Autoblog

Lamborghini working on certified pre-owned program

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

Lamborghini is in the process of developing its own certified pre-owned program that should launch by the end of the year. According to Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, the program will be rolled out worldwide, beginning with dealers in the U.S. and Europe. Details about how a used Lambo will be inspected or certified haven't been released yet, but sales will only be allowed through authorized Lamborghini dealers. Ferrari has been dealing in certified pre-owned vehicles since 2003, and just announced a program that would include a 190-point certification process of seven models going all the way back to 1998.

Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

[Source: Brandweek]

Lamborghini working on certified pre-owned program originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation

Dan Roth — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Tuners, Etc.

Spend more for the cutting edge of luxury and style, and you could wind up taking a larger whack than most when it's time to trade in that sled. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is reporting that premium luxury vehicles actually have the highest annual depreciation rate. The reason for the stone-dropping value is that luxury car buyers tend to want the latest and greatest. The preference for the next big thing leads to owners turning in their current cars faster than people who will drive a Taurus until its wheels fall off. Manufacturers also keep rolling out new versions of their top-tier cars to keep these customers coming back for more, which also takes a bite out of resale value since the next iteration is often right around the corner. Those cars that don't get refreshed as quickly end up with heavier incentives to maintain their sales volume in between refreshenings. In the end, it's a win-win for everybody. Automakers continue to move iron, early adopters beta test the products for the rest of us, and if you're willing to be a little bit behind the curve, you can pick up a three-year-old car for a small potatoes and still feel like you're living large.

Topping the list of annual value-losers is Jaguar's XJ8, which drops 25 percent in just a year. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus and Volvo also make appearances in NADA's top ten list of dubious distinction. The luxury cars are kept company by such ignominious vehicles as the Suzuki Verona, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. Judging from those rankings, it looks like the top and bottom extremes lose their value the fastest. If you're in the market for a Joneses-pleasing marque, this is good news.

[Source: NADA via Winding Road, Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty]

Continue reading NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation

NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Used Integra, CHEAP!

Dan Roth — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Acura, Canada

Normally, the phrase "only rolled once" isn't considered a positive attribute in a used car ad. For the sellers of this distressed 1999 Acura Integra, however, it's a defining characteristic. The high points (now low, due to the vehicle's inverted status) are that the parts should be in fine shape on this 60,000 mile example. If you needed an engine, trans or interior from a low mileage donor, this might be your car. We do hope that it didn't stay upside down for long, though, for the engine's sake. If not, all the oil that's likely filled up the cylinders will make starting a challenge.

[Source: Dave's Daily]

Used Integra, CHEAP! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW and Volvo tops with certified used vehicles

Dan Roth — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:06:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Volkswagen, Volvo

Looking to replace your rusted out Zastava? Buying brand new is a hard pill to swallow when you start to run the numbers. Given the durability of modern powertrains, pretty much any car will make it to 150,000 miles without so much as a whimper, provided you maintain it. Taking that longevity into account, buying used, *ahem* pre-owned, is a great way to stretch what you can get for your budget. We're all aware of the cracks about used car salesmen being shifty-eyed greaseballs upholstered in horrid plaid sportcoats. We've met a few of those, but the current fashion for pre-loved cars is factory-backed programs that pluck the plums from the rotten apples, gives them a thorough once-over and placing them just across the lot from the brand new ones.

Among all of the certified used vehicle initiatives, Volkswagen and Volvo come out on top, according to Intellichoice.com. This is the fourth year in a row that Volkswagen has been ranked the best in the non-luxury category. Volvo beat out last year's winner, Cadillac, on the strength of its compliance program. Intellichoice ranks the programs based on the warranty length, rigor of the inspections, roadside assistance, and return and exchange policies, as well as how well the standards of the programs are actually enforced. Among the top finishers are previous toppers Cadillac and Jaguar, along with MINI and Hyundai. Hyundai went from the bottom of the list last year to a third place finish by changing financing deals and applying it's crushingly good 10 year warranty to used vehicles, as well. Among those aforementioned brands, we think you'll be able to find something you'll like almost as much as that Zastava.

[Source: Auto News - sub req]

VW and Volvo tops with certified used vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Used Chryslers are hot? Pentastar CPOV sales are up

Dan Roth — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Earnings/Financials

Sales of new Chrysler vehicles are down between 1 and 8 percent, depending on which brand you're looking at, but sales of the Pentastar rides referred to as Brand Spankin' Used are the best ever. Five-Star Chrysler dealers moved 10,204 Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles in August, a 5 percent increase over 2006. Particularly popular choices are the Chrysler Pacifica and the Dodge Magnum, those models seeing increases of 24 and 26 percent, respectively. CPO cars from any manufacturer are often a good bet, as they're typically a maximum of 5 years old and must undergo a more rigorous inspection than they might at another sales outlet. Chrysler's comprehensive 8 year, 80,000 mile warranty doesn't hurt, either. How could you deny the allure of a 300C that's delivered its depreciation hit to someone else, comes in cherry condition (Five-Star dealers typically wholesale anything that's not approaching pristine), and has a better warranty than many new cars? Now all Chrysler has to do is build more compelling cars that people will be clamoring for, even used.

Press release after the jump

[Source: Chrysler, LLC]

Continue reading Used Chryslers are hot? Pentastar CPOV sales are up

Used Chryslers are hot? Pentastar CPOV sales are up originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler calling 2006 models "used" to unload them

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler

When even deep discounts aren't getting the job done, sometimes you've got to bend the rules. Normally, a Chrysler dealer must use a car as a loaner for three months before designating it a used car. Still wondering what to do with a "glut" of 2006 vehicles in June of 2007, Chrysler has told dealers if they use a car as a loaner for just one day, they can consider it a used car and move it off the new car lot. Dealers also get an additional $2,000 discount as an incentive to use the program.

Instead of making fewer cars in 2006, Chrysler built more than dealers wanted and simply parked them around Detroit. Incentives helped move some, but the incentive program was to end May 31 of this year and dealers still had more 2006 cars sitting on lots than they wanted. Chrysler decided it wanted to finish strongly, so it eased the loaner requirements, a move dealers had been asking for. Chrysler still counts the cars as retail sales (even though they're just being moved to the used car lot), but the cars won't distract buyers who are looking at Chrysler's 2007 product. At one dealer in New Mexico, a 2006 Dodge Ram went from $33,000 to $26,000 in one day. An '06 Durango could be reduced by $11,500 after one day. Could be time to run a daily patrol around your local Chrysler dealership...

[Source: Detroit News]

Chrysler calling 2006 models "used" to unload them originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #68

Dan Roth — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Chevrolet, Chrysler, GM, Hyundai, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn

Getting back in the groove, we bring you Autoblog Podcast #68. Starting us off is the battle of the inside sources, where we debate which GM mole is correct about the CTS-V. One rumor has the hottest little Caddy getting the Blue Devil's 600-horsepower 6.0L V8. The competing theory is that there'll be a 6.2L V8 with mid-500 horsepower, not the Blue Devil's mill. Either way, it will add up to M5 punch in an M3-sized wrapper. GM has more RWD goodies for us, as word of its Alpha platform replacing Epsilon cars like the G6, and Cadillac BLS replacement, which may come here, has us all atwitter. Our last bit of GM fodder is the passing of the Cobalt SS Supercharged. It was an entertaining car; but even though the supercharged Cobalt goes away, the un-muscled SS remains. We hope that GM's pledge to reinvigorate the SS badge so that it actually means something will get in gear soon.

We move on from GM to Chrysler and the Cerberus sale. Wolfgang Berhnardt is said to be an integral consultant to the deal, and he's looking for a homestead in the Detroit area as well as poking around the offices and design studio. Seems like Bernhardt is waiting for his noncompete with VW to expire while quietly orchestrating a turn of the Pentastar vessel. We detour into how fitting a Star Wars-themed Chrysler press conference would be (c'mon, you wouldn't really be surprised, would you?) before wrapping up with Hyundai's confidence-inspiring extension of its 10-year/100,000 mile warranty to Certified Pre Owned Vehicles up to five years old. They must feel pretty certain that their cars will hold up, as the warranty means they could possibly cover some powertrains for 15 years. That's it - 37 minutes of heaven!

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Autoblog Podcast #68 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Auto Show: Maserati officially launches Trident Discoveries CPO program

Mike Magda — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chicago Auto Show, Performance, Maserati

Maserati is going after the premium BMW, Jag and Porsche shopper by announcing today it will be offering certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. Combined with a new in-house finance service and the addition of an automatic transmission to the Quattroporte, the Trident Discoveries CPO program should help Maserati expand its customer base.

"We don't want to be an exception," said company spokesman Jeff Ehoodin at a press conference during the Chicago Auto Show. "We are not an exotic."

CPO programs have been a major marketing platform for other luxury brands, especially those trying to lure first-time owners. Last year, BMW sold just over 80,000 CPO vehicles while Mercedes-Benz and Lexus were around the 46,000 mark. Porsche and Land Rover were on the low end with 2006 sales of about 6,000 units each.

Maserati obviously doesn't have a product line that cross-shops with a C-class or 3-series and isn't expecting CPO numbers that high. However, the automaker does want to seduce a potential 7-Series or S-Class AMG buyer to consider a used but fully serviced and inspected Maserati.

"One hundred percent of our sales are conquests," said Ehoodin. "We want to present every opportunity for ourselves."

Qualifying Maseratis sold under the Trident Discoveries program are no more than five years old and have not logged more than 90,000 miles. The vehicle undergoes a 120-point inspection and is guaranteed not to have been in a serious accident. Roadside assistance and extended warranty plans are also available.

Chicago Auto Show: Maserati officially launches Trident Discoveries CPO program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler sells more certified pre-owned in March

Erin Mays — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Jeep

The Chrysler Group's "Brand Spakin' Used" certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are flying off dealership lots, if a recent press release sent out by Chrysler is any indication. The automaker reports that March was a record for selling CPO vehicles, with dealers reporting sales 14-percent higher than March of '05 and 29-percent higher than February of 2006 at 12,029 units. The quarter rounded out at 29,783 units total, also a record at 7-percent higher than first quarter last year.

We're curious to know if any readers out there are proud owners of pre-owned vehicles. Has the dealership experience been up to par with a new car purchase? Have you noticed more initial problems with the vehicle than with new cars you've purchased in the past?

Continue reading Chrysler sells more certified pre-owned in March

Chrysler sells more certified pre-owned in March originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Apr 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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