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Russia’s TagAZ Launches Chery Assembly
Chery Automobile’s A5, which sold as the Chery Fora in Russia up to now, has been renamed the Vortex Estina and will be unveiled at next week’s Moscow auto show.
By Peter Homola • Aug. 21, 2008 -
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Brain Drain Threatens Auto Industry
Retirements, alone, are expected to cull 20% to 30% of auto maker senior executive ranks within the next five years and 40% to 50% of executives within the next decade.
By Drew Winter • Aug. 14, 2008 -
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Reporter’s Notebook: Whistling While They Work
Ward’s writers pass along the buzz at this week’s 2008 Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI.
By Ward's Staff • Aug. 11, 2008 -
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ATX More Than Doubling Subscriber Base
The Texas company that helped pioneer telematics will grow from 1 million to 2.5 million subscribers by 2011 and will add two new auto maker customers.
By Tom Murphy • Aug. 11, 2008 -
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GEMA Chief Coventry Adds GEM Duties
Since its launch 10 years ago, GEM has put more than 38,000 neighborhood electric vehicles on the road, worldwide.
By Ward's Staff • Aug. 5, 2008 -
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Going Once, Going Twice…
Two years ago, I moderated a panel of executives from several of the third-party online lead vendors. The main topic was how to improve the current lead-buying model.
By Cliff Banks • Aug. 4, 2008 -
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Benefits of a Networked Chassis
Despite Vast Improvements in Computing power and electro-hydraulics, advanced chassis and drivetrain systems only will function at their full potential if they manage a vehicle's dynamic forces in a controlled and coordinated manner. At least that's the thinking of Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen AG, which recently held a technology clinic at Michelin SA's proving grounds in Laurens, SC, to showcase
By Mike Sutton • Aug. 1, 2008 -
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Bill Gates Invests in AutoNation Inc. Dealership Chain
Microsoft Corp. founder now owns a 5.5% stake in AutoNation Inc. according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Gates' private investment fund Cascade Investments, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation acquired the 9.9 million shares of the nation's largest dealership chain. Although valued at $82.8 million at time of acquisition, the transaction is classified as a passive investment
Aug. 1, 2008 -
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If They Can Make It There
New York Defying a national sales slump, metro New York auto dealers racked up a 6.9% increase in vehicle sales in the year's first quarter, a survey commissioned by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Assn. reveals. We've been very lucky, because we haven't been hit as quickly as other regions of the country, says Mark Schienberg, association president. The first quarter was staggeringly good
By Herb Shuldiner • Aug. 1, 2008 -
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How to End the In-Fighting
I've been asked over the years why the parts manager and the service manager do not get along in some stores. The parts department often is blamed for everything that goes wrong. The advisors will tell the customer, The reason we didn't have your truck done is the wrong part came in. Or they tell the customer some other outlandish story about how the parts department didn't pick up the part in time.
By Lee Harkins • Aug. 1, 2008 -
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Dump the Old Sales Process
Value-creation selling (VCS) is a new model for the retail automotive industry. This is one of a series of articles that will help explain this concept. VCS allows sales consultants to create optimum customer value during the sales presentation through empowerment and knowledge. VCS sales consultants always do what's best for the consumer and become their advocates. Sales presentations are no longer
By Mark Rikess • Aug. 1, 2008 -
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Service Dept. More Important
Conventional wisdom is that when vehicle sales decline, dealers turn to other areas business to keep that revenue coming in. That's why the service department has become more important for dealers, as they look for ways to drive revenue. The average dealership gets 30%-40% of its profit from its service department revenue. That department is becoming more important to customers, too. Google says that,
By Cliff Banks • Aug. 1, 2008 -
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Taiwan’s CMC Lands Military Contract With New Outlander
Analysts say CMC's cut-rate bid of NT$500,000 per unit was a tactical move designed to garner publicity for the recently introduced model.
By John Westbrook • July 25, 2008 -
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University of Michigan Team Savors Victory in North American Solar Challenge
The race is a competition to design, build and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event.
By Alan Harman • July 25, 2008 -
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Remembering Auto Journalist, Humorist Al Fleming
A respected reporter, writer and editor for several publications, including Ward’s, Fleming was especially known for his humorous, witty columns and biting satire.
By Ward's Staff • July 22, 2008 -
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GMDAT Halts Aveo Output Over Tire Price-Increase Demand
The long-term agreement allows for periodic increases that are specified in the contract language, but beyond that it is not negotiable, the auto maker says.
By Vince Courtenay • July 18, 2008 -
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’08 Saleen Sterling Mustang: Corruptive Power in the Hands of 25
Based on the 620-hp S302E for Saleen’s 25th anniversary, just 25 Sterling Edition Mustangs will be produced at $100,000 each.
By Mike Sutton • July 17, 2008 -
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Spectra Name Change Unlikely; Rondo Sales Rise
The hatchback variant likely will be axed when the new Spectra lineup debuts next year as ’10 models.
By Christie Schweinsberg • July 2, 2008 -
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Universal Special Auto Finance Expands to Prime Lending
Subprime automotive lender Universal Special Auto Finance is diversifying into the prime market. The firm's Universal Prime program is new and for consumers with strong credit ratings. With many other financial institutions restricting lending at this time, Universal is moving forward aggressively, says CEO John Scordo. He adds: Our new prime lending model is innovative, efficient, and generates consistent
July 1, 2008 -
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F&I Can Aid Internet Sales
Today's consumers still don't know as much as you do about auto finance and insurance. But they know a lot more than before. With vast amounts of information available to the consumer, the F&I department must be managed to remain a profit center while helping promote vehicle sales earlier in the shopping process. As studies keep showing, virtually all consumers today do vehicle and purchase research
By BRYAN DORFLER • July 1, 2008 -
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Free Trade Is Misunderstood
The negative rhetoric in Washington, D.C. about trade has reached a fever pitch as three trade agreements stand untouched in Congress and some presidential candidates threaten to renegotiate deals or take a time out from trade if they are elected into office. This type of talk comes as we mark the 69th anniversary of one of America's most respected and influential presidents dedicating a full week
By CODY LUSK • July 1, 2008 -
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Dealers Are Resilient as Ever
Is a gloom-and-doom scenario really threatening to engulf the domestic Detroit Three? Hard-nosed auto have opined their Gloomy Gus forecasts, much to the dismay of veteran industry executives who can't begin to believe what they are reading. Here are some headlines in June trade weeklies and business magazines: GM: Burning Cash Like Rubber: The carmaker will need to dig up capital just to keep the
By Mac Gordon • July 1, 2008 -
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The Vanishing Minority Dealer
Damon Lester has a tough assignment — help the nation's minority-owned dealerships survive.He is the president of the National Assn. of Minority Automobile Dealers at a time that is particularly dangerous to his constituents' business future.Domestic manufacturers' efforts to reduce their dealer bodies coupled with plummeting auto sales along with a lack of access to much-needed capital threaten the existence of many minority-owned dealerships.
By Cliff Banks • July 1, 2008 -
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Use Technology To Sell More
Every dealer is looking to improve showroom closing ratios. Closing just 2% more deals will add major dollars to the bottom line. How do you do that? Well, it means work, coupled with a consistently performed sales process. Add sales process technology and you've increased your odds. A sales process is a roadmap that has to be traveled through the dealership; if you put checks and balances along the
By Jim Leman • July 1, 2008 -
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China Flexing Muscle to Become World’s Largest Car Market
China will surpass the U.S. to become the world’s largest auto market by 2020, J.D. Power analysts predict.
By Mack Chrysler • June 27, 2008
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