Operations: Page 203
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bioplastic Research Accelerating
Making cars truly sustainable means developing not only new energy sources, but also finding a replacement for petroleum-based plastics. To strengthen plastics, Europeans have been at the forefront of using hemp and linen fibers, among others, to replace glass fibers in composite panels. The two trends came together at the recent JEC European composites show in Paris when CRST SA, a small French research
By William Diem • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Today’s Forecast: No Blue Skies
Despite a short-term forecast for the nation's top dealer groups calling for stormy weather, disappearing “blue sky” and uncertain operating conditions, the future promises to be bright for savvy dealers.Public dealer groups will watch their stock prices skyrocket, while well-capitalized and financially disciplined private dealer groups will add to their empires and become rich beyond their wildest dreams.
By Cliff Banks • May 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
Criticism of Tata Nano Wrong-Headed
A few weeks ago, a machine that will save tens of thousands of lives every year many of them young children officially went on sale in India, beginning a journey that promises to improve the living standard of millions of families in one of the world's most impoverished nations. And yet, many environmentalists who profess to be on a mission to save mankind are condemning this new device as an environmental
By Drew Winter • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How To Be a Smart Buyer
Given the economic conditions surrounding not only the car business but the wider range global economy, it is no surprise dealers are looking for ways to increase revenue. That's great. But consider that most dealerships get less than 2% of each sales dollar down to the bottom line. An even more valuable way to increase profits is to cut expenses. That is a dollar-for-dollar way to improve the bottom
By Don Ray • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Recession Unlike Past Downturns, NADA Economist Says
The severity of the recession is reflected in a Commerce Dept. report this week showing the U.S. gross domestic product fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1% in the first quarter.
By Byron Pope • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Aston Martin Opens First Showroom in Czech Republic
Ten new Aston Martins were registered in Czech Republic last year, all of them imported.
By Peter Homola • May 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Union Practice of Pattern Bargaining Endangered, Experts Say
If it “takes specialized bargaining, I think the UAW is aware enough to do that,” says one union local official.
By Byron Pope • April 29, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
‘Ethical Consumption,’ ‘Careful Consumption’ New Buzzwords
Appealing to these consumers with green-themed products requires a different approach than what attracts early adopters, who are more impressed with technology and environmental benefits.
By Drew Winter • April 24, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Reporter’s Notebook: These Boots Were Made for Walking
Ward’s writers pass along the buzz at this week’s SAE 2009 World Congress in Detroit.
By Ward's Staff • April 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
FEV, Raser Display 100-MPG Hummer H3
FEV says the E-REV concept is best applied in large CUVs, SUVs and pickups, rather than compact cars, and can drive 40 miles on all electricity.
By Tom Murphy • April 21, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Trilogy to Acquire Autobytel?
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.Is the end near for Autobytel? In what best can be described as a hostile takeover attempt, Trilogy Enterprises today made an cash tender ...
April 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
California, Michigan Governors Savor New AVL Investment in Green Technologies
AVL says its new energy-management and systems-integration facility in the Los Angeles area showcases capabilities not currently offered at any other North American center of its kind.
By Drew Winter • April 20, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Russ Darrow’s New Career in Rap
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.Apparently Russ Darrow, the owner of the Russ Darrow Group in Wisconsin, and the current chairman of the American International Automobile D...
April 17, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Let’s Get Personal
For many, the Internet and the ease of email and texting are seen as magic bullets that help speed car sales and lower overhead.
By Richard F. Libin • April 17, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sonic Races to Avoid Bankruptcy
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.The clock is ticking for the Sonic Automotive Group which has till May 7 to either come up with the cash to pay $105.3 million in debt or re...
April 14, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
He’s No Movie Star, But Repo Man Dan Has a Following
Repo Man, a 1984 film directed by former repo man Alex Cox, has become one of the top 10 cult movies, according to several such lists. It's the tale of a supermarket clerk who takes a job repossessing cars when owners fall far behind on payments. The film's popularity evidently comes from running sight gags, recreational drug use and hard-rock music. In other words, not the kind of movie that parents
By Mike Davis • April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Limbo Land of Auto Finance
Two polar opposites live in the limbo land of today's auto financing. One group consists of people with good credit who refuse to take on more debt, fearing the worst and unconvinced the decimation of their 401k plans is done. Then there are those who live on credit, seek it, but learn the safe is locked and the key stashed. For much different reasons, neither group is in the market to buy cars. One
By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Philly Dealer: Online Chat Helps Sales
If Rothrock Chevrolet's Andre Johnson questioned whether online chat could help him sell more cars, he's a convert now. It was amazing, he says, noting his Philadelphia-area dealership sold six cars in its first week of chatting with prospective buyers on the Internet. They are no longer prospective buyers, he says. They're now buyers. If they're going to chat, they want to know, Do you have that
April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
If People Keep Autos Longer, There Is Business to Be Had
The recession has not only hit the home, it has hit the garage. A new study by DriverSide.com and Kelton Research indicates more than four out of every five U.S. car owners now plan to keep their current car longer than originally planned, due to the bad economic climate. Eight-two percent say they intend to do so, according to the survey of vehicle owners age 18 and over. The study claims to be the
April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers See Increase in Internet Leads
Despite the overall downturn in vehicle sales, dealers on this year's Ward's e-Dealer 100 ranking report seeing significant increases in the number of Internet-generated leads the last few months. What does this trend mean for the next few months, and what does it mean for dealers' businesses the next few years? Some dealers believe the increase in leads portends a big summer selling season and they
By Cliff Banks • April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Suzuki Says ‘09 Equator for Fullsize Pickup Bailers, Others
Just because some downsizing big-pickup owners might not buy another one doesn't mean they are going to end up in a Smart ultra-compact car. They may find a midsize pickup just right, says Gene Brown, vice president-product planning for American Suzuki Motor Corp. If so, Suzuki is ready for them with its first foray into the pickup segment, the '09 Equator. If your motive is for your truck to be Texas-size,
By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lending Shifts to Small Banks
Think small may be the new mantra for auto dealers hooking up with lenders other than giant banks. We're seeing a shift towards more localized, decentralized lenders, says Mike Kane, senior vice president-client services for CitiFinancial Auto. Some large banks are reeling from the current credit crisis, brought on by dubious lending practices and securitization run amok. Banking losses totaled $26.2
By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Welcome to Limbo Land of Auto Finance
With so many skittish would-be car consumers stuck on the sidelines, dealers wince at deeper and longer credit checks for the few brave hearts that are in the market.
By Steve Finlay • March 9, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
MIT Team Develops Super-Regenerative Shock Absorber
The shock absorber converts energy from road bumps into electricity, while smoothing a vehicle’s ride more effectively than conventional shocks.
By Herb Shuldiner • March 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
U.S. Stimulus Plan Fails to Generate Auto-Sales Momentum
Politicians call on the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury to provide car dealers with access to the $200 billion Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.
By James M. Amend • March 4, 2009
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