Dealers: Page 104
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
It’s a Wrap for Some Dealers
Suburban Detroit restaurateur Luciano Del Signore spent about $80,000 to create a catering kitchen on wheels that also serves as a moving billboard for his business. The vehicle exterior is adorned with large format graphics of a woman sipping wine amid colors that match the ceiling of his upscale eatery, Bacco Ristorante. Two Michigan dealerships played a key role in the creation. Through a division
By Maureen McDonald • June 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealership Group’s Bommarito Becomes Brand
The Bommarito Automotive Group sold more than 74,000 vehicles last year, helping to make it a highly recognizable auto-retailing brand in the St. Louis market. The high volume of sales has put the group on the local map. So, too, has an assortment of marketing brainstorms from Frank Bommarito, who at age 77 is still active in the business he founded. Senior Financial Manager Samuel Massey gives his
June 1, 2011 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer Flies High After Passing Up Aviation Career
“Get along with your franchisor” or find another business for yourself, says Fred Anderson who became a dealer after considering a career as an airplane pilot.
By Lillie Guyer • May 31, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mitsubishi Remains Profitable Despite Setbacks, Top Exec Says
The auto maker eked out a tiny profit in fiscal 2008, followed by more profits in fiscal 2009 and 2010. Then, just it was primed to restructure its operations to be profitable at $1:¥85, Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami struck.
By Roger Schreffler • May 24, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Saab’s U.S. Dealers Maintain Positive Outlook After Chinese Financing Deal Dashed
Negotiations to secure funding for Saab will no longer be exclusive to Hawtai, and the auto maker now is in talks with other potential Chinese partners.
By James M. Amend • May 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer Lets Kids Run Internet Operations
Ed Tonkin realizes the importance of dealership Internet initiatives such as social networking, “but I’m not the guy to do it.”
By Mac Gordon • May 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Back Shop on Front Burner at Victory Automotive
“We leverage every service promotion we can to keep them coming back,” says megadealer Jeff Cappo.
By Mac Gordon • May 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealership Group’s ‘Bommarito’ Becomes Brand
A high volume of sales has put the group on the local map. So, too, has an assortment of marketing brainstorms from the founder.
By Mac Gordon • May 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ed Bozarth Sells Chevys in Big Way
Megadealer is a GM loyalist, but not without a disappointment here and there.
By Mac Gordon • May 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Findlay Automotive on a Roll in Hard-Hit Las Vegas
The dealership group has branched out with the addition of several foreign brands.
By Mac Gordon • May 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Speck Takes Charge of Volvo Marketing, Sales and Customer Service
Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby says Speck will lead a global review of marketing and sales.
By Ward's Staff • May 3, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Running Car Dealerships Requires Some Luck, Lots of Work
“Adversity made us stronger, and we proved to ourselves what we are capable of,” says Michael Brown, co-owner of the Atlantic Automotive Group.
By Lillie Guyer • May 2, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bring Two Sides Together
As a car salesman, John Vecchioni told co-workers in the finance and insurance office, I don't care what you do, just don't blow my deal. His career path has since crossed over to F&I, giving him a better understanding of how both sides work and can work in harmony. But his original wariness as a salesperson reflects how the two auto dealership departments can clash. There are typical complaints against
By Steve Finlay • May 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
It’s Real Simple With Us
Luck has been on Michael Brown's side as he has moved up the ranks and acquired winning dealership franchises. But it's not all luck when it comes to running a major dealership group. It also takes hard work and know-how, as evidenced by Brown and business partner John Pickett, who own a 40% stake in the Atlantic Automotive Group based in West Islip, NY. The group, founded by John Staluppi, who remains
By Lillie Guyer • May 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Publisher Launches B2B Marketing Services Group
The new Penton Marketing Services will work with clients to analyze business needs and develop strategic marketing solutions, according to the company.
April 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Dealer Uses Traditional Means for Digital Ends
“You do everything you can to drive people to your dealership website,” says Iowa dealer Craig Miller.
By Steve Finlay • April 12, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
It’s a Wrap for Some Auto Dealers
Plain vehicles are canvases for graphic creativity – and dealer profitability.
By Maureen McDonald • April 8, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chambers Dealer Group Pursues Fast-Moving E-Commerce
Automotive e-commerce is a fast-moving target, but Herb Chambers' dealership group is a speedy organization in its own right. Herb Chambers is an amazing motivator and constantly encourages us to never settle and to always seek constant improvement, says Jay Gubala, general manager-e-commerce and business development for The Herb Chambers Companies, based in Massachusetts and including 44 dealerships.
By Tony Bittick • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Some Dealers Master Internet, Some Dont
Fran O'Hagan recalls when his vice president of operations, Miles Stearman, phoned him with a sudden realization about selling cars in the digital age. Miles called from a dealership he was visiting and said, The Internet is no longer incremental business at dealerships; it is the business, and that's so true today, says O'Hagan, president and CEO of Pied Piper Management, a firm that consults with
By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Herb Chambers Dealer Group Pursues Fast-Moving E-Commerce
“No one’s got this nailed, but do you want to sit in the dealership waiting for clients to walk in the front door, or would you prefer to reach out and connect with them,” says Jay Gubala of the Herb Chambers dealership group.
By Tony Bittick • March 28, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Japanese-Brand Inventory Levels Worry California Auto Dealers
U.S. dealers are expressing concerns and uncertainty about shrinking inventories. Nowhere are those concerns greater than in California.
By Erik Derr • March 21, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Miami Store Serious About Selling Extended Warranties
In six months, the dealership has sold more than 150 policies earning more than $150,000 gross profits.
By Steve Finlay • March 17, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Is World Finally Ready for Used-Car Leasing?
It’s a better market now for used-car leasing, but its under-achieving past may hurt future prospects, says Jonathan Banks of the NADA Used Car Guide.
By Steve Finlay • March 16, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Respond to All Internet Leads? Well, Yes... update from March 2011
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.Here’s a fix many auto dealerships face: slews of Internet leads, fewer workers to field them. That's because online leads are up but staf...
By Steve Finlay 2 • March 10, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Dealers Slow to Respond to Customer Internet Inquiries
Fifty-eight percent of dealers in the study failed to include pricing information in email responses to potential buyers.
By Steve Finlay • March 10, 2011
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