Former car saleswoman, energy expert, and automobile non-enthusiast to author weekly column for the growing audience of car buyers who are not “into” cars. Robin Segal is named new Cars editor for popular website bellaonline.com. Expect sober, no-nonsense advice and analysis in this climate of rising gasoline prices, a soft SUV market, and uncertain alternative fuel car technologies.
Dr. Robin Segal, a self-described automobile non-enthusiast, was recently appointed the new Cars editor at bellaonline.com, a popular website by and for women. Segal joins the ranks of automotive journalism with her weekly articles for people who need, but do not love, cars.
Departing from car enthusiast magazine format, Segal aims to provide readers with practical information about cars, as well as an integrated analysis of the industry and energy economics, which she will link to dealership incentives, technological advances, and global competition. Segal claims that the more people understand the industry, the wiser their purchases will be; that writing about cars is a lot more than describing features, options, and the latest dealer special.
Says Segal, “What is needed is an information source who knows this industry, but who is dispassionate and not enamored of cars, to give consumers a sober picture. There is an unfortunate split in the population, between enthusiasts and hardened cynics, so that those who are not ‘into’ cars tend to be less informed, and to under-prepare for their car dealership shopping adventures.”
Rich with experience, Segal has worked in a wide variety of car-related jobs, from selling cars at a dealership, to designing transportation programs at the United Nations, to consulting for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Segal’s latest book, “The Car Buyer’s Bible; Featuring the Eight Commandments for Buying a Car,” is a no-nonsense user’s manual for car buyers in America. Based on her experience selling cars in a high pressure dealership, Segal is adamant that those consumers who are not 'into' cars are both dissuaded from reading most car enthusiast magazines because they feel like outsiders, and end up reading the bitter scam-the-scammer books. Segal believes that buying a car at a dealership can be a fair experience, but that consumers need a lot more education and guidance about the process than about commentary on new car model features:
“I will provide a broad view and analysis of consumer programs, such as incentives and rebates, in light of the corporate and resource policies in which those programs are designed. This is the kind of information that will turn confused browsers into smart consumers.”
With the quick evolution of alternative technologies, Segal adds that it is more important than ever for consumers to understand which technologies are available, and whether they will enjoy commercial longevity, or will be obsolete in a couple of years.
Segal will launch her bellaonline.com column in December. The Car Buyer’s Bible is available from Amazon.com in book format, and from www.thecarbuyersbible.com both in book and ebook format. ISBN# 0-9719697-44.
There will be a special promotion for THE CAR BUYER’S BIBLE during the 24 hours of November 15th only, at www.thecarbuyersbible.com .
Robin Segal has written about cars and consumers, energy and transportation, for many years. She earned a Ph.D. in energy policy at the University of Pennsylvania, forecasting the market for electric vehicles in California. Her previous book about car salesmen is called “Commission Impossible; Being a Car Salesman in America.” ISBN# 1-4010-8324-2.
