Fast chargers coming to all U.S. Porsche dealerships

Porsche Cars North America will equip all 189 of its U.S. dealerships with 800-volt DC fast-charging stations in preparation for the launch of an electric sedan based on the Mission E concept.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180228/OEM05/180229769/porsche-fast-chargers-all-us-dealerships

BMW, Toyota invest in self-driving shuttle startup

May Mobility, a startup that develops fleets of self-driving microshuttles, has raised $11.5 million in seed funding, in part from units of BMW and Toyota.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180228/MOBILITY/180229770/bmw-toyota-self-driving-shuttle-startup-investment

Amazon's Alexa takes open-source route to beat Google into cars

Amazon is embracing open-source software in the race to get its voice-based Alexa digital assistant into cars ahead of Google.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180228/OEM06/180229789/amazon-alexa-google-voice-digital-assistant-cars

PSA veteran Duchemin will head Opel sales

PSA veteran Xavier Duchemin will head sales at the French automaker's newly acquired Opel and Vauxhall brands. Opel said Duchemin's extensive experience will help the company to implement its PACE turnaround plan.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180228/ANE/180229794/psa-veteran-duchemin-will-head-opel-sales

German court ruling likely to accelerate diesel's demise

A ruling by a German court allowing cities to restrict where some diesels vehicles can be driven looks likely to speed the demise of the embattled technology.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180228/ANE/180229797/german-court-ruling-likely-to-accelerate-diesels-demise

KAR to spin off salvage auction business IAA

KAR Auction Services will spin off its salvage auction business unit within the next 12 months so both entities will be able to focus on separate priorities and boost shareholder value.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180227/RETAIL04/180229802/kar-to-spin-off-salvage-auction-business-iaa

AutoNews Now: Lower U.S. sales expected for Feb.

Lower U.S. sales expected for Feb.; Report: Geely pursued FCA buy; Lithia buys second Pittsburgh dealer group; Wage talks at GM Korea; Porsche stands by diesel; Wane at the pump?

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180227/VIDEO/302279974/autonews-now-lower-u-s-sales-expected-for-feb

Lithia buys more stores near Pittsburgh

Lithia Motors expanded its presence in Pittsburgh with the purchase of Day Automotive Group. Day is estimated to generate $340 million in annual revenue.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180227/RETAIL/180229807/lithia-acquisition-day-pittsburgh

Sonic's Q4 net income jumps on tax changes

Sonic Automotive's fourth-quarter net soared on gains related to corporate tax changes. Same-store gross profit grew in all operations except used vehicles.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180227/RETAIL07/180229808/sonic-q4-earnings-jump-taxes

How to 'stock smart' during the off-lease flood

Matick Auto Group in suburban Detroit analyzes historical sales data, gross profit opportunities and existing inventories to ensure the used vehicles it buys are sold within an average of 30 days.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/VIDEO/302269999/-how-to-stock-smart-during-the-off-lease-flood

February U.S. sales forecast to fall as incentives dip

U.S. new-vehicle sales are expected to fall this month as the market continues to cool and automakers dial back on incentives. Forecasts call for sales to drop between about 2 percent and 4 percent year over year from February 2017.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180227/RETAIL01/180229818/february-us-auto-sales-decline-forecast

GKN sets deadline to split into two by next year

British engineering group GKN has set a deadline to break itself up by the middle of next year to help boost value for shareholders as it seeks to stave off a $7.4-billion hostile bid from Melrose Industries

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180227/ANE/180229825/gkn-sets-deadline-to-split-into-two-by-next-year

Dealership's ex-controller pleads guilty to stealing $1.1 million

A former controller faces 20 years in jail and a $2.3 million fine for embezzling more than $1 million from a Connecticut dealership.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/RETAIL/180229830/dealerships-ex-controller-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-1-1-million

Dealership ex-controller pleads guilty to stealing $1.1 million

A former controller faces 20 years in jail and a $2.3 million fine for embezzling more than $1 million from a Connecticut dealership.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/RETAIL/180229830/dealership-ex-controller-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-1-1-million

Buick Envision gets refresh, price cut

The $2,000 base price cut aims to increase sales and give owners of the brand's entry-level Encore an easier climb.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/RETAIL01/180229873/price-cut-2019-envision

Joy Falotico follows fast track to Ford's top marketing post

The dealer relationships, marketing expertise and leasing acumen Joy Falotico cultivated over nearly three decades with Ford's financing arm stood out amid the void created by a top executive's sudden departure.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/OEM02/180229861/joy-falotico-ford-lincoln-marketing-credit

How to 'stock smart' during the off-lease flood

Matick Auto Group in suburban Detroit analyzes historical sales data, gross profit opportunities and existing inventories to ensure the used vehicles it buys are sold within an average of 30 days.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/VIDEO/302269999/-how-to-stock-smart-8217-during-the-off-lease-flood

Dealership suit alleges FCA 'money grab'

A Willoughby, Ohio, dealership has accused Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of bad faith and violating the state dealer law in a suit charging the automaker with wrongful chargebacks of $433,163 in sales incentive payments.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180226/LEGALFILE/180229926/dealership-suit-fca-chargeback

Bigger Subaru sales, bigger office building

There's more going on at Subaru of America than record sales. It's finally moving to a bigger building in Camden, N.J.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180225/OEM/180229922/subaru-camden-headquarters-move

Who's the world's best car salesman?

Two supersalesmen, Joe Girard and Ali Reda, are contesting the title of most cars sold in a year. Here's a look at their stories and their selling styles.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180225/RETAIL/180229862/whos-the-worlds-best-car-salesman

Uber's latest ambitions worry rivals

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is spearheading an aggressive expansion into public transportation.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180225/MOBILITY/180229876/uber-ambitions-worry-rivals

Founder of Ford-owned Chariot out as CEO

Ali Vahabzadeh, who co-founded the Chariot shuttle service, will remain on its board of directors following an early February departure as CEO.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180223/MOBILITY/180229899/ford-chariot-ceo-departs

Founder of Ford-owned Chariot out as CEO

Ali Vahabzadeh, who co-founded the Chariot shuttle service, will remain on its board of directors following an early February departure as CEO.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180223/MOBILITY/180229899/founder-of-ford-owned-chariot-out-as-ceo

First Shift: A break for Tesla faithful?

Break for Tesla faithful?; GM said to mull Korea wage freeze, extension of Canada production cuts; Nissan robotaxi test; Mini output in China?; Losing incentive for incentives.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180223/VIDEO/302239993/first-shift-a-break-for-tesla-faithful

Renault picks Sweden for first EV-only showroom

Renault chose Sweden, Europe's No. 3 market for electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles, for its first showroom dedicated to EVs

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180223/ANE/180219830/renault-picks-sweden-for-first-ev-only-showroom

AutoNews Now: Lincoln's Galhotra named Ford N.A. chief

Lincoln's Galhotra to replace Nair as Ford N.A. chief; Consumer Reports names Genesis top brand; C-R's top 10 models; BMW, Takata settle suits; The Land Rover of mobile phones.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180222/VIDEO/302229978/autonews-now-lincolns-galhotra-named-ford-n-a-chief

Genesis supplants Audi atop Consumer Reports' latest brand rankings

Hyundai's upstart Genesis luxury brand supplanted Audi atop Consumer Reports' annual ranking of automotive brands. Subaru and Kia tied for the highest ranked mass-market brands.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180222/RETAIL03/180229924/genesis-supplants-audi-consumer-reports-brand-rankings

German court delays ruling on diesel ban to next week

A German court on Thursday delayed a ruling on whether major cities can ban heavily polluting diesel cars, which could hit the resale value of 15 million vehicles in Europe's largest market and force automakers to pay for costly modifications.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180222/ANE/180229947/german-court-delays-ruling-on-diesel-ban-to-next-week

German court to rule on diesel bans in cities

Germany's highest administrative court in Leipzig will rule on whether cities can ban heavily polluting diesel cars. Environmental groups say levels of particulate matter now exceed the EU threshold in at least 90 German towns and cities.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180222/ANE/180229947/german-court-to-rule-on-diesel-bans-in-cities

Dallas' Park Place dealer group dives into subscription market

The service offers unlimited vehicle switches and free pickup and delivery in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at no additional charge.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180221/RETAIL/180229957/dallas-park-place-dives-into-subscription

Why sweet lease deals are going away

A flood of off-lease vehicles, including SUVs and crossovers, and other factors will make it more difficult for automakers to offer tempting lease deals.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180221/FINANCE_AND_INSURANCE/180229960/why-sweet-lease-deals-are-going-away

Still putting off buying cyber insurance?

Will cyber liability insurance become more widespread among dealerships? Considering the number of security breaches across many industries today, it should.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180221/BLOG13/180229964/still-putting-off-buying-cyber-insurance

Nobody wants to let Google win war for maps all over again

Google emerged years ago as the winner in consumer digital map by blanketing the globe with its street-mapping cars and with software expertise that couldn't be matched by navigation companies, automakers and even Apple.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180221/OEM06/180229968/google-war-for-maps-autonomous-cars

Two-tone cars are back, helping the bottom line but also adding challenges

Two-tone paint jobs are back with a distinct European flair. In the last few years about 20 models with the feature, largely with bodies and roofs in different colors, have hit showrooms across Europe with more to come.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180221/ANE/180209881/two-tone-cars-are-back-helping-the-bottom-line-but-also-adding

Net soars at ADESA's parent on tax gains

Net income at KAR Auction Services, ADESA's parent, soared in the fourth quarter because of a special gain related to the changes in federal corporate taxes.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180220/RETAIL04/180229975/net-soars-at-adesas-parent-on-tax-gains

NBA All-Star Weekend boosts Autotrader's new site

Autotrader took advantage of its long-standing NBA sponsorship to promote its redesigned website and set a record in online traffic during All-Star Weekend.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180220/RETAIL03/180229976/nba-all-stars-autotrader-marketing-website

Why Aston Martin is mulling risky move into F1

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer envisions the automaker entering Formula One as an engine supplier by 2021.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180220/ANE/180209792/why-aston-martin-is-mulling-risky-move-into-f1

Tesla Model S outsells German luxury flagships in Europe

Germany's premium brands are under pressure to accelerate their plans for electric cars after Tesla's Model S outsold in Europe the luxury flagships of Mercedes, BMW and Audi.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180220/ANE/180219831/tesla-model-s-outsells-german-luxury-flagships-in-europe

Remote software updates help build dealer service business, suppliers say

Automakers could use over-the-air software updates to prompt owners with customized messages directing them where to take their vehicles for service, suppliers say.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL05/180219889/remote-software-dealer-service

Dealerships partner with Costco to boost service, parts sales

Costco is working with new-vehicle dealerships to expand its members-only discount program beyond auto purchases to service and parts sales. More than 900 franchised dealerships are enrolled in the warehouse club's service and parts plan.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL05/180219995/costco-dealer-service-discount

Automakers fear potential drop in diesel values after German court ruling

A court will decide later this week on whether German cities can ban heavily polluting cars, potentially wiping hundreds of millions of euros off the value of diesel cars on the country's roads.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180219/ANE/180219746/automakers-fear-potential-drop-in-diesel-values-after-german-court

Dodging a bad review, Subaru fell into awd country

In 1969, Consumer Reports gave the Subaru 360 a rare designation: "not acceptable." Oh, and the magazine also called it "the most unsafe car on the market."

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/OEM03/180219768/dodging-a-bad-review-subaru-fell-into-awd-country

Lexus' new pricing math for hybrids

Lexus has quietly changed the math for the 2018 model year, significantly lowering the hybrid premium for its two most popular crossovers and rolling out a sporty new hybrid platform for its LC halo coupe and LS flagship sedan.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL01/180219776/lexus-new-hybrid-premium

BMW store enlists wrap artists

A Chicago BMW dealership uses art to increase accessory sales.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL/180219806/bmw-store-enlists-wrap-artists

Ford dealers gain access to artificial intelligence tool for used-car sales

The analytics tool from Vast helps dealers identify what makes a vehicle unique.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL04/180219804/ford-dealers-ai-tool-used-car

Don't expect Nissan to ditch stair-steps

Just as car dealership sales personnel are offered incentives to increase business, Nissan has offered its dealers incentives to reach higher. And in recent years, they did and sales climbed.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL07/180219808/dont-expect-nissan-to-ditch-stair-steps

This is no time to get sloppy

There is a great deal of uncertainty out there and it seems prudent to be conservative. Still, when the car business is bad, I am told, it is still pretty good.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL01/180219807/automakers-2018-sales-incentives

Month-end close in one day? Here's how.

One giant dealership group manages to handle its month-end close in one day. Here's how.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/RETAIL07/180219819/month-end-close-one-day

Battery-swapping for urban dwellers

I agree with Keith Crain that the electric vehicle industry 'will need something that is not yet developed or commercialized.'

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180219/OEM05/180219816/battery-swapping-for-urban-dwellers

Europe's luxury compact car segment forecast to decline for second year

Aging models such as the BMW 1 series and Audi A3 as well as the continued rise of SUV alternatives will cause sales in Europe's compact premium segment to fall for a second consecutive year, according to predictions.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180218/ANE/180219936/europes-luxury-compact-car-segment-forecast-to-decline-for-second