Outremont, Quebec - Yesterday marked the 19th collaboration and edition of Protégez-Vous (P-V) and the Automobile Protection Association's (APA) Annual new and used car magazine. Every year, the APA punctuates the launch of the new guide with one or more stories pertaining to the oft unpredictable automotive industry. This year, George Iny, President of the APA, had couple of stories that he wanted to touch on.
ecoAuto Program
Firstly, Mr. Iny shed some light on the recently announced incentives proposed by the Federal Government. In his view, it is great that the Government finally gets more involved by creating the ecoAuto program. This system, through a series of calculations, will tax high-polluting, large-displacement vehicles and offer interesting and considerable rebates on fuel-efficient vehicles. Like most who have studied the new program, Mr Iny does find that there are some discrepancies that, according to him, will be reviewed in the near future. He was talking about the absence of two of Honda's most fuel efficient vehicles, the Fit and Civic.
Mr Iny made a very interesting comment concerning this program and how it will work in the course of the present model year. He said that, as this year's car allowances or quotas have already been set by manufacturers, it could potentially be difficult to find a hybrid vehicle at a Honda or Toyota dealer. In the past, dealers had all but abandoned the idea of selling these vehicles and therefore, there are very few to be found. Likewise, it is altogether possible that the going prices for hybrids, compacts and sub-compacts may increase as early as next year because of the new incentives. A given car manufacturer may seize the opportunity to line their pockets in 2008 by asking more for the same car as the final price, after the incentive, could be no more than it was in 2007 before the rebates.
False or incomplete publicity
Mr Iny also tackled the subject of false or incomplete advertising often used by dealers to promote their products. An example was used where a given new vehicle was advertised for an incredibly low price or for mouth-wateringly low by-weekly payments. Upon further inspection and following a visit to the dealership, the APA quickly realised it was impossible to purchase said vehicle for the indicated price. After administration fees (no such thing), obligatory extended warranty (no such thing) and other variables, the real final price of the automobile climbed to nearly twice the advertised amount when the taxes and interest was added. This car could not even be purchased with cash to avoid paying interest.
When an ad seems too good to be true, bring it with you to dealer. Show it to them and ask them for the same exact product. Afterwards, carefully study their reaction. Although this problem is flagrant in Quebec, it is also rampant in other provinces across the country.
Best picks
With every new guide, the APA and P-V select their best picks for the year. This year, much like every year, the Japanese manufacturers take all the trophies home. It was not that long ago when the APA was criticised for these choices but lo-and-behold, just about every publication nowadays come to the same conclusions.
The annual car guide will be in kiosks as of this Saturday, March 24th. Subscribers to the magazine will have access to a special portion of P-V's website as of today. The guide retails for $7.95 and has the widest circulation of all car books in Quebec.
ecoAuto Program
Firstly, Mr. Iny shed some light on the recently announced incentives proposed by the Federal Government. In his view, it is great that the Government finally gets more involved by creating the ecoAuto program. This system, through a series of calculations, will tax high-polluting, large-displacement vehicles and offer interesting and considerable rebates on fuel-efficient vehicles. Like most who have studied the new program, Mr Iny does find that there are some discrepancies that, according to him, will be reviewed in the near future. He was talking about the absence of two of Honda's most fuel efficient vehicles, the Fit and Civic.
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Mr Iny made a very interesting comment concerning this program and how it will work in the course of the present model year. He said that, as this year's car allowances or quotas have already been set by manufacturers, it could potentially be difficult to find a hybrid vehicle at a Honda or Toyota dealer. In the past, dealers had all but abandoned the idea of selling these vehicles and therefore, there are very few to be found. Likewise, it is altogether possible that the going prices for hybrids, compacts and sub-compacts may increase as early as next year because of the new incentives. A given car manufacturer may seize the opportunity to line their pockets in 2008 by asking more for the same car as the final price, after the incentive, could be no more than it was in 2007 before the rebates.
False or incomplete publicity
Mr Iny also tackled the subject of false or incomplete advertising often used by dealers to promote their products. An example was used where a given new vehicle was advertised for an incredibly low price or for mouth-wateringly low by-weekly payments. Upon further inspection and following a visit to the dealership, the APA quickly realised it was impossible to purchase said vehicle for the indicated price. After administration fees (no such thing), obligatory extended warranty (no such thing) and other variables, the real final price of the automobile climbed to nearly twice the advertised amount when the taxes and interest was added. This car could not even be purchased with cash to avoid paying interest.
When an ad seems too good to be true, bring it with you to dealer. Show it to them and ask them for the same exact product. Afterwards, carefully study their reaction. Although this problem is flagrant in Quebec, it is also rampant in other provinces across the country.
Best picks
With every new guide, the APA and P-V select their best picks for the year. This year, much like every year, the Japanese manufacturers take all the trophies home. It was not that long ago when the APA was criticised for these choices but lo-and-behold, just about every publication nowadays come to the same conclusions.
The annual car guide will be in kiosks as of this Saturday, March 24th. Subscribers to the magazine will have access to a special portion of P-V's website as of today. The guide retails for $7.95 and has the widest circulation of all car books in Quebec.