The Automotive Industry And 2008 – What Will The Future Hold?
Rising fuel prices, unstable financial markets and taxation changes with the apparent aim of getting us to use our cars less often (or at least pay more to use them) have been just some of the issues that have affected the automotive industry in the past 12 months. This article looks at what 2008 may hold for the automotive industry and road users in general.
The US economy and the resulting weakness of the dollar looks like it may well contribute to the price of crude oil continuing to rise as investors have been holding the commodity instead of dollars. This means that as the cost of a barrel of crude oil comes close to the $100 figure then so fuel prices have also continued to rise.
So do higher fuel costs mean we are likely to buy or use cars, vans and Lorries less in 2008? Well seemingly not based on a latest poll of motorists. Despite fuel prices increasing at alarming rates a whopping 79 percent of motorists questioned said they had not changed their petrol and fuel buying habits and had no plans to do so. In fact the motorists questioned said petrol prices would have to increase at even more alarming rates to stop them from filling up.
Environmental issues would it seem not be as important as governments throughout the world as over 1 in 3 motorists confirmed they had no plans to replace their vehicles for more environmentally friendly cars before 2010.
And so if motorists are seemingly unaffected by rising fuel costs and are prepared to continue driving despite increased road tax and the impact on the environment surely positive times are ahead for the industry in 2008?
Well before car manufacturers and dealers start doing cartwheels, caution would certainly be advised as whilst General Motors can seen promising performance in emerging markets they have seen big losses in both American and European markets.
And with the world economy in such an uncertain state as 2007 draws to a close 2008 could well see new car sales fall with used car sales increasing. Car sales and indeed sales of all types are also likely to increase via the internet in 2008 so car dealers (new and used) without an internet presence should really be looking at establishing themselves in this emerging marketplace.
And what of the actual motorist, what does 2008 have in store for us? Well how about further increases in vehicle tax, more toll roads, increased congestion charges and still a seeming lack of a viable alternative to road use through reliable, clean and safe public transport.
The good news for some motorists on one front is that whilst the government is seemingly do all they can to penalise the motorist, insurance premiums including car insurance, van insurance and motor trade insurance are pretty stable. In fact with such competition in the insurance industry the cost of insurance like combined motor trade insurance could even fall and savings could be made.
And motor traders who are looking to make savings on their motor trade insurance premiums in 2008 using a specialist insurance broker could well be the route to take to make sure they get the protection they need at a price that is right.
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How To Find Affordable Automobile Insurance In Tennessee
One of the easiest ways to find affordable automobile insurance in Tennessee is to purchase only the state’s minimum car insurance requirements, also referred to as liability coverage. That is, if you can swing it. In Tennessee, those requirements are as follows: $10,000 for Property Damage Liability, $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person and $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident. By purchasing no more than those amounts of coverage, you’ll most likely find cheap car insurance in Tennessee.
If you choose to obtain cheap car insurance in Tennessee by means of purchasing auto coverage that handles only the state’s minimum car insurance requirements, your premiums may still vary from your neighbor’s. This is due to individual factors auto insurers use to determine your rates including gender, age, credit score, driving record and the type of vehicle you drive. However, paying for the lowest amount of coverage allowable still means you’ll most likely pay the cheapest Tennessee auto insurance rates for you.
Obtaining affordable automobile insurance in Tennessee through the state’s minimum car insurance requirements provides the least amount of coverage. Trying to purchase auto coverage to satisfy only the minimum requirements causes other problems to arise. You see, not everyone is eligible to purchase basic liability car insurance. For example, if you financed your car through a bank or another lender, you may be required to purchase full coverage car insurance. Once you own the vehicle outright, however, you can enjoy cheap car insurance in Tennessee by switching to the state’s liability insurance requirements.
Remember, Tennessee’s basic liability coverage protects just that ? your liability. You’ll only receive collision and comprehensive coverage if you purchase some sort of “full coverage” policy. If your budget or loan situation demands it, purchasing Tennessee’s minimum car insurance requirements in order to obtain affordable automobile insurance in Tennessee is ideal. You can always upgrade to a full coverage insurance policy when you’re ready.
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How To Save Money And Get Discount Automobile Insurance In Washington
If you happen to fall into a high risk group when it comes to automobile insurance, unfortunately you’re going to have to pay the price. In Washington State the law is fairly simple: automobile insurance companies are permitted to charge rates that reflect a person’s age and gender. For young men, who fall into the category of high risk drivers, this can mean very expensive premiums.
There are ways to reduce those costs, including:
? Taking a driver’s preparation course. Many insurance companies offer a discount to high risk drivers who take safety classes. Proof of completion of the course will need to be presented to enjoy this benefit.
? Being married. Although you likely don’t want to get married just to save on car insurance costs, it’s good to note that many insurance companies will offer a discount for married couples.
? Moving to a less populated city. If you live in a locale that is highly populated, it poses more of a risk and therefore your rates may be reflective of that. Many people who live in remote areas pay substantially less in premiums for their vehicles.
? Driving history. The more speeding tickets and accident claims you have, the higher your premiums will be. Driving legally and safely always can really reduce insurance costs.
The biggest thing to remember when you are a young or high risk driver is that each year that passes that you remain claim-free helps improve your chances of lower insurance costs. For a young person just learning to drive, one of the best options is for them to be placed as an occasional driver under a parent’s policy. Over time, they’ll build up a solid reputation as a good driver and this will help when it comes time to shop for their own policy.
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