Toyota dealer buys 1st 5th-gen Supra

Toyota dealer buys 1st 5th-gen Supra https://ift.tt/2xstEVD

John Staluppi, CEO of Atlantic Auto Group, paid $2.1 million for the first fifth-generation Supra at a recent auction benefiting the American Heart Association and military families.

Halfway into '19, industry seeks first sales gain

Halfway into '19, industry seeks first sales gain https://ift.tt/2ZXtVw7

If the forecasts are right, this will be the second time in three years that the U.S. industry fails to record a single monthly increase from January through June.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries https://ift.tt/2LqbwEl

Dealers featured this week include Joe Bob Kinsel Jr., chairman of Kinsel Ford-Lincoln in Beaumont, Texas, and Craig Kinsel, president; and Hunter Hale, COO of Gunn Acura in San Antonio

Dealers to states: Let us control data

Dealers to states: Let us control data https://ift.tt/2XgOVB7 want more control over the data in their systems, and some are turning to their state legislatures to get it.

CDK plans to sell digital marketing business

CDK plans to sell digital marketing business https://ift.tt/2J97wVK dealership software giant announced last week that it will divest that business to focus more on its core automotive software operations.

Europe becomes a test bed for online car sales

Europe becomes a test bed for online car sales https://ift.tt/2LrzcYQ

Automakers there say the shift to digital sales is in response to customer demand. Dealers are gearing up for the change.

AutoCanada's Darvish to speak at AN Retail Forum

AutoCanada's Darvish to speak at AN Retail Forum https://ift.tt/2Xhmxiv year's theme is "Reinventing the Wheel," which will bring industry experts together to discuss how dealerships can maximize profits and minimize costs in a rapidly evolving retail sales environment.

New technologies called ?profit deserts'

New technologies called ?profit deserts' https://ift.tt/2LyN3Nf

Automakers will pump about $225 billion into electrification over the next four years, and another $85 billion in autonomous driving technology through 2025, says Alix Partners.

Suburban Detroit event center aims to create new January auto show

Suburban Detroit event center aims to create new January auto show https://ift.tt/2xmNHEU are calling the Southeast Michigan Auto Show in early January a consumer-focused event as opposed to the international, media-driven flair of the North American International Auto Show, held annually at Detroit's Cobo Center but moving to June in 2020.

CDK divesting its digital marketing business

CDK divesting its digital marketing business https://ift.tt/2JfOn4A

CDK's advertising segment took a hit this year when it lost its status as exclusive preferred website provider and manager for Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealers.

CDK divesting its digital marketing business

CDK divesting its digital marketing business https://ift.tt/2ZPJ8za

CDK's advertising segment took a hit this year when it lost its status as exclusive preferred website provider and manager for Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealers.

Authorities identify victims of Ford dealership shooting

Authorities identify victims of Ford dealership shooting https://ift.tt/2Yhu2SS

Morgan Hill police identified 59-year-old Brian Light and 38-year-old Xavier Souto as those killed, calling Light's actions "nothing short of heroic."

Authorities identify victims of Ford Store Morgan Hill shooting

Authorities identify victims of Ford Store Morgan Hill shooting https://ift.tt/2FBh4YQ

Morgan Hill police identified 59-year-old Brian Light and 38-year-old Xavier Souto as those killed, calling Light's actions "nothing short of heroic."

Average age of vehicles on U.S. roads hits 11.8 years

Average age of vehicles on U.S. roads hits 11.8 years https://ift.tt/2J89qGs

The number of light vehicles in operation in the U.S., driven by quality gains and additional technology, hit a record 278 million, an increase of more than 5.9 million, or 2.2 percent, since 2018, IHS Markit said.

Some Hyundai dealerships to offer Lyft rides for service customers

Some Hyundai dealerships to offer Lyft rides for service customers https://ift.tt/2J9cylc

Subscribers to CDK Global's Hailer application have the option to offer Lyft rides free of charge or at a cost automatically added to the customer's service bill.

Morrie's hires former AutoNation exec Iserman as CEO

Morrie's hires former AutoNation exec Iserman as CEO https://ift.tt/2Yh4Yv8

Lance Iserman will take the top spot at Morrie's on Monday. He replaces interim CEO Ken Czubay, a former Ford Motor Co. executive, who will remain a board adviser to Morrie's.

Dealers, invest in solutions you know customers want

Dealers, invest in solutions you know customers want https://ift.tt/2YgPhEc agree that customers want to work more of their deals online and spend less time in the F&I office, but according to a survey, retailers aren't delivering.

Credit unions lose market share for the first time since 2011

Credit unions lose market share for the first time since 2011 https://ift.tt/2Lj19SF

Much of the drop was in the segment where credit unions typically show the most strength — used-vehicle financing.

Two Ford dealer workers, suspect dead in shooting at Calif. store

Two Ford dealer workers, suspect dead in shooting at Calif. store https://ift.tt/2YgfYsL

A contractor who was in the store during the shooting told a local TV station that one of the victims had just fired the apparent suspect, who was not leaving the building.

Two Ford dealer employees, suspect dead in shooting at Calif. store

Two Ford dealer employees, suspect dead in shooting at Calif. store https://ift.tt/2IOZW3O

A contractor who was in the store during the shooting told a local TV station that one of the victims had just fired the apparent suspect, who was not leaving the building.

Dearth of recession-era vehicles puts budget-conscious buyers in a bind

Dearth of recession-era vehicles puts budget-conscious buyers in a bind https://ift.tt/2LjGEVN

Finding inventory at prices below $10,000 is a challenge for dealers because the vehicles that should have aged into that price point were never sold.

Bart Reagor: ?I don't have anything to hide' amid fraud charges

Bart Reagor: ?I don't have anything to hide' amid fraud charges http://bit.ly/2Na5IRE

Bart Reagor says in a video released by a Houston consulting firm that he had no idea rampant floorplanning fraud was occurring beneath him at his now-bankrupt Texas dealership group.

Tesla wins court ruling to operate company-owned store in Va.

Tesla wins court ruling to operate company-owned store in Va. http://bit.ly/31VP2B1 Gregory Rupe of Richmond Circuit Court affirmed a 2016 decision by Virginia DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb that Tesla could open a store in Henrico County.

Mini suit by ex-council chair spotlights small-car slump

Mini suit by ex-council chair spotlights small-car slump http://bit.ly/2Y9pn5f

BMW's effort to shore up dealer profitability for its Mini brand is not going over well with some U.S. retailers. Just ask David Peterson, past chairman of the dealer council, whose store has closed.

Drugs in Ford trunks not a factory option

Drugs in Ford trunks not a factory option http://bit.ly/2J7btKV

Authorities believe a large shipment of methamphetamine found in Ford vehicles in December and January was the result of a logistical mistake by the smugglers.

Mini rescue plan provokes lawsuit amid store closures

Mini rescue plan provokes lawsuit amid store closures http://bit.ly/2RwhzrU

BMW's effort to shore up dealer profitability for its Mini brand is not going over well with some U.S. retailers. Just ask David Peterson, past chairman of the dealer council, whose store has closed.

Ohio dealer's car shows are ?where it's at'

Ohio dealer's car shows are ?where it's at' http://bit.ly/2WZARvH

Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Ohio stages a summer Friday night car show that helps the dealership find new customers and retain existing ones.

CFO criminal charges show conspiracy at Reagor Dykes

CFO criminal charges show conspiracy at Reagor Dykes http://bit.ly/2xbQ1Pc

The bankrupt dealership group's former finance chief faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. It's unclear if others will be charged, but court documents note "co-conspirators."

Polestar's plan inspired by Tesla ? up to a point

Polestar's plan inspired by Tesla ? up to a point http://bit.ly/2J3relQ will have one thing Tesla does not: dealers. So far, about 35 North American Volvo dealers have expressed interest in a Polestar franchise.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries http://bit.ly/2X7qNB6

75 with Ford

Chip Miller, right, president of Miller Ford-Lincoln in Lumberton, N.J., Mark Miller, left, and Melissa Miller Troyanovich, vice presidents, receive a 75-year award for Ford from Steve Randall, Ford Motor Co. Philadelphia regional manager.

Dealer still believes in troubled Fiat brand

Dealer still believes in troubled Fiat brand http://bit.ly/2J2pWYu

Fiat may be struggling, but an Austin, Texas, dealer is standing firmly behind the brand, saying dealers "need to remember why this brand is fun, exciting, young and cool and really commit to that."

Dealers must adapt to growing online used-vehicle market

Dealers must adapt to growing online used-vehicle market http://bit.ly/2X2K0DX

Competition continues to heat up in the online used-vehicle market, and brick-and-mortar dealers must adapt.

CarMax rolls on with efforts for seamless buying

CarMax rolls on with efforts for seamless buying http://bit.ly/2IFUSyR

CarMax plans to expand its omnichannel sales capability to North Carolina and Virginia this summer and open a second customer-experience center in late July.

Genesis sales jump with more dealers

Genesis sales jump with more dealers http://bit.ly/2xdC0Ao

Genesis is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel after its efforts to establish a dealer body that's separate from the Hyundai brand's.

Auction giants try new tack to track used cars

Auction giants try new tack to track used cars http://bit.ly/2L9O9i3

Drones, beacons and devices that plug into OBD-II ports are part of the next wave of technology being used to track the sea of vehicles on Manheim and ADESA auction lots.

CarMax record Q1 illustrates used-car market strength

CarMax record Q1 illustrates used-car market strength http://bit.ly/2WVm1l5

CarMax retailed 224,268 used vehicles, a 13 percent spike, during its first quarter. Same-store used-vehicle sales rose 9.5 percent compared with a dip of 2.3 percent in the year-ago period.

Trump to award Roger Penske Presidential Medal of Freedom

Trump to award Roger Penske Presidential Medal of Freedom http://bit.ly/2IZgy7H

President Donald Trump praised Roger Penske's racing achievements. Last month, Penske became the most decorated racing owner.

AutoZone agrees to $11M settlement over hazardous waste disposal

AutoZone agrees to $11M settlement over hazardous waste disposal http://bit.ly/31Ki5r5

A statement from the California Attorney General's Office said inspections "revealed that AutoZone allowed its customers to deposit hazardous automotive fluids and other waste items into regular trash containers in AutoZone stores' parking lots throughout California."

Toronto Raptors superfan and Hyundai dealer Nav Bhatia sees his celebrity status grow

Toronto Raptors superfan and Hyundai dealer Nav Bhatia sees his celebrity status grow http://bit.ly/2WTBnqi

Hyundai dealer Nav Bhatia, one of the Toronto Raptors's biggest fans was the grand marshal in the team's NBA Championship parade. Bhatia uses his front-row fame to build basketball courts for youths and bring people together.

Credit washing, synthetic identity fraud among top concerns for auto lenders

Credit washing, synthetic identity fraud among top concerns for auto lenders http://bit.ly/2Krtgzf

Major auto lenders late last year reported an overwhelming influx of complaints from customers reporting identity theft. The claims, however, were fraudulent and part of a widespread scheme to prompt auto lenders to remove legitimate trade lines from those customers' credit reports-- a practice known as credit washing or credit repair fraud.

Vendors and lenders, make your value known ? quickly

Vendors and lenders, make your value known ? quickly http://bit.ly/31EYV5K dealers are fatigued by pitches and updates from their partners, and some are questioning the value and cost of services.

Online used-vehicle platform Shift adds F&I products, lenders

Online used-vehicle platform Shift adds F&I products, lenders http://bit.ly/2RooH9u

The changes expand Shift's financing officers to cater to customers across the credit spectrum.

How Ford dealerships in Canada helped bust a Mexican meth shipment

How Ford dealerships in Canada helped bust a Mexican meth shipment http://bit.ly/2ZvDp1j

Police say roughly 400 pounds of meth were prevented from circulating in Canada when staff at Ford dealerships across Ontario and Quebec began noticing ill-fitting spare tires packed with drugs inside the trunks of vehicles shipped from Mexico.

How Canadian Ford dealerships helped bust a Mexican meth shipment

How Canadian Ford dealerships helped bust a Mexican meth shipment http://bit.ly/2XV9Hm2

Police say roughly 400 pounds of meth were prevented from circulating in Canada when staff at Ford dealerships across Ontario and Quebec began noticing ill-fitting spare tires packed with drugs inside the trucks of vehicles shipped from Mexico.

FTC data breach deal sets precedent

FTC data breach deal sets precedent http://bit.ly/2wZXwc2

Social Security, driver's license and credit card numbers were siphoned out of a DMS provider's directories associated with five dealership clients in 2016. One legal expert says the settlement with the FTC may mark a sea change.

Atlanta mobility hub sets Cox up to ride ?new wave'

Atlanta mobility hub sets Cox up to ride ?new wave' http://bit.ly/2Knqr2a

A mobility fleet servicing center that opened last week in Atlanta could be a template for expansion by Cox Automotive's new mobility brand, Pivet.

?Major-league' play pays off for dealership group

?Major-league' play pays off for dealership group http://bit.ly/2RsqMlb

Under Aaron Zeigler, who was just 28 when he took over as president, Zeigler Auto Group has grown into a major Midwestern auto retailer by making a big push into the Chicago area.

Data integration by Hunter, Dealer-FX aimed at helping shops work better, sell more

Data integration by Hunter, Dealer-FX aimed at helping shops work better, sell more http://bit.ly/31EhQgU

Service departments at new-vehicle dealerships are swimming in big data. Shops use the information that multiple vendors provide about customers and their vehicles to help boost profits, enhance retention and improve fixed ops efficiency.

But service operations that don't marshal information technology effectively risk drowning in data instead. Failure to "tame the IT monster," as a popular ad campaign portrays, can waste the money dealerships spend on software products, disrupt shop productivity and drive away annoyed customers.

That's why innovations such as a new effort by Hunter Engineering and Dealer-FX to integrate the data they provide service departments are so vital. Dealers need to keep encouraging suppliers, as happened here, to ensure their products are fully compatible with technology from other vendors.

Hunter makes inspection equipment such as Quick Check, Quick Check Drive and Quick Tread. When customers enter a dealership's service drive, these systems automatically measure vehicles' tire tread, wheel alignment and battery life, enabling service advisers to share the results instantly and propose needed maintenance, repairs and parts such as new tires.

Dealer-FX sells the ONE Platform, which manages the service process from vehicle check-in, to preparation of a repair order for a shop technician, to customers' drive-away and the next scheduled visit. A digital dashboard allows advisers to call up and record data about a vehicle on a tablet computer while they conduct a walkaround inspection with the customer.

Now the companies are putting the chocolate and peanut butter together, so to speak. The 500 or so U.S. dealerships that are customers of both the ONE Platform and Hunter equipment will get Hunter inspection data added automatically to the Dealer-FX system. They won't pay extra for that integration.

Promotional text messages boost service business, save dealers money by targeting likely customers

Promotional text messages boost service business, save dealers money by targeting likely customers http://bit.ly/2Kni9rg

Dealership service departments are using text messages to get customers to opt in for access to coupons and other sales promotions.

Jeep dealers, Mopar work together to push accessories sales for new Gladiator pickup

Jeep dealers, Mopar work together to push accessories sales for new Gladiator pickup http://bit.ly/2IKyNxL

Fiat Chrysler expects the new Jeep Gladiator pickup to be the most heavily accessorized vehicle in the automaker's lineup. That's good news for Jeep dealerships and FCA's Mopar parts division.