Dealers: Page 110
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Drivers Neglect Maintenance
Drivers intend to keep their vehicles longer than they originally intended, but may not be adjusting their maintenance habits to keep pace with their change in plans, according to a survey commissioned by ExxonMobil. The survey polled drivers who are ages 18 and older and participate in the decision-making about automotive maintenance. Many dealerships, suffering from a decline in vehicle sales, are
Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Minority Dealers Battle for Survival
Private-equity groups, venture capitalists and import brands provide potential opportunities for minority dealers.
By Lillie Guyer • Aug. 24, 2009 -
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
This Old Auto Dealer Isn’t Fading Away
“There aren’t too many World War II veterans left among active dealers, but I think they'd feel the same about its impact.”
By Mac Gordon • Aug. 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ford Challenged by Focus BEV Marketing Strategy
Ford Focus battery-electric prototypes currently are undergoing evaluation at the auto maker’s Dearborn proving ground.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 6, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
“Do We Sell Tires? Please Hold”
His phone inquiries show auto dealerships’ shortcomings
By Lee Harkins • Aug. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealer.com Joins with Auto Ad Agencies to Enhance Sites
Dealer.com, an automotive online marketing provider, is partnering with certain advertising agencies in what is called an effort to enhance dealer websites and Internet marketing. Dealer.com says dealers can now work with website providers and ad agencies in a collaborative partnership to capitalize on the strengths of the different vendors. Participating automotive advertising agencies include: Zimmerman
Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Banker Predicts Auto Financing Will Become Strong Again
Auto financing will emerge stronger from the current economic woes, predicts Mark Pregmon, chairman of the Consumer Bankers Assn.'s finance committee. The credit crisis, the recession and the curtailment of consumer spending came so viciously, he says. But he invokes the memory of Joe Ballow, the association's chairman who died recently. Joe was optimistic and resilient and so should we. As far as
By Steve Finlay • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Northwood First University to Offer WomenCertified Course
Northwood University is offering a new course to boost consumer confidence and satisfaction among women car buyers. The school's automotive marketing department is offering a training and certification program to students at its Florida, Michigan and Texas campuses. Northwood is the first higher education institution in the U.S. to offer the course as part of its curriculum. It is also available to
Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lear to File Chapter 11
The bankruptcy filing will cover certain Lear subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada, but operations outside those countries be excluded.
By Ward's Staff • July 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
8 Ways to Impress Customers
To differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack, take a cue from other retailers (yes, you are a retailer, too). It might be stating the obvious, but view your dealership as a store and your customers as shoppers. The first step to approaching retail innovation is to take a hard look at what you are and what your customers see. By putting yourself in their shoes, you can determine what you're
By Elsa DePalma • July 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Great Rate Debate
Some of the most heated conversations I've had with clients center on whether internal labor rates should be the same as retail rates. Even the mention of such a thing in today's business climate is received with unusual facial expressions and, in some cases, flat-out laughter from dealers who are discounting their internal rate well below their local markets. These are some of the printable comments
By Lee Harkins • July 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Much Too Young...
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.Longtime Las Vegas dealer Daniel Towbin died on June 11 of a heart attack. Towbin, who was 54, was chairman of Towbin Automotive Enterpris...
June 15, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Relieved Dealers Praise Penske-Saturn Deal
GM and Penske confirm details of the proposed transaction that is expected to close in the year’s third quarter.
By Steve Finlay • June 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Rough Days for the Ward’s 500
It is stating the obvious to say the Ward's Dealer 500 ranking numbers are down across the board this year. But the depths to which the numbers have fallen are shocking. The annual list, now in its 22nd year, ranks dealers according to total revenue, which plunged $26 billion from 2007 to 2008. For the first time this decade dealers on the ranking averaged less than $100 million in total revenue,
By Cliff Banks • June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Need a Repair Pal?
At first glance, dealers might groan at the new website RepairPal.com. It's promising to do for the service shop what the Internet did to new-vehicle pricing that is, bring transparency to service and repair process. Smart dealers are going to see the site as another tool to provide enhanced customer service and differentiate themselves from their competitors. The website has been operational less
June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Measure Your Way to Success
As a youth, I thought I was a fast runner. Then I saw what world-class speed was at a track meet. You may think you are doing great with your Internet operation, but without clear comparative metrics it's difficult to really know. There are two areas to measure with metrics: 1.) Performance Metrics (sometimes known as Process Metrics). 2.) Financial Metrics. To really grow your operation, you need
By David Kain • June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Insolvency Won’t Affect Karmann USA
One week after Karmann USA Inc. launches a new business unit at its North American headquarters in Plymouth, MI, parent company Wilhelm Karmann GmbH declares insolvent its 60-year-old vehicle-assembly operations in Europe. Germany's largest independent auto assembler says it was required by law to file for insolvency because plummeting vehicle sales and deteriorating finances have left it unable to
By Tom Murphy • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lenders Getting Choosey
Last year, dealers controlled the relationship with their lenders, but the ongoing credit crisis in the U.S. is giving financial institutions more say in whom they do business with. Banks that have been mainstays for years in providing floorplan financing for dealers, as well as consumer credit, have been tightening their requirements, or worse, pulling out of the automotive sector completely. The
By Cliff Banks • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Market Your Fixed Ops Dept.
I recently moderated a panel at the Ward's Spring Training Conference on using the Internet to market your fixed operations department. The panelists were Les Silver of MPi, Neal East of XTime, Ray Fenster of Lindsay Automotive Group and Bob Horn of Firkins Automotive Group. They provided several ideas for using the fixed operations department as a way to set your dealership apart from the competition.
By Lee Harkins • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Spending Marketing Money Smarter
Digital advertising is all the rage today in automotive retail. Dealers are hearing a steady drumbeat of messaging from self-ascribed experts and Web-focused vendors to get out of print and put all the advertising money into online channels.
By Cliff Banks • April 17, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
F&I Slowly Finds Way to Websites
Few dealership websites currently contain high levels of finance and insurance information, loan applications and interactivity.
By Steve Finlay • April 17, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ward’s Dealer Rankings
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.For more than 20 years, Ward's has produced two of the industry's most authoritative lists: The Ward's Megadealer 100 and Ward's Dealer 500 ...
April 15, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Detroit Electric Takes Stealth Approach to Marketing EVs in U.S.
The first model to hit the market will be the base vehicle that will have a range of about 100 miles. Later, another vehicle with double that range will be offered.
By Herb Shuldiner • April 8, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
SMS Supercars to Honor Saleen Inc. Warranties
Former racer and performance-car guru Steve Saleen, who founded Saleen Inc. over 25 years ago and remained CEO until 2006, left the company completely in spring 2007.
By Ward's Staff • April 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Here’s How to Sell More
How can I sell more pre-owned vehicles? This question comes up at hundreds of NCM Associates 20-Group meetings throughout the country. I'm listing the best solutions that have been shared by thousands of dealers. Develop an inventory model that includes: Make, model, trim, mileage and year. Retail price range or price point. Average turn in days. Optimum stocking levels. Aging policy by category.
By Tony Albertson • April 1, 2009
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