A dealer once told me the following story, which I believe is quite typical in our industry: I remember sitting at my desk one day at my dealership, thinking all was right with the world, when my service manager walks in to my office, drops the...
DaimlerChrysler AG reveals a communications system that enables more efficient use of mobile phones inside its vehicles. Available as an aftermarket product this spring and as a factory item on Chrysler Group vehicles in 2003, the system allows...
Use dealership gift cards to keep customers Through an outside vendor, you can create dealership gift cards. Resembling a credit card, these gift cards bear your name and carry a predetermined monetary value that your customers can redeem at any...
Autobytel Inc.'s president and CEO, Mark Lorimer, resigned in what company officials called a surprise move. Autobytel's board of directors quickly named Jeffrey Schwartz as Lorimer's replacement. Schwartz joined the company as vice chairman in...
October was probably the best new-vehicle sales and profit month in the history of the franchised automobile business. But as you know, used vehicle sales failed to keep pace with that month's new vehicle sales rate which, for many dealers, has...
Cadillac was accused of being a copycat when it unveiled its Escalade EXT luxury sport/utility pickup several months after Ford Motor Co.'s Blackwood debuted, but the roles are reversed regarding first to market. Cadillac began shipping Escalade...
We're all human, and especially with the servicing of automobiles and the severity of climate many of us have to deal with, it is difficult to fix 100% of the cars 100% of the time. That said, customers will be more forgiving if the dealership's...
Mega dealer Rick Case, for the 20th year, is helping the Boys and Girls Club give bicycles to youngsters. The Rick Case Bikes for Kids program asks the public to bring to his local dealerships any two-wheeler they no longer want. They're...
Anticipating a very competitive 2002 John Hine experienced the fruits of one of the best years in automotive sales history last year. The 0% financing really stimulated our business but now we're starting to see that drop off, the southern...
The Russ Darrow Automotive Group in Milwaukee, WI has named Harvey Padek general manager or Darrow Dodge. He will continue to serve as general manager of Russ Darrow Cedarburg. The new position is something of a homecoming for Mr. Padek. His...