Operations: Page 234

Mitsubishi dealers get first crack at all-new DMS

Diamond Manage is a fully integrated lead generation and dealer management system Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc. (MMSA) rolls out a new dealer management system during the second quarter of 2001. The company expects it to radically change the information processes currently driving automotive dealerships. Installations were slated to begin in the first quarter but were delayed as wrinkles

April 1, 2001

Composite Sketch

Composites are appearing more and more to be the hottest material in the automotive industry. The latest forecast by the Automotive Composites Alliance predicts composites use will rise by 34% from 350 million lbs. in 2001 to 467 million lbs. by 2004. That outpaces the 7% annual growth rate expected for aluminum, a material often in the spotlight because of its high profile battle with steel. The

By Brian Corbett • April 1, 2001

Explore the Trendline➔

Automotive Manufacturing

Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.

By WardsAuto staff

Dealer-customer relationship changes

Peter Brandow has carefully thought through this Internet phenomenon. And the results at his three Philadelphia-area dealerships reflect that pondering. His three stores initiated a total of 1,085 vehicle sales on line in 2000. His definition of an Internet sale is strict. Any sale that could not be done on line because of some aspect of the process is not considered a true Internet sale. So it's

By Cliff Banks • April 1, 2001

SAE 2001: Wacker-Chemie Touts Silicone Products

Wacker-Chemie GmbH, one of the world's largest silicone producers, and several of its subsidiaries used SAE 2001 to tout a range of silicone materials and gasket materials. The parent company, based in Munich, Germany, exhibited at SAE with a variety of other German companies. At a news conference, officials of Wacker Silicones Corp., a subsidiary based in Adrian, MI, explained how the company is

By Drew Winter • March 9, 2001

SAE 2001: Acunia Presses for Open Telematics Framework

Belgium-based Acunia continues its almost evangelistic efforts to get the telematics world to adopt an open framework for the next generation of telematics devices. Telematics creates the connection that enables drivers to connect to virtually any information or service provider in the world. Acunia, formerly Smart Move, laid out its vision of the future of telematics at the 2001 SAE in Detroit on

By Mike Arnholt • March 7, 2001

SAE 2001: New Speed Sensor Boasts Higher Accuracy

A new, more accurate speed and distance sensor for automotive research and development applications was introduced Tuesday at SAE 2001 by Wixom, MI-based A-DAT Corp. Dubbed OS1, it is claimed to be the first speed and distance sensor based on digital optical correlation -- which makes it more accurate than current contact and non-contact speed sensors such as 5th wheels (contact)and radar doppler

By Drew Winter • March 6, 2001

SAE 2001: Three Companies Collaborate to Form SmartSim

MTS Systems Corp., Mechanical Dynamics and nCode International announce the formation of the SmartSim Community to expedite the process of design to production for the auto industry and to promote data sharing. By integrating physical and virtual testing, SmartSim reduces the time, cost and risk normally associated with new vehicle design and development. SmartSim brings together the proving ground,

By Christie Schweinsberg • March 6, 2001

Back in the Saddle?

Northwest Airlines flight 334 from Los Angeles circles, then smoothly lands at Detroit's Metropolitan Airport. As it taxis to the gate, the tall septuagenarian closes the briefcase on his lap, then asks himself: What the hell am I doing here? Unlike the old days, there are no TV cameras, no grungy print reporters and no hangers-on waiting as he walks briskly along the ramp and into the airport. Despite

By David C. Smith • March 1, 2001

WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUT INCENTIVES?

$Zero down, $zero interest, zero payments ever! This would be the perfect incentive. Who could resist? They'll sell a million cars. If you can find a better deal, take it. OK, fun's over. Let's talk about incentives. First, there always have been incentives, at least since I wrote my first car story back in 1958. But in the distant past they went to the dealer and salespeople: $200 for every sale

By Jerry Flint • March 1, 2001

3RD PARTY DOT-COMS FEWER BUT LOUDER

Although they were considerably fewer in number this year, the third-party dot-com companies still had plenty to say at the NADA convention in Las Vegas. From announcements of new products to strong statements responding to their many critics, the Internet companies still standing show they have plenty of fight left. Here are some examples: Autobytel.com Mark Lorimer opened Autobytel.com's NADA press

By Cliff Banks and Steve Finlay • March 1, 2001

F&I CAN OFFSET VEHICLE SALES SLUMP

Dealers' finance & insurance departments offer a tremendous opportunity to bolster revenues and profits in the face of a domestic-brand sales slump. With sales of domestic new units on the downside lately, dealers are relying on their F&I managers to pursue all possible sources of sales on pre-owned vehicles, as well as new units. So says Michael McHugh, senior vice-president of F&I provider Universal

By Maynard M. Gordon • March 1, 2001

HOW TO PROFIT IN A SALES DOWNTURN

I'm not suggesting that you write the franchise a termination letter, but rather take as much control as possible of your individual destiny. During this year's NADA Convention in Las Vegas, I visited with many dealers whose optimism fell below last year's convention. This year, there seemed to be a common theme to most of the conversations I had with dealers. The most commonly repeated comments I

By Tony Noland • March 1, 2001

What Fools These Mortals Be

When I was a little boy, there were three newspapers in Detroit including The Detroit Times, which had a pink front page. But what I remember best were the swell Sunday comics which we called the funnies: Maggie and Jiggs, Dagwood and Blondie, The Little King, Flash Gordon, Prince Valiant, all the good ones. On the top of the first comics page there was a drawing of this Cupid-like kid (it was someone

By Jerry Flint • March 1, 2001

Incentives: the drug of the auto industry

Incentives are addictive, and it will be tough to get consumers to kick that habit, says Rik Kinney, vice president of the Dohring Co., an automotive industry research firm. Incentives have become like a drug, he says. And, he adds, rehab won't be easy. I don't know if there is a methadone for incentives. I think they're here to stay. Incentives propped up last year's record high vehicle sales as

By Steve Finlay • March 1, 2001

The Big Hangover

What a party. Lots of great food and good company, the wine overfloweth. Things got a little wild. You remember the table dancing, followed by the spur-of-the-moment trip on the company jet to Memphis for fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches. So now that New Year's Eve is over, you feel like two miles of the Southfield Freeway. The human body, you mutter, isn't supposed to take this much abuse.

By Tom Murphy • March 1, 2001

Dealer donates $2 million to create university environmental center

The owner of one of the largest new-car dealerships in Kentucky is donating $2 million to address a leading automotive industry issue the environment. Tracy Farmer, owner of Farmer Automotive Group Inc., is providing the gift to the University of Kentucky to establish a research and educational center. It will assist public and private organizations in addressing environmental issues and developing

March 1, 2001

REV UP THOSE USED-VEHICLE SALES

Many dealers fail to market used vehicles as effectively as they could, despite growing customer interest in pre-owned cars. So says Rik Kinney, reporting on Dohring Co.'s 2001 survey of consumer preferences and buying habits. My advice to dealers is to tap into that used-car market where there are tremendous opportunities, especially if there's a downturn in new-car sales this year, says Mr. Kinney,

By Steve Finlay • March 1, 2001

CURE IS IN SIGHT FOR THIS SHOP MALADY

"Erick Bickett Syndrome" can drive service managers crazy The Internet finally may be offering a cure for the "Erick Bickett Syndrome."If you're not familiar with the malady, it affects collision repair shop managers who end up with multiple computerized estimating systems because various insurers with whom they do business may each require different systems.For instance: The shop gets an Automated

By John Yoswick • Feb. 1, 2001

New Sebring ragtop aims to stay on top of the market

Fifty years ago, little Bob Goldenthal, holding a helium balloon from a family visit to the zoo, was returning home in his dad's spiffy convertible.Dad said, "So you don't lose the balloon, let's tie the string to your wrist." Three-year-old Bob said no. Up and away went the balloon minutes later. Down came the tears.Mr. Goldenthal got over that childhood traumatic experience. He's now the planning

By Steve Finlay • Feb. 1, 2001

Requiem for a heavyweight

Oldsmobile didn't need to die Maybe the name was a drawback:"Old," as in Oldsmobile. Passe. Antiquated. Obsolete. Dated. Outmoded. Stale. An old fogey in a nation that prizes youthfulness to the point of obsession. Now it's R.I.P. for the fabled nameplate as it heads into oblivion, proving that the buzzards who've circled for years knew dead meat when they saw it.General Motors Corp., in a sweeping

By David C. Smith • Feb. 1, 2001

MEGADEALERS PLAN TO BOOST F&I SALES

It's a cushion against forecasted auto industry downturn inance & insurance and fixed operations are drawing greater interest from publicly owned consolidators. Some see it as a cushion for predicted lower vehicle sales this year.Senior executives of Sonic Automotive, Group 1 Automotive and Lithia Motors highlighted F&I and fixed operations growth in their third-quarter financial reports - and set

By Maynard M. Gordon • Jan. 1, 2001

GOOD DEFENSE MAKES A GOOD OFFENSE

The deadlines of a monthly publication sometimes prevent totally up-to-date information, but as of this writing, several items are having an impact on our business.The first is the lengthy resolution of the presidential election. Other items of note include newspaper and other media stories noting the weakness of job growth and "Big 3" sales hitting the skids. Let's not forget domestic manufacturers

By Tony Noland • Jan. 1, 2001

Working 9-5

For Saab, it's a good way to make a living Saab Cars, USA Inc. should reach the 40,000 sales mark by the end of the year, says its president and CEO, Dan Chasins. This number represents a 4%-5% growth over 1999.Mr. Chasins gives credit for the growth to the newly developed 9-5 platform. The 9-5's vehicles - the convertible, the wagon and the sedans - account for a little less than 50% of Saab's sales

By Cliff Banks • Jan. 1, 2001

Success in America Key to Global Sales Strategy Daewoo sees U.S. as worldshowcase for its cars

SEOUL, Korea - Chairman Tae-Gou Kim got a divorce from General Motors five years ago and has worked tirelessly since then to establish his free-standing Daewoo Motor Co. Ltd. as one of the world's Top 10 automakers.It may seem like quite a stretch to some, yet since 1992, Mr. Kim has led Daewoo Motor through an amazing metamorphosis and is getting very close to achieving his goal.Today, Mr. Kim says,

By Vince Courtenay • Jan. 1, 2001

2000 is record year for Mitsubishi

American unit thrives despite problems in Japan Despite troubles at its parent company and a potential scandal at home, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America managed to have yet another record-breaking year, reporting its best 10 months in the company's 18-year history this past October."In the U.S., last year we had a 37% sales increase," reports Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Pierre

By Christie Schweinsberg • Jan. 1, 2001