Automobiles Specials Catalog RI-MA-CT May 2023

ISSUE 29 MAY 2023

Why Are New Cars So Expensive? CNNAuto Expert Gets It All Wrong.

Consumer Choice is not the issue.

A recent news story on CNN suggested that car buyers are to blame for the surge in vehicle prices because they are ordering more options, ultimately driving up the cost of automobiles. CNN’s auto expert Peter Valdes-Dapena was interviewed and theorized about how consumers’ choices may be affecting car prices.

However, a closer examination of why new cars seem more expensive reveals that the real factors contributing to the higher prices are the ongoing supply chain issues and the strategic decisions made by car manufacturers to prioritize the production of more expensive models with option packages to maximize profits.

Supply Chain Issues

The global automotive industry has been grappling with a series of supply chain disruptions in recent years, including the shortage of semiconductor chips, which are vital components in modern vehicles. The chip shortage has led to reduced production capacity, forcing manufacturers to make tough decisions about which models and features to prioritize. As a result, many carmakers have chosen to focus on producing higher-end vehicles with more options, as these offer greater profit margins which makes the available new cars seem more expensive.

Moreover, other supply chain issues, such as the rising cost of raw materials and logistical challenges, have exacerbated the situation, further impacting vehicle production and availability. These factors have created a perfect storm, leading to higher prices for new vehicles across the board.

Manufacturer Priorities

In addition to supply chain challenges, new cars are so expensive because car manufacturers have been adjusting their priorities to maximize profitability in a constrained market. Faced with limited production capacity, many automakers have opted to concentrate on manufacturing vehicles with higher price tags and more extensive option packages. This strategy allows them to generate greater revenue from each unit sold, compensating for the reduced overall output.

Furthermore, some manufacturers have been streamlining their product offerings, reducing the number of available trim levels and options to simplify the production process. This move can lead to the appearance of consumers “ordering more options” when, in reality, they have fewer choices available to them due to the limited range of models and configurations offered by carmakers.

Average Vehicle Transaction Prices by Manufacturer -April 2023

Industry Average is now at $45,251.

The automotive industry is constantly changing, with new models and technologies being introduced every year. One key metric that automakers use to measure their success is the average selling price of new vehicles. This metric reflects not only the base price of the vehicle but also any additional options or features that buyers add.

Forecasted data released today shows that for April 2023, the average selling price of new vehicles in the United States was $45,251, which represents an increase of 4.1% compared to the same period last year. However, the average selling price varied widely by manufacturer, with some brands commanding significantly higher prices than others.

At the top of the list was Mercedes-Benz, with an average selling price of $79,179. This is not surprising, given that Mercedes-Benz is a luxury brand known for its high-end features, advanced technology, and premium driving experience. Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for being at the forefront of automotive innovation and offers buyers a range of customization options to create their dream car.

Following closely behind was BMW, with an average selling price of $69,233. BMW is another luxury brand that is known for its high-performance vehicles and cutting-edge technology. The brand has been successful in building a strong reputation among buyers who are willing to pay a premium for its products.

Next on the list was Stellantis-CDJRF, with an average selling price of $56,804. This group includes brands such as Jeep, Ram, and Dodge, which are known for their ruggedness, versatility, and off-road capabilities. These brands tend to command higher prices due to their reputation for performance and durability.

Ford and General Motors (GM) were next on the list, with average selling prices of $53,313 and $51,853, respectively. These brands are both known for their wide range of vehicles, including pickup trucks, SUVs, and sedans, and offer a

range of options and features to appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

The Volkswagen (VW) Group had an average selling price of $48,582, which includes brands such as VW, Audi, and Porsche. These brands are known for their premium features, performance, and advanced technology, and tend to command higher prices as a result.

Toyota had an average selling price of $43,174, which is lower than some of the luxury brands but still higher than many mainstream brands. Toyota is known for its reliability, practicality, and value, but also offers a range of advanced features and options that can appeal to buyers looking for a higher-end experience.

Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru, and Kia rounded out the list, with average selling prices ranging from $34,246 to $37,753. These brands are known for their affordability and value, but may not offer the same level of luxury or advanced technology as some of the higher-end brands.

It’s worth noting that the average selling price of new vehicles can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the make and model of the vehicle, the region of the country, and the current state of the economy. However, this data provides a useful snapshot of the current state of the market and the relative performance of different brands in terms of pricing.

Jaguar Land Rover Rebranding to Four Sub Brands.

Sub Brands will be Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has undergone a rebrand and will now be known as JLR, with a new strategy that focuses on four subbrands: Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar. The rebranding is part of JLR’s push to “amplify the uniqueness of our characterful British marques,” said Gerry McGovern, chief creative officer at JLR.

JLR has been trying to create more distinction between its mainly SUV lineup by giving them discrete personalities. Its strategy within Land Rover since 2021 has been to separate vehicles into three “pillars,” with Range Rover leading on luxury, Discovery focusing on families, and Defender majoring in durability by drawing on its offroad roots. With the updated strategy, each Land Rover pillar will be turned into a fully fledged brand, joined by the newly luxurious Jaguar.

Jaguar’s first car under the new strategy will be a four-door electric GT, priced at over £100,000 ($124,200) and with a range of up to 700 kilometers (435 miles). The car’s design is said to be “fearless,” and it marks a significant step towards a fully electrified future for the brand.

While the rebranding exercise did create controversy on social media within the UK, with some commentators assuming that the company had dropped the Land Rover name altogether, JLR confirmed that the name would continue as a badge on its SUVs to serve as a “trust mark.” “Land Rover will remain. It is strong, well known, and we will use that collective strength to give

our brands authenticity and purpose,” a JLR spokesperson said.

JLR is also revamping its showrooms to incorporate the new brands, with some dealerships selling all four brands and others focusing on a reduced number. Paddy McGillycuddy, head of JLR in the UK, said that the look is still being refined but will feature “no desks, softer furnishings, and a much more clientoriented luxury experience.”

In February, JLR opened its first Range Rover boutique in London’s Mayfair area. The boutique is run by dealership group Stratstone, and JLR is shifting to the agency model for its dealers in the UK by the end of 2024. The company has also started reducing the number of Jaguar stores in the US by offering dealers extra allocations of hot-selling Land Rover nameplates, such as the redesigned Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Defender, if they give up their Jaguar franchises. It remains to be seen how many dealers have accepted this offer and what preparations they will need to make for the subbrand strategy.

JLR’s new subbrand strategy is aimed at creating more distinction between its SUVs, giving each one its own personality, and creating a more client-oriented luxury experience. The company’s push to sell directly to customers is reflected in its shift to the agency model, which will be rolled out across the UK by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the upcoming launch of Jaguar’s new electric GT marks a significant step towards a fully electrified future for the brand. Although the Land Rover name will no longer be used as part of the new subbrand strategy, it will continue to serve as a badge on the company’s SUVs to maintain its position as a trusted and well-known name in the industry.

All four of the new brands will be available in the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts area at Jaguar Warwick and Land Rover Warwick on Bald Hill Road in Warwick RI.

The Auto Show on ABC Becoming a Top Dealer Marketing Tool in RI-MA-CT Region

The Auto Show, a one-hour long monthly special on ABC that provides information on the latest vehicles in the market, has become one of the top resources for auto dealers in the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut region. Many of the platform’s links now rank highly on Google’s organic search, providing auto dealers with greater online visibility in the increasingly competitive area of automobile search.

Recently, a search for Tasca Ford’s popular F150 Lightning model revealed that the Auto Show segment appeared in the number two position for organic search, providing potential customers with a detailed review about the vehicle and more information on Tasca Ford. This puts the Tasca Auto Show link ahead of Edmunds, KBB and Cars.com for this search. In less than a month, this segment has just under 4000 views, with 97.4% coming from Tasca’s primary area of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Another example is a popular search of a comparison between the 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. This search shows the Auto Show segment for Anchor Subaru in the number four organic position just behind US News and World Report and ahead of such industry leaders as Edmunds, Motor Trend and AutoBlog.

The Auto Show’s success can be attributed to its comprehensive coverage of the latest vehicles, with detailed reviews and specifications. In addition, the platform has established partnerships with many leading auto dealers, providing them with a powerful tool to showcase their products to potential customers.

The Auto Show’s popularity has grown significantly in recent years, with more and more auto dealers in the region utilizing the platform to promote their new models and even

their service departments, auto body shops and pre-owned vehicles too.. The platform’s ability to rank highly on Google’s organic search has further enhanced its reputation, providing greater visibility to both auto dealers and customers alike. Dealers like Anchor Subaru and Anchor Nissan, Elmwood CDJR, Kia of Attleboro, Land Rover Warwick, Jaguar Warwick, Toyota of Dartmouth, and many others are exclusive partners for their respective brands.

Jordan Genga, the show’s host said “It’s a great pleasure to work with area dealerships to showcase their vehicles and highlight the unique aspects of their dealerships. We know that our audience is looking for information on the latest vehicles and to find the best dealers in the area, and we’re proud to be a top resource for the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut region. It’s exciting to see how the show’s popularity is increasing and it shows the power of our platform to drive traffic to local dealerships. We look forward to continuing to work with local dealerships to promote their vehicles and connect car buyers with the best options in the region.”

The Auto Show’s success is a testament to the growing importance of online platforms in the auto industry. As the market becomes increasingly competitive, auto dealers must leverage the power of digital resources to remain competitive and reach a wider audience. The Auto Show’s continued growth is proof that the platform is an essential resource for auto dealers in the region.

The show’s main sponsor is Navigant Credit Union, a community-based financial institution that offers a range of financial services to individuals and businesses in Rhode Island. It was established in 1915 and has since grown to become one of the largest credit unions in the state, with over $3.4 billion in assets and 24 branch locations from Woonsocket to Westerly. Navigant has a very large auto lending portfolio, and also has one of the best indirect lending program for Dealers.

RELIABLE PROTECTION FOR YOUR VEHICLE

We’re a trusted provider with more than 13.4 million contracts nationwide.

It’s no surprise that most major repairs are needed after the original factory warranty has expired, which means you will have to deal with all the inconvenience, time, energy and expense of those repairs.

Depending on the age and mileage of your vehicle, you can purchase up to 120,000 miles of coverage. The Vehicle Service Contract begins on the purchase date and expires according to the term and mileage selected, whichever occurs first, and may include a deductible depending on the option selected. You can select from a national network of over 6,000 authorized service centers or any licensed repair facility in the U.S. or Canada.

MASSACHUSETTS

Auto Body Shops

• 508 Customs & Collision

• ABC Auto Body & Sales

• Advance Collision Center

• After Hours Auto Body, Inc.

• Alden Buick Pontiac GMC Truck

• APC Autobody Inc

• Artistic Auto Body

• Attleboro Auto Painting Inc

• Attleboro Collision Center Inc

• Auto Body Pro’s

• Autobot

• Bent’s Auto Body

• Bernier’s Quality Bodyworks, Inc.

• Bliss Corner Auto Body

• Bob’s Auto Body

• Bob’s Motor Works

• Botelho Auto Body & Garage, Inc.

• Bourne Enterprises, Inc.

• Breno’s Collision & Service Center

• Bristol County Auto, Inc.

• Brougham Motors, Inc.

• Buster’s Auto Body

• Camping World RV Sales

• Caramelo’s Auto Body

• Carl’s Collision Center, Inc.

• Celebrity Auto Repair

• Central Dodge, Inc.

• Chaz’s Auto Body

7 Boat Rock Rd, Mattapoisett, MA (774) 377-3431 Website

• Chestnut Auto Body

• Choice Collision Center, Inc.

• Classic Auto Eng & Restoration

• Clemmey, Inc.

• Cole’s Auto Center

• Collision Doctors, Inc

• Collision Engineering Auto Body

• Columbia Auto Body, Inc.

• Competitive Auto Body Sales

• Competitive Auto Service

• Correia’s Auto Body & Garage, Inc.

• Country Collision Center

• County Street Collision

• Danny’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Dartmouth Collision

• David’s Automotive

• Dealer’s Choice Auto Body

• Deperrio’s Auto Body

• Deschenes Body Repair, Inc.

• Distinctive Autobody

• East Coast Auto Collision

• Easton Auto Body, Inc.

• Edd’s Auto Body & Repair

• Elie’s Auto & Repair, Inc.

• Empire Ford Of New Bedford, Inc.

• Empire Hyundai, Inc.

• Euro Tech Auto, Inc.

• Factory Collision of Swansea

• Faggioli Auto Body

• Fall River Auto Body & Sales, Inc.

• Felix Auto Collision Center

• Ferreira’s Auto Body & Sales

• Fisher’s Auto & Truck Repair, Inc.

• Five Star Collision

• Frank’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Fred’s Collision Center Inc

• Gaumond Auto Body

• Glassman Automotive

• Greenwood Emergency Vehicles

• Grota’s Auto Service, Inc.

• Harry’s Autobody, Inc.

• Hart Auto Body

• Hathaway Collision Center

• Hollister Auto, Inc.

• Howard’s Auto Body

• J Auto Body Shop

• J.C. Auto Sales & Repairs, Inc.

• J.R.’S Auto Body

• Jack’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Jad Inova, Inc.

• Jaime’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Jennings Garage

• Jim’s Auto Body

• Joe’s Collision Center

• John Soares Village Garage, Inc.

• John’s Auto Body

• Jose Bizarro’s Auto Body

• JZ Express Inc.

• K & D Auto Body, Inc.

• Karen’s Collision Specialists

• Know-How Trailer Repair, Inc.

• Lech Garage & Auto Body Shop

• Lima’s Garage & Auto Body, Inc.

• Lou’s Auto Body and Sales

• Luzo Auto Body, Inc.

• Maaco Of New Bedford

• Manny’s Auto Body

• Mansfield Body Shop

• Mass Collision Services Inc

• Mastria Nissan

• Mathieu Auto Sales, Inc.

• Mattie Imports, Inc.

• Medeiros Auto Body & Sales, Inc.

• Medeiros Collision & Sales

• Mega Truck Repair, Inc.

• Midway Collision Center, Inc.

• Midway Service Center, Inc.

• Mike’s Auto Body

• Modern Auto Body, Inc.

• Moniz Auto Body

• New England Collision, Inc.

• Norm’s Auto Body & Sales

• Nu-Way Auto Sales

• Paris Auto Body

• Paul’s Auto Body

• Pauls Auto Body

• Pinto’s Garage & Auto Body, Inc.

• Platinum Collision

• Precision Auto Body

• Pride Collision Center

• Quality Auto & Truck

• R.A.C. Auto Body

• Richard’s Auto Body & Paint

• Riel Auto Body

• Ronnie’s Auto Body

• Route 106 Enterprises, Inc.

• Saber Auto Body

• Scott’s Collision

• Seekonk Auto Body, Inc.

• Showcase Auto and Truck Collision

• South Easton Motor Sales, Inc.

• Sparky’s Collision, Inc.

• Stas Auto Repair

• State Road Collision & Auto Repair

• Tim’s Pro Auto Body & Detailing

• Tony’s Auto Sales & Service, Inc.

• Top Dog Collision

• Total Auto Repair, Inc.

• Total Care

• Tri-Star Auto Body, Inc.

• W & J Auto Body

• Washington Auto Body

• White’s Heavy Duty Truck Repair

• Wings Auto, Inc.

• Xtreme Paint & Collision

RHODE ISLAND

Auto Body Shops

• 24/7 Collision

• 382 Collision Center LLC

• 44 Auto Concepts, Inc.

• A & E Auto

• A-1 Custom Auto Body

• A+ Collision Center

• Accurate Autocenter, Inc.

• Aces, Inc.

• Affordable Auto Sales Inc

• Alcon Auto Body

• Alfredo’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Allendale Auto Body & Sales

• Allens Ave Transport

• Alpine Auto Body, Inc.

• American Auto Body & Collision

• Andrew’s Auto Body

• Angell’s Collision Service

• Anthony’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Antone Auto Body & Sales, Inc.

• Apollo Collision Center, LLC

• Aquidneck Collision

• Archie’s Auto Body, LLC.

• Arlington Auto Body, Inc.

• Art’s Auto Body Shop

• Artie Pacheco Automotive, Inc.

• Artie’s Collision Center

• Aspen Auto Body, Inc.

• Astro Auto Sales Inc.

• Atlantic Bays Auto Sales & Service

• Atlas Auto Body Inc.

• Bristol County Dodge Inc

• Bucci’s Auto Body & Sales, Inc.

• Burrillville Motor Sales, Inc.

• Cabral’s Auto Body & Sales

• Capital Car Center, Inc.

• Carl’s Collision Center, LLC

• Carr’s Garage, Inc.

• Casale’s Auto Body

• Casey & Sons Inc.

• Central Auto Body, Inc.

• Centry Auto Body

• Chalkstone Auto Body Inc.

• Champion Collision & Sales, Inc.

• Choice Collision Center

• Christy’s Auto Sales, Inc.

• City Auto Body

• Coastal Collision & Towing, Inc.

• Coletta’s Downtown Auto Service

• Collision Kings, Inc.

• Comella’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Competitive Collision

• Contente’s Precision Auto, LLC

• Cote’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Cousin’s Collision Center

• Crown Collision Center, Inc

• Gene’s Auto Body

• Gentile’s Auto Body

• George’s Auto Sales & Repair, Inc.

• Grimes Auto Body

• Home Towne Auto Body & Sales

• Hope Valley Auto Body

• International Auto Body & Sales

• James Auto Company, Inc.

J & J Auto Service

429 Waterman Ave,  East Providence, RI 02914. (401)-438-4093  Website

• Jorge’s Auto Collision

• JRA Collision Center, Inc.

• K.B. Motors Inc.

• Ken’s Auto Body

• Langway Toyota of Newport

• Lemyre’s Collision Center

• M & J Automotive, Inc.

• Michaud Auto Body, Inc.

• Mike’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Mike’s Service Auto Body

• Miller’s Truck Sales & Repair, Inc.

• Narragansett Auto Body

• North Atlantic Distribution

• North Smithfield Auto Body, Inc.

• Odaltino Auto Body

• Paul Bailey Motor Sales, Inc.

• Pershing Auto Body

• Plante’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Precision Auto Paint & Collision

• Quonset Auto Body, Inc.

Auto Body Concepts

44 Terry Lane, Chepachet RI 401-568-7700 Website

• Autopaint RI, Inc.

• AutoSport Sales & Collision Inc.

Cumberland Collision 420 Mendon Rd Cumberland RI (401) 333-5855  Website

• Curreri Collision

• D & H Collision Center

• Darlington Auto Body

• Dean Auto Collision Center, Inc.

• Delta Enterprises, Inc.

• Dent Pros Collision, LLC

• Ducharme’s Auto Body

• East Bay Autobody, Inc.

Balise Collision 340 Jefferson Blvd. Warwick, RI 401-785-8906   Website

• Beam Truck & Body, Inc.

• Bernier’s Auto Body

• Blackstone Auto Sales & Body, Inc.

• Borges Collision Center, Inc.

• Branch Enterprises Inc.

• Bristol Auto Body Works, Inc.

Elmwood Collision Center 204 Child St Warren RI 02885. Website

• F1Auto Body

• Fatties Garage

• First Stop Auto Body & Service

• Flood East Greenwich Ford,

• Geared 2 Perfection

• R & A Autobody, LLC

• Round’s Collision Center, Inc

Saccucci Collision Center 1350 W Main Rd, Middletown, RI  (401) 847-4737 Website

• Safe-Way Auto Sales, Inc.

• Sarge’s Portsmouth Auto Body

• Scott Motors, Inc.

• Sherman’s Auto Body

• Shove Street Auto Body

• Showcase Auto & Truck Collision

• Smith Auto Parts, Inc.

• South County Collision Center Inc.

• Supreme Auto, Inc.

• Tasca Automotive Group North

• Tiverton Auto Body, Inc.

• Topline Motors, Inc.

• Truck Solutions

• United Collision Center

• Valley Motors Inc.

• Vinny’s Auto Body, Inc

• Westerly Auto Body

• Ziggy’s Auto Sales

CONNECTICUT

Auto Body Shops

• A & R Autobody

• A & R Body Specialty

• A-1 Toyota

• AC Automotive

• Academy Auto Sales, Inc

• Ace Auto Body, Inc.

• Airport Road Auto Body, Inc.

• Artie’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Atwood’s Auto Appearance

• Auto Specialist Inc.

• Auto Sports Inc

• Autoworks of Westville

• B&D Autobody

• Bolton Collision

• Bozrah Collision Center

• Brustolon Collision Center

• Cargill Chevrolet

• Classic Coach Works, Inc.

• Coachworks of West Haven

• Columbia Ford Kia Collision Center

• Columbus Auto Body Works, Inc.

• Cotaling’s Auto Body

• Crossroads Auto Body

• D’Addario Collision Center

• DaSilva’s Auto Body

• Dawley Collision

• Dean’s Autoworks

• Denya’s Auto Body, Inc.

• Derby Auto Body

• Dulin Collision Center

• Durable Radiator & Autobody Inc.

• Eddie’s Auto Body

• Elmwood Automotive

• Emmett’s Auto Service

• Family Garage

• Friendly Auto Body

• Gabby’s Auto

• Gene’s Auto Body Repair Co.

• Georgetown Auto Body

• Gillette Auto Body Inc

• Girard Collision/Gold Star Collision Center

• Giovanni Auto Repair

• Governor’s Auto Body

• Grants Auto Body

• Grossman Chevrolet Nissan

• Groton Auto Body & Sales

• Hamden Auto Body

• Hansen Auto Body

• Heritage Collision Hoffman Collision Center 521Connecitcut Blvd East Hartford CT 06108 (860)282-0847 Website

• HBM Auto Body

• J & E Auto Group

• Jake’s Auto Body & Painting Works

• Joseph’s Autobody

• Kenwood Auto Body & Sales

• Knight Street Auto

• Ledyard St Auto

• Lynch Collision

• Mazzella Auto Body

• McDermott Auto Group

• Mid-Town Auto Body Inc

• Mike’s Auto Body

• Miller Motorsports Autobody

• Mirabelli Automotive

• Mitchell Auto Group

• MK Autobody Inc.

• O’Connor Automotive

• Otto’s Garage

• Oxford Automotive LLC

• Park City Garage

• Pawloski’s Auto Body

• Plaza Service Center

• Precision Collision Auto Body

• R & R Collision Specialties, Inc

• Ranco Collision

• Redline Restorations

• Ray’s Autobody of Milford

• Reno’s Auto Body & Repair, Inc

• Richard Chevrolet Inc

• Rich’s Auto Body

• Route 1 Auto Body LLC

• Roy & Sons Auto Body, Inc.

• Santo Stefano Auto Body

• Shippan Auto Body

• Shoreline Collision and Restoration

• Skrip’s Auto Body

• Sono Collision

• South End Autobody, LLC.

• Southington Auto Body

• Stamford Auto Body

• Stanley’s Auto Body

• Stephen Auto Mall Centre

• Superior Auto

• Superior Auto Repair and Towing

• Supreme Auto Body

• T & J Auto Body

• Theroux Auto Body

• Tony’s Auto Body, Inc

• Town Line Body Shop, Inc.

• Town Plot Auto Body, Inc.

• Traynor Collision Center

• Twin Lights Milford Body Shop

• Ultimate Auto Body, Inc

• Valenti Automall

• Victor Auto Body Works

• W S Editions Collision

• Walt’s Auto Repair, Inc.

• Westlund Auto Body

• Westport Autocraft Ltd.

• Wheelers Auto Service, Inc

• Woodland Auto Body

• Ye Old Station Auto Body

• Zoel’s Auto Body, Inc