(NAPSI)–To keep your car on the road to safety and savings, now is a good time to make sure that it’s in the best condition.

“Now is the time for motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in shape,” said Jim Sassorossi, head of Product Development at Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “The safety, performance and life of a vehicle hinge on preventive maintenance.”

If you’ve lived through bankruptcy as well as increased past due repayment schedules we will be the auto financing consultant you’ve been interested in.

CRI Solutions is proud to be a Transamerica company and wanted our new corporate branding to showcase the strength of that relationship in the credit union marketplace, said Brooke Strohman, CRI Solutions President. CRI Solutions strives to be a tomorrow maker for our credit union clients and their members as we work to help drive business, improve service and increase revenue through customized and creative solutions.

CRI Solutions offers a full suite of products that provide protection for credit union loans, members, and for the credit union itself. In combination with its extensive training, incentive tracking programs and integrated technology, CRI Solutions helps credit unions deliver more products and services as well as earn more income.

About Transamerica
The Transamerica companies offer a wide array of innovative financial services and products with a common purpose: to help individuals, families, and businesses build, protect and preserve their hard-earned assets. With more than a century of experience, we have built a solid reputation on solid management, sound decisions and consumer confidence. For more information, visit www.transamerica.com.

About CRI Solutions, Inc.
CRI Solutions, a Transamerica company, serves credit unions by developing and delivering insurance and financial products such as Debt Protection, Credit Insurance, GAP and Auto Warranties. The companys best-of-breed technology platforms: CRIterionreg; and InterLendreg; offer market leading custom lending and workflow solutions that integrate financial products with the technology platforms. CRI Solutions technology offerings also include IT consulting, business continuity services, and indirect lending interfaces. For more information, visit www.CRISolutions.net.

Mitchell Schmale
Maroon PR
410-336-8571 or Mitchell@MaroonPR.com

Whether you have experienced personal bankruptcy or just unnecessary late repayment schedules we have become the auto financing consultant you have been interested in.

Ector County Commissioners voted at their April 23 meeting to fire Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent Larry Trent Norman, 52, in a 3-1 vote. The court met in executive session to discuss their options before finally announcing their vote in regular session.

He no longer works for the county, Ector County Judge Susan Redford said, but would not comment on why Norman was terminated.

According to records obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the county placed Norman on administrative leave following claims about him involving one or more of the following:

• The use of racially degrading language in front of employees;
• Falsified time sheets concerning days that werent worked;
• Sexually harassing conduct;
• And/or threatening statements towards employees in the department.

The document also states Norman was to be placed on administrative leave effective immediately upon signing the notice dated March 20 while the county began looking into the claims. The document also states Norman was not to have contact with any county employees during his time on administrative leave except for Human Resources Director Pat Patton and Redford.

Calls made to Normans residence were not returned Tuesday afternoon.

The claims against Norman in March were not the first time the county investigated complaints against him.

Other documents obtained through the freedom of information act state Norman was also investigated in 2008 after claims were made he used county equipment, tools, supplies and personnel to perform work on his private vehicle. The claims in the document also stated Norman used working inmates to clean a personal vehicle and toilet fixtures belonging to a private organization and it was alleged Norman made threats of retaliation against anyone who reported him.

During an investigation by the Ector County Sheriffs Office, Norman admitted to using the tools and inmates, but denied making threats, documents state. Norman was then suspended without pay for 10 days between July 16, 2008 and July 26, 2008 and placed on six months probation, documents state.

Prior to working for the county, Norman was a shop manager at Dependable Automotive between 1985 and 1994, a mechanic for Burrows Automotive between 1984 and 1985 and was also a senior mechanic for the United States Army from 1977 until 1980, documents state.

@OAgovernment

Consumer Auto Financing ensures auto financing along with bad credit auto financing routinely due to no deposit.

MONKTON, MD, Apr 27, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Legendary critic Robert Parker, the most influential and
authoritative voice in wine reviews, published the 200th issue of The
Wine Advocate today. The industry’s most trusted, independent wine
publication made the 100-point rating scale famous resonating with
both casual wine lovers and industry insiders as the measure for
recognizing great quality. Professional, meticulous tasting notes and
thorough regional analysis have allowed The Wine Advocate critics to
exert the most significant influence on consumer’s buying habits and
wine trends in the United States, as well as in 40 countries around
the world.

The 200th anniversary issue is full of more in-depth reviews and
articles focusing on 2011 Bordeaux with Robert Parker following his
historic review of the 2009 vintage; Barolo and Brunello di
Montalcino with Italian wine expert Antonio Galloni; Piorat, Cava and
Catalonia, Spain, as well as Sauternes and Barsacs with
Latin-American wine expert Neil Martin; New South Wales with Lisa
Perotti-Brown — one of only a handful of female Masters of Wine
worldwide; Portugal and Greece with the talented Mark Squires; and
Savoie, France with European expert David Schildknecht. The team of
highly acclaimed wine reviewers covers the world’s top-producing
regions with independent reviews, which truly sets The Wine Advocate
apart from its competitors.

Since its first publication — initially titled The Independent
Consumer’s Bimonthly Guide to Fine Wine — the highly esteemed
journal has not relied on any form of advertising or sponsorship. Its
sole focus is to provide non-biased reviews readers have come to
trust as the industry benchmark. Today, it is the most-anticipated
wine guide published on the wine market.

In fact, one observer noted that “when Robert Parker spits, the world
listens.” Insiders have long maintained that Bordeaux producers and
industry marketers have been known to wait up for The Wine Advocate
ratings to be released before setting wine prices. Whether you
believe winemakers produce wine for Parker’s palate or just
appreciate what he and his team have to say, there’s no doubt the
last 34 years have markedly impacted the world of wine.

“I’m proud of the work, care and dedication our team puts into each
issue giving our readers the best analysis and reviews in the
business,” said founder and wine critic, Robert Parker. “It’s amazing
to think about the last 200 issues without extraordinary gratitude to
our loyal subscribers for their continued interest, lively
discussions and passion for what we simply love doing.”

About The Wine Advocate
First published in 1978, The Wine Advocate
is the most thorough and trusted guide to fine wine created by the
world-famous, authoritative voice in wine criticism, Robert M.
Parker, Jr. Published bimonthly, Parker set out to create a guide for
the wine consumer utilizing the 100-point rating scale along with
meticulous professional tasting notes for true lovers of wine.
Virtually every knowledgeable observer agrees that Parker’s ratings
exert the most significant influence on the serious wine consumer’s
buying habits and trends in the United States and at least 40
countries around the globe. For more information, visit

www.erobertparker.com .

@robertmparkerjr
(Covers Bourdeaux,
California)

@antoniogalloni
(Covers California, Italy, Champagne,
Chablis, Burgandy)

@nealmartin
(Covers Latin America, S.
Africa)

@lisapbmw
(Covers New Zealand, Australia,
China)

@marksquiresw
(Covers Israel, Portugal, Greece)

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marina Soto
909.592.0357
marina@ms-communication.net

SOURCE: The Wine Advocate

mailto:marina@ms-communication.net

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

Once you have lived through bankruptcies or exorbitant delayed payments we’ve been that auto financing company you have been interested in.

OAKS, Pa., April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Onlinemechanix.com announced today the launch of its new and revolutionary website that will simplify auto repair for millions of vehicle owners. Pennsylvania residents can use onlinemechanix.com to search for local auto repair shops and schedule service appointments online 24/7 for free. As long as consumers schedule their service appointments through onlinemechanix.com, they will have access to their vehicles’ maintenance history records at no charge.

Onlinemechanix.com enables consumers to maintain the relationships they have established with their local, friendly, reliable and lower cost auto repair shops and get the same types of services they would receive from larger chain auto repair shops. According to an independent study, 68% of consumers want their local auto repair shop to offer access to online vehicle maintenance records. “Vehicle owners are seeking a better way to keep track of their maintenance history records and we provide that service automatically when they schedule their auto repair appointments through onlinemechanix.com,” says John Formento, Jr. CEO of onlinemechanix.com and 2011 graduate of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State.

There are substantial benefits for local auto repair shops as well. Onlinemechanix.com provides local auto repair shops with online customer history reporting and an online calendar that can be used to track ALL their appointments.

The service is available to all local auto repair shops in Pennsylvania. “Since there are literally thousands of shops in PA, we ask that vehicle owners help us sign up their shop. Tell your shop about onlinemechanix.com and when they sign up we will give you $20,” John said. Visit onlinemechanix.com for more details on the $20 promotion.

By starting onlinemechanix.com, the company hopes to create jobs in Pennsylvania and provide a new and exciting user experience for its customers.

About onlinemechanix.com

Onlinemechanix.com is a privately held company located in Oaks, PA. The company was founded by John P. Formento, Jr., John P. Formento, Sr. and T. Ray Humphrey and is dedicated to providing technology to smaller businesses so they can better compete in an ever-challenging economic environment.

Contact: John Formento, JrPhone: (484) 366-4806Address: 1129 Egypt Rd Oaks, PA 19456johnjr@onlinemechanix.com

SOURCE onlinemechanix.com

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

Our company’s nationalized auto financing centers are dedicated to one of a kind auto finance loan approval.

Mistake 1: Using last year’s cost metrics to predict next year’s costs

From a planning perspective, one of the most common errors retailers make is assuming that next year’s costs will be the same as this year’s or last year’s costs. Given the current environment – soaring fuel costs, a driver shortage that’s driving up wages, and regulatory mandates requiring cleaner, more fuel-efficient and more expensive engines, transportation costs are likely to continue to rise faster than distribution costs (the cost of facilities and labor).

The best way to circumvent the problem? First, allocate more money to transportation costs going forward. Second, look for creative ways to offset rising transportation costs. One way is to zero in on your distribution network. While transportation costs are spiraling upwards, distribution costs are expected to remain flat or grow at the pace of inflation. Think about where your distribution centers are located. Are too many located too far from stores? If so, consider repositioning them to minimize driving distances. Model an ideal distribution network and allocate enough funds for accelerating fuel, wage and equipment costs. Failing to factor the rising costs of transportation into budgets can add more pressure to already-squeezed margins.

Mistake 2: Thinking full containers are the best way to move merchandise from Asian manufacturers to the United States

Imagine a well-known department store shipping shirts manufactured in a textile manufacturing plant in China’s Guangdong province to the United States. If you’re like most retailers, you’re convinced the best way to get those shirts from Asia to the United States is to ship a container full of them to a US distribution center and break down the shipments for delivery to your respective stores. The mistake here is assuming that the lowest cost option is handling store-level distribution in the United States. It isn’t. In fact, the smarter option is handling store-level distribution functions before products leave Asia. Handling distribution in Asia is so much more efficient that it can reduce costs by between 40 and 60 percent in labor costs alone.

From a practical perspective, making this model work means setting up distribution/mixing centers in Asia, where products from multiple vendors can be consolidated, packed into store-ready cartons, stuffed into containers and shipped to the United States, where the containers are deconsolidated and orders are shipped directly to stores. Missing an opportunity to optimize distribution in this way can result in higher costs, lower margins and a competitive disadvantage.

Mistake 3: Maintaining separate purchase orders and distribution models for store and online sales

As they pivot to respond to shifting consumer-buying habits, the majority of retailers have in-store and online sales channels. While many have deftly made the leap to e-commerce, many retailers continue to manage the two channels separately. Why? Unlike in-store distribution, where full case lots ship directly to stores, online orders are fulfilled on a one-off basis and shipped to individual consumers, a more complex undertaking.

Integrating the two channels is even more of a challenge. Most retailers generate separate purchase orders for online and in-store channels. A more efficient model aggregates forecasted demand, creates one PO for the products and ships them to the US, where products are separated, offering another 20 to 30 days of demand visibility. If an item doesn’t sell in stores, retailers can place fewer units in stores and shift inventory to the online channel. If a product doesn’t sell online, instead of marking it down and cutting profit margins, retailers can move it through a replenishment model to sell it in stores. The idea is to optimize inventory by deferring decisions about which channel products move through until the last possible moment, based on demand. The later a buying decision is made, the better retailers can protect margins. To be successful, multi-channel retailers need 360-degree visibility into the entire supply chain, access to inventory across the network and flexibility to fulfill all orders from all distribution centers.

The bottom line? Retail supply chains are in a state of flux. And all three mistakes – failing to accurately forecast rising transportation costs, shipping product from Asia to distribution centers in the US, and maintaining separate, dedicated in-store and direct-to-consumer channels – have a direct impact on profit margins. While making the necessary changes can be difficult, working with a third-party logistics provider with hands-on experience tackling these issues can help.

Chris Merritt currently serves as the Vice President and General Manager of Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions Global Retail vertical. In this role, he is responsible for building and strengthening Ryder’s capabilities and presence in this industry vertical through better operational execution and innovative solutions. Mr. Merritt brings more than 20 years experience in the retail, healthcare, and logistics industries.

Apply today to buy a guaranteed bad credit auto loan assuming you have bad credit.

With Mothers Day two weeks away, a Mississauga service centre is reaching out to struggling single moms by offering free car maintenance during the month of May.

The RoadAngelprogramis Autotex Service Centres way of honouring mothers, forced to put vehicle maintenance in the back seat because their hands are full at home and at work as they try to make ends meet.

Sadly, about 200 people die in accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles, according to Be Car Care Aware, a non-profit national organization with the goal of raising awareness about the impact auto maintenance has on safety.

BCCA and its affiliated service, parts and safety members celebrate May as National Car Care Month. They point out women are responsible for car care in 34 per cent of Canadian households.

We thought, lsquo;What better time to help out moms by making sure they are safe on the road? said Robert Yousefian, owner of Autotex Service Centre.

Mothers Day is Sunday, May 13.

We see lots of cars coming into our facility in which safety has been neglected. A lot of single moms work very hard to care for their kids and push vehicle maintenance and repairs to the bottom of their priority list, Yousefian added.

In some cases, maintenance has been pushed back because people facing tough times just cant afford it. The thought of an unsafe car with kids going along the highway beside, in front or behind you is pretty scary.

With its four service bays, Autotex has been in business on Mississaugas North Service Rd., west of Dixie Rd. at the corner of the Applewood Village Plaza, since 1995.

The company has had sponsored car-care clinics with BCCA in the past aimed at educating women about car care and safety.

Yousefian said that with the confidence he has in his team of service techs and advisers, hes been able to step back and focus on feel-good projects such as the Road Angel program.

Its being launched this May with the hope it will continue as an annual event and expand to other auto service businesses.

Yousefian has assembled a panel from his network of trade contacts that include members of the auto service industry, parts suppliers and other sponsors who will decide which moms are eligible for free maintenance and repair service.

Someone in our group has already brought to our attention a woman who has a child with special needs. She has been struggling on her own to make ends meet, Yousefian said.

Our goal is for us to be put in contact with people who know of mothers who truly need and deserve help. They can go to our website to apply or come down in person to tell us about them and their situation. They will have to prove they need help and hopefully no one will try to take advantage of the program.

Applications for the Autotex Road Angel Program will be accepted from May 1 to May 31.

Full eligibility requirements and applications are available online, beginning May 1, on the Autotex website autotex.ca or by visiting the Autotex Service Centre facility at 1145 North Service Rd., Mississauga.

For more information about the RoadAngelprogram, contact Autotex Service Centre at rob@autotex.ca or (905) 302-1008.

In case you have encountered personal bankruptcy or maybe increased late payments we are the auto financing company you’re trying to find.

The average driving cost for 2012 is up due to relatively large increases in fuel and tire costs, and more moderate increases in other areas, said John Nielsen, AAA director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. Those increases were offset by a decrease in depreciation resulting in an overall increase of 1.9 percent.

The findings of the 2012 Your Driving Costs study include:

Based on Driving 15,000 miles annually

Small Sedan
44.9 cents
$6,735

Medium Sedan
58.5 cents
$8,780

Large Sedan
75.5 cents
$11,324

Sedan Average
59.6 cents
$8,946

Cost Per Year
In-depth findings of this years study, including a breakdown of specific costs by category of vehicle and various annual mileages, are contained in the Your Driving Costs brochure which is available at select local AAA branch offices or may be downloaded at the AAA Newsroom.

Some driving costs fluctuate at different times during the year, such as what we have experienced with fuel prices since the middle of February, explained Nielsen. However, AAAs use of a consistent methodology for its study allows an accurate comparison of driving costs from year to year, and the figures can reliably be used to compare different categories of vehicles.

Nielsen continued, AAA understands that high fuel prices are a real concern for consumers, and those in the market for a new vehicle may want to be cautious and determine projected operational costs based on varying levels of fuels costs. To assist consumers in determining their individual driving costs, the AAA Your Driving Costs brochure contains a worksheet that can be filled out and personalized for a specific area, driver and vehicle.

Fuel Costs Up 14.8 Percent
The cost of fuel had the largest percentage increase from 2011 to 2012, rising 14.8 percent to 14.2 cents per mile on average for sedan owners. The average cost of regular grade fuel (used by most of the study vehicles) rose 16.6 percent, from $2.880 to $3.357 per gallon. Several vehicles included in the Your Driving Costs study had increases in fuel economy, resulting in the overall average fuel cost increase being slightly less. The fuel costs in the 2012 study were calculated using the national average price for regular, unleaded gasoline during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Tire Costs Up 4.2 Percent
The cost of tires ranks second highest among the factors that rose from 2011 to 2012, increasing by 4.2 percent to one cent per mile on average for sedan owners. The rise in cost can be attributed to higher costs for natural rubber, and the increased cost of oil used in tire production and transportation from factory to distributors across the country. A collateral factor is a trend for manufactures to equip new cars with premium-grade tires rather than mid-grade tires.

Depreciation Drops 4.9 Percent
Depreciation costs were up slightly in 2011, but for 2012 the trend has reversed with depreciation falling across the board by nearly five percent. This change may be a consequence of reduced new car sales over the past few years, which has resulted in a relative shortage of good used cars on the market, driving up their value. This is good news for those in the resale market as their vehicles will retain a greater portion of their purchase cost.

Maintenance Costs Up 0.7 Percent
Maintenance costs are slightly higher in the 2012 Your Driving Costs study with an increase of 0.7 percent to 4.47 cents per mile on average for sedans. Factors contributing to the increase include higher prices for oil and more manufacturers now requiring synthetic or synthetic-blend motor oils. Although the use of these oils often comes with extended service intervals, the higher cost of the oil combined with increased maintenance operations at each service (which adds to the time required) can combine to increase overall vehicle maintenance costs.

Insurance Costs Up 3.4 Percent
Average insurance costs for sedans rose 3.4 percent (or $33) to $1001 yearly. Insurance rates vary widely by driver and driving record, issuing company and geographical region. AAA insurance cost estimates are based on a low-risk driver with a clean driving record. For 2012, this group saw a small increase that offset a decrease experienced in 2011. Quotes from five AAA clubs and insurance companies representing seven states showed across the board increases for all sedan sizes, with large cars having the biggest increase.

62nd Year of Your Driving Costs Study
AAA has published Your Driving Costs since 1950. That year, driving a car 10,000 miles per year cost 9 cents per mile, and gasoline sold for 27 cents per gallon.

Driving Costs are also affected by how well your vehicle runs. Performing regular maintenance not only ensures fuel-efficient operation but can help prevent costly vehicle repairs that can add to your total ownership cost. For more information on ways to keep your vehicle in top condition read the owners manual and visit AAA.com for vehicle care information, automated maintenance reminders and repair facility locator tools.

The Your Driving Costs study analyzes the cost to own and operate a vehicle in the US Variable operating costs considered in the study include fuel, maintenance and tires. Fuel costs are based on $3.357 per gallon (average price of gas for October 2011-December 2011/AAA Fuel Gauge Report) and Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings weighted 60 percent city, 40 percent highway driving. Fixed ownership costs factored into the results include insurance, license and registration fees, taxes, depreciation and finance charges. These ownership costs are assumed to be on a purchase of a new vehicle, depreciated over five years. Finance charges are based on five year loan at six percent interest with a 10 percent down payment. Your actual operating costs may vary. Refer to page three of AAAs 2012 Your Driving Costs brochure for a list of vehicles and assumptions used in the study.

To conduct its study, AAAs auto buying and repair experts compiled detailed driving costs for small, medium, and large sedans. Driving costs in each category are based on the average costs for five top-selling models selected by AAA. By size category, they are:
Small Sedan Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.
Medium Sedan Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.
Large Sedan Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.

Though not part of the AAA composite average, SUV and minivan information is also included in Your Driving Costs to help buyers estimate operating costs for these types of vehicles. Selected models include:
SUVs Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.
Minivans Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna.

As North Americas largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Consumer Auto Financing possesses a selection of auto financing options available for most different kinds of cash.

RoadLoans.com is a leading online auto lender specializing in new and used auto financing for customers with all types of credit seeking a direct lending experience. RoadLoans.com also offers customers the opportunity to refinance an existing auto loan. Founded in 1997, RoadLoans.com is owned by Santander Consumer USA Inc., a leading automotive finance company in the US

Consumers shopping at Cars.com will have the option to select financing as part of their search for a particular vehicle. Once at the Car Financing Center, shoppers can complete a secure online loan application and receive a loan decision in less than a minute. Consumers may customize their auto loan, selecting their preferences for Annual Percentage Rate (APR), loan term (months) and down payment amount. Consumers will also benefit from educational tools such as payment calculators, car videos, online chat with an auto loan specialist, and contact information for the dealer selling the vehicle.

Cars.com and RoadLoans.com are leaders in the online car shopping market, and are uniquely positioned to connect approved consumers with participating dealers, says Lana Johnson, vice president of originations for Santander Consumer USA.

RoadLoans has helped hundreds of thousands of people receive auto financing before they ever set foot in a dealership, which removes much of the anxiety consumers feel when they purchase a car, adds Johnson. Cars.com is a trusted brand by millions of people, and their Web presence coupled with our finance capabilities allow us to help more customers purchase a car.

Cars.com is thrilled to work with RoadLoans.com to offer real-time finance decisions to our customers by a trusted, global banking leader like Santander, says Mark Seaton, director of new business for Cars.com.

Cars.com customers will be more empowered than ever to get the vehicle they are looking for with a pre-approved voucher from a respected lender. RoadLoans.com has the ability to offer competitive financing to all credit types from prime, to non-prime to sub-prime, which was very important to us, stated Seaton. Cars.com is a premier site and brand among auto shoppers, and by working with RoadLoans.com we deliver a true win for our customers and dealers.

About RoadLoans.com and Santander Consumer USA Inc.

Santander Consumer USA Inc., owner of the Drive#174;, Santander Auto Finance#174; and RoadLoans.com#174; brands, is a leading company in the automotive finance sector, whose core business is indirect, direct and third-party originations and servicing of auto loans. The company has a serviced auto loan portfolio of approximately $21 billion and relationships with nearly 13,000 dealers in the US The company began originating loans in 1997 and is headquartered in Dallas. (http://www.santanderconsumerusa.com and http://www.roadloans.com)

Santander Consumer USA is a unit of Banco Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N, BNC.LN), a retail and commercial bank, based in Spain, with a presence in 10 main markets. At the end of 2010, Santander was the largest bank in the euro zone and 10th in the world by market capitalization. Founded in 1857, Santander had at year-end EUR 1,362 billion in managed funds, more than 95 million customers, 14,082 branches more than any other international bank and 179,000 employees. It is the largest financial group in Spain and Latin America. Furthermore, it has significant positions in the United Kingdom, Portugal, the US northeast and, through its Santander Consumer Finance arm, in Germany and Poland. Santander registered euro 8,181 million in net attributable profit in 2010.

About Cars.com

Cars.com is an award-winning online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. With price listings, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and a large selection of new- and used-car inventory, Cars.com puts millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions. Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo (NYSE: BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

Apply today to enjoy a guaranteed bad credit auto loan whether you have unfavorable credit ratings.

ORLANDO, Fla., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Increases in gas and tires drive up average costs for sedans to $8,946 yearly, 59.6 cents per mile; SUV costs up to $11,360 yearly, 75.7 cents per mile

AAA released the results of its annual ‘Your Driving Costs’ study today revealing a 1.9 percent rise in the yearly costs to own and operate a sedan in the U.S. The average costs rose 1.1 cents per mile to 59.6 cents per mile, or $8,946 per year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving.

“The average driving cost for 2012 is up due to relatively large increases in fuel and tire costs, and more moderate increases in other areas,” said John Nielsen, AAA director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “Those increases were offset by a decrease in depreciation resulting in an overall increase of 1.9 percent.”

The findings of the 2012 ‘Your Driving Costs’ study include:

Based on Driving 15,000 miles annually Small Medium Sedan Large Sedan Sedan Average SUV 4WD Minivan
Sedan
Cost Per Mile 44.9 cents 58.5 cents 75.5 cents 59.6 cents 75.7 cents 63.4 cents
Cost Per Year $6,735 $8,780 $11,324 $8,946 $11,360 $9,504

In-depth findings of this year’s study, including a breakdown of specific costs by category of vehicle and various annual mileages, are contained in the ‘Your Driving Costs’ brochure which is available at select local AAA branch offices or may be downloaded at the AAA Newsroom.

“Some driving costs fluctuate at different times during the year, such as what we have experienced with fuel prices since the middle of February,” explained Nielsen. “However, AAA’s use of a consistent methodology for its study allows an accurate comparison of driving costs from year to year, and the figures can reliably be used to compare different categories of vehicles.”

Nielsen continued, “AAA understands that high fuel prices are a real concern for consumers, and those in the market for a new vehicle may want to be cautious and determine projected operational costs based on varying levels of fuels costs. To assist consumers in determining their individual driving costs, the AAA ‘Your Driving Costs’ brochure contains a worksheet that can be filled out and personalized for a specific area, driver and vehicle.

Fuel Costs Up 14.8 PercentThe cost of fuel had the largest percentage increase from 2011 to 2012, rising 14.8 percent to 14.2 cents per mile on average for sedan owners. The average cost of regular grade fuel (used by most of the study vehicles) rose 16.6 percent, from $2.880 to $3.357 per gallon. Several vehicles included in the ‘Your Driving Costs’ study had increases in fuel economy, resulting in the overall average fuel cost increase being slightly less. The fuel costs in the 2012 study were calculated using the national average price for regular, unleaded gasoline during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Tire Costs Up 4.2 PercentThe cost of tires ranks second highest among the factors that rose from 2011 to 2012, increasing by 4.2 percent to one cent per mile on average for sedan owners. The rise in cost can be attributed to higher costs for natural rubber, and the increased cost of oil used in tire production and transportation from factory to distributors across the country. A collateral factor is a trend for manufactures to equip new cars with premium-grade tires rather than mid-grade tires.

Depreciation Drops 4.9 Percent Depreciation costs were up slightly in 2011, but for 2012 the trend has reversed with depreciation falling across the board by nearly five percent. This change may be a consequence of reduced new car sales over the past few years, which has resulted in a relative shortage of good used cars on the market, driving up their value. This is good news for those in the resale market as their vehicles will retain a greater portion of their purchase cost.

Maintenance Costs Up 0.7 PercentMaintenance costs are slightly higher in the 2012 ‘Your Driving Costs’ study with an increase of 0.7 percent to 4.47 cents per mile on average for sedans. Factors contributing to the increase include higher prices for oil and more manufacturers now requiring synthetic or synthetic-blend motor oils. Although the use of these oils often comes with extended service intervals, the higher cost of the oil combined with increased maintenance operations at each service (which adds to the time required) can combine to increase overall vehicle maintenance costs.

Insurance Costs Up 3.4 PercentAverage insurance costs for sedans rose 3.4 percent (or $33) to $1001 yearly. Insurance rates vary widely by driver and driving record, issuing company and geographical region. AAA insurance cost estimates are based on a low-risk driver with a clean driving record. For 2012, this group saw a small increase that offset a decrease experienced in 2011. Quotes from five AAA clubs and insurance companies representing seven states showed across the board increases for all sedan sizes, with large cars having the biggest increase.

62nd Year of ‘Your Driving Costs’ StudyAAA has published ‘Your Driving Costs’ since 1950. That year, driving a car 10,000 miles per year cost 9 cents per mile, and gasoline sold for 27 cents per gallon.

Driving Costs are also affected by how well your vehicle runs. Performing regular maintenance not only ensures fuel-efficient operation but can help prevent costly vehicle repairs that can add to your total ownership cost. For more information on ways to keep your vehicle in top condition read the owner’s manual and visit AAA.com for vehicle care information, automated maintenance reminders and repair facility locator tools.

The ‘Your Driving Costs’ study analyzes the cost to own and operate a vehicle in the U.S. Variable operating costs considered in the study include fuel, maintenance and tires. Fuel costs are based on $3.357 per gallon (average price of gas for October 2011-December 2011/AAA Fuel Gauge Report) and Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings weighted 60 percent city, 40 percent highway driving. Fixed ownership costs factored into the results include insurance, license and registration fees, taxes, depreciation and finance charges. These ownership costs are assumed to be on a purchase of a new vehicle, depreciated over five years. Finance charges are based on five year loan at six percent interest with a 10 percent down payment. Your actual operating costs may vary. Refer to page three of AAA’s 2012 ‘Your Driving Costs’ brochure for a list of vehicles and assumptions used in the study.

To conduct its study, AAA’s auto buying and repair experts compiled detailed driving costs for small, medium, and large sedans. Driving costs in each category are based on the average costs for five top-selling models selected by AAA. By size category, they are:

Small Sedan – Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

Medium Sedan – Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

Large Sedan – Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.

Though not part of the AAA composite average, SUV and minivan information is also included in ‘Your Driving Costs’ to help buyers estimate operating costs for these types of vehicles. Selected models include:

SUVs – Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.

Minivans – Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high-resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at newsroom.aaa.com.

Stay connected with AAA on the web via:

Twitter.com/AAAautoTwitter.com/AAAnewsYouTube.com/AAAFacebook.com/AAAfanpageFacebook.com/AutoSkills

SOURCE AAA

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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