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Buick Shows Off New Regal, LaCrosse at New York Auto Show

Today was the first day that the New York Auto Show was open to the public, but automakers were already showing off new vehicle models earlier this week including Buick’s premiere of the updated Regal and LaCrosse.

2012 was been Buick’s best sales year since 2006, and they are hoping that the New York Auto Show will give them an early sales boost in 2013. The Buick Regal had not performed as well as hoped in 2012 despite Buick’s otherwise good sales numbers, and Buick is hoping that the upgrades to the Regal will improve its sales in 2013.

Upgrades in the new Regal include a new 4.2-inch color display, LED daytime lamps and taillights, and a new grille. Buyers will also have the option of all-wheel drive as well as the choice between a new 2-liter turbocharged engine or a 2.4-liter engine and Buick’s eAssist technology. As for the LaCrosse, Buick focused less on changing up the exterior and more on updating the interior look and features including an eight-inch color display instrument panel and next-gen IntelliLink.

For more from the New York Auto Show, stay tuned to the Approved Loan Store blog!

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 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!

WardsAuto Announces 10 Best Interiors in April

Next month, WardsAuto will be narrowing down 47 competing vehicle interiors to only 10 for the honor of being named one of Ward’s 10 Best Interiors of 2013.

The top 3 automakers represented this year were General Motors with nine nominees, Toyota with seven nominees, and Honda with five nominees. Notably, the Ram 1500 was the only pickup truck nominated this year after having no pickup truck nominees last year.

WardsAuto editors serve as judges narrowing down and selecting the final list, and they judge interiors based on a wide variety of factors from the quality of materials used to safety features and “smart” car features. It seems like more expensive vehicles would have an edge over their competitors, but editors are less interested in price than what the driver is getting for their money. If the vehicle is a good price with a superior interior, it will have a better chance of making the list than an expensive car that doesn’t live up to its price tag.

The list will be announced next month, and WardsAuto will present the awards at a ceremony on May 22 in Dearborn, MI as part of the WardsAuto Interiors Conference. Stay tuned to the Approved Loan Store blog for the full list when it is announced.

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 the 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!

Kia Reveals Wonder Woman Sportage at New York Auto Show

This week, the New York Auto Show has taken over the city with James Bond driving the new Range Rover Sport through downtown Manhattan and over 40 vehicles making their New York show debuts. Every auto maker is trying to catch the public’s attention and keep it throughout the show. Kia’s Wonder Woman Sportage is not only bringing attention to the brand but also to a greater cause, Kia’s “We Can Be Heroes” initiative.

Last year, Kia kicked off its “We Can Be Heroes” initiative with a Batman-themed Optima and announced plans to unveil custom cars based on DC characters The Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman, Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. The Wonder Woman Sportage is the latest in the series to be revealed. All seven vehicles will be auctioned off, and funds will go towards Save the Children, International Rescue Committee, and Mercy Corps, specifically their work in the Horn of Africa.

So far, I’ve liked the looks of the Batman and Superman-themed Kias, but the Wonder Woman is easily the best design so far. The red and blue color combination pops, and the “W” grille looks fantastic. Time Magazine writer Brad Tuttle had predicted the Wonder Woman car would be the “girliest” of the bunch, but this is a car that anyone would want to drive.

Stay tuned to the Approved Loan Store blog for more updates and news from the New York Auto Show!

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 you the 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!

March Record Month for Nissan Leaf

If sales trends continue, March might be the best month ever for the Nissan Leaf.

The Nissan Leaf has struggled since its initial release to pull in big sales numbers, mostly due to its price, but Nissan has rolled out a number of discounts and incentives over the past year. Back in October, Nissan dropped the price for the Leaf, and drivers whose cars were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy were able to purchase the Leaf as well as other Nissan models using the typical employee discount. President Obama has also rolled out tax credits on qualifying hybrid, natural gas, and electric cars which includes the Nissan Leaf.

Across the board, electric cars saw a boost in November thanks to these discounts, but now the Nissan Leaf is looking to have its best sales month ever, selling more than 1,900 units in March. While Nissan leadership is pleased with the numbers, though, they are already pushing ahead. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was quoted, “Our ambition on the Leaf is not 2,000 a month. The target is much bigger than that. But we will have to be patient and resilient.”

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of the Nissan Leaf? Have Nissan’s incentives and discounts made you consider taking the Leaf 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 you 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 on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

NHTSA Releases New Mobile SaferCar App

A new phone app from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will keep users up to date on the latest recalls and auto safety information.

SaferCar, which is currently available on mobile iOS devices, allows users to search for vehicle safety ratings, read safety complaints, check for recalls, and even access a how-to guide for installing child seats. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated recently that there was a high demand for a mobile app of SaferCar which was previously available as a program on the NHTSA’s website, and LaHood says the mobile app version will help consumers “buy safe, drive safe, and stay safe.” For example, car shoppers can access the app when they are at a dealership and check safety ratings or any recalls on a specific model.

While we haven’t had a chance to check out the new app yet, Approved Loan Store is a big proponent of informed car shoppers. The online version of the SaferCar program has been a fantastic resource for consumers, and it is great that it will be available on-the-go. Currently, SaferCar is not available for Android phones or tablets, but an Android version is in development and will likely be available soon.

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, connect with Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

CFPB to Auto Dealerships: Remember Consumer Rights

At Approved Loan Store, we believe it is important for every consumer to understand their rights, particularly when it comes to auto loans, and we want to commend the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for reiterating those rights to dealerships and the general public this week.

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders cannot discriminate or alter the terms of a loan based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age. A person cannot be charged a higher interest rate if they are old or young, black or white, married or single, or a person with or without religious affiliations. The CFPB is helping people to understand their rights and issuing instructions on legal recourse if a consumer is the victim of discriminatory practices. CFPB Director Richard Cordray stated emphatically this week that, “Consumers should not have to pay more for a car loan simply based on their race,” and we at Approved Loan Store couldn’t agree more.

Right here is one of the reasons why our customers love Approved Loan Store. We work for you to get the best terms possible on a new or used car, and our special finance representatives are educated on all the latest consumer protection laws so they can look out for your best interests. Our process makes it buying a car more simple and enjoyable.

Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store is ready to help YOU! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, check out Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Survey: Two-Thirds of Drivers Lack Basic Insurance Knowledge

Car shoppers today are taking more time and doing more research before choosing their car, but unfortunately, they are not putting in the same amount of research with their auto insurance.

According to a new survey from Insurance.com, less than one-third of surveyed drivers had a basic comprehension of insurance coverage and terms. Many drivers struggled with insurance terminology. Only 2 percent knew what was covered in “comprehensive coverage,” and only 7 percent were aware of insurance discounts available to drivers. Even more baffling, surveyed drivers who took the time to read their whole policy scored the lowest.

One of the problems is the language used by insurance companies. It seems like “comprehensive coverage” should include collision with another car. In actuality, it covers a variety of circumstances including theft, accidentally hitting an animal, and fire, but an accident with another car is under collision coverage, not comprehensive coverage. Confusing contract language can get a driver in trouble if they think they are covered in an accident but are not.

NBC News recommends that drivers looking for insurance should avoid the online route and instead sit down with an insurance agent. An insurance agent will be able to explain any confusing language and help you get the right coverage to fit your needs. Buying insurance online might seem more convenient, but in the long run, you want insurance that will work for you, not the insurance that is most convenient.

Image courtesy of Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CONSUMER ALERT: Recalls for 2013 Ford Focus, C-Max, and Escape

Edmunds is reporting a new recall on the 2013 Ford Focus, C-Max, and Escape, starting March 25.

Some of these new Ford vehicles have a faulty child lock mechanism installed on the left door of the backseat. Child locks are supposed to automatically lock the backseat doors from the inside while the engine is turned on so that children in the back seat cannot accidentally open the door.

Ford will replace the locks on all affected vehicles, and until then, it is recommended that any small children be seated in the middle or on the right side of the backseat. Fortunately, there have not been any reported injuries related to the faulty child locks, and with the recall, Ford hopes to keep it that way.

Keep up with the latest auto news, recalls, and other consumer alerts by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube! Are you ready to get into a new 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.

Auto Sales Per Franchise Get Boost, Chrysler and VW Lead

In 2012 and so far in 2013, the auto industry has posted incredibly strong numbers, steadily building from one month to the next. As auto sales have risen, auto makers have held steady with the number of franchises with very few dropping stores and a few adding stores. This raises the question of whether there is enough demand to support all of these franchises. Fortunately, for now the answer is yes.

Last year, sales per store were on average up 15 percent. Chrysler and VW led the pack with 36 percent and 32 percent increases respectively. New vehicle sales have gone up 13 percent overall, and the average number of new-vehicle sales per franchise has gone up as well.

Chrysler was one of the bolder automakers in 2012. They were confident enough to add 55 franchises that year, even if it meant the number of sales per franchise was lower than the overall industry average. So far, it looks like their gamble might pay off with their sales per franchise is still growing, and they will be pulling in amazing numbers if all of their dealerships start matching the overall industry average.

The time is NOW to get that new or used car! Are you ready? Good credit, bad credit, no credit, Approved Loan Store wants to get you in the 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 jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Volvo Updates City Safety for Bicyclists, Pedestrians

Auto safety has improved leaps and bounds in the past few years, not only for drivers and passengers but for pedestrians as well. Volvo has been a leader in this regard, presenting pedestrian air bags at the Geneva Motor Show last year, and this week, they unveiled another stunner. New Volvos will be able to sense pedestrians and bicyclists on the road and help drivers avoid a collision.

The new technology is an update to Volvo’s three-year-old City Safety system which reduces distracted driving accidents and accidents caused by human error. City Safety alerts the driver if the car is on course for a collision and applies the brakes if the driver does not respond to the warning. The original system could detect and monitor other vehicles, but the update expands its detection system to include bicyclists and pedestrians. This system does not give drivers the ability to drive without watching the road but rather serves as a safeguard in high-stress driving scenarios.

Doug Speck, Volvo’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service, was optimistic about the new system and what it means for the future of Volvo, stating, “By covering more and more objects and situations, we reinforce our world-leading position within automotive safety. We keep moving towards our long-term vision to design cars that do not crash.”

The new system will be available May 2013 in the V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70, and S80, and pricing has not yet been announced. Volvo owners can also expect additional updates in the next few years that cover large animals such as deer or small animals like dogs or cats.

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 new and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!