Fearless Forecast: Prices of Cars in 2009

[4wrider]

The whole world is tupsy-turvy right now and those who have plans of buying cars might be wondering when's the best time to buy now or next year?

With the cost of production presumably going down with the lower oil and metal prices will the local car prices also go down?

Ano nga ba?

[tidus1203]

Unlikely. They always raise prices regardless of raw material costs and they never pass that to consumers. But in the US it might go down since the industry there is in trouble and the competition is cutthroat unlike here sobrang dominant ang Toyota and a few other carmakers. I am not anticipating a huge economic slowdown here to the point of massive layoffs and closure of big companies but there will be a slowdown of smaller proportions. But I think 2nd hand prices might go down due to demand destruction as people become cautious on spending on big items.

As for the best time to buy a car, that a thing you could only answer as you know best your financial circumstance. By the way, Honda will raise the prices of their Civic by P23K, so much for an economic slowdown.

[jedi]

starting dec 1, 2008, the price of the 8th gen civic will increase

http://www.tsikot.com/honda-cars-phi...-civic-prices/

mukhang nararamdaman na din effect ng crisis sa US dito sa pinas

[uls]

as the crisis deepens, there will be people who will badly need cash.

People will be selling their cars

Be on the lookout for sacrifice sales

hehe

[CVT]

Hehehe.... Mga kapitbahay namin.... bago ang mga sasakyan, parang kaka-deliver lang last week - BMW, Fortuner, Sta. Fe, Starex, Innova, Jazz atbp..... Ayun lahat ang mga dati nilang sasakyan.... nakaparada sa kalye.....Whew!

7000:diver:

[coiter]

when was the last time car makers actually reduced prices? they may offer discounts but this would be on a promo basis and only for a short period of time. tingin ko seller's market pa rin dito when it comes to brand new cars no matter what the economic conditions are. parang luxury item pa rin sya. pero sa 2nd hand cars it's becoming a buyer's market.

[4wrider]

I'm sure RP car industry is not immune to the law of supply and demand. Unless, the car makers substantially reduce their production (which is not as easy as in oil by OPEC) universally the excess supply will definitely takes it toll on prices. Even the much more organized oil cartel failed to stop the price rollback by limiting deliverable oil.

I believe if the global economy continue to worsen upto the end of 1Q 2009 affecting OFWs remittances, Exporters earnings (though the weak peso is still propping them up) then the car makers would be forced to reduce their inventories principally by agressive price reductions.

However, if the bailout for the US big 3 does not materialize and if even one 1 files for bankruptcy and if such freezes operation of that company then all the others might benefit with lesser competition. This might avert a possible price war for survival due to a very tight market. So far the Republicans are putting up a road block to the auto bailout. Dahil siguro hindi sila binoto ng mga UAW union members who mostly voted for Democrats.

My take then is that the real prices of cars will go down sometime February if Obama does not direct his new Treasurer Secretary to give what the big 3 are begging or the Democrats failed to overcome Republican resistance in Congress.

Of course, my guess is as good as anyone.

Also, even if have the money to buy, in these uncertain times, prudence is of utmost value.