Jury to dealership in used-car fraud suit: Pay $5.8 million

Jury to dealership in used-car fraud suit: Pay $5.8 million http://bit.ly/2F0OqBy

After a jury's fraud judgment — and an eye-popping $5.8 million award — over the sale of a used Ferrari, an Arkansas dealership is arguing that the punishment does not fit the alleged misdeed — or the law.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries http://bit.ly/2AkdoYD

Dealers featured this week include Carol and Dick Wendle of Wendle Ford in Spokane, Wash.; Kim Fox, dealer principal of Bergeron Toyota in Iron Mountain, Mich.; and Tim Pohanka, dealer principal of Pohanka Nissan of Fredericksburg in Virginia.

2018 Photos of the year: Weather/Disaster

2018 Photos of the year: Weather/Disaster http://bit.ly/2EYYvPB

Here's a look back at some of the destruction caused by weather and other disasters in 2018.

Off-site distribution center eases space crunch at 2 Pa. dealerships

Off-site distribution center eases space crunch at 2 Pa. dealerships http://bit.ly/2EXfr8b

At Diehl Automotive, having a distribution center off-site for the group's two Pittsburgh-area stores helps lower costs while increasing inventory control and accountability for new and used vehicles.

2018 Photos of the year: Dealers

2018 Photos of the year: Dealers http://bit.ly/2EWs4Bn

Here's a look back at some memorable dealership moments from 2018.

Used EV prices are finally heating up ? a little

Used EV prices are finally heating up ? a little http://bit.ly/2s06ovN

The 2015 Nissan Leaf, for example, has actually grown slightly in value over the last year.

Elon Musk says Tesla to pay customers for missed tax credits

Elon Musk says Tesla to pay customers for missed tax credits http://bit.ly/2EMIR8X

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the electric car company will reimburse customers if delays to car deliveries cause them to miss out on a significant tax credit.

Name-change controversy at CFPB ends with an email

Name-change controversy at CFPB ends with an email http://bit.ly/2Va9TNt

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may keep its name after all, marking a feeble end to a nearly yearlong, ultimately fruitless saga.

Auto finance regulation dominates best-read F&I stories of 2018

Auto finance regulation dominates best-read F&I stories of 2018 http://bit.ly/2Q6S7Hi

Of all the F&I stories published in 2018, Automotive News readers were most interested in auto finance regulation and the role of the F&I manager.

A look at 2018's F&I highlights

A look at 2018's F&I highlights http://bit.ly/2V9WQLR

Changes in technology, regulation and the lending landscape led much of the F&I chatter of 2018. Here are some of the major highlights from this year.

Will Passport keep Honda customers in the brand?

Will Passport keep Honda customers in the brand? http://bit.ly/2V6XKc3

Honda is hoping the Passport will be an alternative to CR-V owners ready to upgrade to a mid-size crossover that will keep them in the Honda family.

Jeep Wrangler inventories grow, even as sales climb

Jeep Wrangler inventories grow, even as sales climb http://bit.ly/2PXMWJC

Despite surging sales, Jeep Wrangler inventory levels have ballooned to well over 100 days' supply, and more are going to fleets.

Let's keep the offices open

Let's keep the offices open http://bit.ly/2Va8giy

Closing car company offices over the holidays while retailers stay open sends the wrong message, according to Automotive News Editor-In-Chief Keith Crain.

Will dealerships survive the future?

Will dealerships survive the future? http://bit.ly/2QQPWwH

How can auto retailers survive the future? With technology, improved customer experience and scale.

Digital retailing is about more than technology

Digital retailing is about more than technology http://bit.ly/2Q0VCPc

The coming wave of digital retailing is about changing the process, the people, the roles and the compensation.

Mobile app connects with customers

Mobile app connects with customers http://bit.ly/2V84mqt

Newton Nissan of Gallatin says its launch of a mobile app has helped retain customers, book service appointments and sell vehicles.

Dealership controller embezzles $1.1 million

Dealership controller embezzles $1.1 million http://bit.ly/2Q0hz11

The controller of a Connecticut BMW store will spend 2.5 years in prison for embezzling more than $1.1 million from the dealership.

CarMax Q3 net income jumps 28% on tax gain

CarMax Q3 net income jumps 28% on tax gain http://bit.ly/2A88oGE

CarMax's profit jumped in the fiscal third quarter, partially boosted by a decrease in the corporate tax rate. The company also expanded its store count.

Ford alters dealer floorplan assistance program

Ford alters dealer floorplan assistance program http://bit.ly/2LsGPMA

Ford is modifying the assistance it gives dealers for loans to finance new-vehicle inventory to help offset rising interest rates.

Fair lands $385 million investment led by SoftBank

Fair lands $385 million investment led by SoftBank https://ift.tt/2QJkjEY

Fair, a used-vehicle leasing subscription service led by auto retail heavyweights, is the latest company to catch SoftBank's eye. The Japanese technology giant led Fair's latest $385 million funding round. Scott Painter, Fair's CEO, said the funding will help accelerate its year-old partnership with Uber. 

CU Direct's credit union network leads in auto loan originations

CU Direct's credit union network leads in auto loan originations https://ift.tt/2POagsV unions in CU Direct's lending network continued to lead in auto loan originations through October, largely driven by banks' auto lending pullback and the strength of the used-vehicle sales market.

Assurant pilots service contract subscriptions

Assurant pilots service contract subscriptions https://ift.tt/2EBTDzL automakers and dealers experiment in the subscription space, at least one F&I product company is working to enhance its product lineup for short-term vehicle use.

Lexus remains dealers' most-liked brand, NADA survey finds

Lexus remains dealers' most-liked brand, NADA survey finds https://ift.tt/2S9Kj9c remains the most-liked brand by dealers in the latest National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Attitude Survey. Porsche moved up one spot into the top five in the summer survey, while Volvo and Ram unseated Kia and Ford to climb into the top 10.

Key AutoNation board member steps down

Key AutoNation board member steps down https://ift.tt/2PKTlaY

Michael Larson, the director who was leading the effort to find a replacement for Mike Jackson as AutoNation's CEO, abruptly stepped down Monday.

Robot vehicles start unmanned deliveries in Arizona

Robot vehicles start unmanned deliveries in Arizona https://ift.tt/2QBOSfT self-driving technology company has launched a delivery service that's available to members of the public using vehicles that have no humans aboard.

Nissan names Jose Valls as North American sales chief

Nissan names Jose Valls as North American sales chief https://ift.tt/2Eubrfa

Nissan Latin America Chairman Jose Valls is taking over the automaker's top North America sales job from Dan Mohnke, who has held the post for 14 months.

Customer retention strategies key in today's plateauing environment

Customer retention strategies key in today's plateauing environment https://ift.tt/2S5ReQT

Recent data suggest this brand loyalty is leveling off across the industry. How to counter the trend.

Plant closures! Subscriptions! Why should dealers upgrade?

Plant closures! Subscriptions! Why should dealers upgrade? https://ift.tt/2QX9i2p

Facility improvement gripes are perennial complaints, but dealers wonder: Why invest in their own brick and mortar, especially as automakers close plants and launch vehicle subscription models?

Cars.com bets on restructuring amid investor pressure

Cars.com bets on restructuring amid investor pressure https://ift.tt/2Emo4Jn

Cars.com is betting that a restructuring and job cuts will help answer an activist investor's call for change and aid the online shopping site's efforts to grow beyond vehicle listings.

Dealer offers buyers dinner and a Chevy

Dealer offers buyers dinner and a Chevy https://ift.tt/2GmkDEW

A Michigan dealership hosts bimonthly dinners for its new vehicle buyers to familiarize them with their sales rep, show them services the dealership offers and keep them coming back.

Inventory back above 4 million

Inventory back above 4 million https://ift.tt/2CgnCLg

Inventory levels in the U.S. climbed above 4 million units at the beginning of December for the first time in seven months.

AutoNation store settles ex-manager's sex bias suit

AutoNation store settles ex-manager's sex bias suit https://ift.tt/2R3gKJ8

A Florida dealership agreed to pay $150,000 to a former assistant parts manager who wasn't considered for promotion because she is a woman.

Survey suggests deep job dissatisfaction, discontent with flat-rate pay

Survey suggests deep job dissatisfaction, discontent with flat-rate pay https://ift.tt/2Gm67NG

A new survey of 35,000 dealership service technicians concludes that techs are unhappy with their jobs, and especially with their flat-rate pay plans.

Rules of replacement

Rules of replacement https://ift.tt/2QXsMDP

A new law in Rhode Island toughens that state's regulation of the use of aftermarket parts in collision repairs. Several other states similarly limit aftermarket parts in vehicle repairs paid for by insurance companies, often by requiring notification and consent of the vehicle owner.

Using ride-hailing service aims to save dealerships money, make customers happier

Using ride-hailing service aims to save dealerships money, make customers happier https://ift.tt/2Gm64S0

Dealership service departments are offering customers Lyft rides to relieve pressure on their loaner fleets and shuttles.

Mini program enables top dealership service techs to work with race crews

Mini program enables top dealership service techs to work with race crews https://ift.tt/2S5LYwD

Mini says its program of embedding dealership service techs with race crews is promoting teamwork and building morale.

Dealerships' service call center helps boost repair orders and profits

Dealerships' service call center helps boost repair orders and profits https://ift.tt/2QRlt0L

A Miami dealership group says its business development center focusing on service department calls is generating more repair orders, higher profits.

Putting the data together

Putting the data together https://ift.tt/2Gm62tm

The integration of fixed ops data generated separately by Tire Profiles and Dealer-FX is not unique, says Dave Boyle, CEO of Tire Profiles.

Statehouses are latest battlefield in longtime war between automakers and aftermarket

Statehouses are latest battlefield in longtime war between automakers and aftermarket https://ift.tt/2R1m2F6

A new campaign aims to enlist state lawmakers to mandate greater use of factory parts in collision repair.

Shop talk

Shop talk https://ift.tt/2PGfw1V

What is your dealership's parts department doing to sell more parts, both online and through other channels?

Good fixed ops ideas abound, but service techs' angst is worrisome

Good fixed ops ideas abound, but service techs' angst is worrisome https://ift.tt/2LmM4xc

Fixed Ops Journal Editor Dave Kushma juxtaposes two trends: Savvy dealers who are increasingly relying on parts and accessories to shore up profits, and a potentially ruinous tide of discontent among service technicians.

5 minutes with Jordan Hettinga, general manager, parts and accessories, eBay Motors

5 minutes with Jordan Hettinga, general manager, parts and accessories, eBay Motors https://ift.tt/2QBZTh6

Jordan Hettinga oversees initiatives that are designed to make it faster, easier and less labor-intensive for new-vehicle dealerships to sell original equipment replacement and repair parts in the eBay online marketplace. Hettinger, previously an executive with Snap-On Tools, says he aims to help dealers keep turning their parts departments' inventory.

On how franchised dealerships can list retail parts on eBay Motors

Many of our 1,000-plus OEM dealers are brought in through third-party partners that create listings for dealerships using OEM parts data. These partners can tap directly into the dealership management system to provide inventory control between the listing and the dealership's inventory records. These partners also have special pricing that enables listing larger volumes of parts.

For high-volume dealers, many of these sellers come through partners such as WHI, OEConnection and RevolutionParts. Through these listing solutions, sellers get benefits, including an eBay storefront and the associated listing fee discount. These partners provide a fast way to list inventory directly from the DMS.

On how eBay helps parts department managers and employees run a mail-order business

We have a variety of training resources available online to sellers of parts and accessories. Additionally, the partners I mentioned before have a ton of support available for working with dealers directly.

The partners will work you through an onboarding process to help you understand what it takes to be a better online retailer. They help sellers get a grasp on best practices, shipping and packaging expectations in the industry, and more. Our partners are well equipped to help dealerships with a successful e-business strategy.

On eBay Motors' initiatives to help dealerships get into mail-order parts sales

We continue to work on growing authorized reseller programs for OEM dealerships. These are programs we've created with the OEMs to help build trust with buyers — to help give better visibility that the part they're buying is authentic and from an OEM dealership.

One of the things that comes up regularly is obsolete inventory — what do we do for it? EBay is a great way for dealerships to start listing and selling parts on the platform. It's even easier if you're using a third-party partner; your obsolete inventory already exists in your DMS. It's a great way to try to clear out inventory that tends to be a pain point for some dealerships.

On how eBay helps reduce returns by helping buyers find the right part

We have built algorithms that connect the largest catalog of parts and auto inventory in the world, with unique visual diagrams based on car make and model. Buyers can search for the part they are looking for with just one click and be guaranteed that it is right for their vehicle.

Shop by Diagram is a new feature that we rolled out in August. It supports vehicles from 1995 to the present model year. We have plans to expand this feature to include older-model vehicles.

What's really useful for OEM dealers is that anytime a consumer engages and tells us their vehicle information when they are purchasing a part, we provide that information to the seller directly.

Chicago dealership techs' union says issues that led to strike remain unresolved

Chicago dealership techs' union says issues that led to strike remain unresolved https://ift.tt/2BpQcrN

A year after a strike by service technicians at Chicago area dealerships, union officials say that the settlement has left key issues unresolved.

Service customers to dealership shops: Text me, please

Service customers to dealership shops: Text me, please https://ift.tt/2QAMeXF

Service customers greatly prefer that dealership shops notify them by text message when their cars or trucks are ready, a new survey suggests.

FIXED IN TIME

FIXED IN TIME https://ift.tt/2BmQPT8

Before selling cars, the Kari family opened a bicycle garage in the late 1920s that expanded to vehicle maintenance and repair. As this late 1920s photo shows, the family also sold gasoline: 16.6 cents a gallon.

Flat-rate pay system continues to divide dealers and technicians

Flat-rate pay system continues to divide dealers and technicians https://ift.tt/2Qz7mxC

The flat-rate pay system, which assigns specific amounts of time to do vehicle repair and maintenance work, was a key issue in last year's strike of service technicians at Chicago-area auto dealerships. Flat-rate is a blessing to techs who can regularly beat “book times,” but a curse to others who can't always complete jobs in the allotted times.

Online parts sales' high volumes can offset lower profit margins

Online parts sales' high volumes can offset lower profit margins https://ift.tt/2BkGXZY

Parts sold via the Internet generally are less profitable than those sold in the dealership, but the potential to sell online in large volumes can overcome that disadvantage.

PARTS PROFITS

PARTS PROFITS https://ift.tt/2QA2xnS

Online sales of replacement parts and accessories are a fast-growing fixed ops profit center for dealerships.

Dealership's combination of fixed ops technologies helps lead to big jump in sales

Dealership's combination of fixed ops technologies helps lead to big jump in sales https://ift.tt/2BoUdN3

A Seattle dealership says its merger of separate fixed ops digital technologies has helped increase repair orders, boost tire and alignment sales.

No-interest payment plans for accessories are marketing gambit

No-interest payment plans for accessories are marketing gambit https://ift.tt/2QE2zuL

Dealership service departments are selling more accessories by teaming up with financial institutions to offer zero-interest loans to customers.