General Motors Co. (GM) is sacrificing
profit margins to maintain market share in China, cutting prices
of low-cost minivans by as much as 15 percent to offset slowing
sales in the world’s largest vehicle market.
Propping up minivan sales through sticker-price reductions
is crucial for helping Detroit-based GM remain the top overseas
automaker in China, ahead of Volkswagen AG, after the government
ended stimulus programs and local authorities restricted
purchases to curb highway congestion.
“GM does not rely on the minibus for profit,” said Jenny Gu, a Shanghai-based analyst with industry researcher J.D. Power
& Associates. “They only contribute volume.”
Industry sales of the vehicles -- nicknamed “bread
trucks” for their boxy shape -- fell more than 10 percent in
the first seven months of this year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Sales at GM minivan
venture SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co. declined 3 percent in the
same period, according to the company.
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How To Find bLow Cost Auto Insurance/b | Insurance Ser
If you’re looking for low cost auto insurance, you may have come across some deals that seem too good to be true. While there are many ways insurance companies can offer competitive rates and save you money on your premiums, beware of the company that gives you an offer that seems excessively low. It’s possible that the provider may not give you quality coverage. Here are some ways to spot a scam.
The first way to spot an insurance scam is to look for an insurance license that is not valid in your state. Any low cost auto insurance agent trying to sell insurance without being licensed in that state is operating illegally. You should see the license number displayed on a business card or in the paperwork given to you by the agent. If you don’t, it’s time to find another insurance provider.
Before you buy low cost auto insurance from any company, check their company rating. Insurance providers are rated by independent rating companies which give the consumer an idea of any given provider’s financial standing. Don’t do business with any company that has less than an A rating, since a company bankruptcy would cause you to lose both the money you’ve invested and your coverage.
The minimum amount of coverage required in order to drive varies from state to state. Depending on where you live, you’ll be required to purchase bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage, and possibly uninsured motorist protection. Any insurance company that doesn’t require you to maintain these minimum coverage amounts is doing you a disservice, since you could face serious consequences if you get in an accident.
Low cost auto insurance rates will also differ based on the type of car you drive. Used cars and cars that don’t get stolen as often, don’t statistically crash as often, and that are less expensive to repair or replace will usually qualify for cheaper insurance rates. Look for cars that are a couple of years old since they will already have depreciated in value compared to a new car. Also, if you’re buying a car, make sure you can easily find parts for it without special ordering.
