Excess inventories and a stubborn economy likely will keep fourth-quarter U.S. light-vehicle sales flat with year-ago, while the pressure to keep strong incentives will remain high. Sales are forecast at a 16.8 million seasonally adjusted annual...
Determining the number of times that inventory is sold during the year provides some measure of its liquidity and the ability of the company to convert inventories to cash quickly if that were to become necessary. When turnover is slow, it may...
If forecasts for the rest of 2004 prove correct, the industry's bloated inventories should shrink to more appropriate levels this fall. Ward's forecasts sales to end the year at 17 million units 17.4 million including medium- and heavy-duty trucks...
It's shaping up to be a strong year for the U.S. light-vehicle market, which will end three straight years of decline. If forecasts for the rest of 2004 prove correct, the industry's bloated inventories should shrink closer to normal levels by...
What was expected to be a robust year has yet to materialize. Through April, only a few franchises are reporting strong results. And for the industry, sales are up fractionally, 3.1%, thanks to trucks. What is happening though, presenting more of...
Thorough understanding of days' supply is necessary if a parts inventory is to be both immediately responsive to customer needs and profitable. To correctly calculate days' supply levels, it's necessary to understand two buying methods, split...
A respected dealer told me, My dealership overhead is set up to sell so many monthly units. Based on what I'm seeing in my market, this volume may no longer be realistic or attainable. I told him, It's obvious that if you can't attain the vehicle...
Here is distilled advice actually five main points for operating a profitable parts department. They are not arranged in any order of importance. They're all important. They are ingredients to create an Easy-Money Cocktail. 1st Ingredient:Focus on...
The Internet is increasingly affecting new-vehicle buying decisions, and dealers should think twice about withholding inventory information on line, according to J.D. Power and Associates' 2003 New Autoshopper.com study. Of 30,352 people surveyed...
As we begin the fourth quarter, it's a good time to check certain areas of your operation to ensure a profitable end to 2003. In addition, by properly positioning your operation now, you will be able to begin 2004 in an offensive posture as...