Tuesday 31 December 2019

Ford says reservations full for high-end version of electric Mustang Mach-E

Ford did not provide details on how many reservations it took for the First Edition, which will sell for about $60,000, but has said global production in the first 12 months for all versions of the Mach-E is limited to 50,000 vehicles.



source https://www.autonews.com/retail/ford-says-reservations-full-high-end-version-electric-mustang-mach-e

Monday 30 December 2019

Lexus confronts midlife crisis with aging crossovers losing to rivals

Lexus’s 30th anniversary brake-tap is a reflection of its aging vehicle lineup, increased competition and an inability to keep pace with American buyers’ growing demand for larger crossovers and utility vehicles.



source https://www.autonews.com/retail/lexus-confronts-midlife-crisis-aging-crossovers-losing-rivals

Sunday 29 December 2019

Dealer anniversaries

Dealers featured this week include Jill Hattan, owner of Don Hattan Chevrolet in Wichita, Kan.; David Ellis, dealer principal of Glendale Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram in California; and Len Stoler, chairman of Len Stoler Automotive Group.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/dealer-anniversaries-35

Photos of the year: Miscellany

Tornado damage in Missouri, a Tesla miscue, a suspended Corvette and production of the last Chevy Cruze.



source https://www.autonews.com/marketing/photos-year-miscellany

5 used-vehicle trends in 2020

With rising prices of new vehicles pushing away more consumers, the used-vehicle market is hot. What will change next year?



source https://www.autonews.com/used-cars/5-used-vehicle-trends-2020

Photos of the year: Dealers

NBA star Russell Westbrook becomes a dealer and other images from the world auto retailing.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/photos-year-dealers

Making merry helps engage community

Santa Claus is coming to town all over the country during this time of the year. But the man with the bag arrives early for an extended stay at DCH Honda of Temecula for a special event that's become a holiday tradition for many area families.



source https://www.autonews.com/best-practices/making-merry-helps-engage-community

Saturday 28 December 2019

Suburban Collection's David Fischer confirmed as ambassador to Morocco

David Fischer ran the Suburban Collection car dealership group for decades. He resigned in the past week from his roles as chairman and CEO of The Suburban Collection and The Suburban Collection Holdings LLC.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/suburban-collections-david-fischer-confirmed-ambassador-morocco

Friday 27 December 2019

Wednesday 25 December 2019

Nissan sued by U.S. dealership group over Ghosn era culture of 'corruption and greed'

The lawsuit, filed in a California court by the receiver for the Sage Group of auto dealerships, claims Nissan forced the plaintiffs into a "fire sale" of two popular dealerships to a "crony" of indicted former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/nissan-sued-us-dealership-group-over-ghosn-era-culture-corruption-and-greed

Tuesday 24 December 2019

Nissan sued by Calif. dealership group over Ghosn era culture of 'corruption and greed'

The lawsuit, filed in a California court by the receiver for the Sage Group of auto dealerships, claims Nissan forced the plaintiffs into a "fire sale" of two popular dealerships to a "crony" of indicted former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/nissan-sued-calif-dealership-group-over-ghosn-era-culture-corruption-and-greed

Sunday 22 December 2019

OBITUARY: William York

William York, a dealer in Revere, Mass., from 1977 to 2002, died Dec. 15. He was 84.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/obituary-william-york

Honda store manager covers $17,000 vet bill

James Gallagher helped save a dog that was hit by a truck in front of the New York Honda dealership where he works, saying he had been through tough times himself "and it was time for me to pay it forward."



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/honda-store-manager-covers-17000-vet-bill

Time to stop the stair-step madness

Stair-steps are the manufacturers' way of lowering the transaction price at our expense, writes an Automotive News reader in a letter to the editor.



source https://www.autonews.com/letter-editor/time-stop-stair-step-madness

Dealership-transaction pace down for Q3

Two companies that track sales and acquisitions note the number of transactions and stores sold during the quarter were down from the same time in 2018, though activity appears to be increasing.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/dealership-transaction-pace-down-q3

Toddler's Audi scratching costs parents

A judge in China said the $10,025 bill would make the parents teach the girl to take care of people's belongings.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/toddlers-audi-scratching-costs-parents

OBITURARY: William Maguire Jr.

Dealer William Maguire Jr. died Nov. 13. He was 91.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/obiturary-william-maguire-jr

Dealerships targeted by ransomware

Dealership information technology experts say ransomware attacks, like one at a Florida dealership group this month, are becoming more common -- but dealers can be proactive.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/dealerships-targeted-ransomware

Florida Ford dealer ups the cool factor

Allan Young overhauled the customer experience and improved brand consideration across the region by focusing on impressing musicians, artists and other influencers who otherwise wouldn't consider Ford.



source https://www.autonews.com/best-practices/florida-ford-dealer-ups-cool-factor

Volvo dealers fight Polestar's plan for sales with only select retailers

Ten dealerships in Illinois are fighting Polestar Automotive USA's plans to work with only select Volvo stores as the subsidiary rolls out electric vehicles in the U.S. Dealer associations in other states are watching closely.



source https://www.autonews.com/sales/volvo-dealers-fight-polestars-plan-sales-only-select-retailers

Friday 20 December 2019

CarMax Q3 net earnings fall 9% as omnichannel rollout continues

Revenues grew on strong used-vehicle sales, but stock compensation and advertising tied to its omnichannel retail rollout led to a decline in net profits.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/carmax-q3-net-earnings-fall-9-omnichannel-rollout-continues

FCA revives 2008 discounts to clear fat inventories, report says

In addition to hiking incentives, the automaker is pressing U.S. dealers to take more vehicles to lower its unassigned inventory to zero before Christmas, Bloomberg reported.



source https://www.autonews.com/sales/fca-revives-2008-discounts-clear-fat-inventories-report-says

CarMax Q3 net earnings drop 9 percent as omnichannel rollout continues

Revenues grew on strong used-vehicle sales, but stock compensation and advertising tied to its omnichannel retail rollout led to a decline in net profits.

source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/carmax-q3-net-earnings-drop-9-percent-omnichannel-rollout-continues

FCA revives 2008 discounts to clear fat inventories in year-end push, report says

In addition to incentives the automaker is pressing dealers to take more vehicles in order to shrink its unassigned inventory to zero before Christmas, Bloomberg reported.



source https://www.autonews.com/sales/fca-revives-2008-discounts-clear-fat-inventories-year-end-push-report-says

Wednesday 18 December 2019

Joseph Holman, chairman emeritus of Holman Enterprises, dies at 93

Holman joined the family business in 1950 and oversaw its evolution from a single dealership into a diverse automotive services company.

source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/joseph-holman-chairman-emeritus-holman-enterprises-dies-93

More borrowers see auto loan apps turned down, N.Y. Fed says

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Monday reported that rejection rates on vehicle financing are on the rise. Some economists think the change could indicate access to auto loans is tightening as some lenders raise standards for certain borrowers.



source https://www.autonews.com/finance-insurance/more-borrowers-see-auto-loan-apps-turned-down-ny-fed-says

Access to auto loans dips, Fed survey finds

Rejection rates on new-vehicle finance applications are on the rise, indicating access to auto loans is tightening, notably among consumers with lower credit scores, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported.



source https://www.autonews.com/finance-insurance/access-auto-loans-dips-fed-survey-finds

Tuesday 17 December 2019

U.S. new-vehicle sales to fall to 16.8M in 2020, NADA says

Slower job growth and consumer spending, and affordability will weigh on new-vehicle demand, even as interest rates stabilize and the overall economy remains on solid ground, NADA said in a forecast released Tuesday.



source https://www.autonews.com/sales/us-new-vehicle-sales-fall-168m-2020-nada-says

Sunday 15 December 2019

Changes sought for Calif. data rules

Groups representing franchised dealers and automakers weighed in on proposed rules for complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act, which takes effect Jan. 1.



source https://www.autonews.com/dealers/changes-sought-calif-data-rules

Inventories down over 300,000 from 2018

The U.S. supply of new vehicles stood at 69 days on Dec. 1, up slightly from the start of November but down from a 73-day-supply a year earlier.



source https://www.autonews.com/retail/inventories-down-over-300000-2018

EVs not useful to buyers or dealers

Dealers are foolish to promote EV sales, when consumers have no incentive to buy them, writes an Automotive News reader in a letter to the editor.



source https://www.autonews.com/letter-editor/evs-not-useful-buyers-or-dealers

Infiniti store, lacking EVs, sells a Tesla

"As many electric models are expected by 2021 at Infiniti, we have found a solution in the meantime," the dealership posted on Facebook, prompting mockery from Tesla fans.

source https://www.autonews.com/sales/infiniti-store-lacking-evs-sells-tesla

Fixed in time

New-vehicle dealerships historically have cited the knowledge and skills of their service technicians to differentiate themselves from their aftermarket competitors.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/fixed-time-4

SHOP TALK

We asked fixed ops managers: How is your shop preparing to work on large numbers of electric and autonomous vehicles?



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/shop-talk-4

Mustang Mach-E's arrival places demands on Ford dealership shops

To service the electric SUV, Ford dealers are installing charging stations, buying new tools and assigning technicians to specialized training.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/mustang-mach-es-arrival-places-demands-ford-dealership-shops

Advanced driver-assist repairs pose technical, financial challenges to dealership

If the systems significantly reduce collisions, as predicted, fewer repairs and lower parts revenue could diminish dealership profits.

source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/advanced-driver-assist-repairs-pose-technical-financial-challenges-dealership

Service counter

A roundup of service data, offered by the NADA, the AAA and SEMA.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/service-counter-4

How to ensure your service customers return for maintenance on time

When it comes to delayed maintenance in your service department, time can mean a lot of money. Here's how to minimize that.



source https://www.autonews.com/commentary/how-ensure-your-service-customers-return-maintenance-time

Underrepresentation of women contributes to dealerships' tech shortage

About half the customers who take their vehicles to franchised dealerships for service are women, but their odds of being greeted by a female service adviser are only 1 in 5.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/underrepresentation-women-contributes-dealerships-tech-shortage

Service customers want, but mostly aren't getting, valet treatment

A new survey suggests that fewer than one-third of customers are offered any kind of valet service.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/service-customers-want-mostly-arent-getting-valet-treatment

NYC dealership's valet program attracts thousands of service customers

WOODSIDE, N.Y. — Brian Benstock's service department is operating at peak efficiency, working three shifts around the clock. Yet there's no rush-hour logjam of customers waiting to drop off their cars and trucks at his dealership.

Benstock, the general manager and partner of Paragon Honda-Acura, in the New York City borough of Queens, wants to see few — or no — customers in the service waiting area. He loves the sound of phones not ringing off the hook with service calls, even though that would drive most dealers crazy.

"The customer provides absolutely no value by being at the dealership," Benstock told Fixed Ops Journal. "I don't need the customer. I do need the car."

Benstock gets thousands of service vehicles to his dealership each month by picking them up from customers' homes or workplaces and returning them when the work is done, at no extra charge. The most prevalent inquiries from service customers — "When will it be ready?" and "How much will it cost?" — are responded to by text message, along with the details of vehicle pickup and delivery, Benstock says.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/nyc-dealerships-valet-program-attracts-thousands-service-customers

Over-the-air vehicle updates can help dealership service departments

The arrival of OTAs on mass-market vehicles will disrupt dealership service departments. But several experts say OTAs are not a threat and might even boost service revenue if they're managed properly.



source https://www.autonews.com/commentary/over-air-vehicle-updates-can-help-dealership-service-departments

Minorities also struggle to gain shop footholds

The absence of high school auto tech classes is especially apparent in urban communities that have large numbers of minority students but few programs for skilled trades.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/minorities-also-struggle-gain-shop-footholds

Fixing EVs requires big dealer investments in tooling, charging equipment, training

Dealerships are getting help from automakers as they prepare to work on ever-increasing numbers of EVs. But many say they are concerned about how providing EV service will affect their fixed ops profits.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/fixing-evs-requires-big-dealer-investments-tooling-charging-equipment-training

FOJ FORUM II: Good advice, lively conversation

Here are highlights from the 14 speakers at the second annual Fixed Ops Journal Forum, held Nov. 13 in Orlando.

source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/foj-forum-ii-good-advice-lively-conversation

Wisconsin warehouse complex is lifeline for dealerships

When dealership service departments need older, genuine repair parts that automakers no longer stock, their best hope often lies inside the giant, meticulously organized warehouses operated by Vintage Parts Inc.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/wisconsin-warehouse-complex-lifeline-dealerships

ROUNDUP: News items from the world of fixed operations

Starting next year, General Motors will implement a policy of minimum U.S. resale prices for online sales of some GM Genuine and ACDelco parts by dealers and aftermarket providers.



source https://www.autonews.com/fixed-ops-journal/roundup-news-items-world-fixed-operations-2

Changes ahead at your dealership's service department, and at FOJ

Ready or not, Mr./Ms. Dealer Principal, Fixed Ops Director and Service Manager, the future isn't just coming. It's here.



source https://www.autonews.com/commentary/changes-ahead-your-dealerships-service-department-and-foj