Back Shop to the Rescue for Car Dealers Jan 6, 2009 10:22 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay “Service absorption hasn’t been talked about in a long time, but it’s become a reenergized topic.”
’10 Cadillac SRX Carries More SUV-like Design, High-Tech Powertrains Jan 4, 2009 12:01 AM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend Although GM moves the SRX from the current generation’s Sigma architecture to Theta Epsilon, officials are quick to distance it from new platform mates such as the more frugal Saturn Vue.
Art of Deal is Back Dec 31, 2008 8:38 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay It starts with guiding customers to vehicles that fit their needs and budgets, not necessarily one that they fell in love with or that the salesperson wants to sell.
Is It Over? Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks As Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) stood in the U.S. Senate late Friday evening December 12 and declared congressional efforts to secure a bridge-loan for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC had failed, the thought that the entire automotive industry could collapse igniting a second Great Depression suddenly seemed realistic.
The situation, was, and continues to be dire. GM and Chrysler executives somberly argued their case before Congress stating their cash would be below operating levels by the end of the year.
Nardelli Frustrated With Pace of Change at Chrysler Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Eric Mayne Auburn Hills, MI Be careful what you wish for. It might come true. Either Robert Nardelli has never heard this caution, or he is unfazed by it. Because
Ford's Mulally Plans to Stay the Course Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Byron Pope Dearborn, MI Looking out over southeast Michigan from atop Ford Motor Co.'s headquarters here, CEO Alan Mulally keeps a laser-like focus on the plan he
GM's Ailing Sales Put Exclamation Point on Bailout Plea Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By James Amend General Motors Corp. suffered a 41.3% drop in November sales, further demonstrating the auto maker's perilous situation as it pleas for a federal loan
Some Auto Dealers Feel Let Down by Their Senators Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks with Steve Finlay and Derek Stark Dealer reaction to the collapse of the automotive bridge-loan legislation that would have seen a $14 billion rescue package going to General Motors Corp.
Editorials
Look at the Real Rick Wagoner Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, BY STEVE FINLAY It may shock certain members of Congress and other self-anointed on the U.S. car industry, but General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner is one of the best auto
We're Experiencing Turbulence Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, BY PETER BRANDOW The Congressional grilling of the Domestic Three was far more focused on senior management's misuse of private perks than on the weighty issues of employment,
Down Side of Low Gas Prices Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, BY JERRY FLINT The service station near me on Route 9 in upstate New York recently was selling gasoline at about $2 per gallon and diesel at $3 when I filled up. In
Where's NADA? Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, Cliff Banks, Editorial Director 248-799-2649 cbanks@wardsauto.com I've been asked several times in recent weeks, Where is the NADA? It seems there is an undercurrent opinion among dealers and industry observers that
Finance & Insurance
Lights, Cameras, Inaction Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay The angry guy who recorded the 1960s-era proto-rap song, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, sure got it wrong. First, there was no revolution, at least
How Much Are People Worth? Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Policeman Bob Sebby looks out at a meeting room full of people and sees many potential identity-theft victims. Were he so minded, they could make him
Beware of Ready, Aim, Ouch! Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Ron Reahard says he hated the finance and insurance manager at a dealership where he worked as a salesman. After he had a great deal, he'd come out and
Fixed Operations
Learn What May Be Lacking Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Gary J. Naples Periodically, step back and take stock of your inventory-control and management performance. During the course of day-to-day business in the parts department,
Dealers Pump Up Tire Sales Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Most dealers still view tires as low-margin, slow-moving, profit-draining headaches. And until recently, that wasn't far off the mark, says Ted Fellowes,
Dealership Streamlines Getting Rental Cars for Customers Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Surroz Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Visalia, CA, one of the largest dealerships in the state's Central Valley, lowered its rental-car costs for service loaners
11 Ways to Boost Business Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Lee Harkins Generating business in dealership fixed operations is like a chess game. Wrong move you lose. Right move, you win. It's about winning. To help you win,
Dreaming of a White Lexus? Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Christie Schweinsberg For the second year in a row, white is the No.1 color being worn by North American-built vehicles, coatings supplier DuPont Automotive says. The finding
News
Stronger Franchise-Law Language Urged Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Mac Gordon Faced with the possibility GM may sell or terminate the Saturn, Saab and Hummer brands, potentially affected dealers have been advised by legal experts
Credit Unions Up Ante for Vehicle Loans and Discounts Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Derek Stark Credit unions are stepping up to help consumers with discount programs and pledging money for auto loans. If bridge loans are the lifeline for auto makers,
Autobytel Cuts Work Force and that Includes the CEO Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
After months of rumors, Jim Riesenbach is out and Jeffrey Coats is in as the new president and CEO of Autobytel Inc., the ailing pioneer of dealership
Motor City Chrysler Dealers Going All In Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Standing strong in the Motor City is a theme of Southeast Michigan's Chrysler Jeep Superstores in its support of Chrysler LLC and the Detroit auto makers.
Religious Auto Investors Weigh In Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
The federal government should prod auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, as opposed to merely extending a short-term lifeline to the industry,
Correction Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
In the December issue, Ward's reported former Bronx (NY) Lincoln-Mercury dealer Robert Federico received a five-month jail sentence and five years probation
Fancy Car Show Marks Third Year Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Auto dealers are playing a role in the third-annual Boca Raton, FL, Concours d'Elegance Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition, a 3-day event that starts
Articles
Join the Conversation! Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
Last month, we launched a new feature on WardsDealer.com, the Ward's Dealer Dialogue blog. Below, you can find some of the entries we've made through
Luxury-Vehicle Market Hurting Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Eric Mayne The bubble hasn't just burst for luxury-car makers, it has evaporated. As a result, expect common sense to make a comeback as consumers start living closer
A Guide to Car Dealer Survival Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay People who look back at their careers often focus on the tough times, says David Robertson, executive director of the Assn. of Finance & Insurance Professionals.
It's Definitely Not Old School Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Midland, MI A student hustles by Northwood University President Keith Pretty in the hallway of the school's National Automobile Dealers Assn. building.
3 Brothers, 7 Dealerships Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Derek Stark The Riverside Auto Group in Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula and the Dagenais family has carved a niche for itself in rural America. Riverside partners
Four Winning Tips that Work Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Bob Kamm During economic contractions, smart dealers get as lean as possible in every department, yet still protect their ability to generate revenue. In sales,
Chicago Dealers' Ad Campaign Touts Auto Loan Availability Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Jim Mateja With reports of banks merging to survive and loans almost impossible to obtain, consumers are doing what they typically do when uncertain: sit on the
Dealership Management
How Are Your Assets Doing? Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Tony Noland First the good news: 2008 has finally ended. Let's hope the auto-industry meltdown is at end, too. All of us, including dealers (domestic, import, high-line,
3 Ideas For Transferring Assets Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Hugh Roberts To those dealers who are poised to survive the current crisis, you know there will be money to be made and opportunities to enhance your business, which
A New Deal for Auto Dealers Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Phil Villegas Over the course of the last several months, there has been a great deal of debate about the nature and amount of any federal assistance for auto makers,
Dealers Build Homes for Needy Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Detroit Cash-strapped General Motors Corp. and its dealers have plenty of problems of their own these days, but that didn't stop them from helping to
Sales
Dos, Don'ts of Internet Selling Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Some auto dealers had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the Internet world, says Howard Polirer, AutoTrader.com's director-industry relations.
Even the Prius Takes a Hit Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Tom Murphy Feeling the pain, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. executives expect the market to remain for the foreseeable future. Some rough sales months are fueling
Remarketing
7 Ways to Get with It In 2009 Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Tony Albertson Happy New Year! Let's set some goals that will give us the best chance in the pre-owned vehicle business for 2009. Objective #1: Install a daily disciplined
Rethinking Used-Car Business Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks For the next three months, forget everything you've learned about the used-car business. And as radical as it may sound, that means forgetting about making
Internet Marketing
Five Online Tools Not To Cut Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By David Kain We often hear about deep budget cuts that end up hurting business. So here are things you can't do without for online marketing. A Lead-Handling Process
Become a Modern Dealership Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks Dealers complain about a near shutdown of showroom traffic. The uncertainty being played out on the airwaves is creating a paralysis among consumers and
New E-Report Card Grades Online Inventory Management Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
A new e-report card is intended to help managers of auto dealership Internet sales departments to turn online inventory faster and at good grosses. AutoUpLinkUSA's
Pay-Per-Lead Program Gets Started for Used-Car Stocks Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
AutoUSA, a firm that provides Internet sales leads to auto dealers, launches a used-car inventory pay-per-lead plan for dealerships. With the new program,
’10 Cadillac SRX Carries More SUV-like Design, High-Tech Powertrains 
Is It Over? 
