Dealers: Page


  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Carmy sedans and move on the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky next to a row of colored front bumpers with Toyota badges. Explore the Trendline
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from WardsAuto

    Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.

    By WardsAuto staff
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dodge Challenger Wins Shoppers’ Choice Awards

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

    By Jan. 17, 2012
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • WardsAuto logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WardsAuto
    Image attribution tooltip

    Honda’s New Marketing Chief Aims for Openness, Greater Social-Media Involvement

    Using social media to form relationships with notoriously advertising-averse younger buyers and loosening up about the auto maker’s R&D activities are among Michael Accavitti’s priorities.

    By Nov. 10, 2011