As Chrysler, one of the struggling “Big Three” US automakers, deals with the public relations fallout of filing for bankruptcy, it hopes to win back wary car buyers with sales incentives. The program of incentives is also designed to reduce the car maker’s vast inventory of unsold vehicles.
Exotic car fans are closely watching the dealings of Chrysler, as rumors circulate about the American automaker’s alliance with Italian carmaker Fiat. Fiat owns both Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.
For Chrysler, survival will likely take more than the deal with Fiat. After filing for bankruptcy protection last Thursday, Chrysler has a lot to prove. Automobile consumers are nervous about purchasing Chrysler products and concerned that failure of the company might mean bad things for warranties.
Newly designed ads for Chrysler cars stress that warranties are guaranteed by the United States government. Sales incentives are designed to allay consumers’ fears and give the ailing corporation a shot in the arm.
The total savings for some cars could be as much as $6,000, and individual dealers are slashing profit margins to provide additional savings. Dealers are desperate to keep the car maker viable and report that consumers are extremely concerned about the future of the company.
For many of our readers, the saddest news from Chrysler was the demise of the Dodge Viper. If you’re missing the Viper, why not rent a Viper in Dallas from DFW Elite Auto Rental.
For exotic car fans, it can make more sense to rent an exotic vehicle, rather than hassle with the many inconveniences and worries that come with ownership. With exotic car rental, there’s no worrying about whether the automaker will honor warranties.
Exotic car sharing clubs are another great way to drive your dream car without shelling out the cash to buy it. Besides the high initial purchase price of most exotic cars, there’s also the challenge of finding secure, climate-controlled exotic car storage, the expense of maintenance, and the high cost of insuring an exotic vehicle.
(Dallas Bentley Rental photo courtesy of DFW Elite Auto Rental, the premier exotic car rental agency in DFW. Photo by photographer Josh Davis.)
There’s also a lot less commitment when you rent an exotic car or join an exotic car sharing club. You can rent a convertible for the weekend and don’t have to worry about owning it for the next several years. For recession-conscious consumers, this lack of commitment can be of great value.
Consumers’ concern about committing to an auto purchase has made this a tough year for automakers. Most people are rethinking the idea of taking out large auto loans and are focusing on finding fuel-efficient cars. Chrysler is redesigning its product line to appeal to consumers who want smaller cars with good gas mileage.
The incentives may help. In the past, incentives have been a helpful tool in increasing auto sales, and Chrysler hopes that significant savings will draw consumers in.
Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.
