Operations: Page

Ssangyong Union Officials Get Jail Time

One union member receives an 18-month prison term for damages to the Ssangyong plant totaling more than $2 million.

By Vince Courtenay • Oct. 9, 2009

It’s Not So Hard to Say Sorry

The one word guaranteed to make the hair on the necks of technicians stand on end all over the country is: COMEBACK! Quality workmanship is always a challenge when we deal with anything mechanical. Murphy's Law always seems to prevail when we least expect it, but it's a reality of our business we will make mistakes. Most customers are willing to give us a pass, and two, when they understand how hard

By Lee Harkins • Oct. 1, 2009

It’s Not Just Sales Anymore

If U.S. light-vehicle sales for August are any indication, investors might get comfortable again with the auto industry. Spurred by Cash for Clunkers incentives, August sales of 1.2 million units broke the 1-million mark for the first time in 12 months, boosting the seasonably adjusted annual rate to 14 million. That follows a relatively stable retail SAAR since October of last year, ranging from

By Steve Finlay • Oct. 1, 2009

Subprime Lender Introduces Its Own Stimulus Program

New subprime lending programs have been a rarity of late, but a North Carolina firm is bucking that trend. Ace Motor Acceptance Corp. is rolling out its new Dealer Stimulus Program, touting it as an initiative that gives auto dealers more sales and profit opportunities by expanding their customer base to include consumers with a 520 or higher Beacon score. The company's standard program has no minimum

Oct. 1, 2009

SEMA’s Dealer Day Aims To Spur Accessory Sales

The Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Assn.'s annual trade show will include a dedicated program called Dealer Day to help auto retailers tap into the $31.9 billion automotive accessories market. The program, which debuted last year, is scheduled 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, site of the SEMA show. The first annual Dealer Day program proved to be a success in helping

Oct. 1, 2009

Peterbilt Closing Tennessee Plant

The closure of the Nashville-area plant, which has not produced any trucks since July 2008, is part of the truck maker’s North American capacity realignment.

By Ward's Staff • Sept. 28, 2009

William “Skipper” Beck Dies in Plane Crash

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.William "Skipper" Beck died Friday, September 11, when his Cirrus SR22 crashed at the Rock Hill/York County Airport in North Carolina. Beck ...

Sept. 14, 2009

OnStar Exclusivity Under Review

With industry sales slumping and GM’s decision to jettison four brands, OnStar is hungry for new subscribers. Talks about maintaining service continue with the proposed buyers of Saturn, Saab and Hummer.

By James M. Amend • Sept. 9, 2009

Compact Power Nailing Down More Business, Site for U.S. Plant

CEO Prabhakar Patil is optimistic his company can continue to drive Li-ion battery costs down by a factor of two within five to 10 years.

By James M. Amend • Sept. 3, 2009

Pontiac Nearing Finish Line

A little more than 16,000 Pontiacs remain in stock, a GM executive says.

By Jim Mateja • Sept. 3, 2009

Japan’s August Vehicle Sales See First Gain in 13 Months

The auto industry is waiting to see if federal tax incentives will continue under the incoming Democratic Party, which last week won a crushing victory in the country’s general election.

By Alan Harman • Sept. 2, 2009

Dealers Keen on Used Minivans, SUVs

Dealer interest in used SUVs and minivans is increasing, putting prices for those vehicles at their highest level since January 2008, according to OPENLANE's Market Index report. SUV prices exceeded June 2008 levels by 18 percentage points and minivan prices exceeded June 2008 levels by 27 percentage points. Car prices remain slightly below June 2008 levels. Minivan interest climbed 19 points in June,

Sept. 1, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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