Automotive News - March 3, 2008 - (Page 30)

30 • MARCH 3, 2008 RV deliveries decline 3.4% in December 2007 total is down 9.5% from the previous year Bernadine Williams bwilliams@crain.com RV wholesale deliveries, December & 12 months Dec. 2007 Dec. 2006 Percent change 12 mos. 2007 12 mos. 2006 Percent change Wholesale shipments of towable recreational vehicles and motor homes fell to 22,400 units in December, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. That was down 3.4 percent from December 2007 and was the second straight monthly decline. For all of 2007, RV and motor Travel trailers Travel trailers-fifth wheel Folding camping trailers Truck campers Towable RV total Conventional (Type A) Van campers (Type B) Mini (Type C) Motorhome total Shipments to RV retailers 11,000 5,100 1,700 500 18,300 2,700 200 1,200 4,100 22,400 11,200 5,200 2,100 600 19,100 2,700 300 1,100 4,100 23,200 –1.8 –1.9 –19.0 –16.7 –4.2 – –33.3 9.1 – –3.4 180,200 81,500 28,800 7,500 298,000 32,900 3,100 19,400 55,400 353,400 203,600 88,800 34,000 8,200 334,600 32,700 3,000 20,200 55,900 390,500 –11.5 –8.2 –15.3 –8.5 –10.9 0.6 3.3 –4.0 –0.9 –9.5 Note: Conversion vehicles figures no longer reported. These manufacturers have changed their affiliation from Recreation Vehicle Industry Association to National Truck and Equipment Association, which is not releasing numbers. Source: Recreation Vehicle Industry Association home deliveries dropped 9.5 percent from the previous year to 353,400 units. December shipments of towable RVs dipped 4.2 percent from the previous year to 18,300. For 2007, deliveries of towable RVs to retailers fell 10.9 percent to 298,000 units. December shipments of motor homes were unchanged, repeating the previous year’s total of 4,100 units. For the full year, motor home shipments totaled 55,400, down 0.9 percent. The totals do not include conversion vehicles. The RV association stopped including conversion vehicles in its monthly shipment totals in October. Manufacturers of conversion vehicles have cut ties with the association. c The 2009 Ford Flex will go on sale this summer with a starting price of $28,995, including shipping. Ford prices ’09 Flex atop crossover line DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. has priced the new 2009 Ford Flex at the top of its crossover lineup. The Flex will go on sale this summer at a starting price of $28,995, including shipping, according to a price list Ford distributed to dealers. The three-row Flex is being offered in three trim series and in front-wheeldrive and all-wheel-drive versions. While the base model, a fwd Flex SE, comes in under $30,000, other models are well over that. The most expensive model, an awd Flex Limited, is priced at $37,255, including shipping. The Flex slots above the Taurus X crossover, which starts at $27,605 including shipping for 2008, according to Ford. A CUDL conversation with the owner of what may be the nation’s fastest growing dealership group — the $1.4 billion Ken Garff Automotive Group of Salt Lake City, Utah. ROBERT GARFF ON THE SPGT: AT A GLANCE: With a last name that has been in the automotive business for over 75 years, Robert talks about expanding ON THE SPOT: We know your father, Ken Garff, started this business in 1932. When did you start? GARFF: I started at age 13, sweeping floors in our body shop. By the time I was 16, I was a salesman in one of our used car operations. I learned the business from the ground up. ON THE SPOT: What do you contribute to your family’s success? GARFF: Garff’s never, never give up. You know that speaks to longevity, that speaks to doing things right. That means stick-to-itness. ON THE SPOT: How involved are you with the communities you serve? GARFF: One of the main ingredients of our success is that we play an active part in the community. As much as 20 to 30 percent of our lives are spent giving back to the communities we serve. ON THE SPOT: How do you feel about CUDL in terms of what it’s done for you? GARFF: The main thing about CUDL is that it provides us with a into the West, staying connected with the communities they serve and his top priority — family. This avid horseback rider, who still enjoys a good “round up”, also elaborates on how CUDL is responsible for 15 percent of his auto loans. different avenue of buyers. It’s another opportunity to get in front of another group of customers. ON THE SPOT: How many of your buyers go through the CUDL system? GARFF: Approximately 15 percent. And that’s 15 percent of buyers that maybe we wouldn’t have otherwise. ON THE SPOT: How do feel about AutoSMART and being able to showcase your inventory online? GARFF: For us, it’s another way of having a storefront. I think in the fourth quarter alone, our organization attracted 967 buyers from CUDL’s AutoSMART system. ON THE SPOT: CUDL did $12 billion in auto loans in 2007. What does that mean to you? GARFF: Well, it means that they’re one of the major players in the auto finance arena. G Subaru lowers Forester price CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru of America Inc. has set the base price of its redesigned 2009 Forester crossover at $20,660 including shipping, down $1,085 from its 2008 counterpart. The 2009 Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine with an optional turbocharger. Subaru will offer three trim packages powered by the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine: the X, X with Premium Package and L.L. Bean Edition. The turbocharged Forester is available in two trim packages: the XT and XT Limited. Pricing tops out at $28,860 including shipping for the Forester 2.5XT Limited. Hamp rejoins Visteon board DETROIT — Steven Hamp has been elected to rejoin the Visteon Corp. board of directors. Hamp, 59, had been on Visteon’s board from January 2001 to November 2005, when his brotherin-law, then-Ford Motor Co. CEO Bill Ford, tapped him to be vice president and chief of staff at the automaker. Hamp held that post until October 2006, after Alan Hamp: Had been Mulally was on board from chosen to run 2001-05 Ford Motor. Since March 2007, Hamp has been the principal of consulting firm Hamp Advisors LLC. Visteon, of suburban Detroit, supplies interiors, climate control, electronics and lighting. The supplier began a restructuring program in 2006 aimed at cutting costs and paring its product line. “I think in the fourth quarter alone, our organization attracted 967 buyers from CUDL’s AutoSMART system.” Informative. Influential. Inspirational. It’s another On the Spot interview brought to you by 877.744.2334 x2334 www.cudl.com FAST, FRIENDLY CREDIT UNION FINANCING http://www.cudl.com http://www.cudl.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 3, 2008

Bob Nardeli's new big-idea guy New Kia boss reaches out to restless dealers Scion hits a wall Lithia losses raise caution flag Detroit 3 shun talk of NAFTA do-over Lincoln names new marketing manager Mercedes to launch hybrid sedan in '09 Mazda has new top marketing exec M-B will hit the road with 50-state diesels Pontiac puts big ad bucks into traditional media for G8 Reynolds, ADP diverge on growth strategies Ford plans to cut fleet sales 10% in 2008 Mazda: New models, styling will boost its loyalty rate Run-up to axle strike adds to supplier woes Webasto's fast heater will debut by 2010 Russian plant wants to be world's biggest A Lancer is hatched Chrysler throws out purchasing rulebook Honda sets lofty hybrid goal, with Civic's help Honda: Use of ethanol limited, must be biomass Honda CEO Fukui: No recession in U.S., despite soft sales in spots 550 hp? 620 hp? Is GM crazy? Doug Fraser was a great leader How ironic: Lyons learns caution Well done, Doug Don't let Calif. impose fuel rules on the nation Blame the dealer, not the brand Cutting weight doesn't cut safety When Lutz dumps on global warming ... JM exec Czubay: A taste for hogs, pierogi Doug Fraser: A good man to have known Fraser led UAW with 'combination of substance, politics and charm' Autonet finds success at NADA with wi-fi for cars GM to sell medium-truck business, keep dealer network Web classified ad firms renew marketing to dealers, buyers Chery designs venture's vehicles China venture eyes 20,000 Fiesta hatchback sales Toyota plans crossovers in China Dongfeng, YuAn plan minicars BMW shakes up global marketing, sales ranks Delphi divestiture boosts forging supplier Is Blackhawk purchase bucking a trend? Repair company grows as Detroit 3 struggle BorgWarner unit expands German automakers seek more parts sourced in North America Hyundai picks ArvinMeritor Japan parts firm to build Miss. plant Nissan to increase spending on IT Purchase keeps Tenn. plant open Automakers hit with apartheid claims Mexico sales flat in January Ford prices '09 Flex atop crossover line Hamp rejoins Visteon board RV deliveries decline 3.4% in December Subaru lowers Forester price Personnel Bright future for LED headlight suppliers? Valeo's Morin to Pardus: Learn before you leap German automakers aren't worried about U.S. recession Porsche's Wiedeking: We must retool VW Europe's loud debate over quieter tires Noise level depends on the tires, the road Auto industry robotics spending jumps 43% in 2007 Electronic brakes struggle to get traction Big Texas dealer returns to some domestic brands AutoNation chief sees tough '08, better '09 In downturn, Sonic looks beyond new cars GM promotes service, parts leads for dealerships 10 cool dealership technologies found at NADA Dealers Kia will build transmissions at Georgia plant Gibson leaves DealerTrack board Akebono closing Kentucky plant Feds issue Ford fire warning Magna net income drops VW to use Siemens' software A tale of 2 exhaust systems EU wants CO2 in ads; battle looms Maize malaise stalls ethanol Tata to siesta during Ford's Fiesta Honda moves its American bike offshore Honda will recycle cycle plant Tom LaSorda's multimillion-dollar smile

Automotive News - March 3, 2008

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