Less Cars on Highways, But How?

Well, as promised, (March 15, '09) we are going to talk about the phenomena of the vanishing vehicle, in the US. A March 13,'09 CNNMoney.com article stated, that cars being turned in for scrap, out numbered the cars being sold by dealers. This is something that has not happened since 1945. I believe, as consumers, we are just tired of the junk being produced and putting them were they belong, IN THE JUNK YARD! Admittedly, that may be a little off base, however, it is a sentiment we encounter in our daily talks with drivers. More cars breaking down, vehicles not getting the MPG we hoped for, and the rising cost of maintenance are topics that are discussed by our clients. The government has long tried to enforce the EPA, MPG and safe standards, in an effort to improve, the vehicles offered for purchase in the US. So far, only the Asian auto makers are making the cut and sales figures prove it. So, is it really a wonder, US made cars are making there way to the scrap heap? The article also hits another factor, the economy.

Consumers are thinking before buying, therefore, keeping the older car in lieu of making a new purchase. This leads to older cars on the road that will eventually have to be replaced or scraped. As an instructor of the awareness method, I felt you should know this. Older vehicles on the highway are an issue we must be prepared to encounter. Vehicles breaking down or stalling on busy metro routes, stranded drivers on the shoulder of the roadways, vehicles not properly maintained being factors in collisions and drivers despaired by their situation. Harmony on the Highways, considers all these elements when preparing for a session.

Now get ready for this! In our recent research, we have discovered another possibility for the disappearance of these cars. It is related to the economy and comes from the dealers themselves.
We found a recent FORBES article that outlines how, dealer despair, may be a contributing factor to the declining vehicle numbers. GM and the other US auto makers have been reducing dealers in rapid succession. The recent visits to Capitol Hill, have the big guys working diligently, to prune the number of dealerships, in an all out restructuring of their financial situation. The reduction has some dealers taking desperate measures to free themselves of the burdens. Setting inventory on fire, selling for cost and taking the money and running and even murder or suicide.
The article, though short, is very impactful and thought provoking.

It is truly, a sad state of affairs, for these dealers to be pushed to such a point. Harmony on the Highways, would like your comments on these articles, so we can improve our courses for our clients. If these situations, are having effects on your commute, we want to know.

Thanks for reading and think about that "clunker" next to you. It deserves respect too.