Franchised Dealers Crowd Independent Used-Car Retailers Feb 13, 2008 10:56 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay
Franchised dealers always have sold used cars, but lately they’ve stepped up that portion of the business because it offers better profit margins than new-car sales.
New NADA Chief says CAFE Fight Just Beginning Feb 13, 2008 10:34 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay “You can’t wave a government wand and make consumers buy a particular type of vehicle,” says Annette Sykora.
Toyota Dealers Lament Tough Times Feb 12, 2008 11:12 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay “When good Toyota dealers say some sales are off 60%, I know things are out of kilter,” says Toyota’s U.S. sales chief.
Recessions Don’t Necessarily Hurt Auto Sales Feb 11, 2008 2:16 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay While NADA’s chief economist anticipates a “non-recession” in 2008, he predicts U.S. light-vehicle sales will drop to 15.7 million units, 400,000 fewer deliveries than like-2007.
Jaguar Dealer Welcomes New Ownership Feb 11, 2008 1:56 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Jag Dealer David Stephens says he feels good about Ford’s future under CEO Alan Mulally, calling him a “real quick learner.”
Ford Dealers Encouraged by Franchise Meeting Feb 11, 2008 12:43 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Farley says he told dealers he plans to unveil a new marketing initiative in the next month or so.
Dealers Concerned About Mercury’s Future Feb 11, 2008 12:21 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Marketing chief Jim Farley points to powertrain upgrades in the Mercury Mariner CUV and the upcoming Mercury Milan hybrid as evidence the auto maker has not abandoned the marque.
Reporter Notebook: Lost Art of Selling Feb 10, 2008 5:07 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff Ward’s writers pass along the buzz at this week’s National Automobile Dealers Assn. 2008 Convention & Exposition in San Francisco.
Hunt, Beavis Out at Kia Feb 10, 2008 4:32 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Cliff Banks Kia officials say the two men resigned, but several dealers and others attending the NADA annual convention here tell Ward’s the two men were dismissed.
NADA Chief: Product Development Should Include Dealers Feb 10, 2008 3:28 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Auto makers spend millions on focus groups trying to learn what consumers want, yet seldom consult with dealers who talk to customers daily.
Wagoner Calls on Dealers to Help Usher in New Technological Era Feb 10, 2008 2:31 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope GM chief says achieving stricter CAFE standards is possible, but urges dealers to fight against proposals from individual states seeking to set their own fuel-economy standards.
Chrysler Aims to Restore Dealer Trust, Profitability Feb 10, 2008 2:00 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay The new, privately owned Chrysler is trying to correct the sins of the past and patch up the auto maker’s relations with its dealers.
Chrysler Seeking Additional Partners Feb 9, 2008 5:24 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Chrysler’s Project Genesis dealer- and product-streamlining plan could result in the elimination of either the Dodge Durango or Chrysler Aspen SUVs.
Reporter Notebook: Hold the Cheesecake Feb 9, 2008 4:06 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff Ward’s writers pass along the buzz at this week’s National Automobile Dealers Assn. 2008 Convention & Exposition in San Francisco.
Vehicle Leasing Continues Comeback Feb 9, 2008 3:53 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Today’s leasing relies more on putting the right people in the right vehicles that meet their needs.
GM Rental-Fleet Business ‘Very Profitable’ Feb 9, 2008 2:42 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope When it comes to hot-selling products, such as the redesigned ’08 Chevrolet Malibu, if retail sales are high enough, rental companies might not get the vehicle.
Dealers Balk at Auto Makers’ Facility Demands Feb 9, 2008 2:36 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Mike Maroone is unconvinced elaborate showrooms help sell cars all that much, noting two-thirds of AutoNation’s customers are online shoppers.
GM Consolidating Dealers – One at a Time Feb 9, 2008 2:10 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope
“We’re trying to match up buyers and sellers to put our dealers in a better position to get a return on investment and a chance to win,” Mark LaNeve says.
Ford Honors Dealers for Top Community Service Feb 9, 2008 12:01 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff The honorees "epitomize the spirit of corporate citizenship that my great-grandfather built into the fabric of Ford Motor Co. more than a century ago," Edsel Ford II says.
Chrysler Looks to Streamline Dealers Feb 8, 2008 5:15 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Cliff Banks Cerberus’ chairman says the paring of Chrysler’s dealer body represents a “major restructuring.”
Chrysler Embarks on ‘Project Genesis’ Feb 8, 2008 5:05 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Chrysler has too many models that compete against one other, Jim Press says, citing the auto maker’s new Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans as examples.
Dealers Need to Stay Involved Feb 7, 2008 1:56 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Cliff Banks New NADA Chairman Annette Sykora wants to keep energy issues at the forefront in the minds of dealers and continue to preach the value of a dealership career, while maintaining a close eye on manufacturer actions.
Are You a Survivor? Feb 7, 2008 12:11 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Cliff Banks If the analysts are right, 2008 will be a year in which many dealers decide enough is enough.
MileOne Launches Mobile Website Feb 7, 2008 11:38 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Cliff Banks The new site, a first for dealers, lets customers shop for vehicles, calculate payments and obtain directions to the dealership on their mobile device.
System Tracks Vehicles In Transit Feb 7, 2008 10:26 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Lillie Guyer A new application automates an otherwise paper-intense process.
Franchised Dealers Crowd Independent Used-Car Retailers 
New AIADA Chairman: ‘Take Advantage of Every Opportunity’ 
NADA Chief: Product Development Should Include Dealers 
Wagoner Calls on Dealers to Help Usher in New Technological Era 
Chrysler Aims to Restore Dealer Trust, Profitability 
Simply ‘Expecting People to Come’ Won’t Work, Former Insider Says 
Financing Firms Expect Vehicle Incentives to Continue 
