Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.

January 2011
 

Automotive News and Views
by Jeff Barron, President of Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.
In This Issue
Chrysler's Italian Accent
Track your pet or kid with GPS
Two cars you probably won't lease from us
GM vs Toyota, and GM over there outsells GM over here
Used Car Corner
Useful Resources

Jeff Barron
5-Minute Coffee Break

Fuel economy and technology.  Those are the two automotive-related items that in my opinion will be the most discussed over the next few years.  Fuel economy is not an exciting subject but it is a painful reality, especially if you operate a fleet of working vehicles.  But technology is fun to discuss and I don't envy automotive engineers who are trying to anticipate the rapidly evolving world of personal communication and entertainment devices.  Remember, cars being engineered today won't be on the market for two to three years. Think how often we switch cell phones, and then how often we switch cars.  
 

Consider your music.  If you were born in the mid-1960s or before, you've had the pleasure of singing along with the following media:
  • AM radio (both mono and now stereo)
  • FM (mono and stereo)
  • 8-track tapes 
  • cassette tapes
  • digital audio tapes (DATs)
  • mini discs
  • compact discs (CDs)
  • DVD audio discs
  • satellite radio (XM and Sirius)
  • MP3 players (iPod, etc)
  • flash drives (thumb drives)
  • HD radio
  • wired and Bluetooth smartphones
  • built-in hard drives

(Sure, there were some cars in the 1950s that played vinyl records. But the needle would skip unless you were parked, and the records would melt on a hot day.)

 

So how cool is it that you can store 2500 songs on your iPhone?  Imagine how many 8-tracks that would take.  You'd have to pull a trailer.  The music formats have certainly gotten better, even if your singing hasn't. 

 

Besides broadcast radio, the longest run was the cassette deck.  They ran from the 1970s all the way through some 2007 models.  Car CD players started around 1990 and are still present but will eventually give way to built-in hard drives that download and store your digital music from the web, satellites, your smartphone, or Ipod. Already, there are aftermarket car stereos with no CD player, just USB inputs and Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming and telephone calls, all for less than $200. 

 

Okay, how many of you still have cartons of albums or 8-tracks in your closet?

 

Jeff Barron

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Chrysler, with a lovely Italian accent
 
Two years ago, when it was announced that Fiat would take over Chrysler, there were two responses from the automotive world.  One was hope that Chrysler would actually survive bankruptcy and see another day.  While the second was trepidation because the mess that Chrysler was in was partly the result of its previous marriage to another European carmaker, Daimler Benz.  Chrysler's German partner never truly integrated Chrysler into its operation and basically used leftover Mercedes technology in certain products and platforms.  Fiat, on the other hand, is moving swiftly to integrate platforms, engines, transmissions, technologies, and even manufacturing plants.  With Fiat's help, Chrysler is rolling out some heavily revised (and improved) versions of its current models, as well as some all-new vehicles that were already underway. They are focusing on the quality of the interiors and the suspension & handling; two areas that Italians definitely understand.  You'll just have to get in one and drive to see the improvements.
2012 Chrysler 300

2011 Chrysler 300 

Over the next few years, you will see more all-new products coming from joint Fiat and Chrysler design teams.  These will be sold in the U.S. as Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps, and abroad as Fiats, Lancias, and certain Alfa Romeos.  One notable item will be the return of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer nameplate, which will be a 3-row, 7-passenger SUV built on a lengthened version of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee platform.

 

As I mentioned a few issues ago, disregard what you remember of the 1970s; Fiats today are among the best looking and best engineered cars around.  And hey, they own Ferrari.

 

 

Helpful gizmos

 

GPS (global positioning satellite) technology seems to be permeating our lives, especially through our smartphones.  Frankly, it's kind of creepy when the app on your phone knows the neighborhood you're in and texts you with special offers from the nearby shops and restaurants. Cool, but creepy.  And speaking of GPS tracking, ever want to attach a tiny James Bond-like device to something, or someone,Garmin GTU-10 so you could track its whereabouts?  Garmin has just introduced a $199 device that you can clip to your dog's collar, your kid's backpack, your teenager's car, or those keys you can never find.  Called, the GTU-10, the device can run four weeks between charges and can be tracked on a PC, iPhone, or Android phone. 

Other GPS-based tools I've found useful are those that lock out the texting and email functions of your smartphone while your car is moving.  These inexpensive apps will use the phone's GPS to sense when the car is moving and lock out most of the funtions until the car has come to a stop again. They will also send automatic replies so your friends & colleagues don't think you're ignoring them.  Other applications will read your texts and emails aloud and can also send auto-replies.  All of these are especially good for young drivers who have no willpower. 

Many of you are finding new in-car uses for your Apple iPad, including its ability to function as a full-screen GPS navigation system and movie player.  There are several in-car mounting brackets that attach your pad to the windshield, the floor, or even your air vents.  BMW is even offering rear-seat mounts for the new X3 so your dumplings can watch movies.
X3 iPad
iPad movies in BMW X3

 

 


Two cars you probably won't lease from us 

  

Unless you are a Formula One racing fan, you've probably never heard of McLaren.  McLaren has been around since the 1960s and is recognized as a true innovator in automotive technologies and engineering. They actually manufactured a road going sports car in the 1990s that sold for a cool $1 million and still holds up well against the latest supercars from Ferrari and Lamborghini.  If you've always wanted a McLaren and didn't want to liquidate your vast gold reserves, or you've been shopping Aston Martins or the new Mercedes Gullwing but wanted just that much more exclusivity, consider the upcoming McLaren MP4-12C. 

McLaren

 

At about $230,000, you will get the latest in advanced engineering and materials, including carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium, all in a stunning mid-engine design. Do yourself a favor and spend a few minutes on their website, it's truly fascinating.

 

For those of you in the Bay Area, Tesla has been in the news a lot lately, for one because it is a Bay Area company, and two, they are occupying some of the NUMMI plant formerly owned by GM and Toyota.  Their little 2-door electric sports car can be spotted on local highways with some regularity but it's their upcoming Tesla Model S that they are betting the farm on.  The S is a full-size 4-door sedan that promises gas-engine like driving range at a "reasonable" price, all wrapped in a sexy body.  To see (and hear*) a video the upcoming Tesla in action, click here

 

Tesla S
Tesla Model S sedan

*One interesting issue that is likely to be addressed soon by the Feds is the fact that pure-electric cars like these are virtually silent - except for tire noise.  There are serious concerns not just for the visually-impaired at crosswalks and intersections, but anyone who has their nose buried in their Blackberry.  Or, kids playing in the front yard.  External sound generators are coming soon, and some of the companies are having fun with the concept by allowing you to select the computer-generated engine & exhaust noises.  Imagine choosing from an Indy race car, a Harley Davidson motorcycle or a 1960s muscle car at the push of a button? You could really have fun with this; how about an old propeller airplane, a rocket ship . . .
 

 


Quick GM factoids
 
 
   

The results from 2010 are in and two key sales figures jumped out from the page:

 

- Toyota outsold GM in worldwide sales by just 30,000 vehicles: 8.42 million vs 8.39.  That's a less than 1% difference.  Consider just a couple years ago that Toyota shot past GM for the #1 spot.  It's a sign of Toyota's PR problems over last year's Camry & Prius brake issues, and GM's strong resurgence following its bankruptcy.  

 

- Perhaps even more interesting is that GM sold 162,000 more vehicles in China than the US.  That's the first time in its 102 year history that GM has sold more vehicles outside its homeland.  It speaks volumes about China's emerging middle class.

 

Chinese Buick Dealer

 

 

 

Used Car Corner

2010 Toyota Camry LE

Economical 4-cylinder, automatic, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, power seat, am/fm/cd with auxiliary input for iPod/mp3 player, approx 6,000 miles, just serviced, very clean.

 

Camry

email or call 415-474-1100 for a custom lease quote.

 

To see more cars, please click here. 



Also visit our sister company, Ellis Brooks Auto Center for a full inventory of pre-owned vehicles and Wheego Electric cars.


 

 

 
About Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.

Since 1964, we have been providing fleet management and leasing services to businesses in California and the west.   Whether you have a fleet of 1 or 100, we can help you select the right vehicles and lease plans to fit your needs.
  • High-mileage leases are our specialty (even 100k/year)
  • Fuel and Maintenance Card programs
  • Fleet pricing
  • Local and out-of-state deliveries
  • All makes of cars, trucks, vans and SUVs
  • Upfitted work trucks and vans
  • Pre-owned vehicles
  • Professional, personal, no-pressure environment
Call us at (415) 474-1100 and see how easy it is to get started.

Or visit us at www.ellisbrooksleasing.com  



Thank you for taking the time to read this.  We don't do much advertising so please pass this along if you know of a company that uses vehicles in their daily operation.

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Jeff Barron
President
Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.

tel: 415-474-1100, press 1