Sales of new autos decline

[Smartdavis]

From today's paper: "Sales of new autos decline. 8.2% loss in California reflects 400,000 drop across the nation as bad news continues. Nationally dealers sold about 16.1 million new vehicles in 2007, down from about 16.5 million in 2006.....projected 2008 market will decline 4%"

I wonder how many people are getting cold feet and deciding not to go through with Smart purchases this week after all the bad economic news? I also wonder how many people will decide to buy another brand if the pricing, financing, rebating (and lack of dealer markups) look better across the street? Stay tuned.

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

I wonder how many people are getting cold feet and deciding not to go through with Smart purchases this week after all the bad economic news? I also wonder how many people will decide to buy another brand if the pricing, financing, rebating (and lack of dealer markups) look better across the street? Stay tuned.

i would look at it just the opposite and say i wonder how many people who were going to buy a Honda Civic are now considering the Smart. the bad news is not new, it's been building for months.

[centerxtreme]

At this juncture, I believe, most of the smart fans are in it for the long run. Interest is at an historic low and those who have waited, for the most part, can't wait for their smart. I know I cant.

[jwight]

Remember, we are NOT in a recession.







Yet.

[avayan]

The way I see it, a good deal of the posters in this forum are dying to get a smart car even if it comes without wheels. Some other brand car dealers may be affected, but the Smart will not. But if it does, even better for folks like me who reserved not even a month ago. The more cancellations, the quicker I'll get mine. What would be a good place to buy wheels, I wonder...

[gamernotwatcher]

I am one of those who has put off a new car purchase for over 1 year (I consider my smart an interim purchase). My personal statement; cars as we knew them (6 cylinders and 15-19 mpg for the autos that I prefer) would not do, and that there will be radical changes in the auto offerings within 3 years. Since my current vehicle is 12 years old and in great running condition.... I am not willing to spend $40k for 3 years and have a greater depreciation profile while the product offering slide is in progress. My 15 cents.

[Smartdavis]

I agree that cars are going to get smaller, but I live in a college town community where if you throw a rock you'll hit a hybrid (and they have four doors and better mileage than a Smart). The micro small size of the smart might be more fad and fashion statement than real transportation, and how many real sales will that turn out to be at the end of this year? Out here in California where people drive like lunatics just changing lanes on a freeway can be a life changing experience. I'd be curious what the real cancellation rate is right now.