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Weekly Roundup: 2012 Outlook & Detroit Auto Show
We’re generally optimistic when we head into a new year, and so far 2012 has been holding up its end of the deal.
More good news this week from several sources that I’ve pulled together below:
- “Beige Book: Dealer Activity Helps to Lift Economic Outlook” – In the Federal Reserve’s review of economic activity district by district, the automotive highlight came in the Cleveland district, where they reported that sales volume increased year-over-year.
- “Beggs Spots Strongest Proportion of Positive Value Changes in Six Months” – steady sales and value adjustments in the wholesale channel show used vehicles are still holding their value.
- “Kontos Discusses 2011 Wholesale Highlights, Spring Market Projection” – used prices are starting to seem comparable to new car prices so consumers may lean more toward new. Two issues to keep an eye on that may impact 2012 sales: fuel prices & the 2012 presidential election.
- “OEMs Offer Dealers Advice As 2012 Off-Lease Likely Even Lower” – CPO sales were up in 2011, and dealers who keep a close eye on their lease expirations and encourage early turns have the opportunity to take advantage of that captive inventory.
And the eye candy comes last, with this recap of the Detroit Auto Show that includes a photo gallery of the new Dodge Dart. Analysts also took advantage of the show to announce their projection of 13.8 million units sold in 2012, up from 12.8 million this year.
Of course the question is, where are those sales going to come from?
We can tell you that some of them are going to be coming from special finance, which is definitely picking up steam. And we’re seeing our volume of finance leads picking up — and we’re already getting the traditional tax season bump.
Check out our Volume Estimator to see for yourself. It’s never been a better time to join the Carloan.com Dealer Network!
