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What’s the Break-Even Point
In the January issue, I discussed margin management and two of the financial exercises that consultants and manufacturers use to calculate the cost to break even in the parts and service departments. I wrote then: Even though we aren't in the business of breaking even, I would argue that it is imperative we know our real cost of doing business. If we don't know our costs, how can we competitively
By Tony Noland • May 1, 2010 -
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Just Who Are These Guys?
As a cub reporter about 40 years ago, one of my first assignments was to interview a man who claimed he perfected the perpetual-motion machine. I sense the same thing about Chinese cars coming to America. Not that they won't come. I'm certain they will. But like the perpetual motion machine, the bugs still are being worked out. My wonderment is rather about the type of characters in the U.S. that
By Jim Leman • May 1, 2010 -
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“It’s Freezing Outside, Let’s Put the Car’s Convertible Top Down!”
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. My hometown of Royal Oak, MI, once was dull. An outsider had said it skewed towards beat-up pickups and hardware stores. Main Street had b...
By Steve Finlay 2 • April 30, 2010 -
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What’s in a Name? Plenty if it’s Rick Hendrick
The Hendrick Automotive Group racked up $3.66 billion in total revenues last year on sales of 52,305 new vehicles and 43,684 used vehicles.
By Mac Gordon • April 27, 2010 -
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Dealership Experience Key, Study Shows
Sixty-seven percent of respondents say providing an “inviting, modern and well-organized” showroom is key to influencing the sale.
By Ward's Staff • April 19, 2010 -
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Debt-Ridden Mitsubishi Running on Fumes
Revitalization plans, restructuring and management reshuffles have worked no miracles. Once Japan’s fourth-largest auto maker, MMC has sunk to seventh place.
By Mack Chrysler • April 19, 2010 -
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Turn, Baby, Turn
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.Sell as fast as you can, for as much as you can, with as few costs as possible. That’s the formula for successful vehicle remarketing, acc...
By Steve Finlay 2 • April 16, 2010 -
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Delphi Profitable in North America
In an interview with Ward’s, CEO Rodney O’Neal says Delphi won $89 billion in new business while in bankruptcy, and he describes its relationship with GM as “extremely positive.”
By Tom Murphy • April 16, 2010 -
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Separate Service Facility Could Aid Used-Car Profits
Catering to the second- and third-owner market for service work is “plus business,” and “it is massive,” says Ed Kovalchick
By James M. Flammang • April 15, 2010 -
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JTEKT Back to Making Money
Analysts claim anticipated synergies have yet to be realized, but President and CEO Motohiko Yokoyama contends the global economic slump that has sapped earnings has made those gains difficult for outsiders to see.
By Roger Schreffler • April 15, 2010 -
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U.S. Scrappage Rate Grows as More Cars Junked, Fewer Sold
With an added push from the “Cash-for-Clunkers” program, U.S. scrappage rates for the first time outpaced new-vehicle registrations in the 15 months ended Sept. 30, 2009.
By Al Binder • April 14, 2010 -
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Mini Expects Countryman to Expand Customer Base
McDowell says Mini transaction prices average $29,000 at present, with most buyers spending about $3,000 on options.
By Herb Shuldiner • April 6, 2010 -
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Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Randy Henrick likes a cartoon of a pooch, sitting in front of a computer screen, telling a canine pal, On the Internet, no one knows you're a dog. There are no known cases of dogs using the Internet to procure cars illegally. But plenty of times human identity thieves do just that. On the Internet no one knows who you are, and the likelihood of you being someone other than who you say you are increases
By Steve Finlay • April 1, 2010 -
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Scion Chief Says Timing Perfect for New iQ
Scion enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting a new tC, which has gone six years without a redesign.
By James M. Amend • April 1, 2010 -
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Thai Auto Industry Rides on Region’s Ongoing Recovery; Political Strife Worrisome
The Federation of Thai Industries is calling for a return to better times in 2010, forecasting domestic sales of 600,000 vehicles, from 548,871 in 2009, for a 9% rise. Production is predicted to jump 40% to 1.4 million units.
By Mack Chrysler • March 23, 2010 -
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Don’t Shoot; the Messenger’s Really an Environmentalist
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.Johan de Nysschen may not be anti-hybrid, but he has been saddled with that reputation. More than once the Audi of America chief has been ...
By David Zoia • March 19, 2010 -
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Suzuki Takes 50% Stake in Russian Importer
Through February, Suzuki sold 3,394 vehicles in Russia, up 9.2% from like-2009.
By Peter Homola • March 19, 2010 -
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Chevy Hits Road With Social-Media Campaign
GM says social media campaigns don’t result in immediate sales, but cultivate future customers.
By Byron Pope • March 12, 2010 -
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Brazil Picks Up Speed Driving Out of 2009 Global Recession
A promise from GM Brazil to introduce a series of new cars to the market this year, including the Chevy Malibu, is prompting the country’s auto manufacturers group to expect 2010 to be another record-breaking year.
By Barbara McClellan • March 10, 2010 -
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Determined Chinese Car Brand to Debut in U.S. Next Year
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.American car buyers have heard the hue and cry, “the Chinese are coming” for so long, they mostly turn a deaf ear. But we ignore these auto ...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • March 8, 2010 -
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JATCO Returns to Profitability; Mulls Indian CVT Production
CEO Shigeo Ishida says the company cut temporary workers, lowered fixed costs 15% and slashed business travel by almost half in order to reduce costs.
By Roger Schreffler • March 4, 2010 -
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GDI, Zero-Emission Tanks Drive TI Growth
A restructured TI Automotive has a new company logo and bold product strategy that targets fuel rails for high-pressure GDI engines, as well as zero-emission plastic fuel tanks designed to replace steel.
By Tom Murphy • March 2, 2010 -
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Education vs. Training
What is the difference between education and training? Education develops the faculties and powers of (a person) by teaching, instruction, or schooling; to qualify by instruction or training for a particular calling, practice, etc. It focuses on the individual and his or her ability to make a contribution. Training gives the discipline and instruction, drill, practice, etc., designed to impart proficiency
By Richard F. Libin • March 1, 2010 -
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What’s After Automageddon?
What's the new ? That question came up a lot at the National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention in Orlando, FL, where the weather was mostly sunny but chilly, which pretty much describes the forecast for the auto industry this year. After 2009's bleak vehicle sales, better days seem ahead, but nothing spectacular at least not compared with a few short years ago. The old normal for annual sales typically
By Steve Finlay • March 1, 2010 -
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Mitsubishi Assures Dealers It Plan to Stay in the U.S. Market
Mitsubishi Motors North America is setting its sights on a return to 100,000-unit sales in a calendar year, after suffering a severe drop in volume in recent years, a top executive says. I'd say (we'll hit the mark) probably within three years, John Koenig, executive vice president-MMNA, tells Ward's. Mitsubishi sold 53,986 vehicles in the U.S. last year, 44.5% below 97,257 in 2008, Ward's data shows.
By Christie Schweinsberg • March 1, 2010
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