CARY, N.C. — As multiple captive finance companies make
special considerations for furloughed federal workers, the ongoing turmoil on
Capitol Hill over the government shutdown and debt ceiling appears to be having
a pronounced impact on potential sales.

Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence found that one in four visitors
to KBB.com who are looking to purchase a new or used vehicle within the next six
months say the government shutdown or approaching debt ceiling issue has
impacted their decision of when to buy a vehicle.

KBB also discovered through its recent survey that six in 10
site visitors who plan to finance their next vehicle purchase think interest
rates for vehicle loans will increase during the next year.

When asked about where the U.S. economy was heading during
the next year, KBB.com survey respondents answered with mixed feelings. The
results landed this way:

—41 percent say the U.S. economy will become much or
slightly worse.

—36 percent say the U.S. economy will become much or
slightly better.

—24 percent say the U.S. economy will remain the same as now.

"The on-going government shutdown poses risk to the on-going
recovery in new-vehicle sales," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst at Kelley
Blue Book. "In fact, 18 percent of the KBB.com site visitors that participated
in a recent survey indicated they planned to delay their new-vehicle purchase
until the issue was resolved. 

"In September, new-vehicle sales sold at a much slower pace
than through summer and an extended government shutdown could keep demand at
least somewhat suppressed for quite some time," Gutierrez continued.

Captive finance companies put plans in motion to handle
potential payment problems the federal gridlock might be causing.

Hyundai Motor America enhanced its Assurance program with
the launch of a new payment deferral program aimed at helping federal employees
furloughed during the government shutdown.

Under the plan, Hyundai will extend all auto loan and lease
payments during the shutdown for current Hyundai owners who are furloughed.

"We recognize the impact on family budgets that the furlough
will drive," said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of
Hyundai Motor America. "Like we did almost four years ago when we launched
Hyundai Assurance, this is our way of saying ‘We've got your back' during this
uncertain time."

Current Hyundai owners will be provided relief from payments
for as long as they are out of work.

The company also mentioned furloughed employees who wish to
buy a vehicle this month will be offered a 90-day payment deferral.

The OEM estimated that more than 800,000 workers will not
get paid during the shutdown.

"Like the original Hyundai Assurance job loss protection
program, the federal employee payment deferral plan is aimed at helping workers
at a time when they most need it. The program is available to any customer who
has financed his or her purchase or lease through Hyundai Finance America,"
company officials said.

Meanwhile, Toyota Financial Services announced it is
offering payment relief options to its customers affected by the federal
government shutdown.

Officials highlighted their outreach includes any Toyota
Financial Services (TFS) or Lexus Financial Services (LFS) customer financially
burdened by the government shutdown, including furloughed workers, businesses
and employees of businesses directly affected by the shutdown, government
contractors, and suppliers.

TFS or LFS customers in good standing with their accounts
may be eligible to defer up to three months of payments.

"The government
shutdown has placed an unanticipated financial strain on many individuals and
families," said Al Smith, Toyota Financial Services group vice president of
service operations.

"Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services
remain committed to making the lives of our customers easier, so we are pleased
to be able to provide some flexibility to our customers affected by this
situation," Smith continued.

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