Dealers: Page 107
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Make More Money Off Parts
Auto makers' parts pricing uses the same dealer net-to-list percentages on the majority of parts. It may differ somewhat between product lines. But within the same line, the percentage generally is the same, regardless of the cost of the part. As an example, a water pump (cooling-system product line) that has a dealer net of say $100 would have the same dealer net to list-price percentage as a water-pump
By James Clausen • Sept. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Look Out for Pirates
The two men were well-dressed, spoke like businessmen and appeared to be legitimate representatives of a large company. But the corporate check they gave the dealership for two expensive vehicles was fraudulent. It had originally been verified by a bank but bounced as a fake well after the men and the cars had disappeared. This outsider scam cost the dealer thousands of dollars. The price of insider
By Dave Stevenson • Sept. 1, 2010 -
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
Changing the Way People Buy Used Cars
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.Eric Miltsch holds a college degree in communications, which suits him as the Internet director of Auction Direct USA, a 4-store chain of se...
By Steve Finlay 2 • Aug. 26, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How Auto Dealers Can Get Most from Email Marketing
“The subject line makes or breaks an email,” says Hunter Swift, a sales manager and trainer for CRM firm DealerSocket.
By Steve Finlay • Aug. 5, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How Women Run Back Shops
Three female dealership service directors explain their management styles. It's part of our fixed-operation special that includes the Ward's Service 150.
By Cynthia Leman • Aug. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Have Configurator, Will Sell Accessories
A study at more than 120 car dealerships indicates selling accessories to new-vehicle buyers is enhanced by the right timing and a visualization of potential enhancements. In izmocars' study, car buyers were much more likely to buy accessories when using an online configurator allowing them to interactively customize their new car at the time of purchase. One in two buyers using izmocars' AddOnAuto
Aug. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
AmeriCredit Ends 18-Year Solo Mission
“What’s good about AmeriCredit in their admirable dealer relations is promptness in paying,” GM dealer Gordon Stewart says.
By Mac Gordon • July 27, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How to Sell Extended Car Warranties to Tough Customers
Ineffective sales people talk too much. “We can make money with our ears if we listen to what customers say,” says consultant Ron Reahard.
By Steve Finlay • July 20, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Leaf Coveters Lean Toward Leasing
The federal EV tax credit of $7,500 can be taken at the point of purchase if a customer leases the all-electric Leaf. It already is factored into Nissan’s $349 monthly lease price.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 19, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
ADP to Acquire Cobalt Group
With Cobalt, ADP says it expects to better coordinate auto maker-dealer marketing messages to create a more seamless customer experience.
By Steve Finlay • July 9, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Is End Near for Dealer Newspaper Advertising?
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.Some detractors claim newspaper advertising is as archaic as putting sandwich boards on bums and having them walk around town trying to drum...
By Steve Finlay 2 • July 8, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Car Dealers Leveraging New Smart-Phone Applications
Jim McDavid sees a near-future car dealership service department experience happening this way: A customer uses a smart phone to punch in an appointment, then drops the car off at the designated time, avoiding a wait in the service lanes. When the shop transmits a repair-order estimate, a red dot appears on the customer's phone screen. If OK with the quote, the customer pings back approval. Customers
By Steve Finlay • July 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
CRM Bridges Marketing, Sales
Editor's Note: This is part III of an ongoing series of columns by an Internet expert and auto dealer.) For Internet Auto Dealer 3.0, customer-relationship management systems becomes the bridge between marketing and sales. CRM gives the sales department a glimpse into what marketing has done and promised the customer so that the sales force will deliver on that promise and drive the experience the
By Larry Bruce • July 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Bitter Facts of Auto Retailing: No Work, No Loan, No Car
The challenges of lending today. Part of our auto-financing special capped off by the Ward's Dealer F&I 150.
By James M. Flammang • July 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Some Consumers Need Crash Course in Auto Lending
Many auto makers, dealers and lenders are reaching out to schools and community groups in an effort to bring people up to speed on financing.
By Steve Finlay • June 21, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
AutoNation Uses Social Media to Become ‘the Un-dealer’
“This is not about selling cars or making offers, it’s about making connections and maybe, just maybe, they’ll trust us,” says AutoNation’s Gary Marcotte.
By Steve Finlay • June 16, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Saab Marketing Benches Griffin Badge; Ditches ‘Born from Jets’ Tagline
Lowe New York created the “Born From Jets” slogan, but sources tell Ward’s executives within the new Saab, now owned by Dutch niche-vehicle maker Spyker Cars, considered it too dark.
By James M. Amend • June 4, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Retiring Jerry Cizek Recalls Chicago-Style Auto Shows
CHICAGO Jerry Cizek III has paid his dues. Since 1988 he's been president of the Chicago Automobile Trade Assn., the trade group representing more than 500 Chicagoland new-car dealers, as well as sponsor of the annual Chicago Auto Show that attracts more than a million consumers each year. Now Cizek, 64, has decided to retire at the end of June. Replacing him is Dave Sloan, who has served as CATA
By Jim Mateja • June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How To Increase Repair Orders
Some dealerships are using complimentary vehicle inspections to increase service work. We are using the inspection process in a very professional and credible way, says Erik Day, chief financial officer for Warren Henry Automobiles. We've seen customer-pay repair orders up 25% year-over-year, while we've seen a marked decline in warranty work, he says. We're seeing a shift to parts and service where
By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Follow Up On Refused Work
I spoke with a number of people lately who told me their fixed operations have been going great. Congratulations! But it's not the time to allow any of your staff to start believing everything is so wonderful that we can't get better. We can really grow our business if we keep everyone focused on the mission at hand. The mission is improved profitability built on a foundation of customer retention.
By Lee Harkins • June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Internet Auto Dealer 3.0
(Editor's Note: This is part II of an ongoing series of columns by an Internet expert and auto dealer.) The key to effective online marketing is the landing experience. Until now, the focus in automotive online marketing has been traffic (eyeballs on a site). Landing experiences focus on conversion, getting the lead or the appointment. These small one-to-10 page sites have clear calls to action, are
By Larry Bruce • June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bob Baker Auto Group Stays on Ward’s Megadealer 100 List After All
Bob Baker is one of the San Diego's biggest and most venerable auto dealers and a mainstay on the annual Ward's Megadealer 100. He made the list this year, too. But a mistaken double-entry of another dealership group temporarily bumped the Bob Baker Auto Group from its rightful place at No.100 to No.101. That error kept the 10-store Baker group off the list that ran in the May issue of Ward's Dealer
June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Big Three
NEWPORT BEACH, CA — This affluent California city south of Los Angeles is the home market for a trio of luxury-brand dealers that are rivals but collectively form a “Big Three” of premium auto retailing.The neighboring dealerships are big and beautiful and sell lots of vehicles in a vibrant luxury car market, as evidenced by their standings on the Ward's Dealer 500, now in its 23rd year.
By Mac Gordon • June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Three Luxury Car Dealerships Reign in South California Market
The neighboring dealerships are big and beautiful and sell lots of vehicles, as evidenced by their standings on the Ward’s Dealer 500.
By Mac Gordon • June 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Car Dealer Success Stories Take Many Forms
Among my favorite success stories are the ones in which a setback ironically leads to an opportunity.
By Steve Finlay • May 21, 2010
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