Used-Car Inventory – Your Worst Enemy? Dec 22, 2008 11:37 AM, 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 gross profit on your used inventory.
Where’s NADA? Dec 22, 2008 11:34 AM, By Cliff Banks 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 NADA has not been aggressive enough in supporting a bridge-loan package for the auto makers or a financial package for their dealers.
Adapt, Improvise, Overcome Nov 4, 2008 10:39 AM, By Phil Villegas It’s important to know where you stand, and for how long
What I Learned the Hard Way Nov 4, 2008 10:35 AM, By Peter Brandow Lessons on how to avoid incompetent outside “experts”
“Am I Crazy?” Nov 4, 2008 10:31 AM, By Cliff Banks Dave Dyer’s timing could not have been worse. In April he closed on two dealerships -- one selling Chevrolet, the other, Mazda – both located across the street from each other in Vero Beach, FL.
Hecker Shuts Down Six Dealerships, Sells Three Others Nov 24, 2008 12:48 PM, By Derek Stark and Cliff Banks Denny Hecker, one of Minnesota’s largest car dealers is selling three of his dealerships to private investors and closing the doors on six others.
Benz Store Uses Radio Frequency ID to Track Its Inventory Dec 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
A new Mercedes-Benz dealership, RBM of Atlanta North in Alpharetta, GA, is using radio frequency identification (RFID) to track inventory. It is among
High Employee Turnovers Hurt Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Las Vegas When it comes to staff turnover, some auto dealerships might consider installing a revolving door marked Employees only. Dealership turnovers
The 21st Century General Manager Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks Close your eyes and pause for a moment. Think about some of the qualities you believe would characterize the perfect general manager — the person you want running your dealership.
We asked several dealers, consultants and trainers what they thought would be the important characteristics of the general manager as the industry settles into the 21st century.
Some of the answers are interesting; perhaps none more intriguing than the one from John Hawkins, the current chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Assn. His response? “A guy that runs a pizza store.” More on that later.
