CH Auto's Lithia EV strikes an Audi-like profile in China

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, China, Beijing Motor Show, Electric, MISC

There's a certain German sports car that the designers at CH Auto might have been dreaming about before they penned the Lithia. We don't think this kind of inspiration is anywhere near criminal, though, and before anyone broaches the topic of Chinese design, they should know that the CH Auto's design chief is an ex-General Motors man: Dan Darancou, who has work on the Buick Invicta Concept and the SEMA Chevrolet Camaro Black on his resume.

CH Auto helps automakers prepare cars for sale in China, from design through to engineering - part of Darancou's brief is to make sure those two departments work together. The Lithia, showed off at the Beijing Motor Show, has probably been done as a company calling card. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the spec sheet claims a 150-kilometer range (93 miles).

CH Auto's Lithia EV strikes an Audi-like profile in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online car sales - is now the time?

Stuart Waterman — Sat, 27 May 2006 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends

Online sales are now a big and fast-growing part of U.S. retail sales, for everything from books to auto parts. True, the total amount of retail sales booked online is a small fraction of the total volume of consumer goods, but it is the fastest growing of all sales channels, tantalizing manufacturers with its efficiency and low cost (not to mention the potential boost to the bottom line).

This week, The Economist looks at the prospects for online auto sales in the U.S., a market locked in the grip of the nationwide franchise network of auto dealers. To date, attempts to sell cars online have not been promising, but things may (slowly) be changing.

With a whopping two-thirds of new car customers researching their purchases online and virtually complete access to the byzantine maze of rebates and incentives, consumers have been using their new-found knowledge to drive down the dealer's profit margin. This is making some dealers, notably consolidated dealer networks like Lithia and AutoNation, consider how to better integrate online retailing into their operations. As a direct result, AutoNation is launching its SmartChoice online service in June.

Meanwhile, financial institutions like Capital One and Chase (think auto loans) are looking at online auto retail channels as a way to streamline the buying process for their loan clients - using volume buying power to guarantee a fixed price for its customers before they set foot in dealerships. Capital One has partnered with Zag - an internet-based company that brings its car buying expertise to affinity and membership organizations (think credit unions, buyers clubs like Costco, etc.). Even Amazon is rumored to be looking at auto sales.

Is this the death knell for the dealership? Well, no. By law, independent online sellers cannot buy "factory direct" - they must buy their cars from a dealer. Besides, virtual test drives aren't very much fun.

Have you/would you bought/buy a car completely online through eBay Motors or another service? Fess up in 'Comments.'

[Source: The Economist - subscription required]

Online car sales - is now the time? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 May 2006 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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