Dealers: Page 118

Understanding CPO Shoppers

Certified pre-owned vehicles generate greater profit for dealers than do traditional used models.

By Emily Prawdzik Genoff • May 15, 2007

Crawl, Walk and Run

Dealers have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to online marketing investments. One is knowing where to start. So take the crawl-walk-run approach.

By David Kain • May 1, 2007

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial 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

Determined Dealers Taking a Firm Stand on Consolidation

Manufacturer pressure for dealers to consolidate is growing, and runs the risk of violating anti-coercion clauses in most state franchise laws and the federal dealer day-in-court law.

By Mac Gordon • May 1, 2007

Dealership Groups Are Going International

Auto retailing increasingly is becoming a global industry, with some U.S. publicly owned dealership groups seeing profit opportunities overseas, says Paul Melville, a partner with Grant Thornton

By Steve Finlay • May 1, 2007

Association’s F&I Certification Goes Towards College Credit

Certification by the Assn. of Finance & Insurance Professionals is now transferable as course credit to Northwood University through the association's partnership with the Automotive Dealership Institute.

May 1, 2007

Survival of Fittest

Those that survive the coming U.S. consolidation will control a lot of business and be well-run, aggressive, tightly managed dealerships.

By Steve Finlay • April 19, 2007

Saab Taps Shannon as U.S. General Manager

Steve Shannon, who joined GM in 1982, has held positions in field sales, marketing and product planning in the U.S. and Europe.

By Ward's Staff • April 16, 2007

Ford Flex Not Minivan Replacement, Marketing Chief Says

Pricing for Ford Flex CUV, yet to be announced, will be in line with main competitors: the GMC Acadia and Honda Pilot.

By Byron Pope • April 16, 2007

Dealers Curious About New Liberty’s Retractable Roof

Supplied by Michigan-based ASC Inc., “Sky Slider” features fabric similar to that used in soft-top convertibles.

By Eric Mayne • April 4, 2007

API Closes; Dealers Feel Effects

Dealers that have provided extended-service warranties to their customers through Automotive Professionals Inc. (API) may be headed for tough days ahead. The Chicago-area firm informed its dealers and agents it was entering assignment for the benefit of creditors. In a memo to agents, Owner James Hawk cited severe cash shortfalls from reduced service contract production and steady strong GPR (guaranteed

By Cliff Banks • April 1, 2007

WARD’S e-Dealer 100

Two Web-based firms, Cars.com and Dealer.com, recently launched tools that help dealers determine the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

April 1, 2007

Customer Service Triage

Running a dealership can be crazy. It's easy to forget the reason for being in business in the first place customers.

By Richard F. Libin • April 1, 2007

Dumb People Are Not Building These Major Dealerships

Gary Dilts, during a Power Point presentation, shows a photo of a little boy standing in a corner of a room, face to the wall, looking as if he's being punished.

By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2007

Cut Your Wholesale Losses

Is your wholesale loss devouring any gross profit contribution your used-vehicle retail sales are generating?

By Dennis Gregg • April 1, 2007

Eliminate Cashier’s Position

A dealer unrolled his plans for a new service department. As he proudly presented the blueprints at a meeting, he mentioned the location of the cashier's office.

By Lee Harkins • April 1, 2007

Mystery Shopping

Is your dealership paying for Internet leads, but not getting them? It happens more than people realize, says Lisa Keller, founder of eValuation Inc., a consulting firm that mystery shops dealerships' Internet departments.

By Cliff Banks • April 1, 2007

How Do You Define the Best?

I often hear dealers say they don't necessarily want to be the biggest, but the best. How do you define best?

By Tony Noland • April 1, 2007

Sitting By Myself on a Sunday

I am sitting at my desk, on Sunday, a day that we are closed, alone in an otherwise empty dealership, drinking reheated coffee

By Peter Brandow • March 23, 2007

February Manheim Index Remains Unchanged From January

February auction sales are constant with those from January, yet show a 1.9% overall decline from last year.

By Emily Prawdzik Genoff • March 20, 2007

Generous Dealership Employees Donate $255,000 to Charity

Employees of the 16-dealership Wilson Automotive Group in Orange County, CA, donated $255,000 to charities this year.

March 1, 2007

Who’s Got You Covered?

The dealership world seems divided these days between the high fivers and the mad-as-hellers. You know which one you are, so I won't waste ink telling you where I'd guess you'd be

By Peter Brandow • March 1, 2007

LaSorda to Hand Over Marketing Reins

Tom LaSorda's term at the helm of Chrysler Group's sales and marketing operations is nearing an end. I'm going to keep it for, probably, a couple more months, says LaSorda

By Eric Mayne • March 1, 2007

A Measure That’s Manipulated

I start many presentations by asking attendees, How many hours per customer-pay repair order would you like in your operation?

By Lee Harkins • March 1, 2007

How to Reach Young Hispanics

If your dealership is trying to target Hispanic consumers, consider moving into an Anglo/Hispanic mix in your television advertising budget.

By Adam Armbruster • March 1, 2007

AIADA Leaders Rally Troops

The American International Automobile Dealers Assn. senses tariff trouble ahead.

By Steve Finlay • Feb. 6, 2007