Operations: Page 139
-
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Industry Faces Apprentice Crisis
It’s vital to attract talent for skilled-trades apprenticeships early on, Michigan Lt. Gov Brian Calley says. “After high school is too late.”
By Steve Finlay • July 31, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
SUVs Populating Australia More Quickly Than Babies
GM Holden delved into maternity-room records to find a baby was born every one minute and 41 seconds last year in Australia, but buyers said hello to a new SUV every one minute and 10 seconds – such is the SUV market’s surging popularity.
By Alan Harman • July 31, 2017 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota
TrendlineAutomotive Manufacturing
Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.
By WardsAuto staff -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Forecast: July U.S. LV Sales Fall Behind Year-Ago
July volume will result in a 16.9 million seasonally adjusted rate of sales.
By Erin Sunde • July 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Paris Accord Withdrawal Shouldn’t Change Auto Industry’s Approach
If U.S. automakers want to increase sales, revenue and profits, they are going to have to remain global players regardless of emissions standards and remain competitive on the technology front against new entrants and disruptors such as Tesla.
By Jeffrey Soble • July 25, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
From Auto Writer to Car Salesman and Back, He’s Seen Plenty
A veteran journalist recalls yesterday’s brisk debate about “this Internet thing” and his days as a dealership salesman.
By Jim Leman • July 24, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Flashback – July 2017
New Nash Near; Independents Gain Share; Supplier-Strike Threat; '58 Cars Off 32%; Domestic Franchises Decline; Aftermarket Headlamps Big Money; Ford Tooling New I-6; Ford TECHNA Bows; Road Runner Sizzles; Future Taxi Concept; Carb. to Stay; Ford Autonomous Cars; Cadillac Cool on SUVs; Losh Speaks Out; Chrysler Delays Cirrus
July 20, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Survey Finds Australians’ Car-Buying Fever Breaking
Roy Morgan Research says consumer confidence is often a key driver of car-buying intention and Australians are less confident about their finances now than they were at the beginning of 2017.
By Alan Harman • July 18, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Why Car Dealership Staffers Should Follow Sales Process
Pied Piper Management mystery shoppers set out to discover which dealerships by brand are most effective in showrooms.
By Steve Finlay • July 13, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Brace for Impact: U.S. Sales Plunge Ahead
The AlixPartners consultancy says a key element of its forecast is a “used-car time bomb” set to go off as 500,000 more vehicles come off lease this year than year-ago.
By James M. Amend • July 12, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Planning for Peak Auto
It may be time to start thinking about Plan B and a world where we won’t need as many cars.
By John McElroy • July 12, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ride Sharing Tops Car Sharing, Taxis Among Consumers
Users find ride sharing more convenient than car sharing.
By Remi Murrey • July 11, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Company Cars Useful Recruiter’s Tool, Survey Shows
Of interest to recruiters is that 25% of all workers in the study claim a company car was the deciding factor when taking a job, and 22% stated they had declined a job offer because it didn’t include a company vehicle.
By Paul Myles • July 10, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fuel Economy Index Shows Small Gain for First-Half 2017
If the industry-wide 6-month trend continues into the second half of 2017, the year will end with the smallest year-over-year improvement seen in the 10-year history of the index.
By Erin Sunde • July 7, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
What’s Stifling Connected Cars?
Virtually every connected device gets automatic over-the-air (OTA) updates. Phones, laptops, tablets, fitness wristbands all get patches and upgrades without your intervention - that is, everything except cars.
By Brendan O’Brien • July 6, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
The Big Story: Meet Your Friendly F&I Manager – Five States Away
New and emerging technologies are reshaping dealership finance and insurance department operations.
By Steve Finlay • July 5, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
McLaren Profitability, Sales Accelerated in 2016
Last year’s strong financial performance was driven by record sales, up 99% at 3,286 units, with all geographic regions achieving sales growth. North America remained McLaren’s single largest market, with deliveries up 106% at 1,139 units.
By Alan Harman • June 29, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Limited Tungsten Edition Moves Ram Further Upmarket
Many features offered in the all-new ’18 Ram Limited Tungsten also are available in premium-priced cars and SUVs. But, affluent truck buyers know the new generation of luxury pickup trucks offers hard-working capability no passenger car can match.
By Remi Murrey • June 29, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Amazon May Target U.K. for Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Amazon reportedly is recruiting car-sales executives and plans to headquarter the business in corporate-tax-friendly Luxembourg while eyeing the U.K. as its probable first market.
By Paul Myles • June 28, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Criticism Greets Spain’s Latest MOVEA Scheme
The latest MOVEA plan also subsidizes the installation of public charging stations, with aid of up to 40% the cost. However, the Spanish auto industry has been lukewarm to the program.
By Jorge Palacios • June 27, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Top Players Stay Cool, But Brace for Sales Downturn
“Good times create bad habits. and bad times create good habits,” says megadealer Joe Serra.
By Tom Beaman • June 27, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
WardsAuto Flashback – June 2017
More Coal Fallout; Ford's Huge Backlog; Kaiser Ragtop Delay; Tucker Goes Conventional; Aluminum V-8s Tested; Low Air-Spring Demand; Price Stickers Near; Makers Shun Dealer Bill; Chevy Torque-Drive; Toyota Hybrid; GMC V-6s; Urban Transport Plans; GM Reorganizes; V-8 Resurgence; Saturn Expansion
June 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Survey Finds Regional Flavor to Consumer Tech Tastes
Creature comforts such as sunroofs were at the top of the list of technologies survey respondents said they would be willing to pay for.
June 26, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Korean Brands Top Performers on J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
Of the 33 brands surveyed, 27 see improvement, including many domestic brands, which overall outperform imports for the second year in a row.
June 21, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Auto Colors Going Blue in ’21 Model Year
BASF unveils its top color predictions for the ’21 model year vehicles during its annual Automotive Color Trends Show. This year’s overall theme is Translucid, which represents future developments of upcoming automotive trends.
By Remi Murrey • June 20, 2017 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.K. Sports Car Maker Morgan Repurchases Plant Site
Thanks to a record trading year that saw revenues grow 14%, Morgan has been able to reclaim property it “pawned” 11 years ago to fund new-model development.
By Paul Myles • June 19, 2017
Previous
