Record or not in 2016, auto sales growth seen drawing to end

Record or not in 2016, auto sales growth seen drawing to end http://ift.tt/2ifXGWy it's still too close to call whether 2016 delivered another annual record for U.S. auto sales, it's clear the era of rapid growth is over.

Mexico fuel price increase expected to boost sales of more efficient cars

Mexico fuel price increase expected to boost sales of more efficient cars http://ift.tt/2iMJYre imminent jump in Mexican gasoline prices should not reduce auto sales in the near term but will ultimately boost the market for more fuel-efficient cars, a leading Mexican auto industry group said.

Busiest day for online auto shopping comes as surprise

Busiest day for online auto shopping comes as surprise http://ift.tt/2icXmaR a bit of Sunday surprise, the busiest day of the year for U.S. shoppers on auto dealership websites was Sunday, July 24. The slowest day was Sunday, May 8, or Mother's Day, Dealer.com reported.

Nissan dealers feel the force of Rogue campaign

Nissan dealers feel the force of Rogue campaign http://ift.tt/2ilGn6U dealers say Nissan's marketing strategy aimed at Star Wars fans is building brand awareness and enthusiasm around Nissan and the Rogue, though they suspect it may be the popularity of the Rogue crossover alone driving actual sales.

First Shift: Top hellos, goodbyes of 2016

First Shift: Top hellos, goodbyes of 2016 http://ift.tt/2hsqlU5 hellos, goodbyes of 2016: Trump triumphs; Bolt energizes EVs; mobility milestones; Scion signs off; Demise of 200, Dart; designer departure at GM; Say 'so long' to the CEO.

Toyota's hybrid bet in Europe finally pays off

Toyota's hybrid bet in Europe finally pays off http://ift.tt/2iHzsRV's hybrids push in Europe is finally paying off.

Honda CR-V is Edmunds' most-researched vehicle in 2016

Honda CR-V is Edmunds' most-researched vehicle in 2016 http://ift.tt/2htpPsj the second year in a row, the Honda CR-V was the most-researched vehicle on Edmunds.com in the U.S., followed by two Honda car models in second and third place.

Comedian's blasting of subprime auto loans led top stories in 2016

Comedian's blasting of subprime auto loans led top stories in 2016 http://ift.tt/2hNDdoE stories on a variety of topics caught the attention of Automotive News' FandI readers this year.

Will the tone on compliance change under Trump?

Will the tone on compliance change under Trump? http://ift.tt/2hNEYlP year ago, we wrote that compliance was the theme of industry conferences in 2015. The discussion continued in 2016, but in 2017, will the new presidential administration change the tone?

Nine vehicles Americans loved or hated in 2016

Nine vehicles Americans loved or hated in 2016 http://ift.tt/2izm724 crunched sales data through November to see which models posted the biggest demand spikes and swoons . These are the vehicles that show us the future -- and soon-to-be past -- of the car business.

Premium brands on track to win battle for midsize segment

Premium brands on track to win battle for midsize segment http://ift.tt/2ixEAMr of luxury midsize cars in Europe are on track to top sales of mass-market rivals this year for the first time as buyers looking to move upscale increasingly choose Mercedes, Audi or BMW cars over mass-market brands.

BEST PRACTICES: Dealership's multilingual staff caters to hearing-impaired

BEST PRACTICES: Dealership's multilingual staff caters to hearing-impaired http://ift.tt/2ivgD48 dealer John Fox has identified employees who can converse in more than a dozen languages, including American Sign Language, to translate vehicle and other purchases for consumers who speak little or no English or are hearing impaired.

Hireology CEO, recruiter, dealer on talent panel

Hireology CEO, recruiter, dealer on talent panel http://ift.tt/2ivsyyV Robinson, Suzanne Malo and Paul Walser will join the Automotive News Retail Forum for a panel on 'Develop Talent and Protect Your Dealership From Poachers' on Jan. 26 in New Orleans.

'Held hostage': Dealer's battle with software giants escalates

'Held hostage': Dealer's battle with software giants escalates http://ift.tt/2ivhBxs dealer Mitch Walters has taken his gripes with the data security policies of major software providers CDK Global and Reynolds and Reynolds directly to the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Sales races to watch in the final stretch

Sales races to watch in the final stretch http://ift.tt/2ivtgfw, 2016 will go down as another big year for the U.S. auto industry. The question is whether it will go down as another record year.

U.S. renews its push for rail data in map apps

U.S. renews its push for rail data in map apps http://ift.tt/2ivlq5U National Transportation Safety Board is urging Google and other technology companies that produce digital maps to step up efforts to include the locations of railroad crossings and alert drivers to their presence.

Agreements reached in dispute on open recalls

Agreements reached in dispute on open recalls http://ift.tt/2ivtXG0 the ongoing dispute over how dealerships can advertise and sell used vehicles which have open recalls, particularly certified used vehicles, the FTC closed consent agreements with General Motors and two large dealership groups.

Remarketers brace for surge in volume

Remarketers brace for surge in volume http://ift.tt/2ivhtya executives insist they're ready to deal with higher volumes of used vehicles in 2017, and they are taking steps to head off pinch points in the smooth flow of those higher volumes to dealerships.

Used-car trade networks seek to drive wholesalers out

Used-car trade networks seek to drive wholesalers out http://ift.tt/2ivgGNs auto auctions are being challenged by used-car trade networks that allow dealers to buy and sell vehicles on their mobile devices.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries http://ift.tt/2ivloLp look at 40- and 50-year anniversaries, among others, at Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford dealers.

Wrongful death suit against Pa. Hyundai store is reinstated

Wrongful death suit against Pa. Hyundai store is reinstated http://ift.tt/2ivpUJN Sharon, Pa., Hyundai store that this year won dismissal of a wrongful death suit finds itself still fighting the case.

Mini says bigger, bolder Countryman will lure wider range of customers

Mini says bigger, bolder Countryman will lure wider range of customers http://ift.tt/2hAMq3C the Mini Countryman to the compact segment while also making its exterior more rugged looking will help to boost sales in the U.S.

GM joint venture fined $29 million by China for monopolistic pricing

GM joint venture fined $29 million by China for monopolistic pricing http://ift.tt/2ik1dnl will fine General Motors' joint venture 201 million yuan ($29 million) for monopolistic pricing, state television reported on Friday, ending speculation after an official warned of penalties against a U.S. carmaker.

Lincoln expects to triple China sales

Lincoln expects to triple China sales http://ift.tt/2i8sPsa Lincoln brand is off to a good start in China, with 2016 sales on a pace to roughly triple sales in 2015, but Ford executives acknowledge that's only a start.

China's Lynk & CO plans to redefine car ownership

China's Lynk & CO plans to redefine car ownership http://ift.tt/2i80GSa Automobile's new global marque, Lynk and CO, plans to challenge volume brands starting in 2018 by offering models designed and engineered in Sweden, built in China and sold at extremely competitive prices thanks to direct distribution.

GM names FleishmanHillard as sole communications agency of record

GM names FleishmanHillard as sole communications agency of record http://ift.tt/2igdYPU Motors said it selected marketing and public relations agency FleishmanHillard as GM's sole communications agency of record, replacing several other agencies.

Tesla dominates owner satisfaction survey, Consumer Reports says

Tesla dominates owner satisfaction survey, Consumer Reports says http://ift.tt/2hM3SFd than nine out of 10 Tesla owners would buy their cars again, leading the industry in Consumer Reports' Annual Owner Satisfaction Survey.

Honda overtakes Chevy on Google's U.S. 'Year in Search' list

Honda overtakes Chevy on Google's U.S. 'Year in Search' list http://ift.tt/2hLWc5Y jumped two spots to top Google's luxury-heavy 'Year in Search' list of the trending automotive brands in the U.S.

Honda and Google's Waymo discuss collaborating on self-driving tech

Honda and Google's Waymo discuss collaborating on self-driving tech http://ift.tt/2h3gqUT RandD has entered into discussions with Waymo, Alphabet's new standalone company, to use technology that will enable self-driving capabilities in Honda vehicles.

BMW places 5 series front and center

BMW places 5 series front and center http://ift.tt/2hI0340 latest new spot to top our weekly viral video charts is all about the redesigned BMW 5 series.

App adds used buyers to franchised dealer matches

App adds used buyers to franchised dealer matches http://ift.tt/2hcQF9w today, AutoGravity, a smartphone app and web platform that connects new-vehicle buyers in California with franchised dealerships and finance offers, has extended its service to used-car buyers, the company told Automotive News.

Gaining insight, theme by theme

Gaining insight, theme by theme http://ift.tt/2hcTtDL of my favorite parts of the FandI beat is choosing a theme to explore every quarter in our FandI Insight special sections for print and online.

Career goals: From quick stop to long haul

Career goals: From quick stop to long haul http://ift.tt/2hcVe3K lands FandI managers in FandI? Is the role their end goal, a steppingstone to a higher title or happenstance? The answer in part may lie in the store where they work.

First Shift: Scandal to cost VW another $1B

First Shift: Scandal to cost VW another $1B http://ift.tt/2hTcvvR scandal to cost VW another $1 billion in U.S.; Ford to temporarily idle Kansas City plant; Creative shift for Chrysler advertising; A personal touch for Acura NSX buyers.

FCA replaces Chrysler ad agency, assigns creative work to Omnicom's Goodby

FCA replaces Chrysler ad agency, assigns creative work to Omnicom's Goodby http://ift.tt/2hRgeKx Silverstein and Partners has won the Chrysler brand creative account after a lengthy review. A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles spokeswoman confirmed the Omnicom Group agency's selection on Tuesday.

Google's Waymo to show self-driving Pacifica in Detroit

Google's Waymo to show self-driving Pacifica in Detroit http://ift.tt/2hRN1BH, Google's new autonomous-technology unit, will debut its self-driving Chrysler Pacifica at the Detroit auto show.

CarMax quarterly earnings rise 6.6% to $137 million

CarMax quarterly earnings rise 6.6% to $137 million http://ift.tt/2hRN14F earnings at CarMax, the largest U.S. used-car retailer, rose 6.6 percent to $136.6 million in the third fiscal quarter due in large part to a 9.1 percent gain in used unit sales.

RouteOne acquires MaximTrak in bid to boost digital retail business

RouteOne acquires MaximTrak in bid to boost digital retail business http://ift.tt/2hQIWxe has acquired FandI sales tool provider MaximTrak, effective as of now, RouteOne Holdings said today.

GM plans to idle 5 U.S. plants in January to adjust supply

GM plans to idle 5 U.S. plants in January to adjust supply http://ift.tt/2i7B7jk Motors plans to shut five U.S. auto assembly plants for varying durations in January, primarily to cut oversupply of sedans which have fallen out of favor among U.S. consumers.

BMW shakes up U.S. ad agency work

BMW shakes up U.S. ad agency work http://ift.tt/2hRZUbO has made several changes among its advertising agencies in the U.S., bringing new shops aboard to handle duties once performed by MDC Partners' KBS. KBS remains the luxury automaker's lead creative agency.

GM board member Marinello steps down to take helm at Hertz

GM board member Marinello steps down to take helm at Hertz http://ift.tt/2hRGjIH Marinello, a General Motors board member tapped last week to become CEO of Hertz Global Holdings, has resigned from the automaker's board effective immediately.

Lincoln taps McConaughey for Continental ad campaign

Lincoln taps McConaughey for Continental ad campaign http://ift.tt/2gTgKoW will begin airing its first commercials for the Lincoln Continental, featuring actor Matthew McConaughey, later this month. The automaker's latest television spots were filmed in Reykjavik, Iceland.

EU parliament critical of delays to new car emissions rules

EU parliament critical of delays to new car emissions rules http://ift.tt/2gTidvw EU countries, including Italy, France and Spain, have delayed the adoption of stricter car emissions tests, despite evidence that this has allowed pollution to go above legal limits, a report by the European Parliament said.

First Shift: VW 3-liter diesel settlement near?

First Shift: VW 3-liter diesel settlement near? http://ift.tt/2hAeU0u 3-liter diesel settlement near?; Report: GM to halt Detroit plant 3 weeks; Waymo-ready Pacificas; Nissan partners to share EV platform?; Traverse tease; Autonomy in overdrive.

FCA delivers 100 self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans to Waymo

FCA delivers 100 self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans to Waymo http://ift.tt/2i6jBvY Chrysler has completed production of 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans that will join the self-driving vehicle fleet for Waymo, formerly the Google car project.

BEST PRACTICES: A well-lighted lot, powered by the sun

BEST PRACTICES: A well-lighted lot, powered by the sun http://ift.tt/2hgX3st Nissan combines LED lights and a solar-array on the store's roof -- and tax incentives for the latter -- to cut costs. Dealer Marsh Butler sees the combo as insulation against future energy-cost increases.

Chevy Malibu delivers at last for GM

Chevy Malibu delivers at last for GM http://ift.tt/2hh5Nil Chevrolet Malibu is having its best year in decades, even as the market for traditional four-door sedans is collapsing around it.

Google's historic journey in Austin

Google's historic journey in Austin http://ift.tt/2hh8CQc apparent first in self-driving technology has taken place: someone has rode in a fully self-driving vehicle on public roads in Austin, Texas, without a steering wheel or brake pedals, unsupervised by an engineer.

Where will Her Majesty get her oil change?

Where will Her Majesty get her oil change? http://ift.tt/2hheE3h's carefully polished heritage took a bash last week when the historic London dealership that serviced the queen's own cars announced it was closing shop, citing the onerous demands to stay within Jaguar Land Rover's franchise network.

Fixed ops panel will talk profits

Fixed ops panel will talk profits http://ift.tt/2hgYTcU Gurizzian, Mark Smith and Frederiek Toney will be the featured speakers on a panel, 'Fixed Ops: Build Your Bottom Line,' at the Automotive News Retail Forum on Jan. 26 in New Orleans.