Dealers
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 » Comments [0] | Recommendations [0]
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 »Chrysler needs more time to fix dealer rewards program
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Chrysler Group's suspended Dealer Standards rewards program, which paid cash to dealers who met customer-satisfaction standards and other goals, will stay on hold until at least the third quarter, a Chrysler spokesman said.... Read More »INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
More clicks, lower cost
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Prices for Google paid search -- a powerful digital marketing tool for auto dealers -- have moderated in recent months after a big run-up in the previous two years, dealers say. Part of the reason is that dealerships have become smarter in choosing different, lower-cost key word combinations that drive traffic, and staying away from words and phrases that don't work.... Read More »INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Once a digital doubter, Texas dealer is now a believer
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Greg May, an auto dealer in Waco, Texas, says he had to be dragged into digital marketing. It wasn't until September that Greg May Honda started advertising online consistently or buying key words on Google. May, 44, with 21 years in auto retailing, said he's glad for the conversion.... Read More »Dealers
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21, 2012
Dealerships in this report: Tom's Ford in Keyport, N.J.; Acura at Sierra Acura in Alhambra, Calif.; and Economy Nissan in Durango, Colo.... Read More »Monthly Sales
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SalesMore »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Surviving the service trough
12:01 am U.S. ET | May 21 2012
The auto sales collapse that started in 2008 is hitting home in the service department in 2012. Late-model vehicles traditionally represent the sweet spot for repair and maintenance work for dealership service departments. Fewer of them, combined with the continued decline in warranty work, mean a severe pinch in revenue opportunities for the service department.... Read More »
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
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 »
- General Manager
Unknown, HI, United States - Various Positions
Baker Motor Company -- Charleston, SC, United States
