An Extinct Species??

[russellw]

I refer to Punterus Retailus or (as more commonly known) the retail new car buyer.

For some years this species has been in decline as a percentage of the new car market largely due to the percentage of new car sales that went to the corporate fleets which in turn generated a steady supply of good, low mileage used stock for the family man to buy at reasonable prices.

Punterus Retailus was therefore usually seen hovering around dealerships in search of small, medium and recrerational vehicles that were less available through the fleet channels.

The sub species full-hookus (the ones who paid RRP) haven't been seen around Blue Oval dealerships for many a year but they could still be seen around Toyota and other dealerships in large numbers.

During the heyday years of the Laser Punterus Retailus could still be spotted at a Ford dealership but they have continued to flock elsewhere since the kA, Fiesta and Focus arrived on the scene. The introduction of Territory caused a few odd specimens to be seen in some dealerships but their stay was short lived after the recent fuel price hikes.

There's a photo on the desks of the Ford Marketing people which I believe is a picture of the last known specimen of Punterus Retailus full-hookus to have been seen in a Ford showroom but the photo is now faded with age being some 12 years old. Occasional rumours do surface about the odd sighting but it is generally accepted that these sightings are either the result of wishful thinking, mass hysteria or an urban myth.

Cheers
Russ