Jesse Toprak Quotes (23 Quotes)

GM's success earlier this summer has really taken its toll on inventory levels for several models, limiting their ability to have another terrific month, ... And there appears to be relatively little momentum left in GM's employee discount incentive program now that it is in its third month.

When you adjust for selling days, auto sales are essentially flat compared with this time last year. We anticipate May will be more robust.

From a practical aspect, when you do the math the hybrid alternative is not always best financial choice because they cost more, and so a smaller car with a fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon is an attractive alternative, especially in urban areas.

It's a tough time when you have a new model that people are waiting to purchase in the coming months.

It's not a surprise at all, and I think it will continue in the near future the next three to five years.

They basically want to lower the sticker price closer to transaction price and lower the incentive, but not get rid of it altogether. Whenever there are large rebates, it has impact on perception, on customer attitudes and an impact on resale value.

Toyota has the right product, right image, and right distribution system. The consumer mindset has permanently changed already because of the prolonged nature of high gas prices.

They're in a very competitive mode for the Camry. It's the best-selling car, and Toyota wants to keep that title.

The only thing that's perhaps different is that Ford and GM did not go through the route of increased pricing and incentives whereas with Jeep, it's continued business as usual.

A total price in the low 20,000 range, I think, opens the door to the mass market.

February sales are typically much more robust than January's, but some may be surprised that this month even exceeded last February's sales. We attribute this in part to dramatically renewed consumer interest in compact vehicles.

Generally speaking, the longer you plan to keep the vehicle the more attractive the low APR is for you. On the other hand, if you plan to keep the vehicle for three years or less, the cash rebate may be better. In the shorter amount of time, you simply won't be able to make up as much in interest savings as you will with the cash rebate.

This month, compact cars and compact SUVs are selling particularly well, while sales of trucks, luxury cars and large cars are suffering. That along with the seasonal dip accounts for the domestics' substantial decline in unit sales from December to January.

As far as impact on sales of Chevy trucks, there was very little. A 10 percent increase in fuel efficiency isn't going to make people rush into these vehicles.

Incentives do work, up to a certain point, to give sort of a stimuli to sales and bring showroom traffic. It's just that you can't rely on incentives to bring people into the showroom day after day. It gives people a sense of urgency. You need to get this deal now because tomorrow, it's not going to be here.

If people go in with the idea they are saving money, they are mistaken,

The debate on gas prices has accelerated the end of the life cycle for many old-style SUVs. But the SUV segment was already undergoing changes well before gas prices became an issue.

Their estimate may actually be a bit conservative. A more realistic number may be 9.2 million. We've got GM at right under 9 million.

This is a total shift. Five years ago they wouldn't have even asked. It's not crisis mode ... but I think if people are ready to buy a new vehicle, they will seriously consider something that is gas efficient.

If people are comparing sticker prices, lower prices will certainly make their cars more attractive. What really brings success to brands is good product. Playing with pricing alone isn't going to enable them to recover their market share. But I do believe a lot of their cars are overpriced and they needed an adjustment.

There has been a permanent shift in consumers' minds as far as gas prices goes. The sustained nature of gas prices has changed how people buy.

Just three years ago, people ignored the fuel economy numbers on the sticker. Now it's one of the first things people ask about, especially the middle-income families.

As we are seeing higher interest rates, it's more beneficial for consumers to go with the zero percent than the cash rebate.