CDK's Q3 revenue climbs on improved dealer retention

CDK's Q3 revenue climbs on improved dealer retention http://bit.ly/2J59mc3

The company grew its dealer sites for the first time in 10 quarters.

How Carvana restored my faith in online vehicle retailing

How Carvana restored my faith in online vehicle retailing http://bit.ly/2GKf7Js

I don't love the current processes of buying and selling vehicles. Few people do. But online retailers such as Carvana are bringing more transparency to the process.

Mercedes to end Smart sales in U.S., Canada

Mercedes to end Smart sales in U.S., Canada http://bit.ly/2UJ9rnP

Mercedes-Benz blamed a "declining micro-car market" in the U.S. and Canada, combined with high homologation costs.

Infiniti shores up struggling QX50

Infiniti shores up struggling QX50 http://bit.ly/2vqz96m

When the redesigned Infiniti QX50 compact crossover launched last spring, executives heralded it as the brand's most important product since the original Q45 luxury sedan three decades ago. Reality has not met expectations.

Dealers get a win in Colorado EV battle

Dealers get a win in Colorado EV battle http://bit.ly/2PBuPdQ

Dealers helped defeat legislation that would have allowed for direct sales of electric vehicles by manufacturers.

Near-record inventories pinch dealers

Near-record inventories pinch dealers http://bit.ly/2XRcLz9

Bulging inventories, combined with rising floorplan interest rates, are sapping whatever was left of dealers' new-vehicle margins and threaten to unravel the industry's hard-fought pricing discipline.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries http://bit.ly/2W7HKqi

Dealers featured this week include Paul Devers, dealer principal, and Tom Devers, partner, of Vin Devers Autohaus of Sylvania, a Mercedes-Benz and Audi dealership in Ohio; Carl Swope, dealer principal of Swope Toyota in Elizabethtown, Ky.; Wanda Cronic Howell, dealer principal of Cronic Nissan in Griffin, Ga.; and Tim Galvin, dealer principal of Miracle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Gallatin, Tenn.

Mexico dealers clamoring for Lexus get their wish

Mexico dealers clamoring for Lexus get their wish http://bit.ly/2GPMuvoTop Toyota executives traveled to Mexico City to break the big news to its 67 Mexican dealers, some of whom are likely to submit proposals to be among the first batch of newly minted Lexus dealers.

Infiniti shores up its struggling QX50

Infiniti shores up its struggling QX50 http://bit.ly/2DD8uaO

When the redesigned Infiniti QX50 compact crossover launched last spring, executives heralded it as the brand's most important product since the original Q45 luxury sedan three decades ago. Reality has not met expectations.

Positive vibes drive sales increase, Fla. dealer says

Positive vibes drive sales increase, Fla. dealer says http://bit.ly/2GEB9x8

A Florida dealership's staff meetings focus not on sales strategies but on anything that could be hindering their relationships with others at work and home. That approach may be why Bozard Ford-Lincoln's sales figures are on a big upswing.

AutoNation's new boss: No COO 'until I learn this business'

AutoNation's new boss: No COO 'until I learn this business' http://bit.ly/2WehH0H

Carl Liebert, who in March replaced longtime AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson, doesn't want to put anyone between him and his top executives.

VW will have a pickup strategy, and it may be to go where others aren't

VW will have a pickup strategy, and it may be to go where others aren't http://bit.ly/2PHJLax

The German brand thinks there would be demand for its small pickup in the U.S., but it hasn't decided exactly what that means.

VW will have a strategy, and it may be to go where others aren't

VW will have a strategy, and it may be to go where others aren't http://bit.ly/2Vzinkb

The German brand thinks there would be demand for its small pickup in the U.S., but it hasn't decided exactly what that means.

Direct-sales bill for EVs defeated in Colo.

Direct-sales bill for EVs defeated in Colo. http://bit.ly/2UWVO9K

A bill that would have allowed EV makers such as Rivian to bypass the franchised dealer network and sell directly to the public was given the thumbs down by Colorado legislators .

Dealers defeat EV direct-sales bill in Colo.

Dealers defeat EV direct-sales bill in Colo. http://bit.ly/2GzoR9g bill that would have allowed EV makers such as Rivian to bypass the franchised dealer network and sell directly to the public was given the thumbs down by Colorado legislators .

AutoNation's profit slips as per-car margins rise

AutoNation's profit slips as per-car margins rise http://bit.ly/2GJqXoh

Net income at the biggest U.S. dealership group was dragged down by a sharp drop in auto sales, while an effort to focus on new-vehicle margins showed signs of paying off.

Group 1 posts record Q1 profit on used cars, parts and service

Group 1 posts record Q1 profit on used cars, parts and service http://bit.ly/2GJ8hVS

Strong used-vehicle sales and a growing parts-and-service business helped lead Group 1 to record profit in the first quarter despite a dip in revenue as new-vehicle sales tumbled.

Penske Automotive's Q1 net income falls 8%

Penske Automotive's Q1 net income falls 8% http://bit.ly/2XI5MZy

Net income for the nation's second-largest dealership group fell 8 percent to $99.2 million. Penske Automotive said revenue fell 3.2 percent to $5.56 billion.

Dealers, spread the word about online tools

Dealers, spread the word about online tools http://bit.ly/2WapJYF

As consumers grow to expect a car-buying process similar to other digital buying experiences, dealers need to promote online tools to negotiate vehicle purchase or lease prices, and select F&I products, when they become available.

Dealers should spread the word about online tools

Dealers should spread the word about online tools http://bit.ly/2DuVJPE

Dealers should spread the word when online tools are available on their websites.

Off-lease vehicles present opportunity for Ally Financial

Off-lease vehicles present opportunity for Ally Financial http://bit.ly/2VZYksg

As the auto retail industry braces for a record wave of returning off-lease vehicles in 2019, Ally Financial executives say the company is more than prepared. Lease returns are expected to eclipse 4 million units this year, according to Edmunds and Cox Automotive, and Ally CEO Jeff Brown says the lender's flexible business strategy and diverse auto portfolio positions the company well.

Honda store settles with Pa. attorney general over ?valueless? F&I product

Honda store settles with Pa. attorney general over ?valueless? F&I product http://bit.ly/2DArW8h

An investigation by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection revealed that Faulkner Honda in Harrisburg allegedly marketed, negotiated and sold warranty products that provided no value to customers, the state's attorney general's office said. The store agreed to pay $10,000 in fines plus restitution to customers, who paid an average of $1,000 for the products.

Compliance quizzes keep sales, F&I teams informed and in line

Compliance quizzes keep sales, F&I teams informed and in line http://bit.ly/2XLjHOx

Compliance quizzes — one designed for sales employees and another for those working in the F&I office — are allowing one Colorado dealership group to gauge compliance knowledge and stay on top of trends. The quizzes spur one-on-one training and help identify potential problem areas.

Tesla says it'll offer lower-priced Model S, Model X

Tesla says it'll offer lower-priced Model S, Model X http://bit.ly/2Pr0EWJ

Tesla said it is reintroducing standard models of the Model S and Model X that have shorter driving ranges than other versions.

Hyundai returns to earnings growth as U.S. sales offset China slump

Hyundai returns to earnings growth as U.S. sales offset China slump http://bit.ly/2vlCMKI

Hyundai increased its profit for the first time in six quarters, helped by strong demand for SUVs and decreasing incentive spending in the U.S.

Asbury's Q1 net income rises despite lower new-car margins

Asbury's Q1 net income rises despite lower new-car margins http://bit.ly/2GrTvkO

Gains in parts and service, used-vehicle sales and F&I income boosted Asbury Automotive's net income in the first quarter despite several tough headwinds. 

Cadillac plans to add nearly 200 dealers in China

Cadillac plans to add nearly 200 dealers in China http://bit.ly/2GDRDXt

Cadillac plans to continue strong growth in China by adding new products and significantly expanding its dealership network in the country.

Cadillac plans growing dealers to 500 in China

Cadillac plans growing dealers to 500 in China http://bit.ly/2PrjsVM plans to continue strong growth in China by adding new products and significantly expanding its dealership network in the country.

Strong ratio of used to new sales pays off

Strong ratio of used to new sales pays off http://bit.ly/2UxMcgq

Mullinax Automotive, the biggest retailer of Ford-brand certified pre-owned vehicles in the country, is honing its sales strategies and leveraging CPO programs to shine in used-to-new ratio for vehicle sales.

U.S. ultimatum to Chrysler was not coercion, Rattner testifies

U.S. ultimatum to Chrysler was not coercion, Rattner testifies http://bit.ly/2UsuRpe former head of the White House's auto rescue task force says the government was Chrysler's savior, not its boss.

Penske to add more used-only stores

Penske to add more used-only stores http://bit.ly/2ZphUjD

Penske Automotive Group Inc. is bullish on its used-vehicle supercenters' business and will add four locations this year. The company said its profitable model helps diversify its business but also differs from competitors.