better redesign or BIG REBATE, LOW INTEREST RATE special.  Americans won’t gamble their lives or hard earned money on $50,000.00 trucks they depend on for work and family safety. SO get smart DODGE, those LOYAL DODGE Cummins customers, their gone…  Buying American may be Loyal, buy companies not standing up for their product, that’s UN-AMERICAN!

    Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com

    Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS

    NEED AUTO FINANCE HELP or CREDIT report repair go to tell them MY CARLADY: Sarah Lee sent you. It’s a free consult and they do the right thing by you, fast, easy, cheap.

     Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
    Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
    NEED AUTO FINANCE HELP or CREDIT report repair go to tell them MY CARLADY: Sarah Lee sent you. It’s a free consult and they do the right thing by you, fast, easy, cheap.


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