Tag Archives: 2012

2013 in Review: Top Brands, Top Cars, and Lots of Growth

2013 was an exciting year for the auto industry. Repossessions and late payments were down, sales at individual franchises were up, and a third of auto loans approved are for subprime credit consumers. Dealerships are selling more cars, and more consumers can obtain an auto loan with low interest rates.

Of course, the million dollar question at the end of the year is which brand came out on top. Which models sold the most units in 2013, and which brands saw the most improvement? According to figures compiled by Autoblog.com, Ford was the best-selling brand of 2013, and General Motors was the best-selling car company of 2013. Jaguar as a brand and as a company had the biggest growth, 41.1 percent growth brand-wise and 20.2 percent growth as a company.

Unfortunately, Fiat could not hold onto the momentum from the end of 2012, where they saw a 121.4 percent volume growth. At the end of 2013, Fiat was one of the brands that ended the year below their previous year, a 1.2 percent drop in volume, though Volvo had the biggest sales volume drop of the year with a 10.1 percent dip. Overall, however, most brands performed very well, and the brands with volume sales decrease saw a relatively small drop in sales.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Did you purchase a new or used car in 2013? If the answer is yes, tell us about your new car in the comments section below! If the answer is no, tell us why in the comments section as well. With low interest rates (even for subprime credit buyers), there is no better time to buy than now!

Are you ready to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and connect with Approved Loan Store online on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

October: Honda Civic Outsells the Competition

In 2012, the Ford Focus beat out the Toyota Corolla for the distinction of the world’s best-selling car. As numbers from October are released, however, another challenger has emerged and beat out the Focus for the month.

The Honda Civic sold 27,328 units in the United States in October, beating out the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra. Last year, the Toyota Corolla won the month of October with 20,949 units sold, followed by the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra. The Honda Civic is also leading compact sales for 2013 so far with 280,889 units sold.

Interestingly enough, the Ford Focus was the world’s top seller of 2012, and currently it is in fourth place for U.S. year-to-date sales with 203,762 units sold, trailing the Civic by 77,127 units. The Focus didn’t even beat its previous year’s U.S. sales numbers. In 2012, the Ford Focus sold 18,320 units, and in 2013, it only sold 15,108 units.

At the time of publication, the starting MSRP for the 2014 Ford Focus is $16,310, and the starting MSRP for the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe is $17,965.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Which compact car do you think deserves to be the world’s best-seller? What about America’s best-seller? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Whether if you’re trading in, looking for a good deal on a used car, or ready to buy your first car, Approved Loan Store is here to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

2014 Kia Soul Priced Under $15,000

Buying a new car on a budget can be tough, but Kia is making it a little bit easier with a price tag under $15,000 on the 2014 Soul.

Yesterday, Kia announced that the 2014 Kia Soul, their crossover “urban passenger vehicle,” will be starting at $14,700 MSRP plus $795 in destination charges. Sales for the Soul in the United States have gone steadily up each year. Back in 2009, Kia sold 31,621 units in the United States, and last year, Kia sold 115,778 units. So far in 2013, Kia is looking to surpass their 2012 sales number with 73,191 recorded sales at the end of July.

The new Soul is a bit of an upgrade and will offer some solid standard features considering the low price. Standard features on the base model include 4-wheel antilock braking system, a 1.6-liter inline-four engine, Sirius XM audio system with 6 speakers, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and trip computer. Car buyers can also spring for the Kia Soul Plus or Exclaim which come with additional features starting at $18,200 and $20,300 respectively.

Are you looking to get into a Kia Soul? How about a Dodge, a Hyundai, or a BMW? No matter what you are looking for, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Kia Reveals Final Justice League-Themed Sorento

For the past year, Kia has been auctioning off Justice League-themed vehicles to benefit the DC Entertainment’s charity We Can Be Heroes. These specialty vehicles have included a Batman Kia Optima as part of New York Comic Con, a Wonder Woman Sportage, and five other vehicles based on Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg.

Bringing the project full circle, Kia revealed the final Justice League vehicle at the San Diego Comic Con last week. The final vehicle was a Kia Sorento with all seven members of the Justice League featured prominently on the side of the vehicle and “Justice League” printed across the hood of the car. Inside, each seat is themed around a Justice League member with Superman in the driver’s seat. Famed comic book writer and artist Jim Lee designed the vehicle.

Bidding for the Sorento ends today, and with 18 bids, the Sorento is currently going for $38,100. To bid on the Sorento or any of the other auction items, go to http://stores.ebay.com/we-can-be-heroes.

From Kias to Chryslers, Mazdas, and more, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Nissan Leaf Quadruples Sales, Inventory Running Low

July is almost over, and with 2013 more than halfway done, it is becoming clearer that this is the year for the Nissan Leaf.

Back in March, Nissan broke sales records selling over 1,900 units that month, and for the past few months, Nissan has sold more than 2,000 units each month. The popularity of the Leaf can be attributed to the recovering economy as well as tax credits up to $7,500 and other incentives, though it seems like Nissan was even surprised that the Leaf is selling four-times its numbers from 2012.

The one downside to the Leaf’s sudden popularity is that Nissan might not have enough inventory to keep up with demand. Erik Gottfried, Nissan’s director of electric vehicle sales and marketing, recently admitted that Nissan would be running short on their Leaf inventory, stating, “It will be late fall before we can produce enough to satisfy everybody.” Car shoppers who want to pick up the Nissan Leaf before the end of the summer will want to get into a dealership as soon as possible. Otherwise, they might have to wait until this fall for Nissan to replenish their inventory.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Have you taken the Nissan Leaf for a test drive yet? With its rising popularity and the tax credits, are you more likely to research and possibly purchase it? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Summer time is here! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

New Car Financing: 2014 Versa Note Price Under $15,000

Nissan has recently announced the pricing on the 2014 Versa Note, and car shoppers on a limited budget will be happy to hear that the base price is still very low.

According to Nissan, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note has base price of $14,780 which includes shipping. This is actually a price drop compared to the 2012 Versa hatchback which started from $15,450, shipping included. The new Versa Note will have a fuel economy of 36 mpg highway, 27 mpg city and come standard equipped with a trip computer, speed-sensitive volume control, Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System, Vehicle Dynamic Control, and AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio input jack.

The only real downside to the new Versa Note is that it loses some power over the 2012 Versa hatchback. For an economy car, though, it is hard to complain about the list of features that come standard and the price for a new car.

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of the 2014 Nissan Versa Note? Would you take it for a test drive? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

In Five Months, Ford Breaks Yearly Hybrid Sales Record

May is barely over, and Ford has announced that they have already sold more hybrid vehicles in the first five months of 2013 than in the entirety of 2010, its previous full-year record.

So far in 2013, Ford has sold 37,000 hybrid vehicles including the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Energi, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Fusion Energi, and Lincoln MKZ. Even more exciting, sales numbers are up 375 percent compared to the first five months of 2012.

For years, the Toyota Prius has been the hybrid to beat, and there is no denying that it is still the big dog in hybrid vehicles. In California, the Prius beat out all other vehicles in the first quarter of the year, including its gasoline and diesel-powered competitors. It is vital, however, that there is some competition in the hybrid market. Automakers like Toyota will be forced to work harder and deliver a better product, and car buyers will have more great cars to choose from. Ultimately, consumers will win.

Want more auto news and buying tips? Like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube, and if you are looking to get into a new or used car, get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here.

Survey: Americans Spending Tax Refund on New Cars, Auto Repairs

A new survey shows that Americans are already planning how to spend their tax refund, and the results point to a very happy spring for car dealerships across the country.

Out of the surveyed consumers, 68 percent expected to get a tax refund, and out of those consumers, a third will either spend the refund on a new or used car or spend it on car repairs. While the average tax refund amount is $2,900, the average amount they will put towards purchasing a new car or repairing their car is over $1,000.

During this time of the year, auto dealerships have the opportunity to close a lot of deals and move a significant amount of inventory. The survey showed that car buyers are just as interested in used cars as new cars, so if dealerships take the right marketing approach, they could see a spike in both new and used car sales.

For car buyers, this is also great news. Dealerships will be ready for a surge of customers, and many will offer seasonal incentives and deals in preparation of tax time. Besides that, having a tax refund ready as a down payment will give car buyers more options as far as available vehicles and flexible financing.

Is your tax refund burning a hole in your pocket? Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Major Recall Affects Over 3 Million Vehicles Worldwide

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan announced this morning that they would be recalling over 3 million vehicles worldwide due to faulty passenger-side air bags.

According to the Associated Press, the inflator on the air bags could potentially burst and send loose plastic pieces flying at passengers. So far, Toyota has had five reports of air bag problems, but fortunately none of the automakers have received reports of injuries.

Toyota will be recalling approximately 1.7 million vehicles including Corollas, Tundras, and other models produced between November 2000 and March 2004, and Honda and Nissan will recall 1.1 million and 480,000 vehicles respectively. Of the vehicles recalled, approximately 1.26 million of those vehicles are in North America.

To find out if your car has been affected by the recall, Toyota owners can find out more information here, Honda owners can find out more here, and Nissan owners can find out more here.

Are you ready to get into a new or used vehicle today? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Ford Focus Top Nameplate of 2012

This week, the 2012 Polk global market registration data was finally completed, and the worldwide top-selling vehicles of 2012 were announced. There were a few surprises in the top 10, but Ford walked away with the top spot and the most representation on the list.

The Ford Focus was the top-selling nameplate in 2012 with over a million units. To be exact, it was 1,020,410 units, a 16 percent increase from 2011. Toyota Corolla came in second place with 872,774, followed by the Ford F-Series. Ford’s third model in the top 10 was the Ford Fiesta at number 6 with 723,130 units.

Here is the full list:

Ford Focus – 1,020,410
Toyota Corolla – 872,774
Ford F-Series – 785,630
Wuling Zhiguang – 768,870
Toyota Camry – 729,793
Ford Fiesta =- 723,130
VW Golf – 699,148
Chevrolet Cruze – 661,325
Honda Civic – 651,159
Honda CR-V – 624,982

In a press release, Ford was clearly celebrating their rankings. Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president, stated, “Focus and Fiesta represent the culmination of our One Ford global product strategy. Our global products are resonating with customers…With additional manufacturing capacity added last year, we now have a tremendous opportunity to further strengthen our global small car sales in 2013, with sales already off to a very strong start already.”

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of last year’s top 10 bestsellers? Have you taken any of them for a test drive? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!