Monday, July 31, 2017

Does Lynk and CO sound like Lincoln? Ford thinks so

Does Lynk and CO sound like Lincoln? Ford thinks so http://ift.tt/2f1cEQo is challenging Geely Holding Group's trademark application for its new Lynk and CO brand, alleging the name sounds too similar to its Lincoln Motor Co. luxury brand.

Tesla Model 3 buzz belies U.S. market barely getting a lift from EVs

Tesla Model 3 buzz belies U.S. market barely getting a lift from EVs http://ift.tt/2vaOmtY all the excitement Tesla mustered by starting to deliver its cheaper Model 3, the tall order ahead will be to pull off what no electric car has done to date -- move the needle on the auto market.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Used-car market weathers the storm

Used-car market weathers the storm http://ift.tt/2v9uOpI market was bolstered in June by a dip in gasoline prices and an economy that remained strong, giving potential buyers confidence to buy used vehicles.

Rolls gets personal with new Phantom

Rolls gets personal with new Phantom http://ift.tt/2va8xbs Motor Cars unveiled its new Phantom in London last week. It is the first Rolls to be built on the U.K. automaker's in-house aluminum platform.

Steering Enterprise's massive fleet is no easy feat

Steering Enterprise's massive fleet is no easy feat http://ift.tt/2va8yMy News sat down with several top executives at Enterprise Holdings to learn more about what goes into the company's fleet, acquisition and remarketing strategies. Here's a recap.

Uncertainty grips rental-car agencies

Uncertainty grips rental-car agencies http://ift.tt/2va8M6h immediate challenge is a declining new-vehicle market. Long term, the companies face disruptions to their business model from sharing services and autonomous technology.

Certified deliveries

Certified deliveries http://ift.tt/2v9Uwdz sold 1.34 million units through the first 6 months of the year, a gain of 1.2% from the same point a year earlier. The rise comes despite 3 of the 4 largest automakers by certified pre-owned sales reporting declines in sales.

Manheim broadens reach with small auction sites

Manheim broadens reach with small auction sites http://ift.tt/2v9VZRh of the locations will run one- to four-lane auctions #8212; the smallest Manheim has ever used.

Experts see challenges, but no crisis in used-car market

Experts see challenges, but no crisis in used-car market http://ift.tt/2va3bg9 retention values are down; subprime auto loan delinquencies up. Yet most analysts say the used market will weather this downturn better than last time.

No need to scrap anything just yet

No need to scrap anything just yet http://ift.tt/2vajslr agree with Keith Crain that automakers should save some of the equipment if they change over 100 percent to electric.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Lithia's Q2 net rises 3.4% on 16% revenue gain

Lithia's Q2 net rises 3.4% on 16% revenue gain http://ift.tt/2tKaY07 Motors said net income rose 3.4 percent in the second quarter on robust service and parts, FandI and acquisition activity. Revenue rose 16 percent.

July U.S. sales expected to fall for 7th straight month

July U.S. sales expected to fall for 7th straight month http://ift.tt/2u5G55Q. auto sales are forecast to fall for a seventh straight month in July from 2016's record pace despite continued high incentives from manufacturers.

Wells Fargo charged car loan customers for unwanted insurance, will refund $80 million

Wells Fargo charged car loan customers for unwanted insurance, will refund $80 million http://ift.tt/2eTO43Z Fargo disclosed that it may have pushed thousands of car buyers into loan defaults by charging them for unwanted insurance. The firm said it may pay as much as $80 million to affected clients.

Musk risks missing the mainstream if Model 3 strays from $35,000

Musk risks missing the mainstream if Model 3 strays from $35,000 http://ift.tt/2h8Pmsr's Model 3 handover party is Friday, but the $35,000 price tag is just a starting point. Many mainstream buyers will still find the electric sedan out of reach.

Wells Fargo to refund $80 million to car loan customers

Wells Fargo to refund $80 million to car loan customers http://ift.tt/2h8GIKz Fargo said it would reimburse about $80 million to 570,000 customers who may have been charged wrongly due to issues related to auto collateral protection insurance.

Big U.S. auto discounts are bane to Asian automakers' profits

Big U.S. auto discounts are bane to Asian automakers' profits http://ift.tt/2v5LOwO carmakers are taking hits to their profits from having to spend more to move metal in America. Nissan and Hyundai both said higher U.S. incentives dented Q2 profits.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

U.S. upgrades probe into 1.33 million Ford Explorers over exhaust odors

U.S. upgrades probe into 1.33 million Ford Explorers over exhaust odors http://ift.tt/2tHXIcG is upgrading a probe into 1.33 million Ford Explorer SUVs over reports of exhaust odors in vehicle compartments and exposure to carbon monoxide that may be linked to crashes and injuries.

2018 Chevrolet Traverse will start at $30,875

2018 Chevrolet Traverse will start at $30,875 http://ift.tt/2vNpgi1 2018 Chevrolet Traverse will start at $30,875 including shipping, Chevy said Thursday, $1,280 more than the 2017 model.

FCA Q2 operating profit rises 15%

FCA Q2 operating profit rises 15% http://ift.tt/2v0TmRR Chrysler's second-quarter operating profit rose 15 percent to $2.19 billion, despite roughly flat shipments and revenue. FCA was able to do so with higher margins in North America and gains at Maserati.

FCA Q2 operating profit rises 15%

FCA Q2 operating profit rises 15% http://ift.tt/2uFsXGh Chrysler's second-quarter operating profit rose 15 percent to $2.19 billion, despite roughly flat shipments and revenue.

First Shift: FCA, UAW respond to conspiracy probe

First Shift: FCA, UAW respond to conspiracy probe http://ift.tt/2tFEdRW to cooperate with feds on conspiracy probe; UAW chief 'appalled'; Profits rise at FCA, VW, drop at Nissan; Toyota Mirai's East Coast hang-up; Ford marks truck centennial.

FCA increases Q2 operating profit 15%

FCA increases Q2 operating profit 15% http://ift.tt/2eQ0gCY Chrysler Automobiles' second-quarter operating profit increased 15 percent to $2.19 billion (1.87 billion euros), despite roughly flat shipments and revenue.

FCA increases Q2 operating profit 15%

FCA increases Q2 operating profit 15% http://ift.tt/2tMnD6P Chrysler Automobiles' second-quarter operating profit increased 15 percent to $2.19 billion (1.87 billion euros), despite roughly flat shipments and revenue.

Nissan posts 13% drop in Q1 profit on higher expenses, incentives

Nissan posts 13% drop in Q1 profit on higher expenses, incentives http://ift.tt/2uAlbPC posted a 13 percent drop in quarterly operating profit, as a rise in marketing and selling expenses, including incentives, offset a rise in global vehicle sales.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

For GM and Ford, home is where the profits are

For GM and Ford, home is where the profits are http://ift.tt/2vKWFtK America is increasingly where the earnings are for Detroit's biggest automakers. But that's a source of heartburn as U.S. sales stall after seven straight years of growth.

Mercedes showcases its pickup

Mercedes showcases its pickup http://ift.tt/2tYVghh has finally added a pickup to its lineup and people have taken notice.

German conservative calls for phase-out of gasoline and diesel cars

German conservative calls for phase-out of gasoline and diesel cars http://ift.tt/2uYKoE0 should soon start phasing out gasoline and diesel cars, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats said as Britain announced it would ban the sale of fossil-fuel cars starting in 2040.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Asbury Automotive exits its used-only operations

Asbury Automotive exits its used-only operations http://ift.tt/2h0fCp8 Automotive is closing its remaining Q auto stand-alone used-car stores to redirect investments that will deliver better returns.

Subaru sets modest price hike for '18 Impreza

Subaru sets modest price hike for '18 Impreza http://ift.tt/2uul1JP's fifth-generation Impreza is off to a strong start in the U.S. after a redesign last year, and the automaker isn't changing the starting price much for the 2018 model.

Asbury's Q2 net drops 13% to $32 million

Asbury's Q2 net drops 13% to $32 million http://ift.tt/2uucne9 Automotive's second-quarter net income dropped 13 percent to $31.9 million on lower profit margins per new and used vehicles sold.

Tesla Model S regains top safety rating with software update, Consumer Reports says

Tesla Model S regains top safety rating with software update, Consumer Reports says http://ift.tt/2vXAUpM provided an over-the-air update in July to its software on the Model S to include automatic emergency braking at highway speeds.

Like it or not, signs signal change for auto retail

Like it or not, signs signal change for auto retail http://ift.tt/2vXddxR dealers need to prepare for a new way of selling as consumers may not desire car ownership in the future.

Tesla buyers antsy for Model 3 keys months after $1,000 deposit

Tesla buyers antsy for Model 3 keys months after $1,000 deposit http://ift.tt/2ut8KVM of Tesla Model 3 reservation holders are in limbo, with deposits paid but little clarity about the status of their car -- when they'll get it or what they'll pay.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Toyota's hydrogen holdup means East Coasters miss out on Mirai

Toyota's hydrogen holdup means East Coasters miss out on Mirai http://ift.tt/2upN3WM, off to a slow start selling its car of the future on one U.S. coast, is struggling even to get started on the other.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Chevy Impala at risk as large sedans shrink into oblivion

Chevy Impala at risk as large sedans shrink into oblivion http://ift.tt/2tCyAIk Chevy Impala #8212; one of GM's longest-running and most-recognized names, a car that logged more than 1 million U.S. sales in 1965 #8212; appears unlikely to survive much longer.

Crossovers and SUVs fatten profit margins

Crossovers and SUVs fatten profit margins http://ift.tt/2tSSutK segments from subcompact to full-size, average transaction prices for SUVs and crossovers in the first half of 2017 ran well higher than similar-size sedans and hatchbacks, an analysis of Kelley Blue Book data shows.

Mercedes unveils its take on classic pickup

Mercedes unveils its take on classic pickup http://ift.tt/2tT4A65 X class, Mercedes' first pickup, will hit dealerships in Germany starting in November and will then be rolled out to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in 2018 and Latin America the following year. There are no plans for the U.S.

Facilities should match the market

Facilities should match the market http://ift.tt/2tSl7r8 mistake manufacturers make is they don't allow market-appropriate facilities. What makes sense in a major market can be a financial death sentence in flyover country.

Opel defends inclusion of employee leases in sales data

Opel defends inclusion of employee leases in sales data http://ift.tt/2vMYgOT defended the inclusion in its sales data of cars pre-registered by the company and leased by company workers, retirees and their families.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Some Dodge dealers give in to Demon temptation

Some Dodge dealers give in to Demon temptation http://ift.tt/2vMWEVq, but not all, Dodge dealers are seeking market adjustments that would nearly double the price for the limited-edition drag racer.

Private-equity firm GPB Capital thrives under the radar

Private-equity firm GPB Capital thrives under the radar http://ift.tt/2vMzSgd Capital, a private-equity group, has quietly grown to 66 dealerships. Now they're ready to start talking about who they are and how they operate.

FCA's restated sales show some big swings

FCA's restated sales show some big swings http://ift.tt/2vMGM5r review of the data points to a company that either didn't accurately know what it was selling month to month or was playing fast and loose with its fleet sales.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Who will order car subscriptions?

Who will order car subscriptions? http://ift.tt/2tPwNuE subscription services are emerging as a new slice of the car-sharing market, and industry leaders are still trying to figure out which model will work best.

GM puts the brakes on portions of headquarters project

GM puts the brakes on portions of headquarters project http://ift.tt/2twZjpo has mothballed plans for one of the more eye-catching portions of its 120,000-square-foot addition and renovation of its world headquarters, the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

UAW, GM 'talking' about impact of slumping car sales on U.S. jobs

UAW, GM 'talking' about impact of slumping car sales on U.S. jobs http://ift.tt/2tLq30H president of the UAW expressed concern about the impact of weak U.S. car sales at GM on auto plants and jobs.

UAW 'talking' to GM about impact of car sales slump on U.S. jobs

UAW 'talking' to GM about impact of car sales slump on U.S. jobs http://ift.tt/2vofra7 president of the UAW expressed concern about the impact of slumping U.S. car sales at General Motors on auto plants and jobs.

First Shift: Volvo to invest in sibling Lynk and CO

First Shift: Volvo to invest in sibling Lynk and CO http://ift.tt/2udFLFq to invest in sibling Lynk and CO; Audi in hot water over ad; Judge allows VW bondholder suit to proceed; NAFTA talks to begin mid-August; Next Nissan Leaf to sport 'e-Pedal.'

Chrysler will only tout minivan's electric plug in California

Chrysler will only tout minivan's electric plug in California http://ift.tt/2ubwzzV Chrysler has taken a curious approach to marketing the only minivan in the U.S. that can run on a rechargeable battery: just call the Pacifica model a hybrid, and leave out the plug-in part.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

BMW moves deeper into Silicon Valley with Shift investment

BMW moves deeper into Silicon Valley with Shift investment http://ift.tt/2uAtaNs's venture capital fund poured $38 million in a Silicon Valley online used-car startup focused on younger buyers, the company said Wednesday.

Buyers facing fewer scripted FandI pitches

Buyers facing fewer scripted FandI pitches http://ift.tt/2tGQFjo tracks, once a standard in the FandI industry, may be falling by the wayside, and for good reason, according to a recent survey and FandI experts.