Ford Focus ST VS. Competition

This video highlights the many benefits of choosing a Ford Focus ST over some of its auto competitors. Some of the competition is naturally Subaru WRX, Mazda Speed3 & more. The reel exemplifies the many assets of driving a Ford Focus ST. It shows the variable ratio steering rack, torque steering compensation, pinpoint turning abilities and more... The Ford Focus ST has 252 horsepower, 270 pound per feet of torque, and it costs only $24,495.

2013 Jeep SRT8 Special Editions

With the addition of the SRT8 to the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2012 there wasn't much reason to add a plethora of new updates. But Jeep did come through with two new editions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the "Vapor" and "Alpine". The two vehicles are pretty much the same except the Alpine comes in a bright white and the Vapor in a brilliant black. These vehicles will feature 20 inch rims!!Under the hood will be comparably the same as the other SRT8

Jeep quotes a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, the quarter mile in the mid-13 second range, a top speed of 160 mph (257km/h), and braking from 60-0 mph (96-0km/h) in 116 feet (35.4m). The 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $59,995 (plus $925 destination), while Jeep commands a $2,495 premium for the Alpine and Vapor special edition packages that brings the total to $62,490 or $63,415 with destination.

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Chrysler TD by Maserati

The Chrysler TD will be returning hopefully by 2014. The TD garnered help from its family relative Maserati to add Italian styling. It will sit on a Dodge Dart platform, and will compete in the small sized car market for Chrysler. This has been an area Chrysler LLC has been struggling with and seeks to penetrate this sector. It will share a base engine of the Fiat Abarth with 160Hp and will be a 1.4 Liter turbocharged engine. 

How do you think this car will pan out for Chrysler?

Romney on the Prowl: Attacks Auto Bailout

Each day that goes by is yet another opportunity for the political elites to smite one another with a smug, tongue & cheek commercial. This one aims at the Obama administration's decision to bailout the automakers Gm and Chrysler. Though the American public has seen this as a good move, one that saved thousands of plant workers jobs, Romney is seen here attacking the decision. When the bailouts were sent it was during a time of turmoil and destruction. Credit lines were evaporating and sales were slowing. After the bailouts went out to the automakers they knew the right decisions were to consolidate and cut excess spending. This led to many dealers being terminated in areas where a high density existed. This ad focuses on Ohio, where Obama currently holds a 6% lead in the political polls.

GM and Chrysler shut down 2,200 dealerships in an effort to cut down costs. More than 220 auto dealers are suing the Obama administration, arguing that their constitutional rights were violated when GM and Chrysler terminated their franchise agreements.

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Ol' Boys Club: Women in the Showroom

 

        In today’s time, no longer does the cheap suit wearing, coffee stain bearing, bear of a salesman need to exist. We live in the time of the internet and progressivism, which has opened up channels of information to avant garde buyers about the cars they are seeking. A salesman no longer needs to vehemently hammer in the details of a cars price and specs; many customers already know this information. So where does that leave a salesperson? Salespeople now need to connect with customers and direct them down the path of purchase to this safe haven. Some customers need a strong seller to help them seal their decisions, others want salespeople who are perceptive to their wants and take care of their needs. This is where woman salespeople come in. When speaking to Cammy Mezrahi, Fiat of Westbury, she stated that she has seen many salesmen chase customers out the showroom because of their barbarous selling techniques. She sees women in a showroom as providing simple comforts, a warm smile at the door or a fresh cup of coffee just when you thought you couldn’t stand and look at cars anymore. As well, they aide customers in the buying process with patience and fortitude. Once in a while there comes along customers whose views on woman in the showroom are, well, stuck in the mud. Debbie, a saleswoman from Fiat at Westbury, told me she once dealt with a customer who flat out told her he does not conduct business with women. It is this kind of negligent attitude that has plagued women in the showroom from now to posterity.

            When asked whether the percent of men and women will ever be equal in the auto business a Debbie responded “No way.” The Car dealership has long been known as a battle zone, where male virility comes to compete. In a commission based business the dealership will turn into a jungle, where survival of the fittest will reign supreme. Those with the most apt skills and persistent tactics will lasso in the most customers. This style of salesmanship has been bolstered in showrooms for years. But what if times have changed? What if customers are no longer looking for direction and information or “being sold” on a car? Customers today have more information than ever before, with the ability to summon large forms of information without even leaving the warm comfort of their beds and spouses. When a customer comes into a showroom they usually know the rough price of a car, and some other vital information. This takes an important tactic out of the hands of salesmen, deception.

This has led to different skills being utilized by men and women. Customers want to feel secure buying from a salesperson, and sometimes the overanxious, hyperactive car salesman who keep telling you, this is the one you want, just won’t cut it. This is where female expertise comes in. Some male customers come into dealerships and want to feel like they are home and a woman’s touch definitely caters to male and female buyer. When asking a seasoned employee of Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge, Hinda Russo, she stated that a woman’s apparent weakness can be turned into strength. A good saleswoman is an unassuming “force to be reckoned with.” There is nothing more powerful in sales, her sincere caring, friendly smile, patience and pride in achievement will see her through the most difficult customers.

Some of the strengths of a woman in a dealership are intangible. When dealing with a customer Cammy Mezrahi stated that she is more in tune with the needs of the customer and offers a stress free buying experience. Men may be more likely to press a customer, or direct them to a certain vehicle they know they can up-sell. When asked what some of the weakness’ are of woman in a dealership Cammy Mezrahi stated that woman may be “soft sellers”; a term which has slowed women down in showroom like a needed oil change or bad tune up. Though a soft seller is not typical of all woman salesmen, it may be more likely linked.

The social stigmas in a dealership will be stagnant if we do not act to change them. We must not let the opinions of a few interfere with the sentiments of the many and we must look to change ourselves before we can expect any change in the showroom.

-Benjamin Clarke Sporn