Latest Dealer Stories

Top Hyundai Official Confirms Small Car for Kia Georgia Plant
May 9, 2008 11:47 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Drew Winter
Kia America officials already have said the second-generation Sorrento SUV will be produced at the facility, but decline to comment on a possible second model.

Proton, DRB-Hicom Sign MOU to Merge Distribution, Service Centers
May 6, 2008 12:23 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Alan Harman
A merger of Proton’s distribution arm, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, with rival Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) would create a company with sales of more than RM2 billion ($631 million) annually.

Ding Dong, Debt Collector Calling
May 6, 2008 11:54 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Lenders rethink their collection procedures in light of growing volumes of delinquent accounts on auto loans.

Lenders Deactivate Automated Decision-Making
May 2, 2008 12:34 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Lenders still rely on automated decision-making to reject loan requests. But many loan approvals are back in human hands.

Dealers Want Heads-Up From Lenders
Apr 30, 2008 10:28 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Auto dealers complain lenders sometime are reluctant to tell them about tighter standards of lending that affects dealership customers.

Ford Economist: Most Americans Won’t Spend Tax Rebates
Apr 29, 2008 10:12 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Studies show temporary tax rebates have a near-term effect on economic growth, but that fades after the checks are distributed.

For Those Who Like Sleek CUVs
Apr 28, 2008 8:27 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Infiniti says its redesigned FX isn’t for everybody, but for consumers who like trendy design and show a rebellious “hint of the dark side” in their personalities.

Ford Extends Engine, Transmission Warranties
Apr 21, 2008 2:59 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff
The new warranty terms apply only to gasoline engines and transmission assemblies sold on or after April 1, Ford says.

Expect Regional Auto Ad Changes
Apr 21, 2008 12:11 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
“Dealer associations will put out a message, not so much ‘Chevrolet is great,’ but ‘buy one now!’”

‘Search’ Can Destroy Dealer Ad Budgets
Apr 18, 2008 10:49 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
If chosen search terms are too broad, a dealership can end up paying for lots of clicks by Internet users who aren’t in the market to buy a vehicle.

Send In the Data Crunchers
Apr 17, 2008 11:07 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Measuring, analyzing and acting on relevant data is crucial to a modern auto dealership.

Tips On Modern Marketing to Car Buyers
Apr 16, 2008 2:12 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
At a workshop entitled “Marketing to Your Data Base,” Larry Bruce, who co-owns a dealership in Houston, offers new-age ways to reach customers.

Some Dealer Websites Make It Difficult to Book Service Times
Apr 15, 2008 10:47 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
More than half the dealerships in the U.S. offer online scheduling of repair work, and that number is expected to increase fast.

Dealers Love Leads, Hate Costs
Apr 14, 2008 12:43 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Quality of online sales leads varies, with some low-level ones coming from people who turn out not to be particularly serious buyers.

Economy, Consumer Confidence Blamed for Weak Spanish Market
Apr 14, 2008 11:29 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Jorge Palacios
Car sales fell 30% in March and more than 15% in the first quarter.

MySpace the Place for Some Dealers
Apr 11, 2008 2:41 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
The growth of online social networking has been phenomenal. Worldwide, there are 122 million users, 70 million of them in the U.S.

Toyota Issues Corolla/Matrix Recall; Extends Tacoma Warranty Over Rusty Frames
Apr 10, 2008 11:45 AM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend
The latest recall comes on the heels of decision earlier this month to extend the warranty on ‘95 through’00 model-year Tacoma pickups due to excessive frame corrosion.

Would-Be New-Car Buyers Check Out Certified Used Vehicles
Apr 9, 2008 2:06 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Representatives of different brands’ top-selling pre-owned stores say CPO business is booming at a time when new-car deliveries are off.

Re-Importers Conspire to Buy U.S. Hyundai Genesis to Resell in Korea, Report Contends
Apr 9, 2008 1:44 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Vince Courtenay
The Donga Ilbo says the U.S. price tag will be more than 40% less for the U.S. model than in Korea, where it currently sells for 52.8 million won ($54,102).

New Dealer Group to Gather Thai Industry Stats
Apr 9, 2008 10:17 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Alan Harman
The Thai Automobile Dealers Assn. aims to become the industry’s authority on gathering data, solving problems related to consumer vehicles and acting as a liaison with the government.

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