New GM collision repair network launches next year

GM's new collision repair network, scheduled to launch next year, pushes back on insurers.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180901/RETAIL05/180909983/gm-collision-repair-network-2019

Souped-up Subarus star at Boxerfest

The daylong event outside Washington kicks off a season of festivals that allow fans of Subarus to share their passion for the brand and its quirky vehicles.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180901/RETAIL03/180909973/subaru-boxerfest-tecnica-international

Ford's Mustang Alley at Woodward Dream Cruise honors pony-car passion

Mustang Alley,the pony-car parade which celebrated its 20th year last month, gives Mustang owners a dedicated space to swap stories and show off their rides.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180901/RETAIL03/180909975/mustang-alley-woodward-dream-cruise

California Legislature passes pro-dealer bill over automaker objections

A wide-ranging bill that the California New Car Dealers Association says will strengthen laws for franchised dealers has passed the California Assembly and is headed to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180831/RETAIL07/180839950/california-auto-dealer-bill-passes

Why Ford's picked a new ad agency for a short-term campaign

Ford has tapped Wieden and Kennedy New York for a short-term marketing assignment that comes amid its massive global agency review, the automaker confirmed.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180831/RETAIL03/180839956/ford-ad-campaign-awarded

GM, Cadillac pay tribute to Aretha Franklin

General Motors and its Cadillac luxury brand are paying tribute to legendary singer Aretha Franklin on the day of her funeral service in Detroit.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180831/RETAIL03/180839960/aretha-franklin-funeral-gm-cadillac

Lyft hires adviser in advance of 2019 IPO, report says

Lyft, the second-biggest U.S. ride-hailing company, has started the process for an initial public offering in an effort to beat Uber to public markets, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180831/MOBILITY/180839971/lyft-preps-ipo

Monthly payments hit record high in Q2

Monthly payments for new- and used-vehicle loans hit record highs during the second quarter, but customers are still making their payments on time, Experian said Thursday.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180830/RETAIL/180839975/monthly-payments-hit-record-high-in-q2

Dealer franchise bill passes another hurdle in California

A wide-ranging California bill that would change the state's dealer franchise law is one step closer to passage after approval by the state Senate Wednesday night.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180830/RETAIL07/180839976/dealer-franchise-california-bill

NIssan wins with the Heisman for 8th straight year

Nissan is sticking with its college football campaign that fictionalizes ex-college stars living together, fraternity style, marking the eighth straight year of the effort.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180830/RETAIL03/180839978/nissan-marketing-advertising-heisman

Half of VW models in Germany are not compliant with new pollution standard

Half of VW brand's main models, including the Golf, are awaiting regulatory clearance for the new WLTP emissions standard, which comes into force next month.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180830/ANE/180839988/half-of-vw-models-in-germany-are-not-compliant-with-new-pollution

VW brand says half of models in Germany have no clearance for new emissions standard

Volkswagen said only half of its 14 main VW brand models, including the top-selling Golf, have regulatory clearance for the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) emissions standard, which comes into force next month.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180830/ANE/180839988/vw-brand-says-half-of-models-in-germany-have-no-clearance-for-new

Mercedes, Porsche ramp up soft-sell brand builders

People don't like being sold to. The auto industry is catching on. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are gearing up soft-sell approaches to offset the hard-sell tactics associated with dealerships.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180830/RETAIL03/180839990/mercedes-porsche-brand-builders

Hyundai lands sponsorship rights for NBC's NFL Sunday Night Kickoff show

The NFL's "Sunday Night Football" kickoff telecast has been primetime TV's top show for seven consecutive seasons, Hyundai says, averaging more than 18 million viewers each week last season.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180829/RETAIL03/180829733/hyundai-lands-sponsorship-rights-for-nbcs-nfl-sunday-night-kickoff

August U.S. auto sales expected to rise

Three forecasting firms predict an increase from last year, when Hurricanes Harvey and Irma crippled new car transactions in some of the country's largest vehicle markets.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180829/RETAIL01/180829738/august-us-auto-sales

Aston Martin CEO hopes to complete IPO by end of year

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer says he intends to float the company by the end of the year, completing a turnaround after new models and a sales surge helped the brand to return to profitability following chronic losses.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180829/COPY01/308299968/aston-martin-ceo-hopes-to-complete-ipo-by-end-of-year

BMW takes to the air to promote iNext electric flagship

BMW is teaming up with Lufthansa to promote its Vision iNext autonomous, electric flaghship on a five-day tour through Europe, the United States and China.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180829/ANE/180829770/bmw-takes-to-the-air-to-promote-inext-electric-flagship

Aston Martin CEO hopes to complete IPO by end of the year

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer says he intends to float the company by the end of the year, completing a turnaround after new models and a surge in volumes helped the brand return to profitability following years of losses.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180829/ANE/180829756/aston-martin-ceo-hopes-to-complete-ipo-by-end-of-the-year

Kia highlights new Stinger customer

In the latest new video to join our charts, Kia highlights a new Stinger customer and why he picked the car.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180829/VIRALVIDEO/308299997/kia-highlights-new-stinger-customer

Rolls-Royce names new N. America boss

Rolls-Royce said BMW executive Martin Fritsches will head its operations in North America. He succeeds Pedro Mota, who is returning to Porsche to head its North American marketing.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180828/COPY01/308289976/rolls-royce-names-new-n-america-boss

Rolls-Royce names new N. America boss

Rolls-Royce said BMW executive Martin Fritsches will head its operations in North America. He succeeds Pedro Mota, who is returning to Porsche to head its North American marketing.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180828/ANE/180829775/rolls-royce-names-new-n-america-boss

Sonic Automotive revises plan for EchoPark dealerships

Sonic Automotive Inc. is evolving its EchoPark stand-alone used-vehicle brand strategy, including the number of rooftops needed.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL07/180829805/echopark-used-car-strategy-change

EchoPark CarCash app lets buyers get a quick dollar-figure appraisal

As part of a makeover for its EchoPark used-vehicle business, Sonic is adding a mobile app and online shopping tool.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL07/180829806/used-car-sonic-automotive

Jeep Wrangler fans support broad community of vendors

Jeep's Wrangler is among the most accessorized vehicles in production today, according to the Specialty Equipment Market Association, with an estimated $6 billion in annual accessory sales.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL03/180829807/jeep-wrangler-jeep-fest-toledo-vendors-suppliers

Smashed 1987 Porsche 959 may get $500,000 at auction

What's interesting about the 1987 Porsche 959 that Mecum auctions planned to sell during Monterey Car Week -- besides the fact that it is one of only 294 produced -- is that it is literally a wreck.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL01/180829811/porsche-959-1987-mecum

Guinness retires Joe Girard's car-sales record after dispute

Joe Girard will not lose his title as the world's best car salesman because Guinness World Records has decided to retire the category rather than settle an ugly dispute between the 89-year-old Girard and the 45-year-old who claims to have beaten him.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL07/180829813/joe-girard-world-record-car-sales

Acura unveils tweaked NSX at Monterey Car Week

A freshened Acura NSX debuted during Monterey Car Week festivities with a modified chassis and software tuning along with new tires. It's available for order and deliveries are expected to begin in October.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL01/180829816/acura-nsx-freshened

Redesigned 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe gets name change

The redesigned 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe gets several changes, starting with the name.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL03/180829818/hyundai-2019-santa-fe-redesign

Study finds most Ford sedan customers say they will leave brand rather than buy crossovers, SUVs or trucks

Many Ford sedan owners surveyed by Cox Automotive said they'll likely go to a rival brand for their next purchase.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL01/180829819/ford-sedan-shoppers

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. the 2018 Nissan Murano

A look at the newly redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and how it compares with the 2018 Nissan Murano

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL01/180829820/just-arrived-2019-hyundai-santa-fe

Events, like Detroit's Woodward Dream Cruise, show love of cars is still alive and well

Automotive News Editor-In-Chief Keith Crain points to Detroit's Dream Cruise and other auto shows as evidence America's love affair with cars hasn't died.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL/180829825/keith-crain-dream-cruise-pebble-beach-column

Keep dealers in the loop on subscriptions

Dealers don't want to miss out on what could be a sizable new revenue stream, one that also might take away from the traditional sales and leases that they do handle.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL07/180829827/subscription-dealers-editorial

Loaded trim levels from mass-market auto brands create sticker price overlap with high-end marques

Mass-market brands such as Ford, Honda and Kia aren't luxury players, but the loaded upper trim levels they offer inflate prices to the point where their vehicles end up face to face with high-end brands.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL01/180829864/luxury-vs-mass-market-comparison

McGeorge Toyota dealership trims transaction time

McGeorge Toyota in Henrico, Va., is saving transaction time, adding convenience for customers who don't want to visit the dealership.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL01/180829845/mcgeorge-toyota-virginia-dealership-home-delivery

Hertz and Avis Budget selling fewer rentals at auctions

The volume of retired rental vehicles headed for auctions is steadily on the decline.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL04/180829870/auctions-rental-vehicles-hertz-avis-budget

KAR Auction Services grows online business through TradeRev

KAR is pouring money into its TradeRev business with a vision of growing the online appraisal and auction tool's annual volume from the thousands to the millions.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180827/RETAIL03/180829871/kar-auction-services-traderev-online-appraisal

Mercedes-Benz plays an awkward role in 'Handmaid's Tale'

Sometimes, you want your brand to be associated with fictional bad guys. But serving as the tools of an oppressive regime is a pretty dark place.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180826/RETAIL03/180829841/mercedes-handmaids-tale-hulu

GMC Sierra diverges from Silverado with unique box, tailgate

General Motors is delivering on its promise of greater differentiating the GMC Sierra from its Chevrolet Silverado sibling through the use of segment- and industry-first technologies.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180826/RETAIL01/180829808/gmc-sierra-tailgate-carbon-fiber

Cox Automotive survey finds more interest in car-sharing

A survey by Cox Automotive shows costs of car ownership are fueling a growing interest in on-demand and shared transportation services.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180825/RETAIL01/180829844/cox-automotive-survey-car-ownership-costs

Insurance rates on Tesla Model 3 approach those of Porsche 911

Tesla's Model 3 may have cut the initial cost of owning one of the company's vehicles, but insuring even the most affordable Tesla remains surprisingly expensive.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180825/RETAIL01/180829804/tesla-model-3-insurance

Waymo forms China subsidiary

Waymo set up a subsidiary in China, the latest sign of attempts by parent Alphabet to get back into the world's second-largest economy.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180824/MOBILITY/308249970/waymo-forms-china-subsidiary

First Shift: Waymo lays groundwork to operate in China

Waymo forms China unit; Fire at Tesla site; Toyota units forming JV?; Nissan U.S. investment; Royal Jag EV heads to production; Audi, Infiniti, BMW ready to shine at Pebble Beach.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180824/VIDEO/308249996/first-shift-waymo-lays-groundwork-to-operate-in-china

Great Wall to launch first vehicle under EV brand Ora in China

Great Wall Motor will start selling the first Ora-badged EV, the Ora iQ compact SUV at the Chengdu auto show this month. The brand will targets young customers in major Chinese cities.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180824/ANE/180829834/-great-wall-to-launch-first-vehicle-under-ev-brand-ora-in-china

Why domestic automakers will not dominate China's luxury EV market

Beijing realizes that young domestic automakers can never beat global giants with traditional combustion-engine technology. The government has therefore bet on EVs, which it believes provide local companies with an opportunity to leapfrog rivals.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180824/BLOG15/180829835/why-domestic-automakers-will-not-dominate-chinas-luxury-ev-market

Carmera raises $20 million to serve growing need for real-time maps

The real-time mapping startup is expanding its operations to Asia.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180823/MOBILITY/180829861/camera-real-time-mapping-google-ventures

Mercedes-Benz encourages improvement

In the latest new commercial to join our viral video charts, Mercedes-Benz wants athletes to keep going.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180822/VIRALVIDEO/308239969/mazda-crossover-sun-viral-video

First Shift: VW launches $4B car sharing, technology push

VW launches $4B car sharing, technology push; '20 Ford Explorer spied as police vehicle; Kia future product; AV startup Zoox fires CEO; Toyota, Mahindra on 'Change the World' list.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180823/VIDEO/308239998/first-shift-vw-launches-4b-car-sharing-technology-push

Jaguar Land Rover classics to be restored at new Georgia facility

With the price of Jaguar and Land Rover classic vehicles soaring, JLR plans to open a new restoration, sales and service center in the United States. JLR operates similar facilities in the UK and Germany.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180823/COPY/308249998/jaguar-land-rover-classics-georgia-restoration

Suzuki will dissolve last remaining China JV, report says

Suzuki will dissolve its last remaining Chinese automaking partnership with Chongqing Changan Automobile, Nikkei Business reported. Changan will contine to make Suzuki-brand vehicles under license, the report said.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180823/ANE/180829878/suzuki-will-dissolve-last-remaining-china-jv-report-says

VW in talks to sell stake in used-car platform to Daimler

Daimler is in advanced talks to buy a stake in Heycar, a used-car portal set up last year by Volkswagen.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180822/ANE/180829900/vw-in-talks-to-sell-stake-in-used-car-platform-to-daimler