Operations: Page 202
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Kelley Blue Book’s Big Move
Kelley Blue Book is launching a bold initiative, hoping to revolutionize the way online leads are bought and sold. In the process, it's turning its back on a rather successful revenue generator while speeding into a business dominated by AutoTrader.com and Cars.com. In July, Kelley announced it was launching an online classified listings service for new and used vehicles and will charge dealers on
By Cliff Banks • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Minority Dealers Try To Survive
While the recession has hammered thousands of dealers and forced hundreds out of business, minority dealers, as a group, are threatened with extinction as they battle history, auto makers and the economic recession for their survival. We're fighting to make sure we don't become extinct. It's an awful, awful situation, Desmond Roberts tells Ward's in July, after returning from Washington where he and
By Lillie Guyer • Sept. 1, 2009 -
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
The Vital Few vs. Trivial Many
I was invited to speak recently to a group of new-vehicle dealers who shared challenges in their pre-owned vehicle operations and an expressed a desire to get better. I spent the day with them discussing things the past and present pre-owned vehicle market, and the changes in thought regarding today's retail environment. We focused on departmental metrics, best practices and some proven daily management
By Tony Albertson • Sept. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oz Group Denounces Plan to Use Tracking Devices to Tax Motorists
The outcry comes after a report not only recommends the tracking device, but also proposes truck drivers be charged a higher rate to reflect wear-and-tear on roads caused by heavy-commercial vehicles.
By Alan Harman • Aug. 31, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Chery Accuses Russian Assembler of Unauthorized Distribution
Chery says it has received only 250 Tiggos from Rosslegavto and claims the assembler is instead illegally selling the CUV on its own.
By Peter Homola • Aug. 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tata Secures Private Funding; JLR Product Cadence on Track
JLR employees agreed in March to a reduced workweek and pay freeze in order to save jobs. Workers at six U.K. sites voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal recommended by their unions.
By Byron Pope • Aug. 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Yeah, But Can he Sell?
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.Dealers tell me often one of their biggest challenges is trying to find good salespeople. One would think it should be easier today with the...
Aug. 11, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Funky Scion xB Lost Edge in Redo, Lentz Admits; Prius Capacity Restrained
The youth brand's funky box-mobile isn't as fun-to-drive in its second iteration, a product of not enough American influence.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 6, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ferrari 458 to Hit Streets Following Frankfurt Debut
Despite a 110-lb. increase in curb weight from the stripped-down Scuderia, the 458’s power-to-weight ratio is easily 10% better, suggesting a 10% increase in the price of the new supercar to about E200,000.
By Giancarlo Perini • Aug. 3, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Know What Products to Offer
Since I began my career in the automotive finance office in 1987, I have witnessed several national recessions. The markets crashed. Banks closed. People lost their jobs and their savings or both. Always, the car industry was deeply affected. Always, recovery produced more prosperity than ever before. Now, the entire world is in a recession and deeper than most of us have ever experienced. Our government
By Rebecca Chernek • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Russian Telematics Partners Sought
The Russian Automotive Market, although pegged for significant growth in coming years, is suffering like the rest of the global industry: Vehicle sales have fallen by half, unemployment is up to 10% and credit for vehicle purchases is scarce. But Dan Vigdor sees a glimmer of hope that the emerging telematics market in Russia will continue to thrive, even in this harsh climate. Russians are resilient
By Tom Murphy • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How Do I Choose Which Potential Employee Is Right?
The interview is over. The person sitting across from you is impressive. He's dressed sharp and talks a good game. But can he sell? Often, the answer is a roll of the dice. More than likely, your dealership is flooded with resumes and applications from people trying to land somewhere. And the ugly truth is, many of them probably are lousy salespeople and employees. Other than the standard background
By Cliff Banks • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Question Used-Car Managers
How long has your pre-owned vehicle manager been in position in your store? Are they doing a good job? Are they successful? Okay, last question: how do you know? There is a good chance your pre-owned vehicle manager has been in position in your store less than a year. I would give equal odds that the only way you determine if they are effective or not is by looking at the results on the financial
By Tony Albertson • Aug. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Cash-for-Clunkers Good for SAAR
The sales jump sparked by CARS “seems to confirm a very large degree of pent-up demand in the U.S.,” J.P. Morgan’s Himanshu Patel writes today in a research note.
By Eric Mayne and James M. Amend • July 31, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Accord Closing In on Camry
The first-half 2009 margin of 19,199 units is the smallest gap between the two since 2003.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Navigation Preferences Differ in U.S., Europe, Study Shows
German drivers may have stronger preferences for in-dash navigation systems because “Germans love expensive cars,” and they expect such equipment.
By Byron Pope • July 10, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘10 Jaguar XJ Signals New Direction
The '10 Jaguar XJ boasts extensive use of lightweight aluminum in its body structure, which makes it some 300 lbs. lighter than a standard steel body structure.
By Byron Pope • July 10, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bridgestone’s New Run-Flat Tires Offer Smoother Ride
Bridgestone expects the new tires will boost sales and expand the use of run-flats.
By Steve Finlay • July 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
World’s Auto Makers Slammed by Financial Crisis in 2008
In nearly every market at some point in 2008, vehicle manufacturers faced a similar problem: a dearth of buyers either holding tight to their cash as a hedge against possible job loss or unable to obtain loans from banks fearful of collapse.
By Al Binder • June 24, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Handheld PDA Helps Sell Cars
The Collier dealership group was able to reduce its sales staff 20%, no longer needing to have extra hands around “just in case Saturdays got busy.”
By Cliff Banks • June 23, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
GS Yuasa Ready to Enter Li-Ion Battle
CEO MakotoYoda admits many unanswered questions remain regarding electric vehicles, including the minimum range drivers will accept. “Even if we develop a battery that can run 300 km, will that be enough?”
By Roger Schreffler • June 4, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
From Inefficient to Efficient
I was invited to speak at a recent manufacturer conference in Las Vegas. With me were some of the best trainers and vendors in the business, all bringing insight and solutions to the daily process of managing the modern pre-owned vehicle department. One speaker of note was my friend, Dale Pollak, founder and chairman of VAuto. Dale is so smart, if Harvard ever decides to offer a doctorate degree in
By Tony Albertson • June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Never Had Year Like This
Orlando, Fl The value of a car is like a block of ice on the pavement. It's always melting, always depreciating, says Charlie Vogelheim, an auto-industry analyst and former executive editor of used-car value guide Kelley Blue Book. The price never goes up. But ice melts faster when the outside temperature is 98 F (36 C) opposed to 33 F (0.5 C). Likewise, the vagaries of market conditions affect used-car
By Steve Finlay • June 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tough to Forecast Vehicle Values in Volatile Times
As much as residual setters try to be analytical, they never know when the equivalent of a heat wave or cold front may move in to mess up their calculations.
By Steve Finlay • May 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Luxury Cars on Repo Hit Lists, Too
The repossession industry has been busy lately doing work that is not particularly rewarding.
By Steve Finlay • May 12, 2009
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