Light
vehicle sales could drop below 16 million next year as a slow housing
market continues, according to billionaire auto parts investor Wilbur
Ross. It’s anticipated to be the lowest tally since 1998.
Despite
shrinking auto sales, Ross doesn’t see manufacturers discounting cars.
Detroit automakers have reduced production in factories to decrease
pressure to do discounts and to reverse compounding losses.
The deterioration of the housing market has a lot of home owners
upside-down on their mortgages, limiting their ability to purchase new
vehicles. Add in skyrocketing gas prices and many households probably
won’t be able to afford a new 2008 model car. It’s a catch-22 for some
consumers: newer cars are more fuel-efficient and can save in gas
costs. But higher insurance rates and car payments on new cars could
offset any savings on gas.
I can especially see how the dropping housing market could affect car
sales in Southern California. Housing sales have slowed considerably
and consumers are trying to keep up with first, second, and even third
mortgages and high property taxes. That doesn’t leave much room for new
cars (and related expenses) for some families.
I’ll watch with interest next year to see if these predictions come
true, or whether families will continue to put themselves further in
debt to have the increasingly elusive “American Dream.”
Source: Reuters
By Becky Scott
Contributing Editor
becky scott
