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, 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
The President told the country and the nation’s automakers what they needed to hear tonight: the unvarnished truth. No bailouts for failed policies, corporate padding and misdirection. The car buying public has been voting with their pocketbook for years, but Detroit wasn’t listening.
The impending reorganization of Chrysler and GM will undoubtedly “re-invent” the American icon of prosperity, technology and youthful exuberance. The new age of automobiles has been thrust upon us by a decade of oil addiction and zero interest loans. Welcome to cheerful restraint, eco-conservatism and consumer debt modification in every aspect of our lives.
Gone are the days of no money down. 700 FICO scores get ready to open your wallet for 10% down payment on your next car. Don’t be shocked, dismayed or rudely appalled when the finance manager tells you the interest rate is 6.99% for 72 (6 years) months. The banks are taking President Obama’s lead and calling for accountability and restraint.
If you are “upside-down” (you owe more than the car is worth) on a trade-in, expect to cover the majority of the negative equity in cashdown payment, many banks are not advancing the difference (letting you roll the extra on top of the selling price) on the loan amount. This is another form of accountability and loan-to-value relationship.
The coming months will see more dealerships close, or consolidate, as our appetite for consumption falls into line with our ability to manage our debt and the dealership’s ability to buy new cars are hampered by credit lines now tightened where the car manufacturers once gave dealers carte blanche . “If dealers can’t borrow money to buy cars to fill their lots, “you’re out of business,” said Charles Oglesby, chief executive of Asbury Dealer Group, of Duluth, Ga., which operates 87 retail auto stores. “It backs up the whole process of selling cars.” Cheaper loans for dealers also mean cheaper deals for consumers, he said, adding he gets financing from a consortium of lenders and isn’t concerned about his own dealers’ ability to borrow.” (as reported in the Wall Street Journal.)
This is healthy “re-invention”, just as a “market correction” puts everything back into perspective. The automobile will survive, and the industry as a whole will emerge smarter, faster and economically wiser.
Fasten your seat belts and grab your shifter, the mandate has been set, our roadmap is clear and the car of our future is ready to GO!
Read more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for NEW Car buyers, click Here.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writers 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
SORRY Joe the PLUMBER, your leased work truck, used car for your teen driver or cash car purchase for mom-in-law, won’t get you anything under the proposed: American Reinvestment & Recovery Act!
Senator Miluski’sAmendment for the deductibility of interest and sales tax on auto LOANS misses 30-40% of the car buying public. Can you guess who wrote this legislation? While USED cars help the economy as their value improves with demand from American’s that can’t afford, or can’t get approved for a new car loan, the factory mavens haven’t figured out that helping people buy used cars will drive demand from the folks making those trades.
Leasing, typically a work-related purchase, also stimulates the economy, but since the finance arms of the Big 3 got clobbered with plummeting residuals when the price of gas strangled the demand for big SUV’s and trucks, you can appreciate their reluctance to endorse leasing. However, leasing actually stimulates the manufacturing at a faster rate than a 60-72 month loan, as most leasing clients turn their cars in 36-42 mos. intervals.
So, as you consider the latest pitch for saving the auto industry, please consider yourself dissed if you lease, pay cash or prefer to buy a used car.
OR, you can write your congress person or Senator using the letter below (Thanks Grant Cardone) and get yourself some tax deductions on your next car. Contact them at: www.house.gov. or Senate
HURRY WE STILL HAVE TIME!!!!
SAMPLE LETTER, FREE TO DOWNLOAD, EMAIL or CALL !
Dear ____:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act being considered today contains a provision that would allow families to write off the sales tax and interest paid on a new car loan. While I agree with the premise of the bill, it fails to take into account the 30-40% of car buyers who either lease or pay cash for their vehicles. This bill as written does not offer any benefit nor incentive for these consumers to make a new car purchase.
Given the fact that many families lease their cars in order to keep monthly payments within their budget, wouldn’t it make more sense to incent new car transactions without regard to how it is financed? A tax credit that is a percentage of MSRP would include not only those who purchase their cars via a retail finance contract, it would also include the 30-40% of Americans who lease or pay cash.
In addition, a tax credit based upon MSRP would be easier for the public to understand and therefore better motivate them to consider getting a new vehicle – which I assume is the real objective of this bill.
In addition, maybe we could go back to President Obama’s position on oil independence and suggest a focus on vehicles getting better than 21mpg, as long as the American public is driving this initiative?
Yours truly,
_____________
btw: I nominate Sarah Lee: aka: MY CARLADY for CAR CZAR!
. www.mycarlady.com
MINI COOPER,VW BEETLE and SMART PASSION. (shown here) 
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