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WardsAuto Flashback – April 2017
Coal Strike Impact; Continental Motors Soars; All-New Monarch Starts; Taunus for U.S.; Domestic Small Cars; Convertible Share Steady; The Fin Is In; Record Import Sales; Volvo safety Seat; Detroit Patents Feared; Electric Car Coming; Cavalier a Sellout; Ford Keeps Aerostar; VW Eyes U.S. Diesels
April 28, 2017 -
Ex-Dealership Salesmen Create Leading-Edge Tech Firm
For automotiveMastermind, predictive analytics gets personal when big data meet dealership management systems.
By Steve Finlay • April 24, 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 -
Virtual Sales Assistant Lends Hand in Service Drive
Developer Conversica says its artificial-intelligence software has helped boost sales in the showroom and now will seek to do the same for dealership service departments.
By David Zoia Editor • April 21, 2017 -
How to Combat U.S. Sales Plateau
Providing a seamless service experience for the customer can give automobile dealers an endless avenue of profitability.
By Jim Roche • April 20, 2017 -
Consumer Trust in Automated Tech Waning, Gen Z Embracing Mobility
The results of J.D. Power’s third annual Tech Choice study reveal a declining interest in automated tech by all generations save for Gen Y.
April 18, 2017 -
WardsAuto Editors Win Prestigious Neal Award
The winning package included a trio of emerging technology stories focused on light-vehicle fuel efficiency and high-end infotainment.
By WardsAuto Staff • April 18, 2017 -
Russia Eyes Automaker Investment Contracts
Expiration of the current tit-for-tat of local assembly in return for state benefits, which was established a decade ago, begins next year and concludes in 2019.
By Eugene Gerden • April 18, 2017 -
U.S. Heavy-Duty Trucks Down 26.2% in March
With double-digit losses in Class 8, U.S. medium- and heavy-duty trucks drop 12.9%.
By Amy Alexander • April 13, 2017 -
Canada Big Trucks Post Strong Month in March
After 17 months of consecutive year-over-year losses, Class 8 sales rose 3.1% in March.
By Amy Alexander • April 13, 2017 -
Russian March, Q1 Sales Figures Tap Into Black Ink
The Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee says dealerships delivered 137,894 units in March, putting the year’s first three months ahead 1% at 322,464 units from prior-year’s 319,220.
By Alan Harman • April 13, 2017 -
Q1 Saw U.S. Auto Industry’s Red Flags Still Waving
Signs began to surface last year that the market was plateauing, with loan terms rising, incentives at record levels and inventories beginning to bulge, and none of those negative factors were reversed in Q1, says an analyst for J.D. Power.
By David Zoia Editor • April 11, 2017 -
U.S. Fuel Economy Up in March
In the first quarter of 2017, the average index rating sat 0.8% higher than same-period 2016.
By Erin Sunde • April 6, 2017 -
Suzuki Brings Ignis Compact CUV to Spain, Portugal
Juan Lopez Frade, general manager of Suzuki Iberica, hopes to sell 1,000 units of the Ignis, which has just reached showrooms in the region, over the coming 12 months. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2016 Paris auto show.
By Jorge Palacios • April 6, 2017 -
NADA Predicts Not-Bad 17.1 Million Year for Auto Sales
“Automotive sales don’t die on their own; they die because someone has bludgeoned them with high interest rates,” says the National Automobile Dealers Assn.’s chief economist.
By Steve Finlay • April 5, 2017 -
Oz EV Manufacturer Getting Financial Empowerment
Tomcar Australia is the beneficiary of a new funding scheme that helps small businesses access the research expertise and capabilities of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization.
By Alan Harman • March 30, 2017 -
DrivingSales Presidents Club Event April 9-10 in NYC
Organizers say the event centers on critical dealership operations.
By WardsAuto Staff • March 30, 2017 -
Suppliers in Crosshairs of Elevated Recall Environment
Veteran litigators say in the event of a defect notification from an OEM, suppliers should quickly identify employees involved and lock down communication on the topic.
By James M. Amend • March 29, 2017 -
WardsAuto Flashback – March 2017
Lincoln Sourcing; Coal Strike Threat; Lower-Price Boom; WAR Seeks Tax Cut; Ford Convertible King; Buick Eyes Third Place; City Car Tax?; Plastic Fuel Tanks; Ford Subcompact; Vinyl Tops Popular; Chrysler Output Hike; Boxster Orders Flow; Cadillac Tops on Quality; CARB on EVs.
March 27, 2017 -
Forecast: U.S. March Sales to Reach 17-Year High
A daily sales rate of 59,776 LVs over 27 days is a best-ever March result.
By Erin Sunde • March 24, 2017 -
McLaren Offers Peek at New F-1-Patterned Model
The new fixed-head coupe, which McLaren bills as a “hyper-GT” in the mold of its original F1 supercar, is to be produced in a limited run of just 106 cars, each already sold.
By Greg Kable • March 24, 2017 -
Good Salespeople Don’t Sell, They Help Customers Buy
Employees have the ability to adopt an attitude. In every instance, the attitude a person chooses becomes reality.
By Richard Libin • March 23, 2017 -
Aerospace and Automotive Crossing Paths
Lightweighting, advanced technology application and managing a complicated supply chain are among the topics to be explored at an upcoming conference bringing these two industries together.
By WardsAuto Staff • March 21, 2017 -
Experts Envision More Ride Sharing, Fewer Drivers
By 2050, 70% of survey respondents believe, the majority of vehicles used commercially for ride- and car-sharing in the U.S. will be zero-emissions, including battery, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell electric vehicles.
By Alan Harman • March 21, 2017 -
Three Ways Trump Presidency to Affect Auto Industry
There are pluses and minuses for automakers and dealers in new president’s agenda.
By Vic Lance • March 17, 2017 -
Trade Issues Color Mexico Car-Paint Makers’ Outlook
The Mexican paint industry overall reported an annual growth rate of nearly 2.5% in 2016, while 2017 year-on-year growth is expected to be just 1.2%. Part of the reason is the weakening of the Mexican peso since Donald Trump, a harsh critic of existing U.S. trade agreements, became U.S. president.
By Elizabeth Machuca • March 15, 2017