Auto Lending News Reports:
Used cars in Britain have actually been going up in value over the past year - by as much as 25%-30%. Used car stocks have dwindled to an all-time low and prices may go still higher. Companies are delaying fleet replacement and the scrappage scheme is taking cars off the road. Earlier this year it was reported that some new cars were cheaper than used ones. Bonkers. So there you have it. If you have any spare cash, maybe put it in used cars. The old maxim that by the time you read about the business opportunity it's probably gone, may well not apply in this case. The UK's scrappage scheme has just been extended and most big companies running fleets are still financially traumatised.
FEATURE: Signs of recovery in UK used car market
Provided by the Auto News RSS Feed: Used cars - a nice little earner
Auto Lending News Reports:
Someone overtook me in an urban area the other day - in a 30mph zone. I was perhaps nudging 35. Although the road was in a residential area, I figured I was safe to be slightly over the 30, not that I am condoning breaking the law. All roads have a kind of natural speed limit and this was one where 30 was a bit tight.
But the person who overtook me - obviously transporting a woman giving birth or having just learned that his house was on fire - was doing more like 50mph and well and truly crossing the line into reckless behaviour. And, of course, it was a guy without a care in the world kindly letting the whole neighbourhood in on his musical taste (strangely enough, not Mozart but something that I would imagine the CIA might recommend in its 'enhanced interrogation techniques for beginners' manual).
Now then, as is common in such situations, I caught the fellow up at the next set of traffic lights. Once upon a time I might have resorted to a firm stare at the rogue or even, in extremis, a hand gesture to communicate my displeasure at his actions. I tend not to risk inviting a disproportionate response these days.
I came across an 'innovation' recently that allows you to customise an LED-based image or message in your wheel hub. The clip on YouTube is a hoot and it is amazing what people will come up with. It makes you think. I could just drive past the reckless one with a message in the relevant wheel that says simply 'UR a tool'. Of course, to do that so he saw it, I'd have to overtake him, so maybe I would be best to leave it. And it is probably best for one's overall state of mind and blood pressure not to get riled by such things.
Maybe I could put something more positive in the wheel hub - 'Nice day, isn't it?' Or weirdly comical - 'I'm not normal'; 'back off - swine flu'; 'Jesus loves U, but I don't'. The possibilities are endless and maybe advertisers and social networkers could be very interested. Could be yet another distraction for drivers though, if it really took off. Will it just be a bling niche product?
Provided by the Auto News RSS Feed: Talking to strangers
Auto Lending News Reports:
Times are hard for everyone these days. Even for the local Sheriff's office.
An unnamed bank has repossessed five police cars of the Alexander County (Ill.) Sheriff's office, forcing some deputies to find alternative means of transportation. The department still has a few police cars, but one deputy described them as "junkers" to a local television station. The report did not mention which institution repossessed the vehicles.
The Sheriff recently announced plans to lay off 75% of the department's work force.
Provided by the Auto News RSS Feed: Police Department Receives Visit From Repo Man
