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“The Car Coach” Lauren Fix on what boosted U.S. auto sales in February and how rising gas prices will impact auto sales.
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Let's talk about US auto sales as we -- to that from energy they burned up the robber in February look at the Big Three.
I think if -- -- goes right to the top there Chrysler killing it notching its best February in four years.
Despite the speedy start to sales in 2000 -- -- well autos Thomas large bank says.
It's still too early to be popping the champagne bottles and she joins us now -- great to see yet.
-- Chrysler which I call the US unit at a bit of an Italian car company which is what it really is meant to have what -- they sell it because you see that 40% increase I imagine a lot of suvs and trucks but also some of the smaller cars right.
Right there's on the Chrysler 200 and at 300 and -- they've come in with a really nice product at a very good price.
And -- would consumers are looking forward always comes down to price.
Just like anything else price but yet we we saw for example the smaller Chrysler vehicle doing very well in sales.
The I believe it was the all electric fusion.
Up -- for forward looking very good to this sort of usual it's nice.
To see at least because for a while there it was really the suvs still driving these and it makes you then bring -- this to the question.
If gasoline does hit four dollar a gallon.
Nationwide average.
What happens -- -- RR the United States drivers in a slightly better position to absorb that cost.
Well four dollars was the magic number the last time guys gas prices went up.
And everybody kind of think oh my gosh I'm looking for our car you know maybe I'll look at a hybrid.
I'll -- or all electric plug in vehicle but now we're looking at -- people -- five dollars looks like that's that's our major number for people that's a really impact your pocketbook.
And that's when consumers start thinking you know what.
I -- -- -- looking other options but I always tell people don't have a knee jerk reaction and a lot and sell your car because your gonna -- huge hit on -- trading in at least you're coming to the end of one.
What I recommend people do is if you do -- vehicle that a lot of Smart things you can do to improve your driving style -- take care of your card the card here where those type of things are all gonna help.
That's really all you can do but to go on buying new vehicle -- you're looking at sales are up for January and February in the last few months of 2011.
That and that is no bearing on what's gonna happen with the rest this year if oil prices continue to grow like they are people are not gonna go on.
And buy these cars that are getting work fuel economy but thank you look at what Ford and GM aggressor putting -- putting out bigger cars to get better fuel economy war and let.
Talk electric if we can't because there were two different pictures coming out of these numbers on the one hand -- -- -- did very well of course they -- -- some from some pretty meager statistics they were selling well but they had a 69%.
Boost but look at the Nissan -- and other electric they went down 29% what did the Chevy Volt -- right that the Nissan leaf didn't last month.
Well little bit of memory will remind you that that's what the government life after GM for eligible buyers and all -- -- -- -- get docked.
Now that they said this is not the case that GM volt is a state vehicle people are back to buying -- as an option however.
Yesterday.
Nissan announced the leak is gonna be offered in all fifty states and I are gonna watch very numbers come up.
Overall they've sold more vehicles -- -- -- -- has.
But there's a lot of plug in electric or extended range vehicles you've got the fist around there even Fiat 500 going to be coming out in -- car.
Everybody's trying to offer this but what's really really interesting.
Is the luxury -- of these hybrid cars are selling like not at all.
You're looking at the BMW -- the Infiniti great product.
The hybrid plug ins or the they're just not -- people don't want -- when you're looking at a hybrid car they're going with a lower range price also because.
You've got to compensate for that -- -- Expenses are we -- think about these variables and you look at the real numbers you -- and why her car company producing a car that the high end luxury.
Hybrid and they're not like any at all Lauren -- 6350.
Good to see a Lauren thanks very much for explaining enough.
