Coronavirus Comeback: Audi’s Reports Record Deliveries

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Last year proved disastrous to many industries and consumers alike, with a tragic and unexpected arrival of Coronavirus that couldn’t be predicted. In order to minimize exposure and protect the general public, many large automotive manufacturers chose to shut down or minimize production to protect workers, and consequently resulting in a lapse in the auto industry. While we were left guessing how long it would take for the industry to recover, this year has proven to be rather positive for brands like Audi, which are not only rebounding but beating performance records.

Audi announced a successful first half of the year

2021 Audi A4 | Audi

With the first half of the year officially at a close, many manufacturers have begun to release their performance statistics, and Audi was proud to announce that they are not only rebounding from last year but thriving. In profit alone, the luxury car brand saw an increase in overall revenue from 20,476 million Euros in the first half of 2020 to 29,212 million Euros in the first half of this year.

Record-breaking deliveries

Audi has announced that the first six months of 2021 have been the most successful first half of the year report the company has ever had. From January through June, Audi delivered 981,681 new vehicles to customers across the world. This is a significant increase from the same period last year in 2020, with a 38.8% increase from last year’s 707,225. The worldwide delivery figures showed positive results for all of the major markets in which Audi is present, including the US market, European market, and the Chinese market. Audi is hopeful that they can continue this positive momentum into the second half of the year.

Audi remains “cautiously optimistic” for the remainder of the year

With the second half of the year still ahead of us, Audi has announced that they are “cautiously optimistic” of anticipated growth in demand for new vehicles across all market segments. This is not only positive for the company but also the hundreds of thousands of employees that work for Audi worldwide, from production to sales. This doesn’t necessarily mean a complete rebound for the entire industry, but it does make quite a difference.

“Nevertheless, the Four Rings take a cautiously optimistic view of the remaining months of the year: accordingly, the Audi Group expects vehicle deliveries of the Audi brand and sales revenue to be significantly higher than in the previous year.”

Audi

Audi display at the 42nd Bangkok International Motor Show 202
Audi display at the 42nd Bangkok International Motor Show 2021 | Guillaume Payen, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images

Record-breaking numbers for Audi means that the brand isn’t just making a recovery, it’s continuing to grow year after year, which reflects the automotive market as a whole in a positive way — which is news many consumers probably enjoy hearing after the past year. With a major push by manufacturers like Audi to continue growing in their sustainable resourcing and production and continuing to grow with a market that is becoming more sustainable overall, it is likely that Audi, like its competitors, will continue to succeed and see growth year after year.

RELATED: Audi Now Offers Rental Car Options to Owners Due to Shortage

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How Do I Find and Plug a Slow Tire Leak?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Do you find yourself having to put air in one of your tires every few days? If so, one of your car’s tires could have a slow air leak. That air leak can eventually lead to a flat tire. Fortunately, you can verify when a tire has a leak and even patch it at home.

How to tell if your car’s tire has an air leak

Student Joseph Ziemek patched a leaking tire during an auto tech class. | Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune

Most modern cars are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that notifies the driver of a change in pressure in any of the car’s tires. However, if you suspect that your vehicle has an air leak and it doesn’t have a tire pressure monitoring system, then there’s an easy way to find it.

First, you can visually inspect the tire’s tread and check for any obvious punctures or nails in it. According to Cars.com, a slow air leak can even be caused by a pinhole in the tread or sidewall. However, the air valve stem or an unsecured tire bead could be culprits as well. In order to pinpoint the leak’s location, you can start by grabbing an empty spray bottle and filling it with soapy water.

Next, take your spray bottle full of soapy water and spray all areas of the tire – this includes the tread, sidewall, the valve stem (uncapped), and along the side of the rim. When you find a spot where bubbles start to form, that’s where the air is leaking out. It’s best to do this process with the tire completely removed from the car, but you can do it with the tire still install. You might just need to move the car backward or forward to ensure you’re inspecting the entire circumference of the tire.

How to fix the tire after spotting the leak

A mechanic at a car repair shop in the Lichtenberg district changes a vehicle from summer to winter tires.
A mechanic at a car repair shop in the Lichtenberg district changes a vehicle from summer to winter tires. | (Photo by Wolfgang Kumm/picture alliance via Getty Images)

After you find the leak, you can fix it yourself as long as the puncture is in the tire tread and not the sidewall. Repair Pal notes that small punctures can be repaired as long as the tire has been driven on when flat. To repair the leak, you can buy a tire repair plug or patch kit at your local auto parts store. If you choose to repair the leak using a plug, then you can simply use the tools in the kit and repair the hole with the tire still mounted on the rim.

But if you choose to repair the hole using a patch kit, then you’ll have to remove the tire completely off the rim so you can patch it from the inside of the tire. In this case, it will be wise to seek the help of a tire shop to patch the tire or at least remove it from the rim for you. Also, if a leak is caused by a damaged wheel or a tire bead issue, then you could be better off getting help from the tire shop.

Will a tire sealant repair the leak?

A car service worker fitting winter tires
A car service worker fitting winter tires. | (Photo by Anton VergunTASS via Getty Images)

While tire sealants like “Fix-a-Flat” can seal small punctures in a tire, they are mainly meant to be a temporary solution, according to Tire Fever. The real solution to fixing any small tire leak is to have plugged or patched. However, if the damage is too large, then you may just need to replace the tire completely.

RELATED: Here’s Why Driving on a Flat Tire Is the Worst Idea

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What Is the Cheapest New Campervan You Won’t Regret Buying?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When the open road calls for some camping adventures, there are all sorts of recreational vehicles to choose from. One type that has been gaining notoriety in recent years is the campervan. Campervans don’t have the name recognition of their larger cousin, the motor home, but the price tag is a lot smaller. So if you’re looking for an affordable option for your RV needs, it’s time to learn more about the campervan and how you might find an option that fits your budget. 

What is a campervan?

A campervan offers many of the traditional benefits associated with a motorhome but within a smaller space. It provides you with both mobility and living space all in one package. As Camper FAQs explains, a campervan will almost always include a bed, often one that pulls down when needed. The van also usually includes a limited amount of storage space. These vehicles often come with a small refrigerator and perhaps a two-burner range for cooking purposes. 

Campervans have gained notice recently thanks to the success of the film Nomadland. In that movie, Frances McDormand portrays the real-life adventures of a retiree who began living life on the road in her own campervan, meeting other folks enjoying a similar lifestyle along the way. 

The 2021 Free Bird takes the prize for affordability

Even though campervans tend to be less expensive than many other types of RVs, they still require a significant investment. Trail and Summit report that if you’re trying to stretch every dollar, one of your best options for a new campervan is the Caravan Outfitters Free Bird, which starts at $39,460. It provides a good mix of functionality and value because it’s built on a Nissan NV200 base. 

With Caravan Outfitter’s Slide and Glide floor, it’s quick and easy to convert your van from living quarters to cargo transporter when you’re not on a camping adventure. Caravan Outfitter also notes that this van features a 31-qt. fridge, two USB power ports, and dimmable LED lighting. The kitchen box comes with a portable butane stove and two storage drawers.

Even better, a dinette set allows you and some companions to dine in comfort and then converts to a bed when it’s time to go to sleep. A ceiling fan and large batwing awning will also help keep you cool, day or night. 

Used campervans reduce costs even more

If this least expensive of new campervans sound out of your reach, you may want to consider some used options. On other occasions, we’ve recommended converted Chevy Astro vans as great, affordable, and reliable used vehicles for many years of camping enjoyment. These campervans are often available on sites such as Craigslist and have a reputation for durability. If you’re lucky, you may even find a converted Chevy Astro van in the $10,000 range. And considering that they’ve been known to reach 300,000 miles, you could end up getting quite a bargain. 

Another widely available model that can be easily and affordably converted is the Ford Transit Connect van. These vehicles often spent their early years in delivery or passenger fleets, so some conversion work would be needed to make them into fully functional campervans. That said, the conversion can be completed for only a few thousand dollars, and the van itself would likely cost under $30,000. Companies such as Ursa Minor Vehicles specialize in converting these Ford vehicles to campervans. 

So if you’re feeling the urge to live life on the road, but a massive RV seems out of reach for you, never fear. An inexpensive campervan may be just what you need to get your adventure started. 

RELATED: The Entire RV Industry Is Taking Steps To Ensure Its Success For Years To Come

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Are Finance Products for Your Car Worth It?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are many tips on finding a vehicle that isn’t a lemon on a car sales lot by doing a lot of research before going to the dealership. But, one thing that often gets overlooked when finding a good deal is the added costs that go into finalizing your financing. All the extras sound great, but are the finance products really worth it?

According to Bankrate, some services could be worth the extra money, while other items are not. Which ones should you avoid, and which ones are worth looking closer at?

What costs go into financing a vehicle when car buying?

Finance money | Getty Images

When you’re car shopping, you typically find a vehicle of interest and begin negotiating with the dealer. A price is agreed upon for the vehicle, and you head inside to finalize the sale of your purchase. The total price you end up paying for the car is way more than the actual sticker price. 

If you’re financing the loan, you’ll be paying for interest, which is simply extra money added to the loan for the privilege of making payments to own the car. According to Car Connection, the dealer will add other costs like taxes, title fees, and document fees.

The trade-in value of the car or down payment will lower the final cost of the vehicle. Once all that’s figured out, the papers are printed out, and you sign on the dotted line, receive your keys and drive home in your new car. 

What extras aren’t worth paying for in your financing loan?

When financing a vehicle, you can add numerous other options to your purchase that will increase the price you ultimately pay for the car. While they may sound like a great option to take, some really are just a waste of your time and money. 

One extra that you should avoid is an extended warranty. Usually, the car comes with one already through the dealership. The extended warranty will often come with unrealistic expectations. For example, you might have to have the car maintained only through their service department, which is three hours away from you. If you don’t, the warranty is voided and won’t cover repairs when you need it most. 

Other services that aren’t worth paying for include paint protection, VIN etching, life insurance, and fabric protection. You can certainly get these services, but paying the dealership to do it will likely cost you tons more, especially since you’re paying interest on the whole auto loan, which services like this are added to.

Which extras might actually be beneficial for car buying?

There are some services they offer that might actually be worth your while, depending on your situation. Gap insurance is good if you’re adding the remainder of one loan to your new car loan. 

This way, if the vehicle is totaled, the gap insurance will pay the difference between the amount your insurance pays out and the amount you own on the vehicle. Otherwise, you will have to pay out of your pocket whatever remains and not get a car for it. 

Anti-theft services might be worthwhile if you live in an area where your vehicle could get stolen. If the price is right, it might just be worth it for peace of mind. However, shop around before signing on the dotted line to see if you can find something elsewhere for less. 

Buying a car is an investment and will cost you quite a bit of money. Adding services to the loan may or may not be a good idea. You can keep your costs down by knowing what services you need and if you can get them for cheaper someplace else. 

RELATED: 10 Car Dealer Scams That Should Be on Every Consumer’s Radar

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