The More Things Change...The More Things...Change

Whether you are in the market for a new car or a used car, you'll likely fall into one of several types of buyer categories. Those that focus on price, those that focus on a payment, and those that focus on the 'big picture'. What historically has been called 'total cost of owership', Edmunds calls "Lowest True Cost to Own". Honda buyers are typically quite analytical and while they are concerned with price and payments, they find great solace in this "True Cost to Own". It's a measure that aligns well with a budget oriented approach to the acquistion of a car or any large depreciable investment. So that's the background!

The Headline is: Honda takes Five Top awards, from Edmunds, for low-cost cars...Honda cars won in five categories in the 2011 "Lowest True Cost to Own" rankings, according to Edmunds.

Ipads and Smartphones are in the House(Honda Cars of Bradenton)

Let me know if your shopping behavior is changing. That is, your 'online' shopping behavior. Reports have it, that day after day, more and more consumers are using their mobile device to gather an abundance of information about making their next car purchase.

Are you shopping on your Smartphone or with your tablet?

This was the conclusion that was drawn by Jumptap, a Cambridge, Massachusetts firm that specializes in mobile advertising. This firm also wants to provide value added information to auto manufacturers so that they can target their car-buying more precisely and in a more timely fashion.

Turns out Jumptap did extensive statistical analysis, aka, number crunching, of Internet traffic from comScore. They found that internet traffic to mobile automotive sites is ramping up...not just in a linear fashion...but EXPONENTIALLY!

Historically online auto sites are growing by 30% per year. While Mobile auto site traffic is growing in three digit % figures. Some reports have that figure over 400% year over year.

Personally I know that over the past year my own personal shopping on the internet has grown dramatically...and the percentage of those purchases have been made using my Android phone.

Now I guess I'm just another statistic. What about you?

As far as 'surveys' go....I like this one!

According to a YouGov/BrandIndex survey, the top three most favorable percieved brands among AMERICAN Consumers include two American Automotive firms and Honda! I remember having a hard time buying my first 'import' car. At the time it seemed somehow unpatriotic to do so. How far we've come since then. Honda, in the top three of the most favorable percieved brands among American consumers. I can live with that.

Only In America!!! Good for U.S.!!! Seize the Opportunity!

From several sources it appears that the old saying, "your car will never be worth more than it is today" may be temporarily out of date. In many markets used cars are actually appreciating! It's unbelievable to some and a great opportunity to many. With this, the used car market in on fire! And this is an 'across the board' phenomenon. From High-line used cars down to the bare basic cars that find first time buyers behind the wheel, these vehicles are commanding the highest premium prices ever seen. It just may be the right time to bring your car into Honda Cars of Bradenton so we can professionally appraise it. You may be in a very strong position to make that 'Deal of a Lifetime' that we call the 'Real Deal'.