Dealers: Page 99
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Group 1 Internet Unit Sells Appointments, Not Cars
There are many forms of communication in the Internet age, but Anthony Adamo of Group 1 Automotive believes the telephone is the most effective.
By Steve Finlay • June 12, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Social Media Increases Importance of Post-Purchase Experience
Fostering customer loyalty is not new. But it has become vital for the auto industry, largely because of the phenomenal growth of Facebook and the like.
By Steve Finlay • June 8, 2012 -
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
Dealership Excellence Depends on Four Words
Accountability, communication, comprehension and consistency can mean the difference between success and failure.
By Richard Libin • June 4, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chevy’s Soccer Deal Signals Future of GM Brand Marketing
The auto maker hasn’t done a good job of marketing internationally, a top official says. Its deal to sponsor Manchester United football is the first move in a plan to change that.
By David Zoia Editor • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Massachusetts Native Thrives as Texas Dealer
Vandergriff Chevrolet dealership is in the heart of Texas truck country. The four-county Dallas-Ft. Worth area accounted for 109,596 truck registrations in 2011.
By Tom Beaman • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Spanish Definitely Spoken Here
The 11-store Ancira Enterprises is one of the first Hispanic dealership groups in the U.S.
By WardAuto Staff • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Dealer 500 Different, Same
Early on, the most stores on the list were Chevrolet and Ford dealerships. Today, the leaders are Toyota and Honda.
By Steve Finlay • May 31, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Local Dealers Have Company
Suddenly, it’s just as easy to shop for a car deal 2,000 miles away as it is to shop a dealer two miles from home.
By Adam Armbruster • May 29, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Where Would Virtual F&I Office Go?
As the online customer experience expands, dealerships must ready themselves for an alternative to what typically has been face-to-face selling.
By Steve Finlay • May 23, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mobile Devices Encourage Dealership Shoppers to Stay Put
Before mobile became such a big part of the car-buying process, consumers often left the dealership to get more information, typically at home.
By Steve Finlay • May 23, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealership Service Departments Get Creative
From running light-work operations to mining for car owners with potential repair issues, dealers find new ways to compete with independent and franchise auto shops.
By Jim Leman • May 11, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Floorplan Woes No Longer Floor Car Dealers
Ally Financial is increasing wholesale credit lines for dealers as they ride the wave of improved sales. The lender expanded wholesale limits for more than 40% of its dealer clients.
By Steve Finlay • May 9, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Car-Buying Service Draws Dealer-Shy Crowd
Greg Semack will locate a vehicle from a dealership, bring it to the customer for a test drive, sort out financing, prepare paperwork and make the delivery.
By Tom Beaman • May 8, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lending Eases, But Some Car Buyers Still Face Credit Issues
Dealerships still see a share of credit-challenged customers coming from three primary areas of distress: bankruptcy, unpaid medical bills and slow paybacks of student loans.
By Lillie Guyer • May 7, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
OnStar FMV Promotion Slashes Pricing
OnStar FMV, or For My Vehicle, has posted about 30,000 sales since GM started offering it last year. OnStar says Toyota owners comprise 15.6% of FMV buyers, with Ford buyers second at 12.3%.
By James M. Amend • May 2, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Should Draw Line Against Questionable Redistricting
Dealers whose primary market areas are revised should challenge results that are contrary to their interests.
By Michael Charapp • May 1, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Car Dealers Go After More Repair Work
Dealers are doing an array of things to boost their fixed operations, from building new facilities with prominently located service lanes to using CRM software for systematic marketing.
By Steve Finlay • April 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Managing Inventory Saves Dealers Money
At some point, dealership floor-plan rates will increase to a more normal level. Having a process in place will help manage this huge expense.
By Tony Noland • April 30, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Big Picture Includes Small Dealers, Too
Family businesses aren’t inferior to corporate enterprises. A properly run car dealership will do well, whether it is owned by a major corporation or mom, dad and the grown kids.
By Steve Finlay • April 27, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Megadealers May Lead Customer-Experience ‘Revolution’
Some dealership groups on the WardsAuto Megadealer 100, such as Asbury Automotive Group, are testing new ways to sell vehicles.
By Steve Finlay • April 24, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Buy Wholesale, Think Retail
The Internet makes the used-car industry one big car lot, but it takes more than luck to successfully sell a pre-owned vehicle, remarketing experts say.
By James Flammang • April 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
CRM Tools Help Dealers Get Good Reviews
Social-media customer ratings are important to car dealers, and even bad reviews can help make the store a better place, say experts.
By Steve Finlay • April 20, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Strive to Become Social-Media Experts
Brand reputation is at stake when it comes to social media applied to the retail auto space. Misused, the tools can backfire and impair customer relationships, experts say.
By Lillie Guyer • April 19, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto-DME Webinar Tackles Service-Customer Loyalty
Research data indicate a growing number of younger consumers service their cars at aftermarket chain outlets rather than local dealerships.
By WardsAuto Staff • April 18, 2012 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Terminated Dealers’ Legal Fight ‘Unique’
Lawsuits contend the federal government violated the Fifth Amendment, which says private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
By Lillie Guyer • April 16, 2012
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