Operations: Page 210
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
4 Questions for DMS providers
If you're looking to replace your current dealer-management system vendor, get ready for an extensive and time-consuming process. Going through the process can be like negotiating your way through a financial minefield. We've heard the horror stories from dealers paying incredibly high prices for their systems. But there are a number of issues beyond price you should consider before you sign a DMS
By Wayne A. Fortier • Jan. 1, 2008 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Optessa Solves Production Hiccups
A vehicle assembly plant copes every day with a dizzying array of build configurations. Between color changes, different drivelines and dozens of optional features, there's enough mathematical equations to stump Isaac Newton. But Sir Isaac didn't have today's computers with massive processing power to enable lightning-fast calculations. Optessa Inc., an upstart technology specialist based in Edmonton,
By Tom Murphy • Jan. 1, 2008 -
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
Some People Never Will Get F&I Ethics
The industry has come a long way cleaning up its act. But some dirty characters remain.
By Steve Finlay • Dec. 17, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Two Cases of What Not to Do
I received the e-mail below in response to one of my Ward's Dealer Business columns on proper selling of vehicle. This person, a salesman by trade, shared two remarkable experiences that offer hard lessons for every car dealer, manager and sales staffer. Dear Richard: I recently read your article while waiting in my dealership for my car to be serviced. As a salesperson myself (electronics) I couldn't
By Richard F. Libin • Dec. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Bose Says Suspension Drawing Interest From OEMs
The Bose active suspension responds in milliseconds to negate bumps, using an electric motor to retract and extend the shock’s strut.
By Herb Shuldiner • Nov. 30, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Pontiac G8 Production to Stay in Oz
Media speculation has suggested GM was considering moving output to an under-utilized plant in North America.
By Alan Harman • Nov. 30, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
BorgWarner Refining Dual-Clutch Technology for New Applications
Next-generation systems designed for emerging markets and different drivetrain configurations will help boost DCT production 500% by 2013.
By Mike Sutton • Nov. 20, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
UAW’s Bluestone Dead at 90
Irving Bluestone served as administrative assistant to UAW founding president, Walter Reuther.
By Ward's Staff • Nov. 19, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
ZAP Launches Chinese Production of Sedans, Pickups
The new facility in China's Shandong province has capacity to produce up to 4,000 electric vehicles per month.
By Alan Harman • Nov. 5, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
New Day for Plastic Panels
With a new name and owner, the former GE Plastics is trying to re-introduce auto makers to the unique benefits of composites.
By Drew Winter • Nov. 2, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Scare Tactics Hurt Business
In their quest to achieve 2.0 to 2.5 hours per repair order, many dealerships hunt for the magic pill. Many believe it's in fluid sales because vendors and distributors promise increased sales and additional gross profit. They convince the service and parts management staff that fluids and flushes are the way to achieve profitability and the return to 2.5 hours per repair order. But what does it do
By Lee Harkins • Nov. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Spare Tires Face a Phase Out
Slowly but surely, spare tires are being phased out as original equipment on new vehicles, as auto makers turn to run-flat tires or inflation kits to save space and reduce weight. Run-flats, which have been on the market for years, are on average nearly twice the price of traditional tires. They also affect vehicle performance, making it necessary for auto makers to work closely with tire suppliers
By Byron Pope • Nov. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Scoring Internet Leads Next Up
Manhattan Beach, Ca With youthful enthusiasm but no customer base, David Metter began his automotive career at a Dayton, OH, dealership as the youngest person on the sales floor. He says he realized quickly there was much more to selling cars than greeting customers at the door. So he took it upon himself to build a prospecting and follow-up system. It helped make him a top Chrysler salesman in the
By Steve Finlay • Nov. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dealers Sell Cars Below Invoice
Selling below invoice once was something a dealer would do for a special customer, close friend or relative. Today, it's a common occurrence. And given market conditions, selling below invoice threatens to become even more prevalent. Edmunds.com through May found almost 60 nameplates representing 21 brands selling below invoice, the wholesale price the dealer pays the auto maker. The models, all '07s,
By Frank S. Washington • Nov. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Thomas Friedman Thinks You’re Stupid
McElroy is optimistic that Friedman will change his opinion on the American auto industry. After all, Friedman’s opinions change with the political winds.
By John McElroy • Oct. 22, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Mexico Reclaiming Manufacturing Status
Despite the labor discrepancies, Mexico offers several advantages that China cannot match, including its proximity to the U.S.
By Byron Pope • Oct. 15, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Survey Says Lax Americans Aid Car and Identity Thieves
A survey says bad security habits make Americans vulnerable to vehicle-related thefts. Nearly half of Americans leave mail in their vehicle; one quarter has left a wallet or purse; and nearly one third has left bank statements all of which contain personal information that can put people at risk for identity theft. While people exercise good common sense theft protection measures in some areas, such
Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
October Is a Significant Month
What's different about this month than any other?We know with a degree of certainty based on historical evidence that actions we take or choose not to take in October will affect our business not only for the balance of the year, but also the first quarter of the next year.
By Tony Noland • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Better Education Needed on Voice Recognition
Although available in vehicles for a decade, voice-recognition systems still are not used or understood by many car buyers.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Our Shiny New Model
We criticize auto makers for not freshening their lineups often enough, so after five years with the same graphic design, it’s about time we did some freshening of our own.
By Drew Winter • Oct. 1, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Isuzu Enters Agreement With India’s Swaraj
Isuzu says it initially will produce 900 small and midsize buses in India this year and 6,000 by 2012.
By Sudhakar Shah • Sept. 27, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Holden Tempted to Build Efijy in Limited Run
Oil-rich sheiks, mega-millionaire British businessmen and the brother of Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly have bid millions for the one-off car.
By Alan Harman • Sept. 24, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
’08 CTS Advances to Upper Tier of Sport Luxury Market
Although the upgrades aren’t likely to send CTS sales barreling past those of its rivals, they place the car on firmer footing against the best from Germany and Japan.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 19, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Dodge Puts Moms in Grand Caravans for Ad Launch
A “Mom Test-Drive,” customized online ads and Christmas carols all are part of a new advertising campaign for the ’08 Dodge Grand Caravan, launching Oct. 1.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 14, 2007 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Three Years of North American Losses for ZF
ZF’s North American headquarters in Northville, MI, sits with empty space in part because the two joint ventures that were supposed to be housed there no longer exist.
By Tom Murphy • Sept. 13, 2007
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