Test Drives, Trends & Events

Leasing a car has just become a bit more difficult. Several companies, including those that handle leases for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors brands have either cut back or eliminated their auto leasing programs. Chrysler LLC, which sells Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands, discontinues its leasing programs through its lender Chrysler Financial as well as Chase Auto Finance as of July 31, 2008.

Despite recent reports to the contrary in the Wall Street Journal, General Motors (GM) is not considering discontinuing or selling any of its brands other than Hummer, according to a meeting Mark LaNeve, VP of Sales for North America, had with its dealers. Regardless of its official position on the matter, there are definitely some major changes on the horizon for GM. It is faced with a 16 percent decline in sales this year (compared with an industry-wide decline of 10 percent). Stock analysts believe the company needs to raise $5 billion to $15 billion in cash in order to stem its ongoing losses and high expenses, and if it doesn't, bankruptcy is a possibility.

General Motors has put its Hummer brand up for sale.

In yesterday's post, I addressed whether you should be concerned if you are buying a car from one of GM's eight b...

General Motors (GM) is considering discontinuing or selling several more of its brands, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. GM, which has been struggling financially, currently sells eight different brands, including Hummer, which it put up for sale last month. If you are considering buying a car from one of GM's brands, especially a Buick, Pontiac, Saab or Saturn, which are the brands most likely to be affected, should you reconsider your purchase?

The short answer is no. Regardless of whether a brand is sold or discontinued, your car warranty will still be in effect (though it may be managed by anoth...