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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

’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

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

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

PSA to Introduce New Flexible Production System; Increase Customization

The auto maker is increasing the number of models it will build in Europe by entering five new segments in the next four years.

By William Diem • Sept. 10, 2007

CHAMCO Puts Mexican Plant on Hold, Still Plans Detroit Appearance

Lack of a rail line near the proposed Tijuana site pushes back assembly plant plans, says the U.S.-based company overseeing the launch of Chinese cars in North America.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 7, 2007

Unapologetic, 600-HP Viper Builds on Roots for ’08

Dodge has never apologized for the vehicle’s utter rawness, and every peck in the road that thumps the backside serves as a reminder of its barely legal setup.

By James M. Amend • Sept. 6, 2007

He’s a Serial Entrepreneur

Scott Painter calls himself a serial entrepreneur. It means he comes up with ideas and then comes up with the money to put those notions into action. It can be a risky business. An entrepreneur has to be willing to risk everything and lose everything every time and bet on themselves every time, he says. If I have one dollar I am going to put it on one of my ideas. He's got a lot of those, particularly

By Steve Finlay • Sept. 1, 2007

Banking on Sales

It is only fitting that auto makers choose nickname of Germany's financial capital, to unveil their blue-chip bets for the future. The 62nd annual Inter-national Motor Show in Frankfurt will see the latest iterations of storied nameplates from niche brands such as Porsche and Mini, while mainstream marques such as Mazda and Dodge unwrap high-volume offerings. Despite the hoopla that surrounds major

Sept. 1, 2007

Blog Me to Your Website

Virginia's Checkered Flag Motor Car Co. says traffic to its website has been rising since it launched a blog several months ago. The Checkered Blog offers an online venue for sharing information on a range of automotive and non-automotive topics. Checkered Flag executives say it's quickly becoming a significant factor in attracting online visits for the dealer group, headquartered in Virginia Beach.

Sept. 1, 2007

Helping Jimmy Get It Right

Leads were going into the dealership's customer-relationship management system, but they were only occasionally looked at. Special-finance manager Jimmy told our inquiring regional manager the store didn't have time to work our lead program. They were too busy with lot traffic. Our regional rep tried to discover the underlying issues. Here is what he found: Jimmy knew special finance well. He had

By TIM SHEA • Sept. 1, 2007

Here’s a Way to Let Everyone Know Who the Slackers Are

There are employees who seem to get sick most often on Mondays and Fridays. There are usually disputes about vacation time and who gets the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas week off. And managers struggle with the long-term question of what kind of manpower will they have six months from now. One way to highlight those issues is with a 365-day attendance monitor produced by Magnatag. It's a board

Sept. 1, 2007

Jaguar Reveals XF Sedan

Based on the CX-F concept shown at January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the XF represents a new design direction.

By Ward's Staff • Aug. 28, 2007

Analysts Say China Still Years From Being Export Juggernaut

China’s overseas sales mostly involve relatively low-tech trucks and buses, almost all sent to other emerging markets where buyers are easier to please.

By Mack Chrysler • Aug. 28, 2007

October Showroom Debut Scheduled for ’08 Caliber SRT4

The high-performance Dodge Caliber derivative will start at $22,995.

By Eric Mayne • Aug. 22, 2007

EC Poll Finds Private Cars Preferred Over Public Transport

Private cars are the most widespread means of travel in the European Union, with 53% of respondents indicating they drive rather than cycle, walk or use public transportation.

By Keith Nuthall • Aug. 13, 2007

USCAR Funding Remains Intact

Detroit’s Big Three see the value in working together through USCAR, the agency’s director says.

By David C. Smith • Aug. 8, 2007