My clients have high expectations for their vehicles, and equally high expectations about the dealership professionals who serve them. Bellingham Auto is widely recognized to be among the best in quality, reliability, value and customer satisfaction in both sales and service. My dealership has a large inventory with many makes and models to choose from, along with great prices.
The selection varies, and is updated only when I find something that I think is an EXCEPTIONAL VALUE! Please take a look at my current quality selection of pre-owned cars and trucks.
Fair & Competitive Pricing - Great Customer Service - Financing Available!
When you're ready, come on by for a test drive and ask for me, Stephanie!
Used Hondas Used Acuras Used Fords Used Chevrolet
All Pre-Owned Inventory Specials
EXTRAS! EXTRAS!
June 20,2012
May 22, 2012
Legislation Requiring Rear-Facing Cameras Costs Billions, is it Worth it?
Legislation requiring all cars and trucks sold in the U.S. to have rear-facing ‘backup’ cameras has been pushed back a second time. The legislation was originally signed in 2008 and now will not go into affect until the end of 2012.
And that could be a good thing.
While the rule is designed to prevent individuals from being run over by vehicles backing up, predominantly very young children and the elderly, it is also one of the most expensive pending legislations.
At an estimated cost of $2.7 billion for fleet of 16.6 million vehicles and approximately 292 deaths occurring each year from being backed over by a car or truck, that means each life saved is approximately worth $18.5 million.
Is that worth it?
Of course every life saved is worth it, but consider that the article also states that because of this legislation, the price of cars will go up $58 to $203. Can the auto industry, and the economy in general, afford that seeing as it is still on shaky ground?
Perhaps those billions of dollars could be spent on driver education or a safety campaign? The government even admits they need more information before implementing this rule (the reason the pushed it back):
“While the department has made progress toward a final rule to improve rearward visibility, it has decided that further study and data analysis — including of a wider range of vehicles and drivers — is important to ensure the most protective and efficient rule possible,” the agency said in its statement.
There are gut-wrenching and heartbreaking facts and stories of people, especially children, being harmed (50) and killed each week (two) by a vehicle that was backing up. If my child was saved by a rear-facing camera, I would absolutely say this billions dollar cost was worth it. But if I were going to be in the market for a car in the next year, I may not be so sure.
What do you think?
May 2, 2012
According to this article, the auto industry ‘went from reverse to overdrive in three years.’ We all remember the days when the federal government bailed out some American auto makers and the global market took a huge hit with tough economic times.
What some of may not realize is that slowly, the auto industry seems to be making a comeback.
According to the article: “the upbeat signs are everywhere: rising sales, busy production lines, rising profits, higher stock prices, and growing buzz about new plants or shifts being added to meet market demand.”
Citing the fact that both businesses and households are heading back to the dealerships and we currently have the highest gasoline prices since April 2011, consumers are venturing out to purchase newer, more fuel efficient vehicles.
“This is great news,” said Tod McLaughlin, general manager of Apple Valley Honda dealership. “With the economy slowly recovering, we are starting to see a stronger pulse in the car business; even while some areas of the economy lag, the auto industry seem to be the first indication things may be turning around. Both January and February were stronger this year than last for Honda and we are starting to see in uptick in the local dealerships. People who waited to buy a new car the last couple years are starting to poke their heads out of the sand. And we’ll welcome them with open arms.”
What is good for the entire auto industry, especially consumer confidence, is good for Honda.
“The improvement reflects strengthening consumer confidence, the lowest unemployment rate in three years and a rebound in fleet purchases,” says Carlos Gomes, senior economist at Scotia Capital, in a recent report.
Signs of a strengthening industry, and Honda, will continue, not just with sales, but with investments in manufacturing and production. Honda has invested heavily in increasing the capacity of plants in the United States, which also helps local job growth and stability…also needed right now.
“Once the planned expansions by Japanese and European automakers are completed by 2014, we estimate that North American vehicle assembly capacity will climb to 19 million units,” says Gomes, “roughly in line with the level prevailing nearly a decade ago when the Detroit Three began to restructure and shutter some of their facilities.”
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Auto+industry+goes+from+reverse+overdrive+three+years/6254535/story.html
April 22, 2012
Real-World Testers Choose Honda Fit as Best Sub-Compact Car
In a neat little feature for USA Today, a real-world married couple tested seven sub-compact vehicles. Their choice? The Honda Fit,now available at BellinghaAuto.
After testing cars like the Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, and Nissan Versa “they settled on the Honda Fit hatchback as their clear favorite for its power, comfort and visibility.”
While this ‘regular’ couple, Robyn and Erik Rose, noted that they do not particularly like the look of the Honda Fit, they admitted it was a great car and would be their choice over the seemingly ‘cheap’ Nissan Versa and said that if someone gave them a Rio, they would “trade it in for a motorcycle” (ouch).
“Just like this couple noted, the Honda Fit really is a great car,” said Dave Pitcher, sales manager at Sims Honda dealership in Burlington. “It handles awesome; it’s really fun to drive. It is a really a great choice for individuals and couples who don’t need a bigger vehicle. Just like almost all of Honda’s vehicles, it gets good gas mileage and is a solid, dependable car.”
In fact, this couple said “thought the Honda Fit could do little wrong during their drive.”
“As soon as you sit in it and drive it, you feel at home,” Erik said.
This is a funny little article because this couple’s commentary is very honest and colorful. I love how Robyn (the wife) said that in driving the Ford Fiesta, it seemed like, “They want you to forget that it’s a Ford.” (Again, ouch)
If you are looking for a ‘great’ sub-compact car, head to BellinnghamAuto in Bellingham. Maybe you will find yourself feeling “at home” in the Honda Fit, too.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/story/2012-03-19/subcompact-shootout-family/53620420/1
Honda Has Record-Breaking Month for Production in US
The Honda manufacturers are burning the midnight oil in North America and the United States (actually, probably not oil since their plants are the cleanest automobile plants in the world)! In January, Honda manufactured almost 150,000 units in North America, a 33.8% increase from January 2011 and all-time high for any month. Honda plants in the United States alone manufactured more than 108,000 units, a 31.5% increase from January of 2011 and also an all-time high for any month.
These numbers have increased significance when you look at the unfortunate production numbers of Asia (down 50.3 percent from 2011!) and other countries that were severely impacted by natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes and tsunamis. That being said, I found it surprising that Japan’s production was up 42.3 percent compared to last January, overcoming incredible challenges caused by the terrible earthquake and tsunami that shook that nation last spring.
The sheer number of units being produced in the United States is a testament to how important American manufacturing jobs and capabilities are to Honda and the world wide market. Conversely, it also shows how important Honda jobs are to the American economy with the jobs they produce and the great products that Americans buy. Even with a down economy, Honda is able to step up its game and kick out quality vehicles at a fast pace in order to keep up with demand.
Despite struggling with natural disasters and other challenges the total units manufactured in January of 2012 compared to January of 2011 was up 6.9 percent. More importantly, Honda has sold 66.5 percent more units in January of 2012 compared to January of 2011! That is astounding considering the challenges the company has faced this past year.
This might be some hard number crunching, but when all is said and done…well done Honda!
To see what the world sees in Honda vehicles, head to Bellingham Auto today!
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/honda-sets-all-time-monthly-records-for-automobile-production-in-north-america-and-usa-2012-02-24
Honda Motor Co. will return its North American auto production to normal levels for all but one vehicle in August, faster than the company expected, the company said in a statement Thursday. You can find great used Hondas at Bellingham Auto, priced to sell! Honda, Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. have all limited their production this year because of the massive March 11 earthquake that damaged dozens of parts suppliers, particularly electronics makers. At Bellingham Auto, we sell great vehicles for less. Unfortunately for Honda, the lone car built in North America that won't return to full production in August is the redesigned Civic. Production of the vehicle will remain at 50% of projected volume because of limited supplies of parts and return to normal sometime in the fall, the company said. Why pay more for new when Certified and Used vehicles are at an all time premium at Bellingham Auto.
Prices soaring on used cars! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43298325/ns/business-autos/ Don't get ripped off come to Bellingham Auto for great vehicles at amazing prices!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlHA7lN_g20&feature=related http://www.vehix.com/?VXSS=1
Used Cars Bellinhgam WA, Pre-Owned Autos Bellinhgam WA, Previously Owned Bellinhgam Vehicles, Used Cars Bellinhgam WA, Used Cars Mukilteo WA, Used Tucks Bellinhgam WA, Used Bellinhgam SUVs, Affordable Cars, Cheap Autos, Used Cars Edmonds WA, Used Cars Bothell WA, Woodinville WA,Cars
![]()
