Retail
FINAL ASSEMBLY
Fiat's Google gotcha: A 500 shows up at VW's front door
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Score one for Fiat in the sometimes whimsical, sometimes not, rivalry between the Italian automaker and Volkswagen. The two companies seem to taunt and tease each other like kids on a playground, especially in Europe. Check out Volkswagen's Swedish headquarters in suburban Stockholm on Google Earth and you'll see a Fiat 500 parked at the front door of the building.... Read More » Comments [0] | Recommendations [0]
NET WORTH: Can Facebook sell cars?
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
General Motors' decision last week to end paid Facebook advertising was more than an awkward moment for a media behemoth on the verge of a high-profile stock offering. It was a sign that auto marketers industrywide have some tough choices ahead when it comes to hawking their wares online to social media-addicted shoppers.... Read More »Stair-step incentives are back
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Several automakers have rolled out incentive programs that pay dealers escalating bonuses as sales targets are hit in a bid to wrest back market share or boost key models. So-called stair-step programs are returning after being scaled way back over the past year, dealers say.... Read More »Higher incentive spending lifts VW brand
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Volkswagen of America is spending more per vehicle on incentives for its VW brand models in a bid to attract more shoppers and boost sales. The tactic appears to be paying off. Not only are sales up, but so is VW's average transaction price -- a sign that customers aren't pocketing the savings but using them to buy more car.... Read More »BEST PRACTICES
Look of Dearborn dealership reflects Ford's founder, history
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
The way dealer Jim Seavitt sees it, he won't have a whole lot to worry about if Ford Motor Co. demands that dealers improve their facilities to cookie-cutter design blueprints, as other automakers have required. That's because the design of Seavitt's Village Ford dealership in the suburb of Dearborn was inspired by Henry Ford himself.... Read More »With sales rising, Smart plans TV ad assault
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Hoping to build on its newfound momentum, Smart USA plans to launch a rare TV advertising campaign next month. It will be just the second TV campaign for the Mercedes-owned minicar brand since Smart debuted here in 2008. Smart also has extended its low lease rates for the 2013 ForTwo models that were launched last week.... Read More »Sales
Dealers
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- Surviving the service trough »
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- Dealers »
- From 'absolute blind spot' to profit center »
- Dealer slashes labor rate, pushes service contracts »
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Marketing
- Ford to skeptics: Judge new vehicles on merits »
- Why GM spurned the 2013 Super Bowl »
- GM will skip Super Bowl TV ads next year »
- GM ad move followed failed Facebook pitch »
- Richard Resare dead at 71 »
- GM cuts Facebook ad spending, but Ford steps on the gas »
- GM says it will stop advertising on Facebook »
- Nissan begins 1st global branding bid »
- Marketers go 3-D -- no glasses required »
- Panel questions how EVs are marketed in U.S. »
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SalesMore »
Brazil considers moves to revive auto lending
11:58 am U.S. ET | May 18 2012
Brazil is considering measures to facilitate new car loans and bolster local automakers, newspapers reported today, after slowing vehicle sales pushed auto inventories to their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis.... Read More »
DealersMore »
FINAL ASSEMBLY
DeBoer thinks Dodge Dart will hit the bull's-eye
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21 2012
Customers who visit Dodge stores usually are looking for trucks rather than small cars, so some analysts question how well the new Dart compact will fare. But Sid DeBoer, founder and executive chairman of Lithia Motors, which owns a large number of Chrysler group stores, has a ready answer.... Read More »
Finance & InsuranceMore »
F&I WEEK: Attorneys will help dealers with regulatory questions
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21 2012
Auto dealers who have been watching regulatory developments will get some answers next month during Automotive News F&I Week -- a free online conference.... Read More »
MarketingMore »
Jaguar F-Type revisits 'Swinging Sixties' to challenge Porsche, Mercedes
2:34 am U.S. ET | May 9 2012
Jaguar is invoking its iconic E-Type roadster to challenge Porsche and Mercedes with the F-Type two-seat sports car. The F-Type, due to go on sale in mid 2013 -- including in the United States -- will be Jaguar's smallest car in more than a half-century as the marque seeks a return to its sporting tradition following decades spent focusing on luxury sedans.... Read More »
Used CarsMore »
Used-vehicle prices ease in April, index shows
2:41 pm U.S. ET | May 7 2012
For the first time in six months, used-vehicle prices in April stopped their upward trajectory and showed signs of easing, according to a closely followed gauge released today. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index in April stood at 126.1, down slightly from 126.2 in March and down from 126.6 in April 2011.... Read More »
Fixed OperationsMore »
A123 sees battery production constraints for several quarters
11:03 am U.S. ET | May 15 2012
Lithium ion battery maker A123 Systems expects production capacity to be constrained over the next several quarters as it recovers from a recall of defective battery packs that were a major factor in its record quarterly loss. A123 said its first-quarter loss widened to $125 million and also disclosed it has hired an adviser to evaluate strategic alternatives for the company.... Read More »
- As VW prepares for growth, it helps dealers recruit techs
- NHTSA checks 2012 Hyundai Elantras after airbag incident
- Investigators probe whether a Fisker Karma caused Texas house fire
- Chrysler recalls 127,346 Dodge Chargers, Chrysler 300s in U.S., Canada
- Daily data help Nissan boost service satisfaction
NADAMore »
EDITORIAL
New NADA study should avoid rearview mirror
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 14 2012
The National Automobile Dealers Association is commissioning another study, this one to generate hard data about dealers' return on investment from manufacturer-mandated dealership renovation programs.... Read More »
Final AssemblyMore »
FINAL ASSEMBLY
German press expects Audi to shuffle exec deck
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21 2012
A senior management shake-up is in the works at Audi. According to German media reports, Volkswagen marketing chief Luca de Meo will replace Audi sales boss Peter Schwarzenbauer, who once headed Porsche's North American sales arm.... Read More »
- General Manager
Unknown, HI, United States - Various Positions
Baker Motor Company -- Charleston, SC, United States
