Talks About Cars

After the December holiday rush, it’s expected that sales will decline. But January sales decline this year is quite notable. Analysts predict that American sales could drop by 3% or as many as 36,000 vehicles this month.

"Car sales were remarkably slow in January, probably in part because of dramatic stock market fluctuations that flustered consumers at a time when the housing market and other economic uncertainties were also making headlines," said Jesse Toprak, the executive director for industry analysis at Edmunds.com.

How grave is the expected decline? Analysts noted sales in the United States won’t improve until the second half of this year at the earliest. The controlling factors include the success of newly launched products and the national election.

At present, auto shoppers are getting playful. And some are getting pessimistic.

"Our sense is macroeconomic pressures, particularly deteriorating consumer confidence and gas 'permanently' above $3 a gallon, will increasingly catch up with consumers throughout 2008, weighing on demand for durable goods," Bear Stearns analyst Peter Nesvold said in a recent note to investors. "For many consumers, a new vehicle purchase has become largely a discretionary item."

Robert Barry, an analyst with Goldman Sachs, said in an interview with the Associated Press that while consumers can take comfort in the fact that gas prices seem to be stabilizing, they are still scared off by the weak labor market. He predicted annual sales of 15 million vehicles this year, which would be the lowest U.S. sales rate since 1993.

Other analysts, meanwhile, predict higher sales. But most of them said sales will likely fall below 16 million. Last year, there were 16.3 million vehicles sold. What’s more, Detroit’s Big 3 - GM, Ford, and Chrysler is likely to take the largest blows.

At motor shows like the North American International Auto Show, one can always find a concept vehicle. Many of us go to these shows just to get a glimpse of the latest cool vehicle. Although concept vehicles will not be marketed in the near future, we keep coming back to see them.

At the NAIAS, concept vehicles are once again being showcased. One of them is the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept. With that eco squeezed in there, you will already have an idea that this is a green car. And you will be right in assuming that it is a green car as it is powered by a high powered Lithium-ion battery pack. Apart from that, the ecoVoyager also has an advanced fuel cell power source. As of now, the probability of this four-door passenger car being available in the market very soon is not that much.

Another concept vehicle gracing the NAIAS with its presence is the Dodge ZEO concept. This carries on the tradition of the Dodge badge known for muscle cars. It is a sport wagon which looks stunning which is really not surprising as Dodge is one of the better known brands when it comes to designing sports cars. And while the ZEO concept is one fast car, it is eco-friendly as well as it is powered by an electric propulsion system. Unlike the Volt which needs a range extender, the ZEO does not need it as its powerful Li-ion battery pack can power the vehicle for 250 miles. Cool eh?

Although these vehicles will be very good indeed for consumers and the environment, automakers will not be able to mass produce these vehicles if they cannot bring the cost of production down.

Citroen has successfully kept the identity of its new model well hidden. In fact it has become a guessing game for many. There were rumors saying that it can either be a C4 crossover, a C-Airscape Concept-based C5 Cabrio or the new C8 MPV.

Last April the C4 with high ground clearance was spotted testing in the Arctic Circle so everyone thought that a crossover version of the C4 five door hatchback is under the veil but of course we can be wrong.

The C-Airscape Cabriolet on the other hand was unveiled at the Frankfurt last September and was conceived to be a preview of what the production model C5 sedan will look like.

A third-generation C8 MPV is also thought as the car under the wraps. It is developed in the platform-sharing PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat alliance. Likewise, a C3 Streetlounge model is also considered a possibility.

Are you easily deceived by those insurance people? In most cases, you are paying more than what you should lay your cash on with additional these and that. Knowing simple tactics to lower your car insurance can save you much and these tips is provided to you by Forbesautos.com. For now, let’s forget the insurance cavemen and geckos with these ten tips on lowering the insurance of your pricey vehicle.

1. Shop Around
Different companies charge different rates for the same coverage. Check your state insurance department's website to see if the carrier you plan on going with has a high number of complaints and use online resources like Bankrate.com to cross-shop insurances rates.

2. Maintain Good Credit
About 10 years ago, insurance carriers started using credit history and insurance scores, which are essentially credit scores with other factors thrown in, to determine premium rates.

3. Avoid Cars with High Repair Costs
Your premium is based in part on the car's sticker price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the likelihood of theft. Certain cars, like exotic sports cars and high-end luxury sedans, can be expensive to repair, so choosing not to buy one of those can have a big impact on insurance costs. Find out more about ownership costs that affect insurance rates here.

4. Look for Safe Cars
Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the chance of injuries or theft. These can include side airbags, anti-lock brakes, and daytime running lights, and anti-theft devices. Some states require insurers to give discounts for cars equipped with airbags or anti-lock brakes.

5. Get all Available Discounts
Taking a defensive driving class can bring a 10 percent discount on insurance. State Farm says that students with a GPA higher than 3.0 can get a discount of 25 percent, which is especially helpful because rates are generally higher for young drivers. Discounts are also available for retirees and members of certain associations, such as your alma mater or military group.

6. Raise Your Deductible
Jack Hungelmann, author of "Insurance for Dummies," suggests raising your deductible to something around $500, which he says most people can afford. Doing so may lower your premium or allow you more liability coverage, which he suggests is a good thing considering that critical-care costs can easily run into the six figures these days. But beware of duplicating coverage — see the ninth slide for more on this topic.

7. Reduce Coverage on Older Cars
Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars. "It may not be cost-effective to continue insuring cars that are worth less than 10 times the amount you would pay for coverage," says Mike Barry, VP for the Insurance Information Institute. "Any claim payment you would receive would not substantially exceed your premiums minus the deductible."

8. Drive Less — Pay Less
Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive fewer miles. Low-mileage discounts can also apply to drivers who carpool to work. In the past 10 years, Progressive has been a leader in installing devices in automobiles, called TripSensors, that measure the amount you drive and the company offers discounts of up to 25 percent for those who drive the least. But so far Progressive has only conducted the experiment on a pilot basis in several states and has yet to roll out a national program.

9. Be Wary of Optional Coverage
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurance that covers medical bills of drivers and passengers is not usually required in states without no-fault laws. "Be cautious when purchasing this coverage, for they can duplicate coverage you might pay through other insurance policies," the NAIC says.

10. Save Money Through One-Stop Shopping
Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them, according to the III's Barry. You may also get a reduction if you have one or more vehicles insured with the same company. Some insurers reduce premiums for long-time customers. "But shop around, you may save money buying from different insurance companies despite the multi-policy discount," Barry says.

Forbes Autos as part of its long list of lists (LOL) has revealed its Top 10 Luxury Vehicles with the Worst Resale Value. The list includes:

10. Cadillac SRX V8
MSRP: $43,870
Residual Value After Five Years: 27 percent

9. Ford Expedition V8 4WD
MSRP: $32,895
Residual Value After Five Years: 27 percent

8. Cadillac DTS V8
MSRP: $41,990
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent

7. Cadillac STS V6
MSRP: $42,765
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent

6. Lincoln MKZ AWD
MSRP: $31,765
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent

5. Mercedes-Benz E550
MSRP: $59,775
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent

4. Jaguar S-Type V6
MSRP: $49,000
Residual Value After Five Years: 25 percent

3. Jaguar X-Type Sedan and Wagon
MSRP: 34,995
Residual Value After Five Years: 25 percent

2. Mercury Grand Marquis LS
MSRP: $30,320
Residual Value After Five Years: 23 percent

1. Lincoln Town Car
MSRP: $42,985
Residual Value After Five Years: 17 percent

For more info on the Top 10 Luxury Vehicles with the Worst Resale Value kindly just visit forbesautos.com.