Fast chargers coming to all U.S. Porsche dealerships

Fast chargers coming to all U.S. Porsche dealerships http://ift.tt/2F18W5D Cars North America will equip all 189 of its U.S. dealerships with 800-volt DC fast-charging stations in preparation for the launch of an electric sedan based on the Mission E concept.

BMW, Toyota invest in self-driving shuttle startup

BMW, Toyota invest in self-driving shuttle startup http://ift.tt/2CNfy1E Mobility, a startup that develops fleets of self-driving microshuttles, has raised $11.5 million in seed funding, in part from units of BMW and Toyota.

Amazon's Alexa takes open-source route to beat Google into cars

Amazon's Alexa takes open-source route to beat Google into cars http://ift.tt/2FaWLCx is embracing open-source software in the race to get its voice-based Alexa digital assistant into cars ahead of Google.

PSA veteran Duchemin will head Opel sales

PSA veteran Duchemin will head Opel sales http://ift.tt/2CM2DwT veteran Xavier Duchemin will head sales at the French automaker's newly acquired Opel and Vauxhall brands. Opel said Duchemin's extensive experience will help the company to implement its PACE turnaround plan.

German court ruling likely to accelerate diesel's demise

German court ruling likely to accelerate diesel's demise http://ift.tt/2BVCtL7 ruling by a German court allowing cities to restrict where some diesels vehicles can be driven looks likely to speed the demise of the embattled technology.

KAR to spin off salvage auction business IAA

KAR to spin off salvage auction business IAA http://ift.tt/2t0lq7Q Auction Services will spin off its salvage auction business unit within the next 12 months so both entities will be able to focus on separate priorities and boost shareholder value.

AutoNews Now: Lower U.S. sales expected for Feb.

AutoNews Now: Lower U.S. sales expected for Feb. http://ift.tt/2t3ISkR U.S. sales expected for Feb.; Report: Geely pursued FCA buy; Lithia buys second Pittsburgh dealer group; Wage talks at GM Korea; Porsche stands by diesel; Wane at the pump?

Lithia buys more stores near Pittsburgh

Lithia buys more stores near Pittsburgh http://ift.tt/2F7wLI5 Motors expanded its presence in Pittsburgh with the purchase of Day Automotive Group. Day is estimated to generate $340 million in annual revenue.

Sonic's Q4 net income jumps on tax changes

Sonic's Q4 net income jumps on tax changes http://ift.tt/2CLTx3h Automotive's fourth-quarter net soared on gains related to corporate tax changes. Same-store gross profit grew in all operations except used vehicles.

How to 'stock smart' during the off-lease flood

How to 'stock smart' during the off-lease flood http://ift.tt/2HRnS44 Auto Group in suburban Detroit analyzes historical sales data, gross profit opportunities and existing inventories to ensure the used vehicles it buys are sold within an average of 30 days.

February U.S. sales forecast to fall as incentives dip

February U.S. sales forecast to fall as incentives dip http://ift.tt/2otEzKS. new-vehicle sales are expected to fall this month as the market continues to cool and automakers dial back on incentives. Forecasts call for sales to drop between about 2 percent and 4 percent year over year from February 2017.

GKN sets deadline to split into two by next year

GKN sets deadline to split into two by next year http://ift.tt/2HPjxOR engineering group GKN has set a deadline to break itself up by the middle of next year to help boost value for shareholders as it seeks to stave off a $7.4-billion hostile bid from Melrose Industries

Dealership's ex-controller pleads guilty to stealing $1.1 million

Dealership's ex-controller pleads guilty to stealing $1.1 million http://ift.tt/2owL2Uu former controller faces 20 years in jail and a $2.3 million fine for embezzling more than $1 million from a Connecticut dealership.

Dealership ex-controller pleads guilty to stealing $1.1 million

Dealership ex-controller pleads guilty to stealing $1.1 million http://ift.tt/2HPFmxx former controller faces 20 years in jail and a $2.3 million fine for embezzling more than $1 million from a Connecticut dealership.

Buick Envision gets refresh, price cut

Buick Envision gets refresh, price cut http://ift.tt/2FwUdfG $2,000 base price cut aims to increase sales and give owners of the brand's entry-level Encore an easier climb.

Joy Falotico follows fast track to Ford's top marketing post

Joy Falotico follows fast track to Ford's top marketing post http://ift.tt/2ESaDlH dealer relationships, marketing expertise and leasing acumen Joy Falotico cultivated over nearly three decades with Ford's financing arm stood out amid the void created by a top executive's sudden departure.

How to 'stock smart' during the off-lease flood

How to 'stock smart' during the off-lease flood http://ift.tt/2CJK5NF Auto Group in suburban Detroit analyzes historical sales data, gross profit opportunities and existing inventories to ensure the used vehicles it buys are sold within an average of 30 days.

New ADESA president will hit ground running

New ADESA president will hit ground running http://ift.tt/2ERTHvT Hammer will spend his first weeks as new ADESA president on the road, before laying out new goals for the U.S. auto auction network.

Bike-sharing provides some hard lessons

Bike-sharing provides some hard lessons http://ift.tt/2BOKMsi year in Amsterdam, locals found a new culprit to blame for the city's congestion: bike-sharing operators.

Bigger Subaru sales, bigger office building

Bigger Subaru sales, bigger office building http://ift.tt/2CijmMh more going on at Subaru of America than record sales. It's finally moving to a bigger building in Camden, N.J.

Who's the world's best car salesman?

Who's the world's best car salesman? http://ift.tt/2sVLyky supersalesmen, Joe Girard and Ali Reda, are contesting the title of most cars sold in a year. Here's a look at their stories and their selling styles.

Uber's latest ambitions worry rivals

Uber's latest ambitions worry rivals http://ift.tt/2ClekyA CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is spearheading an aggressive expansion into public transportation.

Founder of Ford-owned Chariot out as CEO

Founder of Ford-owned Chariot out as CEO http://ift.tt/2CFmayM Vahabzadeh, who co-founded the Chariot shuttle service, will remain on its board of directors following an early February departure as CEO.

Founder of Ford-owned Chariot out as CEO

Founder of Ford-owned Chariot out as CEO http://ift.tt/2CerA8d Vahabzadeh, who co-founded the Chariot shuttle service, will remain on its board of directors following an early February departure as CEO.

First Shift: A break for Tesla faithful?

First Shift: A break for Tesla faithful? http://ift.tt/2op8wf1 for Tesla faithful?; GM said to mull Korea wage freeze, extension of Canada production cuts; Nissan robotaxi test; Mini output in China?; Losing incentive for incentives.

Renault picks Sweden for first EV-only showroom

Renault picks Sweden for first EV-only showroom http://ift.tt/2GDuRML chose Sweden, Europe's No. 3 market for electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles, for its first showroom dedicated to EVs

AutoNews Now: Lincoln's Galhotra named Ford N.A. chief

AutoNews Now: Lincoln's Galhotra named Ford N.A. chief http://ift.tt/2EIVao9 Galhotra to replace Nair as Ford N.A. chief; Consumer Reports names Genesis top brand; C-R's top 10 models; BMW, Takata settle suits; The Land Rover of mobile phones.

Genesis supplants Audi atop Consumer Reports' latest brand rankings

Genesis supplants Audi atop Consumer Reports' latest brand rankings http://ift.tt/2GzWkPm upstart Genesis luxury brand supplanted Audi atop Consumer Reports' annual ranking of automotive brands. Subaru and Kia tied for the highest ranked mass-market brands.

German court delays ruling on diesel ban to next week

German court delays ruling on diesel ban to next week http://ift.tt/2HEHA2U German court on Thursday delayed a ruling on whether major cities can ban heavily polluting diesel cars, which could hit the resale value of 15 million vehicles in Europe's largest market and force automakers to pay for costly modifications.

German court to rule on diesel bans in cities

German court to rule on diesel bans in cities http://ift.tt/2CdcNe0 highest administrative court in Leipzig will rule on whether cities can ban heavily polluting diesel cars. Environmental groups say levels of particulate matter now exceed the EU threshold in at least 90 German towns and cities.

Dallas' Park Place dealer group dives into subscription market

Dallas' Park Place dealer group dives into subscription market http://ift.tt/2EHJ8Ya service offers unlimited vehicle switches and free pickup and delivery in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at no additional charge.

Why sweet lease deals are going away

Why sweet lease deals are going away http://ift.tt/2Hzk7jD flood of off-lease vehicles, including SUVs and crossovers, and other factors will make it more difficult for automakers to offer tempting lease deals.

Still putting off buying cyber insurance?

Still putting off buying cyber insurance? http://ift.tt/2CDqRte cyber liability insurance become more widespread among dealerships? Considering the number of security breaches across many industries today, it should.

Nobody wants to let Google win war for maps all over again

Nobody wants to let Google win war for maps all over again http://ift.tt/2of8CG2 emerged years ago as the winner in consumer digital map by blanketing the globe with its street-mapping cars and with software expertise that couldn't be matched by navigation companies, automakers and even Apple.

Two-tone cars are back, helping the bottom line but also adding challenges

Two-tone cars are back, helping the bottom line but also adding challenges http://ift.tt/2oey4ey paint jobs are back with a distinct European flair. In the last few years about 20 models with the feature, largely with bodies and roofs in different colors, have hit showrooms across Europe with more to come.

Net soars at ADESA's parent on tax gains

Net soars at ADESA's parent on tax gains http://ift.tt/2oePg3V income at KAR Auction Services, ADESA's parent, soared in the fourth quarter because of a special gain related to the changes in federal corporate taxes.

NBA All-Star Weekend boosts Autotrader's new site

NBA All-Star Weekend boosts Autotrader's new site http://ift.tt/2olLdC1 took advantage of its long-standing NBA sponsorship to promote its redesigned website and set a record in online traffic during All-Star Weekend.

Why Aston Martin is mulling risky move into F1

Why Aston Martin is mulling risky move into F1 http://ift.tt/2CwXxEw Martin CEO Andy Palmer envisions the automaker entering Formula One as an engine supplier by 2021.

Tesla Model S outsells German luxury flagships in Europe

Tesla Model S outsells German luxury flagships in Europe http://ift.tt/2ocyja7 premium brands are under pressure to accelerate their plans for electric cars after Tesla's Model S outsold in Europe the luxury flagships of Mercedes, BMW and Audi.

Remote software updates help build dealer service business, suppliers say

Remote software updates help build dealer service business, suppliers say http://ift.tt/2BCsgmI could use over-the-air software updates to prompt owners with customized messages directing them where to take their vehicles for service, suppliers say.

Dealerships partner with Costco to boost service, parts sales

Dealerships partner with Costco to boost service, parts sales http://ift.tt/2EDuEwt is working with new-vehicle dealerships to expand its members-only discount program beyond auto purchases to service and parts sales. More than 900 franchised dealerships are enrolled in the warehouse club's service and parts plan.

Automakers fear potential drop in diesel values after German court ruling

Automakers fear potential drop in diesel values after German court ruling http://ift.tt/2ESnxzk court will decide later this week on whether German cities can ban heavily polluting cars, potentially wiping hundreds of millions of euros off the value of diesel cars on the country's roads.

Dodging a bad review, Subaru fell into awd country

Dodging a bad review, Subaru fell into awd country http://ift.tt/2sELO7e 1969, Consumer Reports gave the Subaru 360 a rare designation: "not acceptable." Oh, and the magazine also called it "the most unsafe car on the market."

Lexus' new pricing math for hybrids

Lexus' new pricing math for hybrids http://ift.tt/2EO4RRf has quietly changed the math for the 2018 model year, significantly lowering the hybrid premium for its two most popular crossovers and rolling out a sporty new hybrid platform for its LC halo coupe and LS flagship sedan.

BMW store enlists wrap artists

BMW store enlists wrap artists http://ift.tt/2sCQ5rX Chicago BMW dealership uses art to increase accessory sales.

Ford dealers gain access to artificial intelligence tool for used-car sales

Ford dealers gain access to artificial intelligence tool for used-car sales http://ift.tt/2C6mk6B analytics tool from Vast helps dealers identify what makes a vehicle unique.

Don't expect Nissan to ditch stair-steps

Don't expect Nissan to ditch stair-steps http://ift.tt/2sGDAeC as car dealership sales personnel are offered incentives to increase business, Nissan has offered its dealers incentives to reach higher. And in recent years, they did and sales climbed.

This is no time to get sloppy

This is no time to get sloppy http://ift.tt/2C7najB is a great deal of uncertainty out there and it seems prudent to be conservative. Still, when the car business is bad, I am told, it is still pretty good.

Month-end close in one day? Here's how.

Month-end close in one day? Here's how. http://ift.tt/2sDkWUZ giant dealership group manages to handle its month-end close in one day. Here's how.

Battery-swapping for urban dwellers

Battery-swapping for urban dwellers http://ift.tt/2EO4MNr agree with Keith Crain that the electric vehicle industry 'will need something that is not yet developed or commercialized.'