Ford says reservations full for high-end version of electric Mustang Mach-E

Ford says reservations full for high-end version of electric Mustang Mach-E https://ift.tt/2ZEKduV

Ford did not provide details on how many reservations it took for the First Edition, which will sell for about $60,000, but has said global production in the first 12 months for all versions of the Mach-E is limited to 50,000 vehicles.

Lexus confronts midlife crisis with aging crossovers losing to rivals

Lexus confronts midlife crisis with aging crossovers losing to rivals https://ift.tt/2tcnmL8

Lexus’s 30th anniversary brake-tap is a reflection of its aging vehicle lineup, increased competition and an inability to keep pace with American buyers’ growing demand for larger crossovers and utility vehicles.

5 used-vehicle trends in 2020

5 used-vehicle trends in 2020 https://ift.tt/2ZxCgYz

With rising prices of new vehicles pushing away more consumers, the used-vehicle market is hot. What will change next year?

Photos of the year: Dealers

Photos of the year: Dealers https://ift.tt/2Q7pFbb

NBA star Russell Westbrook becomes a dealer and other images from the world auto retailing.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries https://ift.tt/39t4Cb5

Dealers featured this week include Jill Hattan, owner of Don Hattan Chevrolet in Wichita, Kan.; David Ellis, dealer principal of Glendale Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram in California; and Len Stoler, chairman of Len Stoler Automotive Group.

Photos of the year: Miscellany

Photos of the year: Miscellany https://ift.tt/39kVGEl

Tornado damage in Missouri, a Tesla miscue, a suspended Corvette and production of the last Chevy Cruze.

Making merry helps engage community

Making merry helps engage community https://ift.tt/2sw9Ceb

Santa Claus is coming to town all over the country during this time of the year. But the man with the bag arrives early for an extended stay at DCH Honda of Temecula for a special event that's become a holiday tradition for many area families.

Suburban Collection's David Fischer confirmed as ambassador to Morocco

Suburban Collection's David Fischer confirmed as ambassador to Morocco https://ift.tt/2tcsdfa

David Fischer ran the Suburban Collection car dealership group for decades. He resigned in the past week from his roles as chairman and CEO of The Suburban Collection and The Suburban Collection Holdings LLC.

2019 Lists of 10: By the numbers

2019 Lists of 10: By the numbers https://ift.tt/2Qp5XXA

From three (one pickup’s inauspicious sales ranking) to $40 million (a federal fine for phony sales figures).

Nissan sued by U.S. dealership group over Ghosn era culture of 'corruption and greed'

Nissan sued by U.S. dealership group over Ghosn era culture of 'corruption and greed' https://ift.tt/2EVhnNa

The lawsuit, filed in a California court by the receiver for the Sage Group of auto dealerships, claims Nissan forced the plaintiffs into a "fire sale" of two popular dealerships to a "crony" of indicted former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan sued by Calif. dealership group over Ghosn era culture of 'corruption and greed'

Nissan sued by Calif. dealership group over Ghosn era culture of 'corruption and greed' https://ift.tt/2ERvOlC

The lawsuit, filed in a California court by the receiver for the Sage Group of auto dealerships, claims Nissan forced the plaintiffs into a "fire sale" of two popular dealerships to a "crony" of indicted former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.

'Don't be shy' and other top tips of 2019

'Don't be shy' and other top tips of 2019 https://ift.tt/2Qd26wL

From making accuracy a priority to flipping the script, a sampling of some of the best F&I tips this year.

OBITUARY: William York

OBITUARY: William York https://ift.tt/2ELU3l2

William York, a dealer in Revere, Mass., from 1977 to 2002, died Dec. 15. He was 84.

Honda store manager covers $17,000 vet bill

Honda store manager covers $17,000 vet bill https://ift.tt/2MljKND

James Gallagher helped save a dog that was hit by a truck in front of the New York Honda dealership where he works, saying he had been through tough times himself "and it was time for me to pay it forward."

Time to stop the stair-step madness

Time to stop the stair-step madness https://ift.tt/375tvrf

Stair-steps are the manufacturers' way of lowering the transaction price at our expense, writes an Automotive News reader in a letter to the editor.

Dealership-transaction pace down for Q3

Dealership-transaction pace down for Q3 https://ift.tt/2MoIViq

Two companies that track sales and acquisitions note the number of transactions and stores sold during the quarter were down from the same time in 2018, though activity appears to be increasing.

Toddler's Audi scratching costs parents

Toddler's Audi scratching costs parents https://ift.tt/2QcJqNt

A judge in China said the $10,025 bill would make the parents teach the girl to take care of people's belongings.

OBITURARY: William Maguire Jr.

OBITURARY: William Maguire Jr. https://ift.tt/2sWfaOQ

Dealer William Maguire Jr. died Nov. 13. He was 91.

Dealerships targeted by ransomware

Dealerships targeted by ransomware https://ift.tt/2ZhNWi3

Dealership information technology experts say ransomware attacks, like one at a Florida dealership group this month, are becoming more common -- but dealers can be proactive.

Florida Ford dealer ups the cool factor

Florida Ford dealer ups the cool factor https://ift.tt/2sTf8HB

Allan Young overhauled the customer experience and improved brand consideration across the region by focusing on impressing musicians, artists and other influencers who otherwise wouldn't consider Ford.

Volvo dealers fight Polestar's plan for sales with only select retailers

Volvo dealers fight Polestar's plan for sales with only select retailers https://ift.tt/2Zi9XgI

Ten dealerships in Illinois are fighting Polestar Automotive USA's plans to work with only select Volvo stores as the subsidiary rolls out electric vehicles in the U.S. Dealer associations in other states are watching closely.

CarMax Q3 net earnings fall 9% as omnichannel rollout continues

CarMax Q3 net earnings fall 9% as omnichannel rollout continues https://ift.tt/2rXIvZq

Revenues grew on strong used-vehicle sales, but stock compensation and advertising tied to its omnichannel retail rollout led to a decline in net profits.

FCA revives 2008 discounts to clear fat inventories, report says

FCA revives 2008 discounts to clear fat inventories, report says https://ift.tt/34JOX3e

In addition to hiking incentives, the automaker is pressing U.S. dealers to take more vehicles to lower its unassigned inventory to zero before Christmas, Bloomberg reported.

CarMax Q3 net earnings drop 9 percent as omnichannel rollout continues

CarMax Q3 net earnings drop 9 percent as omnichannel rollout continues https://ift.tt/35KfD5j grew on strong used-vehicle sales, but stock compensation and advertising tied to its omnichannel retail rollout led to a decline in net profits.

FCA revives 2008 discounts to clear fat inventories in year-end push, report says

FCA revives 2008 discounts to clear fat inventories in year-end push, report says https://ift.tt/2EFwuug

In addition to incentives the automaker is pressing dealers to take more vehicles in order to shrink its unassigned inventory to zero before Christmas, Bloomberg reported.

Joseph Holman, chairman emeritus of Holman Enterprises, dies at 93

Joseph Holman, chairman emeritus of Holman Enterprises, dies at 93 https://ift.tt/2rRz6T8 joined the family business in 1950 and oversaw its evolution from a single dealership into a diverse automotive services company.

More borrowers see auto loan apps turned down, N.Y. Fed says

More borrowers see auto loan apps turned down, N.Y. Fed says https://ift.tt/2ECdQmN

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Monday reported that rejection rates on vehicle financing are on the rise. Some economists think the change could indicate access to auto loans is tightening as some lenders raise standards for certain borrowers.

Access to auto loans dips, Fed survey finds

Access to auto loans dips, Fed survey finds https://ift.tt/2EtrqZO

Rejection rates on new-vehicle finance applications are on the rise, indicating access to auto loans is tightening, notably among consumers with lower credit scores, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported.

U.S. new-vehicle sales to fall to 16.8M in 2020, NADA says

U.S. new-vehicle sales to fall to 16.8M in 2020, NADA says https://ift.tt/2PWuinq

Slower job growth and consumer spending, and affordability will weigh on new-vehicle demand, even as interest rates stabilize and the overall economy remains on solid ground, NADA said in a forecast released Tuesday.

J.D. Power merges with Autodata, following acquisition

J.D. Power merges with Autodata, following acquisition https://ift.tt/36H2VUY

The combined data analytics companies will continue to operate under the name J.D. Power. The deal was announced in July.

Changes sought for Calif. data rules

Changes sought for Calif. data rules https://ift.tt/2qZi1pO

Groups representing franchised dealers and automakers weighed in on proposed rules for complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act, which takes effect Jan. 1.

Inventories down over 300,000 from 2018

Inventories down over 300,000 from 2018 https://ift.tt/2PmBHgB

The U.S. supply of new vehicles stood at 69 days on Dec. 1, up slightly from the start of November but down from a 73-day-supply a year earlier.

EVs not useful to buyers or dealers

EVs not useful to buyers or dealers https://ift.tt/36FdYhC

Dealers are foolish to promote EV sales, when consumers have no incentive to buy them, writes an Automotive News reader in a letter to the editor.

Infiniti store, lacking EVs, sells a Tesla

Infiniti store, lacking EVs, sells a Tesla https://www.autonews.com/sales/infiniti-store-lacking-evs-sells-tesla"As many electric models are expected by 2021 at Infiniti, we have found a solution in the meantime," the dealership posted on Facebook, prompting mockery from Tesla fans.

Fixed in time

Fixed in time https://ift.tt/2PPychD

New-vehicle dealerships historically have cited the knowledge and skills of their service technicians to differentiate themselves from their aftermarket competitors.

SHOP TALK

SHOP TALK https://ift.tt/2EiCpVS

We asked fixed ops managers: How is your shop preparing to work on large numbers of electric and autonomous vehicles?

Mustang Mach-E's arrival places demands on Ford dealership shops

Mustang Mach-E's arrival places demands on Ford dealership shops https://ift.tt/2PPbfLK

To service the electric SUV, Ford dealers are installing charging stations, buying new tools and assigning technicians to specialized training.

Advanced driver-assist repairs pose technical, financial challenges to dealership

Advanced driver-assist repairs pose technical, financial challenges to dealership https://ift.tt/38HGtgo the systems significantly reduce collisions, as predicted, fewer repairs and lower parts revenue could diminish dealership profits.

Underrepresentation of women contributes to dealerships' tech shortage

Underrepresentation of women contributes to dealerships' tech shortage https://ift.tt/2Mdlg4v

About half the customers who take their vehicles to franchised dealerships for service are women, but their odds of being greeted by a female service adviser are only 1 in 5.

Service customers want, but mostly aren't getting, valet treatment

Service customers want, but mostly aren't getting, valet treatment https://ift.tt/35pqq4P

A new survey suggests that fewer than one-third of customers are offered any kind of valet service.

Minorities also struggle to gain shop footholds

Minorities also struggle to gain shop footholds https://ift.tt/2PNy4zd

The absence of high school auto tech classes is especially apparent in urban communities that have large numbers of minority students but few programs for skilled trades.

NYC dealership's valet program attracts thousands of service customers

NYC dealership's valet program attracts thousands of service customers https://ift.tt/2RVzVVB

Paragon launched its valet service in 2017. The service's customers now use an app on their mobile phones to arrange more than 3,000 valet trips a month.

Over-the-air vehicle updates can help dealership service departments

Over-the-air vehicle updates can help dealership service departments https://ift.tt/2PR6JMv

The arrival of OTAs on mass-market vehicles will disrupt dealership service departments. But several experts say OTAs are not a threat and might even boost service revenue if they're managed properly.

Fixing EVs requires big dealer investments in tooling, charging equipment, training

Fixing EVs requires big dealer investments in tooling, charging equipment, training https://ift.tt/2RR6Cn3

Dealerships are getting help from automakers as they prepare to work on ever-increasing numbers of EVs. But many say they are concerned about how providing EV service will affect their fixed ops profits.

FOJ FORUM II: Good advice, lively conversation

FOJ FORUM II: Good advice, lively conversation https://ift.tt/2RTzRpe are highlights from the 14 speakers at the second annual Fixed Ops Journal Forum, held Nov. 13 in Orlando.

Wisconsin warehouse complex is lifeline for dealerships

Wisconsin warehouse complex is lifeline for dealerships https://ift.tt/2PnktzQ

When dealership service departments need older, genuine repair parts that automakers no longer stock, their best hope often lies inside the giant, meticulously organized warehouses operated by Vintage Parts Inc.

ROUNDUP: News items from the world of fixed operations

ROUNDUP: News items from the world of fixed operations https://ift.tt/2YShFhd

Starting next year, General Motors will implement a policy of minimum U.S. resale prices for online sales of some GM Genuine and ACDelco parts by dealers and aftermarket providers.

Changes ahead at your dealership's service department, and at FOJ

Changes ahead at your dealership's service department, and at FOJ https://ift.tt/2EnbFni

Ready or not, Mr./Ms. Dealer Principal, Fixed Ops Director and Service Manager, the future isn't just coming. It's here.

Service counter

Service counter https://ift.tt/2PpDvp3

A roundup of service data, offered by the NADA, the AAA and SEMA.

How to ensure your service customers return for maintenance on time

How to ensure your service customers return for maintenance on time https://ift.tt/2qTjP3u

When it comes to delayed maintenance in your service department, time can mean a lot of money. Here's how to minimize that.