Operations: Page
-
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Fisker Provides Peek Under Skin
The frame incorporates a tunnel down the centerline to house the batteries and act as a structural backbone that connects the front and rear sections of the car.
By Ward's Staff • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Labor Stance Leaves Fisker Well-Positioned
Fisker Automotive reveals details of the Karma’s spaceframe at this week’s Geneva auto show
By Eric Mayne • March 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
370Z More Than Blip on Roadster Radar
Unlike its predecessor’s trunk, the new roadster can accommodate a set of golf clubs. But no matter, because driving 370Z is more engaging than driving a Titleist.
By Eric Mayne • Feb. 25, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Internet Leads Increase Dramatically
A current industry debate centers on whether it is wise for dealerships to maintain designated Internet departments or have the entire sales staff take e-leads.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 24, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Tighter Subprime Lending Stymies Auto Sales
“We’re not seeing enough of anyone, but especially subprime customers,” says dealer Ed Tonkin, the 2010 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Assn.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 24, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New ASEAN-China Trade Pact Leaves Out Auto Industry, for Now
The aim is to lower tariffs to zero on some 7,000 different products when the deal is fully implemented by 2015, but each country has the right to exclude and protect hundreds of sensitive products until 2020 or longer.
By Mack Chrysler • Feb. 11, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Treat Them as Individuals
No two snowflakes are exactly alike. The fingerprints of no two people are alike. The customers who step onto your lot are not exactly alike either. So why are you still treating them as though they were? Perhaps you're not capturing more product sales for this very reason. Effective closes are based on effective rationale, and the underlying principal of selling to all of your unique customers is
By Rebecca Chernek • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Leaner and Meaner
Domestic-brand dealers who survive the downsizing of ranks will be stronger competitors against foreign brands. So say participants at an annual conference on dealership financial issues sponsored by the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. Sales per domestic-car dealer will move up with the rebounding market, especially in metro areas, says Chip Maher, a former Lincoln-Mercury dealer
By Mac Gordon • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
DMS Vendors Vow to Do Better
Dealers already are plenty dissatisfied, what with plummeting sales, store closures and depleted inventories. Now you can add to that list less satisfaction with their dealership-management system vendors. Overall dealer satisfaction with DMS vendors' products and services declined this year. The National Automobile Dealers Assn. tracks satisfaction with these vendors in a bi-annual survey. NADA's
By Ralph Kisiel • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
How to Fight Embezzlers
A $1 million embezzlement at Caliber Motors in Anaheim Hills, CA, stunned the local dealership community when it became public this past spring. Sheryl Lynn Law, 46, and her sister-in-law, Jessica Louise Newark, 64, of Whittier, were arrested on suspicion of embezzling the funds during the more than 10 years that Law worked for the store as a contracts clerk in the financial department. The Orange
By Alan Richman • Feb. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Breaking a Taboo
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 Democratic Party changed the face of political ads with its “Daisy” TV spots in the ʼ64 presidential race between Lyndon Johnson and Bar...
By David Zoia • Jan. 28, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Phoenix Rising
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.Several dozen members of the U.S. Congress and the Obama administration attended the press preview at the North American International Auto ...
By Barbara McClellan 2 • Jan. 19, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sebring Nameplate May Vanish
The Sebring disappointed many critics right out of the gate following its redesign for ’07.
By Eric Mayne • Jan. 13, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Automotive earworm
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. Ever get a song stuck in your head? How about an exhaust note? It's been some six weeks since we wrapped up testing for Ward's 10 Best En...
Jan. 7, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Center of Gravity Shifting in India’s Small-Car Market
Market-leader Maruti Suzuki currently offers seven small-car models with 30 variants that it believes provide car buyers an ample choice. But these soon will be challenged by rivals.
By Sudhakar Shah • Jan. 6, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Thailand Launches Ambitious Plan to Increase Ethanol Usage
More than 300,000 E20-compatible vehicles have been sold in Thailand since 2006. Refiner Bangchak Petroleum this year plans to increase the number of E20 pumps to 300 from 130.
By Alan Harman • Jan. 5, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Great Tips on Selling Tires
I received an overwhelming response to a recent column on selling tires at car dealerships. We've developed a collection of ideas to help you sell more tires. From our company's wealth of experience, here are tips that may help you. Establish Sales Objectives We have objectives for car sales, labor sales and parts sales, why not tire sales? About one service customer in five needs, or will need, tires
By Lee Harkins • Jan. 1, 2010 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Strong Yen May Force Japanese Auto Makers to Rethink Export Strategies
For more than 30 years, Japanese auto makers have exported half or more of all vehicles they produce at home. The most obvious way to reduce their foreign-currency risks would be to move more production overseas.
By Mack Chrysler • Dec. 28, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Ditch the Hard Service Sell
Life in the service department has changed forever. Some say for the better and others believe for the worst; either way, there is no arguing it has changed. Your technicians and advisors require leadership to lead them to the new ways of interacting and providing service to your customers. The tactical methods employed in your stores must embrace a higher level of customer service to earn the customer's
By Lee Harkins • Dec. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Certified Used-Car Sales Rescue Dealers
U.S. dealers in 2008 sold 1.7 million units through auto makers’ certified used-car programs.
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oz Researchers Develop ‘Greener’ Alternative for Protecting Galvanized Components
Queen Coat’s developers say the cost and performance of the material are similar to chromate, without the additional costs associated with the disposal of hazardous chromium wastes.
By Alan Harman • Nov. 5, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Oops, They Forgot One Thing
Auto makers are under enormous pressure to reduce the world's dependence on oil and cut carbon-dioxide emissions. But it sure looks like we're reaching the limit of what they can do. Now it's up to others to put the infrastructure in place to make it all happen. But who will do it? Whether you're talking about charging stations for electric vehicles or compressed natural gas stations for cars running
By John McElroy • Nov. 1, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Lancia Pulls Ahead in Europe’s Luxury-Vehicle Sales
The success of the Fiat group must be encouraging to Chrysler, especially because Lancia CEO Olivier Francois has been named to run the Chrysler brand, as well.
By William Diem • Oct. 27, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New World Order: Auto Industry’s Road to Recovery
Major auto makers were blindsided by the global financial storm that hit full force in October 2008. Yet, few had any notion of how bad the consequences would be.
By Barbara McClellan • Oct. 26, 2009 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Think Global Names New Board
The company, which emerged from bankruptcy in August, will continue to be under the day-to-day direction of CEO Richard Canny, a 25-year industry veteran.
By Ward's Staff • Oct. 12, 2009
Previous
