Dealers: Page
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Survey Says Car Dealership Professionalism Trumps Price
In giving 5-star reviews, highly satisfied buyers ranked dealer professionalism as the most important factor 47% of the time and price only 14%.
By Steve Finlay • June 20, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ward’s Dealer 500 Hall of Famers
Here’s a quick look at some regular members of the annual list of top dealers.
By Steve Finlay • June 7, 2011 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Quarter-Century of Listing Best of Best
Much has changed since the first Ward’s Dealer 500 ranking, but some things stay the same.
By Steve Finlay • June 6, 2011 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Nation’s Biggest Car Seller Targets Texting Scourge
AutoNation CEO Michael Jackson says his dealerships see the results of drivers texting while on the road in its auto-body shops every day.
By Herb Shuldiner • June 2, 2011 -
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 -
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
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