Bottom Falls Out of Spanish Market Sep 2, 2010 1:33 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Jorge Palacios One industry group predicts sales could fall 40% from year-ago levels, threatening jobs at dealerships and distributors.
Ford Large Utes Bright Spot in Otherwise Slow August Sep 1, 2010 3:28 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Low gas prices are boosting demand for fullsize SUVs as buyers seek passenger- and cargo-hauling capability, Ford officials say.
More Car Shoppers Check Out Online Dealership Reviews Aug 31, 2010 8:30 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay After seeing ratings, 21% of Internet users changed their choice of a dealership, 43% used the information to select a store and 45% confirmed their choice, one study says.
Demand Increases For Used Cars Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay The used-car market is enjoying relatively good times, in part because of the tough times the nation and the new-car industry have been experiencing. Many cautious buyers — especially those hit by the recession's one-two punch of job instability and reduced housing values — are bypassing new cars and opting for less-expensive pre-owned vehicles.
Going, Going, Gone Online Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By James M. Flammang Try it. You'll like it. That could be the advice given by wholesale auction companies, encouraging dealers to participate in the online end of the auction
What's Hot, What's Not on Used-Car Market Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Playing well in the used-car arena are entry-level small and midsize cars and upper midsize cars, says Ricky Beggs, managing editor at Black Book, a used-car
Finance & Insurance
Mercedes Gives Dealers iPads Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay When Apple Inc. came out with its innovative iPad this year, Mercedes-Benz Financial quickly saw how the device could benefit auto dealers and their customers.
Dealers Send Preferred Credit Apps To Lenders They Like Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Lenders who satisfy automotive dealers by meeting key performance expectations are more likely to capture a greater share of preferred loan applications,
The Back-Up Squad Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay LOS ANGELES Auto makers and dealers work at winning over customers, but there are reserve players in the highly competitive brand-loyalty game: captive
Fixed Operations
How to Keep Techs Happy Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By James M. Flammang With unemployment high these days, it seemingly should be easy to hire and keep dealership service technicians. Advertise for help, and get inundated
Make More Money Off Parts Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By James Clausen Auto makers' parts pricing uses the same dealer net-to-list percentages on the majority of parts. It may differ somewhat between product lines. But within
Study Indicates Driver Distraction Could Get Worse Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
A new report says that not only are phoning and texting while driving still serious issues, but distracted driving may soon soar as Echo Boomers increasingly
Editorials
Dealer Exemption Makes Sense Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Let's play deductive reasoning. Mel Gibson abuses his girlfriend. He's an actor. Ergo, all actors abuse their girlfriends. Sounds flawed? How about this?
Do Right By Dealers, Buyers Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Peter Brandow Warranty and insurance companies expect dealers to deny responsibility for mishaps on peril of losing coverage. Manufacturers expect dealers to keep quiet
What Needs to Be Done Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Jerry Flint Editor's Note: Long-time Ward's contributor Jerry Flint, considered a dean of auto journalism, died last month, shortly after filing this column. He was
3 Pillars of Success Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Jared Hamilton The Web market changes so fast it is nearly impossible to keep up with. It seems that as soon as we have something figured out, a new innovation moves
Social-Media Guru Keynotes DrivingSales-Ward's Summit Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Renowned social-media analyst, blogger and web strategist Jeremiah Owyang will keynote the second annual DrivingSales Executive Summit presented with
Articles
Ward's Strikes Gold Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Ward's Automotive Group wins multiple 2010 Azbee Awards, given by the American Society of Business Publication Editors, including two golds on the national
The Saving of Saab Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay MONTICELLO, NY One couldn't blame inventory-starved dealer Len Schrader if he wipes his eyes and thinks the new '11 Saab 9-5 is a moving mirage as it
Hyundai Chief Says Lots of Ideas Come From Dealers Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Mac Gordon TRAVERSE CITY, MI Hyunda Motor America's chief says the firm gets lots of ideas from its dealers, including a new valet program for owners of the upscale
The Sour Taste of Victory Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By David Ruggles The Chrysler dealer arbitrations have been completed. Out of 108 arbitration hearings Chrysler won 73 of the decisions to 32 in favor of dealers. Those
Some Dealers Savor Arbitration Wins, But Concerns Linger Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Lillie Guyer Chrysler Group LLC won a large majority of cases appearing before arbitrators in American Arbitration Assn. hearings. But in a number of dealer wins,
Store Count Hits Sweet Spot Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay DETROIT After bankruptcies, congressional hearings, arbitrations, reconsiderations and reinstatements, the dealership counts finally seem right for General
Look Out for Pirates Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Dave Stevenson The two men were well-dressed, spoke like businessmen and appeared to be legitimate representatives of a large company. But the corporate check they gave
Five Ways to Jump-Start Dealerships After Tough Times Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Dave Mischler Battle-weary dealers can take some straight-forward but important steps to help reinvigorate business performance and get on track to achieve long-term
Not My Father's Research Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Auto-industry forecasters rationally make market predictions, but consumers emotionally buy cars. That's why market forecasts can fail us, says John Wolkonowicz,
High Marks Are No Surprise to Dealers Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By James Amend with Eric Mayne Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. dealers aren't surprised their brands lead the industry in customer satisfaction for the first time ever, according
Dealer Management
Taking On Employee Turnover Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Tony Noland I have facilitated hundreds of dealer and manager meetings during the past 20 years, and one subject has been included in all of those sessions: sales
Exempt But Not Forgotten Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Michael Charapp Franchised motor vehicle dealers are right to be proud of the work done to exempt themselves from the jurisdiction of the new Bureau of Consumer Financial
All Should Vow to Wow Clients Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Richard F. Libin Every person in the dealership is a salesperson. That means every employee, regardless of job description, represents the store and can make a difference
Sales
Nissan Anticipates Lots of Leases for New Electric Vehicle Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Christie Schweinsberg Nissan North America Inc. expects the majority of its U.S.-market Leaf electric vehicles will be leased rather than bought, according to anecdotes from
Wanted: High Tech at Low Cost Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Lillie Guyer When it comes to automotive innovations, today's consumers want more. They're just not always willing to pay extra for it. Dealers say technology enhancements
Where Today's Edgy Ideas Come From Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Lillie Guyer Where are today's edgy ideas coming from, affecting both what's inside vehicles and under the hood in the form of engine improvements and alternative
Internet Marketing
Eight Ways To Online Success Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By David Kain As the Internet sales and marketing landscape becomes more cluttered with options, you may wonder what are the most important elements for online success
They Skip Trip to Dealership Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Tom Vann's dealership dates to 1986, but he says car selling began for him in 1996 when the Internet met auto retailing. Since then, his Team Hillsdale
Study Says More Car Buyers Visit Third-Party Sites First Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Among the 77% of new-vehicle buyers who use the Internet in the shopping process, more than two-thirds visit at least one auto maker website in the six
Clash of the Auto Websites Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Someone from a Detroit auto consultancy was recently overheard giving a new hire a quick characterization of dealer-auto maker relations. They hate each
Get Most from Email Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay A good email subject line is like a good book cover. It looks interesting enough to open. Auto dealers should keep that in mind when using emails to communicate
Microsites Become Big Deals Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By John Larkin Auto retailing, like every industry today, is being forced to measure and account for their marketing spending. In an economic climate where dealerships
Ford Large Utes Bright Spot in Otherwise Slow August 
More Car Shoppers Check Out Online Dealership Reviews 
Demand Increases For Used Cars 
