Quote:
Originally Posted by Benjamin
Honda is recalling 645,000+ fit's (2007-2008) for faulty electric switch problem in the door that may catch fire after being wet. Perhaps automotive industry is far from being perfect. On the other hand my local Toyota dealers offer 0% for up to 60 months on Corolla and Camrys. This may upset smart sales even further.
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In the new generation Fit, Honda installed covers on the switchbank to prevent them from getting wet.
http://jalopnik.com/5459666/646000-h...of-fiery-death
In all three of the fires, the window was left open in the rain. (Who in their right mind leaves a baby asleep alone in a car in the rain with the windows open long enough for the car to short out and incinerate-?? Even if it's only
one minute.
I don't think Toyota's financing bait on the Camry and Corolla will hurt smart sales, but on the Yaris there's a 0% financing and $1k to the dealer rebate on the Yaris in some markets:
http://www.buyatoyota.com/Specials/S...riesname=Yaris
What I'm wondering about is the effect of the backlash. If I were looking at the Yaris and could deal with only 2 seats, I would be looking at the smart and not the Toyota. However, I think the real competition from Toyota is a used 1-2 year old car. Will some people be drawn to a 2 year old Corolla since its value may be currently depressed, or will they stay away from
any Toyota product?
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf...ause_shor.html
With used Toyota values depressed, smart should offer a cash incentive to people trading in a Toyota, as GM did right after the recalls hit the fan. A lowball trade in value could be a wash with an incentive, and some people might be dawn in by a chance to easily get rid of their Toyota.
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