Saturday, September 30, 2017

2007-2017 decade changed auto sales picture

2007-2017 decade changed auto sales picture http://ift.tt/2xG3wbF the last decade, the industry has lurched from an appalling low to record sales heights. Today's market is bigger and truckier, and several top sellers have lost ground to smaller rivals.

'Data-driven' EPA review pits facts vs. other facts

'Data-driven' EPA review pits facts vs. other facts http://ift.tt/2xHFM77 auto industry says it just wants a fair process that includes the most accurate, up-to-date models, data and assumptions. But EPA critics see a broader assault on scientific principles underpinning federal environmental policy.

Japan offers proof of Jeep's global appeal

Japan offers proof of Jeep's global appeal http://ift.tt/2xHFLA5's success in Japan is testimony to global brand power that is attracting acquisition interest from China and beyond. It also counters the notion that it's impossible to sell American vehicles there.

Diesel sales fall in key Europe markets

Diesel sales fall in key Europe markets http://ift.tt/2xGv3K6 of new diesel cars have been falling in Europe's key markets as customers react to a backlash following Volkswagen Group's emissions scandal.

Friday, September 29, 2017

How BMW counts on startups to counter Tesla

How BMW counts on startups to counter Tesla http://ift.tt/2x3lVjl hopes to add luster to its electrification push by working with fast-moving, startup companies in a bid to counter products from Tesla, which have outshone those from traditional automakers.

VW boosts 2018 warranties to 6 years/72,000 miles

VW boosts 2018 warranties to 6 years/72,000 miles http://ift.tt/2x2jLvf, looking to add momentum to a rebound in U.S. sales following emissions violations, is expanding warranties that will be twice the duration of those at most competitors.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Hurricanes could produce first U.S. sales increase of 2017 ... finally

Hurricanes could produce first U.S. sales increase of 2017 ... finally http://ift.tt/2xA6NcL storms that battered parts of Texas and Florida in the past month have given automakers a reprieve from two problems that have cast a shadow over them all year: bulging inventories and an oversupply of off-lease vehicles.

Supreme Court to rehear service advisers' overtime pay dispute

Supreme Court to rehear service advisers' overtime pay dispute http://ift.tt/2yvgPbQ Supreme Court will hear, for the second time, oral arguments in a case about whether service advisers at car dealerships are eligible for overtime pay.

About 1 in 4 CarMax vehicles has unrepaired recall defect, safety advocates say

About 1 in 4 CarMax vehicles has unrepaired recall defect, safety advocates say http://ift.tt/2ybMGSH than a quarter of used vehicles for sale at CarMax outlets in three states have unrepaired recall defects, safety advocates said.

Why new pickup producers can't ignore Texas

Why new pickup producers can't ignore Texas http://ift.tt/2ftRKXf advice for any automaker thinking about the U.S. pickup market: Don't ignore Texas.

Chevy bow tie logo goes retro

Chevy bow tie logo goes retro http://ift.tt/2ycaPbX celebrate 100 years since the debut of Chevy's first pickup, the 1918 490 Light Delivery, Chevrolet updated the badge from the 1918 truck and will affix it to two special edition 2018 pickups

Chevrolet celebrates 100 years of making pickups with special edition Silverado and Colorado

Chevrolet celebrates 100 years of making pickups with special edition Silverado and Colorado http://ift.tt/2fUxWgu this fall is launching two special edition pickups that commemorate 100 years of building pickups.

Ford pushes into the $100,000 range with new F-450 Limited

Ford pushes into the $100,000 range with new F-450 Limited http://ift.tt/2yclKSI is adding the F-450 Limited top-line pickup to its lineup this fall. The starting price, including shipping, is $87,100.

Texas State Fair opening on hopeful note

Texas State Fair opening on hopeful note http://ift.tt/2xDqfCL the Texas State Fair opens, things are looking brighter for Texas' auto market as parts of the state hardest hit by low oil prices and natural disasters start the long road to recovery.

China to begin new energy vehicle production quota starting 2019

China to begin new energy vehicle production quota starting 2019 http://ift.tt/2y9Tmke ordered automakers, including foreign producers such as VW and Ford, to sell a minimum number of new-energy vehicles every year starting 2019, giving them more time to comply with a key policy shift in the world's largest market.

Daimler acquires ride-sharing provider flinc

Daimler acquires ride-sharing provider flinc http://ift.tt/2fsEvWH will buy the German ride-sharing company flinc. The start-up launched in 2011 and has about 500,000 customers.

Daimler acquires German ride-sharing provider flinc

Daimler acquires German ride-sharing provider flinc http://ift.tt/2yv9YPt will buy the German ride-sharing company flinc. The start-up launched in 2011 and has about 500,000 customers.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Let there be light for Genesis

Let there be light for Genesis http://ift.tt/2xB5A2p's luxury spinoff brand Genesis is off to a good start, despite a number of headwinds.

Structure pay plans to satisfy younger staffers, buyers

Structure pay plans to satisfy younger staffers, buyers http://ift.tt/2xG0nIc dealers are so involved in crafting ways to entice younger vehicle buyers, they forget to develop pay plans that motivate their younger team members.

Experts: Boost sales with stories, not scripts

Experts: Boost sales with stories, not scripts http://ift.tt/2xFQxG9 scripted FandI interview may be a good foundation for an FandI rookie, but emotion-based selling goes further, experts say.

France plans to help suppliers hit by diesel decline

France plans to help suppliers hit by diesel decline http://ift.tt/2wkw46T French government plans to protect diesel technology suppliers from the effects of a tax increase on the fuel.

France pledges help for auto industry hit by diesel decline

France pledges help for auto industry hit by diesel decline http://ift.tt/2wWqsPq French government will present a plan before the end of the year to help the car industry cope with a tax hike on diesel that will likely see the price of a liter of diesel rise by 2.

Delphi renames automated driving business 'Aptiv'

Delphi renames automated driving business 'Aptiv' http://ift.tt/2wWKbyp Automotive said it will rename its automated driving business to reflect its focus on keeping up with future technologies. The new name is Aptiv.

Dubai tests German-built Volocopter drone taxi

Dubai tests German-built Volocopter drone taxi http://ift.tt/2hyZBDB staged the first public test of a German-built drone taxi, offering a peek at what it might#8212;or will#8212;be like to commute by flying car.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

IHS Markit acquires automotiveMastermind in bid for behavior prediction technology

IHS Markit acquires automotiveMastermind in bid for behavior prediction technology http://ift.tt/2fPnWoD Markit has stepped into the behavior prediction software realm with the acquisition of automotiveMastermind. The deal could ultimately be valued at $435 million.

IHS Markit to acquire automotiveMastermind

IHS Markit to acquire automotiveMastermind http://ift.tt/2xDZY9j Markit has stepped into the behavior prediction software realm with the acquisition of automotiveMastermind.

2019 Ford Ranger interior spied during testing

2019 Ford Ranger interior spied during testing http://ift.tt/2y521V1 interior of the 2019 Ford Ranger may look similar to that of the midsize pickup now sold in markets outside the U.S.

The diesel class of 2018 is small but efficient

The diesel class of 2018 is small but efficient http://ift.tt/2y6stxw the EPA's 2018 preliminary fuel economy guide, the listing of the model year's light-duty diesel-powered vehicles, is a pretty barren place.

2018 Corvette convertible, automatic transmission likely

2018 Corvette convertible, automatic transmission likely http://ift.tt/2y5217t photos indicate the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette will include a convertible version and be offered with an automatic transmission.

Self-driving car advocates launch ad campaign to prod Congress

Self-driving car advocates launch ad campaign to prod Congress http://ift.tt/2fNY3FN coalition of supporters of self-driving cars will run ads this week in social media and Washington newspapers, in an effort to convince Congress to adopt sweeping legislation to boost the nascent industry.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Mini hires new ad agency team, plots personalized ads

Mini hires new ad agency team, plots personalized ads http://ift.tt/2wgd1uk has hired a new advertising agency team as it takes a more personalized marketing approach to pump up its small cars in today's SUV world.

Ford, an NFL sponsor, emphasizes free speech while Trump pushes fan boycott

Ford, an NFL sponsor, emphasizes free speech while Trump pushes fan boycott http://ift.tt/2yCn91S Motor, a major sponsor of the National Football League, issued a statement in support of free speech after player protests and President Donald Trump's call for a fan boycott.

Opel marketing chief to leave automaker, report says

Opel marketing chief to leave automaker, report says http://ift.tt/2hrPJiD's marketing chief, Tina Mueller, is leaving the automaker, Handelsblatt reported.

Ukrainians use workaround to avoid high taxes on car imports

Ukrainians use workaround to avoid high taxes on car imports http://ift.tt/2hrPIez traffic on Kiev's streets includes a lot of cars that aren't registered in the Ukraine.

The Ukrainian goal to drive foreign cars

The Ukrainian goal to drive foreign cars http://ift.tt/2xAkpnk traffic on Kiev's streets includes a lot of cars that aren't registered in the Ukraine.

Kia sees Russia market growing 12% this year

Kia sees Russia market growing 12% this year http://ift.tt/2fsDDoR's car market could grow by up to 12 percent this year, recovering faster than previously expected thanks to the improving economy, said Alexander Moynov, the head of Kia's Russia unit.

Opel marketing chief Mueller to leave automaker, report says

Opel marketing chief Mueller to leave automaker, report says http://ift.tt/2yCNKvY's marketing chief, Tina Mueller, is leaving the automaker, a German daily reported.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Let consumers decide on EVs

Let consumers decide on EVs http://ift.tt/2wezKad EVs to be successful, the public is going to have to want to buy them in much larger quantities than today. Governments can't make that happen by fiat.

Cadillac's Project Pinnacle loosens up

Cadillac's Project Pinnacle loosens up http://ift.tt/2wfetwN has modified standards to allow a smoother transition into the long-term retailer network strategy, which has been a point of contention between some dealers and Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen.

The next marketing challenge: Targeting

The next marketing challenge: Targeting http://ift.tt/2wfjndz which consumers to pitch, via which media and with which message is the step in marketing, speakers at the Automotive News Marketing 360 conference said.

New execs, different worlds

New execs, different worlds http://ift.tt/2wfQPAi Henio Arcangeli Jr. and Kyung Soo "Kenny" Lee are new U.S. chiefs of two Asian brands and the third person in less than a year to fill his respective role. And neither one ever has run the U.S. arm of an automaker before.

Just where will we get this electricity?

Just where will we get this electricity? http://ift.tt/2wfawZa THE EDITOR:I would like some help understanding where the electricity for electric vehicles will come from.

Why Dan Akerson reversed GM's course on IT

Why Dan Akerson reversed GM's course on IT http://ift.tt/2wfavEA CEO Dan Akerson says GM's operations were in such disarray when he arrived in 2010 that he recommended delaying its public stock offering.

Why disasters today pack more wallop

Why disasters today pack more wallop http://ift.tt/2wfIcpD coastal populations and technology-laden vehicles, which prompt insurers to be quicker to declare a damaged vehicle a total loss, are driving salvage auction growth.

How salvage auctions prepared for disaster

How salvage auctions prepared for disaster http://ift.tt/2wfasZq hurricanes Harvey and Irma slammed Texas and Florida, auto salvage auction companies were ready to respond. Here's how.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Dealerships may be part of Amazon's next move

Dealerships may be part of Amazon's next move http://ift.tt/2xx3OAY dealerships could be the next steppingstone in Amazon's path to dominance.

Continental revival pays dividends for Lincoln brand

Continental revival pays dividends for Lincoln brand http://ift.tt/2xxdXxu dealership general manager says his used-car lot is full of BMW 7-series sedans that buyers have traded in for the Continental.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Consumers Union wants mpg ratings for heavy-duty pickups

Consumers Union wants mpg ratings for heavy-duty pickups http://ift.tt/2xuB0ZA Union is pressing the government to publish and require fuel-economy estimates for heavy-duty pickups, after its tests found diesel-powered trucks underperformed gasoline ones.

Daimler, BYD plan new EVs for China

Daimler, BYD plan new EVs for China http://ift.tt/2hn0rmQ and BYD plan to expand their cooperation in China to bring new electric models to market under the Denza brand. Currently Denza sells just one model.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Mitsubishi to beef up U.S. marketing, hires new agency

Mitsubishi to beef up U.S. marketing, hires new agency http://ift.tt/2xqrNlk, now under Nissan's control, is beefing up its U.S. marketing plans and has hired Butler Shine Stern and Partners as its agency of record for creative, social and digital duties.