The new Cash for Clunkers legislation has mobilized consumers and dealers who want to take advantage of this historic legislation that is giving consumers $4,500 towards the purchase of a new more fuel efficient vehicle.

www.CashForClunkersFL.com and www.CashForClunkersFLA.com are online portals that educate consumers in Sarasota and Naples about the program and help Floridians get pricing from participating dealers over the web.

One of the most popular features on the site is their “Clunker Calculator,” which helps consumers quickly determine if their current vehicle qualifies and for how much.

The site also includes a multi-media tour that explains the process to get pricing from a dealer and provides a list of all of the vehicles that are ideal candidates for the $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers. Finally, the site helps consumers inquire online to get product, pricing and payment information directly from participating dealerships.
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Sonic Automotive, Inc., the nation’s third-largest automotive retailer, today reported that 2009 second quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $9.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted share. These adjusted results include charges related to the Company’s May 7, 2009 debt restructuring and non-cash impairment charges related to the General Motors’ bankruptcy as shown in the attached reconciliation table. The Company is still finalizing certain aspects of the accounting for its May 7, 2009 debt restructuring which it does not currently believe will have a material impact on reported results.

Profit Growth – Sequential profits up substantially

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s President, said, “Our results this quarter continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of the operational strategies we have been steadily implementing. Although industry new vehicle sales volume was at approximately the same level as first quarter, our sequential profits, after eliminating the restructuring items, were up substantially.”

Mr. Smith noted that the improvement was accomplished despite higher non-cash interest charges as a result of the Company’s recent debt restructuring. “While our SG&A expenses continue to decline both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of gross profit, our performance reflects much more than cost reductions. Our regional and dealership teams are actively focused on capturing incremental revenue despite a challenging economic environment.”

“The improving trends we’re seeing in almost every segment of our business underscore the fact that our business is not wholly dependent on new vehicle sales volume. All these factors point to the future profit potential in our business model once the new vehicle sales environment rebounds.” Click here to read more…

Hino Trucks has teamed up with Miller Industries to provide one lucky tow operator a chance to win a fully loaded 2010 Hino model 258ALP with a Century 12 Series LCG Carrier. The truck will be a part of a giveaway that benefits The Professional Wreckers of Florida (PWOF) Education and Legislation Programs and will be raffled during next year’s Florida Tow Show in Orlando.

This is the second year Hino Trucks has provided a vehicle for the Tow Show’s giveaway. “This is a way for us to give something back to the independent wrecker operators and to help with the success of promoting education and safety,” explained Glenn Ellis, Vice President of Marketing for Hino Trucks. “The PWOF are constantly looking for new ways to advance the towing industry and Hino Trucks is proud to partner with Miller Industries to support this event and their organization.”
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In the face of massive dealership cuts nationwide, Wheego Electric Cars is looking to stem the tide by adding select dealers for the Wheego Whip, its new plug-in electric low speed vehicle, which launches in August. To that end, the company’s executives are embarking on a national road show to present the car to potential dealers from August 18 to September 26.

“The reaction from dealers who have driven the car is that it’s the best electric car in its class,” states Jeff Boyd, president of Wheego. “I believe that every dealer who sees the car will want to secure a Wheego franchise in their area, and we plan to make it easy for them to do so. Dealers need product, and dealers want to go green. Once they understand our technology, the value proposition becomes obvious, and they don’t have to wait until 2012 or 2015. We have electric cars to sell today.”
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The Altima Hybrid is offered as one standard model priced at $26,650 — pretty much in the normal range of typical transaction prices on sedans. The midsize Altima Hybrid has everything going for it in the competitive midsize sedan class, but the EPA ratings give Altima an edge in the competition to lure ecoconscious sedan buyers.

The Altima Hybrid is rated to achieve 35 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. It has a projected driving range of 700 miles on a single 20-gallon tank of fuel.

The Altima Hybrid emits practically next to nothing in emissions and has been classified as an AT-PZEV, which stands for Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.
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