The LA Times reported an interesting story today where despite all the bailout money the US Taxpayers have given them, automakers don’t understand what we really want.

GM, Chrysler don’t get it – Los Angeles Times

After receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded bailouts over the last few months, General Motors and Chrysler returned to Washington on Tuesday to shake their chrome-plated tin cups again.

In addition to begging for billions more in bailout funds, the automakers presented the Treasury Department with plans for how they will repay — eventually — their taxpayer-funded bailouts and get back on their feet.

Americans need cars that go farther on a gallon of gasoline, pollute less and save money at the pump.

Even if we give them more money — and we will — automakers need to embrace the will of the people.  If automakers meet California’s clean law to reduce polluting hydrocarbons, we will see more efficient automobiles that will withstand future gas price increases.

But this takes time.  It takes many years to develop a test a new car.  It’s something that is not done over night. America is to impatient to wait until 2015 for these cars.  The question you have to ask, will American automakers still be around by then?

Ford Motor Co. is offering 0 percent financing on the Ford Escape Hybrid for the first time ever.

Buyers in California and Washington, D.C., can finance the Escape Hybrid for no interest for 60 months. The offer begins Wednesday and runs through April 3.

California and Washington, D.C., are Ford’s two hottest hybrid markets, Ford spokesman Monte Doran said. “The real purpose is that we are continuing to raise awareness of the Escape hybrid,” he added.

The 0-percent offer cannot be combined with any of those other incentives.

Buyers in California and Washington can pick either zero-percent financing or rebates on the Escape Hybrid, which runs on both a traditional engine and a battery-powered motor, Doran said. The offer, which began on March 16th, ends in three weeks. [PRWEB]

See also Hayward Ford

Consumers wanting to purchase their lease at the end of the lease term can now apply for a lease buy out loan with myAutoloan.com, a direct-to-customer, Internet-based auto financing marketplace that helps consumers find auto loan financing including lease buy out loans.

Customers receive up to four lease buy out loan offers from national lending institutions and banks offering competitive rates and terms. Auto leases provide the leasing customer with the option to buy their car at or near the end of the lease. By offering lease buy out financing, myAutoloan.com strengthens their product line to both consumers and its lending base. myAutoloan.com now offers purchase (new and used), refinance, private party, lease and lease buy out loan products direct to consumers.

“Our lease buy out option empowers our customers to control the outcome of their auto purchasing and financing experience,” said Greg Thibodeau, CEO of myAutoloan.com. “We can help them find the right financing in a stress-free, private and secure environment.” [PRWEB]

In the Auto News: auto leases | consumers | lease term | auto financing | auto loan

Auto Trader Australian Motor Brokers offer Free Financial Assessment and capacity check before customers decide on the purchase of their new car. No Deposit and low repayments. Financing a car has never been easier. [PRWEB Oct 4, 2005]