Certified Used-Car Sales Rescue Dealers Nov 5, 2009 1:02 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay U.S. dealers in 2008 sold 1.7 million units through auto makers’ certified used-car programs.
Fiat 500 to Have Special Place in Chrysler Dealerships Nov 4, 2009 5:00 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Eric Mayne By 2011, 100% of Chrysler’s 2,366 dealerships will be selling Jeep, Dodge and core-brand vehicles, in accordance with the consolidation initiative dubbed Project Genesis.
Fisker Inks Deal with European Distributor Nov 4, 2009 10:03 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff The Emil Frey Group handles multiple premium brands and boasts more than 100 retail centers, with locations in Switzerland, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
Auto Financing: ‘No One Knows What Normal is Anymore’ Oct 30, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay With a hint of nostalgia, people in the lending industry recall how different it was little more than a year ago before the chaos.
Used-Car Market Goes From Bull to Bear – Fast Oct 29, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay “The wholesale used-car market is in the midst of a post-Clunker hangover,” says Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of FirstLook.
GM Eager to Retain Pontiac-Saturn Customer Base Oct 28, 2009 3:27 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Eric Mayne October could mark the first month since January 2008 that GM can claim a year-over-year sales hike. Meanwhile, this year could see the Chevrolet Camaro outsell its archrival, the Ford Mustang.
Fiat 500 Abarth Edition U.S.-Bound Oct 26, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Mac Gordon The Abarth is similar in dimension to BMW’s Mini Cooper but goes the Mini one better in that it has a race-car heritage dating back to the 1950s.
New GM Sales Chief Inquisitive Oct 23, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Despite the troubles it has seen, GM still has much brainpower and employs many sharp people. Sue Docherty is one of them.
Cost Study Can Reduce Dealer Taxes Oct 21, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Lillie Guyer Hundreds of items in dealership operations and other industries can be depreciated and pulled forward under new legislation.
Car Buyers Step Up Internet Use Close to Purchase Oct 19, 2009 1:19 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Three-fourths of all car buyers use the Internet during the shopping cycle, and within a month of purchase 90% of them are visiting websites of auto makers, dealers and third-parties.
Young Car Buyers Shun Frills, Thrills Oct 19, 2009 12:32 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Gen Yers “don’t focus a lot on style and whiz-bang features,” says Chance Parker, a J.D. Power and Associates research director.
Digital Content Must Click with Consumers Oct 19, 2009 12:24 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steven Finlay Ford has built a new digital platform and invested heavily in various online marketing.
Auto Makers Should Aid Dealers Who Improved Facilities Oct 16, 2009 11:57 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay “Dealers that did put the investment together and put up buildings seem like they are now being punished for doing so," a J.D. Power analyst says.
Independent Shops Want Repair Codes Oct 12, 2009 9:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay At issue is whether auto makers by law should provide independent shops with all the codes dealership technicians use.
Interest in Fuel Economy Now Trumps Cupholders Oct 9, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Auto analyst outlines how car-buying dynamics have changed, contrasting those that existed before the recession with the ones at work now.
GM’s Docherty Takes Over U.S. Sales Amid Adversity Oct 8, 2009 12:57 PM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend Docherty also earns a seat on the auto maker’s 9-member executive committee and becomes the highest-ranking woman at GM.
New Red Flags Rule Worries Dealers Oct 8, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay During a Q&A session, some conference participants criticize aspects of the federal initiative, citing a perceived indistinctiveness to it all.
Dealership Tours Start Here Oct 7, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay The LaFontaine dealership has been a big draw – and not just among car shoppers.
Customers Line Up for Audi A3 TDI Oct 7, 2009 8:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Herb Shuldiner The A3 TDI will be the second diesel Audi launches this year, following on the heels of the Q7 cross/utility vehicle.