Automobile Retailers

April has been a good month for Mercedes Benz overall, especially with rising sales in Canada. But it’s in Asian markets that Daimler really makes its bank these days. The car company reported a 22 percent increase in sales worldwide last month compared to last year’s April, with more demand than ever in Asia. The bad news is that demand for the cars in the United States is dropping.

Naturally, the word nobody wants to say (“recession!”) may have a lot to do with slumping sales in the United States, but the move to more value-friendly cars might also have a key stake in the shift. People in America have less money and are less eager to part with cash in return for an investment like an automobile, which can lose value the instant it is driven off of the car lot.

One might think that consumers in America are becoming smarter, but it is more than likely a sign of the changing economy than it is a sudden consumer crisis of conscience.

Daimler’s Mercedes Benz Cars unit reported the 22 percent increase in worldwide sales as an increase from the 97,800 cars sold in April 2007 to 119,000 cars in April of 2008. That’s quite a shift.

A lot of the credit for the improvement in sales for Mercedes can be attributed to its new C-Class, which posted notable growth globally. Sales of sedan and station wagon models for the month of April rose to a record of 35,600. This marked an 88 percent increase from the 18,900 sold last year. Its A- and B-Class models also saw an 18 percent increase to 23,800 compared with 20,200 a year ago.

Sales in Asia climbed 24 percent to 11,800 vehicles, reaching a new record compared with the 9,500 it sold last year’s April. In the United States, Mercedes delivered 20,300 vehicles to customers, down 3 percent from the 20,900 in April of 2007.

Remember our Scion xB road-trippers?

The latest update from our favourite Utah trio has the crew reaching Minnesota early this morning (May 7, 2008) for a quick pop-in (I hate the pop-in!) one mile into the state on Interstate Hwy. 90 in Rock County. With Adam Gatherum behind the wheel, the road-trippers merely dipped into Minnesota, having come from North Dakota.

After spending all of one minute there, the crew left the Land of 10,000 Lakes and headed for South Dakota via the westbound I-90. Needless to say the early morning visit didn’t gather the attention of any Minnesotans, as most of them lay snug in their beds unaware of the “history” being made in their very state.

With South Dakota as the 37^th state and Minnesota as their 38^th, it’s safe to say that the boys are doing well on their journey. The mission began in Vermont on Sunday and is intended to wrap Friday at the Four Corners where New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah meet. At this point, the trio is ahead of the unofficial record for such a journey, which stands at 5 days, 7 hours, and 15 minutes.

Guinness World Records declines to distinguish cross-country driving records such as these because they apparently promote speeding, but these three are trying to beat the best known time for a continuous drive touching the adjoining 48 states. Had the drive included Alaska and Hawaii, the crew would have needed more than a roomy 2005 Toyota Scion to make the voyage of course.

As it is, Gatherum, Joey Stocking, and Joshua Keeler have been getting along just fine in the Scion xB, citing the vehicle’s roominess and fuel economy as key selling features to its usage as the car of choice for this 48-state extravaganza.

The three are using AAA maps and a global positioning system to help them stay on course and document that they actually entered all 48 states.

Yesterday, we discussed five things you should NOT do when looking for a new car so you can get the best price. Here are a few more things you shouldn’t do so you can avoid paying more for your new or used car at your local Pontiac dealer.
6. Don’t use your trade-in vehicle as a negotiating tool. Get a price for the vehicle you’re considering and then use your trade-in to bring the price down. Keep the two deals separate to avoid any confusion or extra fees.
7. Don’t buy a vehicle without driving it first. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Don’t be afraid to take some extra time to ensure you get the one that fits your driving preferences the best.
8. Don’t go car shopping alone. A “voice of reason” next to you is ideal for helping you avoid bad decisions. They might even give you more self-confidence to walk away if you feel the vehicles aren’t exactly what you’re looking for.
9. Don’t get the “total cash price” and the loan cost confused. Loan costs sometimes contain extra fees and costs. Ask for a total price before negotiating.
10. Don’t assume anything. I’ve seen way too many cases on People’s Court and other court shows in which people could’ve saved themselves a lot of time and frustration by getting things in writing. If you have questions or doubts, get them in writing before agreeing on anything. It’s just more professional and saves both of you headaches in the future.
Now go out there and get a great deal on a vehicle! It’s probably easier than you think.