Dealers: Page 101


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    Study: Auto Makers Need to Justify Dealership Upgrade Requests

    There is little hard evidence on the return of investment this spending might yield,” says analyst Glenn Mercer.

    Feb. 4, 2012
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    Dealer Calls for Auto Makers to Boost Margins

    More than half of dealer revenues, but only a quarter of their profits, come from new-vehicle sales. That needs to change, Earl Hesterberg says.

    By David Zoia Editor • Feb. 4, 2012
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    Trendline

    Artificial Intelligence

    Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.

    By WardsAuto staff
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    Saab Dealers Head to Court

    Dealers want a preferred place in line as the liquidating Swedish auto maker pays off creditors.

    By Lillie Guyer • Feb. 2, 2012
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    MOPAR Chief to Deliver Sunday Sermon at NADA

    Having convinced nearly 80% of Chrysler dealers to open their service departments on Saturdays, Pietro Gorlier is pushing Sundays because “it makes sense.”

    By Eric Mayne 1 • Feb. 1, 2012
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    Car-Protection F&I Products Enjoy Resurgence

    “We spend a lot on training how to sell paint and fabric protection because there is so much more to talk about,” says Kelly Price of National Automotive Experts.

    By Jan. 30, 2012
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    From Dealer to Advocate to Author

    As a second-gen auto dealer and the daughter of an immigrant, Tammy Darvish thought it un-American the way GM and Chrysler slashed their dealership networks as part of post-bankruptcy reorganization.

    By Jean Halliday • Jan. 25, 2012
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    Dealer Right-Sizing Saved the Day

    Dealers must make sure that as conditions improve, they don’t lose the business disciplines they have gained in the tough years.

    By Tony Noland • Jan. 24, 2012
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    Driven in Downtown LA

    Darryl Holter oversees a central L.A. dealership group and continues his late father-in-law’s revitalization efforts.

    By Lillie Guyer • Jan. 24, 2012
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    Buyers of Dealerships Must Get Own Franchises

    Buyers should prepare for an in-depth review of their qualifications, financial ability and character.

    By Michael Charrapp • Jan. 20, 2012
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    Saab Story Tearjerker for Some

    Journalists wrote the obituary, but for dealers, there are things left to do. To others, there is a glimmer of hope.

    By Nick Jaynes • Jan. 18, 2012
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    New- and Used-Car Shoppers ‘Very Different’

    “Used-car shoppers are looking for a car, new-car shoppers are looking for a car dealership,” he tells WardsAuto.

    By Jan. 17, 2012
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    Dodge Challenger Wins Shoppers’ Choice Awards

    Finalists were selected based on Internet shoppers’ online searches, submitted inquiries and positive reviews.

    By Jan. 17, 2012
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    Montana Dealer to Become New NADA Chairman

    “This year is going to be the greatest time in a long time to be an auto dealer,” Bill Undrriner says.

    By Tom Beaman • Jan. 17, 2012
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    Women Leave Mark in Dealership F&I Office

    Women are more successful in maximizing finance and insurance packages when customers also are female.

    By Mac Gordon • Jan. 12, 2012
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    Negotiating Vehicle Trade-Ins Touchy Business

    Customers think their trade-ins are worth more than they are. How do dealers handle that? Timing is everything.

    By Darin George • Jan. 11, 2012
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    Clock Starts Ticking in F&I Office

    Car buyers who feel their time is wasted express frustration, often on customer-satisfaction surveys and social-media sites.

    By Dec. 29, 2011
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    Dealer Sells Luxury Cars in Louisiana Truck Country

    Forest Walker III tries to exceed customer expectations. “If I am going to err, I will do so in favor of the customer.”

    By Lillie Guyer • Dec. 28, 2011
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    Dealer TV Reality Show Packs Punch

    Tom Stuker stars in an upcoming reality television show, “Car Lot Cowboy,” in which he visits troubled dealerships and transforms them.

    By Dec. 27, 2011
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    TrueCar.Com Truly Infuriates Many Dealers

    Some would say TrueCar is not incrementally increasing vehicle-sales volume, just lowering dealers’ gross profits.

    By David Ruggles • Dec. 19, 2011
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    Dealers Scout Service Lanes for Potential Used-Car Stock

    The procurement efforts are called “mining” for used cars, an activity that requires innovation rather than excavation.

    By Dec. 12, 2011
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    Auto Dealers Rely on Phones to Answer e-Leads

    Dealers “going back to old days,” says Jody Stidham of Urban Science.

    By Dec. 8, 2011
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    Webinar Highlights Latest, Safest Marketing Practices

    The WardsAuto/DMEautomotive program on Dec. 4 will explain how dealers can best reach customers while complying with new regulations.

    By Nov. 30, 2011
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    Veteran Dealer Passionate About Selling Cars

    “It’s hard work, but there’s nothing in the world that’ll give you more self-satisfaction, more prestige and more enjoyment than the automobile business,” dealer Bob McDorman says.

    By Tom Beaman • Nov. 16, 2011
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    Confessions of a Car Dealership Lot Boy

    Bob McDorman became very successful despite my misadventures as one of his employees.

    By Tom Beaman • Nov. 15, 2011
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    Better Place Lands $200M in New Equity Financing

    The company plans to launch nationwide EV service networks in early 2012 in Israel and Denmark, followed by Australia in the second quarter.

    By Alan Harman • Nov. 14, 2011