Dealers: Page 45


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    Survey: Car Dealership Callers Want Upfront Price Fast

    “In the new normal, the initial call a consumer makes to a dealership is now the make-or-break point of a sale,” says Marchex’s Matt Muilenburg.

    By Feb. 5, 2021
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    Pandemic Drove 2020 Surge in Auto Parts E-Commerce

    RevolutionParts’ annual Parts eCommerce Report says parts sales processed through the company's online platform grew 28% in 2020, from $328 million to $421 million.

    By Feb. 3, 2021
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    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
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    Some Car Dealers Cautious, Some Eye Growth in 2021

    Ambitious auto dealers will attempt to grow their businesses this year, while conservative dealers will just take the money, says Scott Fink, a former Ford marketer who now runs the top Hyundai store in the U.S.

    By Feb. 2, 2021
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    Be on Top With Alpha Elite, Be Seen Where Online Shoppers Search

    Relevance in search results is what shoppers want most in the early stages of their car buying journey. That’s why finding strategies that can put you at the top of search results is critical to success.

    By AutoTrader • Feb. 1, 2021
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    J.D. Power Panelists: Online Car Selling Work in Progress

    Online sales tools are still basically lead generators, which “club the consumer over the head” until they ultimately come to the dealership to complete the deal, says Miran Maric, Asbury Automotive Group’s chief marketing officer.

    By Jan. 29, 2021
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    AutoNation Exec Fixates on CX

    “Don’t underestimate the customer experience,” says Marc Cannon, the car dealership chain’s chief customer experience officer.

    By Jan. 29, 2021
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    Auto Dealers Fight the Fight – and Stay Sane

    Car dealers “found themselves in a world they never expected to be in,” Mark Schienberg, head of the Greater New York Auto Dealers Assn., says in a Wards Q&A.

    By Jan. 28, 2021
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    Used-car Retailer CARite Launches Rent-to-Own Plan

    The “Pay As You Go” plan is designed to let anyone choose, subscribe to and drive the vehicle of their choice while allowing them to build equity for a no-obligation purchase.

    By Jan. 27, 2021
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    Pandemic Lessons Influencing Dealers’ Fixed Operations

    Panelists say dealers are offering what’s now a familiar menu of pickup and delivery and sanitizing customer vehicles, as well as new approaches where dealers get more value from customer data.

    By Jan. 27, 2021
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    Training Auto Techs Becomes Even More Challenging

    “Dealers are always in need of technicians,” says Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Auto Dealers Assn.

    By Jan. 26, 2021
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    Survey Gauges What Pleases Auto Aftermarket Customers

    “This research confirms that quality work done promptly, explained clearly, for a fair price, and delivered with excellent customer service is what leads to customer satisfaction among American drivers.” says Timothy Gravelle of SurveyMonkey, which conducted the study for J.D. Power.

    By Jan. 26, 2021
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    Car Market Shifting As More Work, Shop From Home

    For those dealers not in the premium luxury end of the market, wouldn’t it make sense to investigate the marketing, technologies and new ways of securing business in the subprime, deep subprime and first-time buyer side of the business?

    By John F. Possumato • Jan. 25, 2021
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    How to Set Up for Success in 2021

    Just as important as the technology providing positive digital retailing experiences to reach and accommodate customers are employees who understand those technologies.

    By Mandi Fang • Jan. 22, 2021
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    Boosting Automotive Digital Retailing Tech in 2021

    Expedited by COVID-19, the automotive retail ecosystem is undergoing its own shift toward a more consumer-friendly model that promises to mimic the convenience of online shopping found in many of today’s popular internet retail portals.

    By Rusty West • Jan. 22, 2021
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    How Dealers Can Build Sustainable Growth for Long-Term Success

    Making strategic hires, investing in customer experience and building community giving into your dealership’s DNA call for a vision and a commitment that takes more work on the front end but ultimately will lead to long-term success.

    By Steve De Witt • Jan. 21, 2021
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    How California Dealers Can Meet COVID-19 Compliance in 2021

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 includes $285 billion to small businesses for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans, expands the employee retention credit intended to prevent layoffs and rolls over a variety of temporary tax breaks.

    By Monica Baumann • Jan. 18, 2021
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    CarMax Rolls Out Presale Test Drives, Expands Guarantee

    The used-car chain previously offered a seven-day return policy on used cars, but that’s getting to be less of a competitive advantage as more big chains ramp up their used-car operations.

    By Jan. 15, 2021
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    Used-Vehicle Prices Ahead of Year-Ago, Cox Automotive Says

    Analysts are on the lookout for signs of a correction if demand should fall or supplies increase substantially – but so far there’s no correction in sight, says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive.

    By Jan. 14, 2021
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    Six Auto Trends to Track in 2021

    Here’s what to expect this year, according to two economists and an auto analyst from Cox Automotive.

    By Jan. 12, 2021
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    Providing Customer Service With Cheer No Chore

    How can you surprise and delight your customers? You can’t retain customers if they don’t enjoy the experience. Don't look at your customer as "high-maintenance."

    By Justin B. Gasman • Jan. 12, 2021
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    Online Auto Retailer to Fight ‘Poverty of the Carless’

    A 2014 Urban Institute study concluded that private-vehicle access is “indispensable for families seeking safety and economic security,” DriveItAway says in announcing its support for the Drive for Freedom Foundation.

    By Jan. 11, 2021
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    Auto Dealerships Changing Hands More Often

    COVID has pushed more sellers to the market than usual, says Erin Kerrigan, founder of Kerrigan Advisors. She says year-to-date dealership acquisitions were up about 16% as of the third quarter, to 186 transactions.

    By Jan. 8, 2021
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    Keeping Car Dealership Workers Out of ‘Bermuda Triangle’

    Well-done onboarding of new hires enhances work performance, boosts job satisfaction, fosters company loyalty and lowers staff turnover rates.

    By Jan. 7, 2021
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    Home Work Isn’t What It Used to Be

    Women in the automotive remarketing industry digitally discuss the ups and downs of working from home as well as “What will be the next normal?”

    By Jan. 6, 2021
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    Cox Acquiring Fyusion, Dickinson Fleet Services

    Fyusion is developing detailed, used-vehicle condition reports using 3-D computer vision and artificial intelligence for use in auto auctions. Dickinson has a fleet of mobile repair units and technicians to maintain medium- and heavy-duty trucks for fleet customers.

    By Jan. 5, 2021