Fraud identity tool enforces in-store compliance processes

Fraud identity tool enforces in-store compliance processes https://ift.tt/2KWeejB

A new software tool helps dealerships fight synthetic-identity fraud by flagging the parts of a loan applicant's personal info that are fishy.

HGreg.com buys Fla. Nissan dealership from AutoNation

HGreg.com buys Fla. Nissan dealership from AutoNation https://ift.tt/33qw7xn $75 million acquisition adds one of the largest Nissan dealerships in the U.S. to the Canadian auto retailer's growing portfolio of new- and used-car stores in Florida.

Ford recalls 78,000 Rangers over taillight issues

Ford recalls 78,000 Rangers over taillight issues https://ift.tt/35LNVVF

The 2019 Ford Ranger has been recalled for four other issues this year, according to NHTSA.

Audi launches first locally built EV

Audi launches first locally built EV https://ift.tt/37AOyTo

Audi started selling its first locally produced full electric vehicle, the battery version of the elongated Q2, in China last week as part of its effort to electrify local product lineup. 

Musk suggests Tesla has 200,000 orders for Cybertruck

Musk suggests Tesla has 200,000 orders for Cybertruck https://ift.tt/2sfvMRu

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a history of unveiling future products to throngs of excited customers, taking deposits, and then delivering years later.

Musk suggests Tesla has 200,000 orders for Cybertruck

Musk suggests Tesla has 200,000 orders for Cybertruck https://ift.tt/35xNSMY

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a history of unveiling future products to throngs of excited customers, taking deposits, and then delivering years later.

Dealers compete for used vehicle inventory with digital tools

Dealers compete for used vehicle inventory with digital tools https://ift.tt/2Da3ASi

Whether dealers are going all-in on digital acquisitions or still want to touch and smell vehicles before buying them, there's no doubt that access to inventory has expanded.

Dealers can find out how to follow ADA

Dealers can find out how to follow ADA https://ift.tt/37Bgo1S

There may be no clear guidelines for accessibility on websites, but it's not hard to find out how to comply with the ADA, writes an Automotive News reader in a letter to the editor.

Dealer anniversaries

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

Dealers featured this week include Jessica Joseph, general manager of Don Joseph Toyota in Kent, Ohio, and Jeff Joseph, dealer principal; and Juliana Curran Terian, CEO of Rallye Motor Co. in Roslyn, N.Y.

Three keys to dealer survival

Three keys to dealer survival https://ift.tt/2OzWP1a

 Not only are transparency, honesty and expediency essential in auto retailing to increased customer satisfaction; they may be the keys to survival.

Penske: Audi e-tron's slow start worrisome

Penske: Audi e-tron's slow start worrisome https://ift.tt/2Ohwq9O

The head of auto retail giant Penske Automotive says there had been "significant cancellations" of e-tron preorders from consumers, and the main issue was affordability.

Lovering Auto Group aims to diversify workforce

Lovering Auto Group aims to diversify workforce https://ift.tt/35xvwM1

Lovering Auto Group in New Hampshire used video to tell the stories of its female employees to recruit more diverse candidates and promote more women in a historically male-dominated industry.

Automotive News' Fixed Ops Journal Forum: Insights from the experts

Automotive News' Fixed Ops Journal Forum: Insights from the experts https://ift.tt/2pMYyIl

At Automotive News’ second annual Fixed Ops Journal Forum, held Nov. 13 in Orlando, attendees heard tips on lifting their game today while getting a glimpse of what parts and service departments will look like tomorrow. Here are photos:

Musk touts 146,000 Cybertruck orders two days after botched reveal

Musk touts 146,000 Cybertruck orders two days after botched reveal https://ift.tt/2OEa5Ce

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a history of unveiling future products to throngs of excited customers, taking deposits, and then delivering years later.

Reynolds and Reynolds sued over alleged data breach deflections

Reynolds and Reynolds sued over alleged data breach deflections https://ift.tt/2QIiUxp

Automotive Capital Ventures, formerly known as TradeMotion, claims the dealership management system giant falsely accused TradeMotion of being responsible for data breaches that resulted in fraudulent credit card charges. Reynolds called the suit meritless.

Reynold and Reynolds sued over alleged data breach deflections

Reynold and Reynolds sued over alleged data breach deflections https://ift.tt/33d8XdY

Automotive Capital Ventures, formerly known as TradeMotion, claims the dealership management system giant falsely accused TradeMotion of being responsible for a data breach that resulted in fraudulent credit card charges. Reynolds called the suit meritless.

AutoNation names new CFO

AutoNation names new CFO https://ift.tt/2s8W1ci

AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest new-vehicle retailer, has named an office-supplies company executive its CFO.

Global automakers raise bet on gasoline crossovers, SUVs in search of growth opportunities

Global automakers raise bet on gasoline crossovers, SUVs in search of growth opportunities https://ift.tt/339DVnk

With China's carbon credit program enacted at the start of this year, Beijing seeks to expand annual electrified vehicle output in China to 2 million in 2020 from 1.27 million in 2018. But for global automakers operating in the country, the top priority is to find out ways to revive weak sales amid the slowing Chinese economy.

Chase Auto CEO says lender faces headwind from lost Mazda business

Chase Auto CEO says lender faces headwind from lost Mazda business https://ift.tt/2OyHfmw the loss of its partnership with Mazda is a goal for Chase Auto in the coming year. The lender also aims to reinforce the benefits of its diversified credit businesses to its automaker and dealership clients.

RouteOne developing F&I menus dealers can send to customers

RouteOne developing F&I menus dealers can send to customers https://ift.tt/2XtjmRA tool is produced by MaximTrak, a subsidiary of RouteOne that builds tools for F&I product sales, such as interactive menus, presentation technology, performance dashboards and electronic contracting.

Consumer protection activity is ramping up. Is your F&I office ready?

Consumer protection activity is ramping up. Is your F&I office ready? https://ift.tt/347ekMW

Dealers should keep an eye on regulatory activity at the state level regarding sensitive consumer data — even if they don't do business in that state.

Cadillac subscription service to return in February

Cadillac subscription service to return in February https://ift.tt/2XvGlLN Wahl, GM's chief marketing officer, said the revamped and redirected Book by Cadillac program will be more integrated with the luxury brand's U.S. retail network.

Investment firm Apollo buys 34 auto retail properties in 15 states, D.C.

Investment firm Apollo buys 34 auto retail properties in 15 states, D.C. https://ift.tt/2CVXODx

Apollo Global Management's deal, valued at $585 million, includes automotive and motorcycle dealership properties in 15 states and Washington, D.C.

Lithia appoints new COO

Lithia appoints new COO https://ift.tt/34bgUS0 Holzshu, 45, previously oversaw regional platforms and operations teams as an executive vice president for the nation's third-largest public dealership group.

Ford puts marketing muscle behind the ?new breed of Mustang'

Ford puts marketing muscle behind the ?new breed of Mustang' https://ift.tt/2XmQ7Qa

Longer TV ads will begin running this week, including during live sports such as Thanksgiving Day football games. A 60-second spot shows the Mach-E tearing through the open road and into the streets of L.A.

Engage next-gen car shoppers with digital tools

Engage next-gen car shoppers with digital tools https://ift.tt/2KxOYjB

The year 2019 may be remembered as one of the most uncertain in terms of U.S. auto sales. After a decade of robust sales, dealers are probably wondering if that era is behind us, and what to do next.

Investment firm buys 34 auto retail properties

Investment firm buys 34 auto retail properties https://ift.tt/35b0KIv deal, valued at $585 million, includes automotive and motorcycle dealership properties in 15 states and Washington, D.C.

Asbury plans overhaul of dealerships nationwide

Asbury plans overhaul of dealerships nationwide https://ift.tt/32YQkdw retailer will add technologies, adjust pay scales and eliminate dealership positions across its 88-store footprint to increase customer satisfaction and expedite the vehicle purchase process.

Dealers capitalize on boom in used-vehicle sales

Dealers capitalize on boom in used-vehicle sales https://ift.tt/3437rwo a good time to be a used-car dealer, so long as you can find quality inventory.

New Orleans dealer Ray Brandt dies at 72

New Orleans dealer Ray Brandt dies at 72 https://ift.tt/33TbISN

The two-time head of the Nissan dealer council held more than a dozen import and domestic franchises in two states and was a 2017 nominee for Time magazine's Dealer of the Year award.

Dodge moves into top 10 for first time in Consumer Reports reliability survey

Dodge moves into top 10 for first time in Consumer Reports reliability survey https://ift.tt/2NMfSpQ

Dodge, in eighth place, is the highest-ranked Detroit 3 brand in this year's Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey. Lexus led the way as Japanese brands secured the top three slots and four of the top 10 positions.

Zotye parent says new cloud platform will simplify operations for dealers

Zotye parent says new cloud platform will simplify operations for dealers https://ift.tt/2qXr2PB

HAAH Automotive Holdings is touting what it calls the industry's first all-cloud digital ecosystem, which integrates a broad range of functions from sales to dealer management systems to call centers.

Discontinuance of compact cars challenges brand loyalty, Edmunds says

Discontinuance of compact cars challenges brand loyalty, Edmunds says https://ift.tt/2NNLZWt

Former Focus and Cruze owners' brand loyalty steadily declined over the last three years. In 2019, 23 percent of former Chevy Cruze owners and 31 percent of former Ford Focus owners bought a car from a competitor, Edmunds said in a report Wednesday.

New digital tool tracks auto interest rates, pricing

New digital tool tracks auto interest rates, pricing https://ift.tt/2qP0mR9 jointly launching mGauge, Market Scan Information Systems and Experian believe wider access to vehicle pricing, interest rates and other information will allow auto lenders to offer competitive prices for dealership customers, helping to increase profitability and drive buyer loyalty.

Auto finance market healthy but under pressure

Auto finance market healthy but under pressure https://ift.tt/2rH9bNr should use data to keep delinquencies down, TransUnion advises.

Auto lenders look to dealer sites for trouble signs

Auto lenders look to dealer sites for trouble signs https://ift.tt/36YfImV Forensics, a San Diego technology company, regularly scans dealership websites and other online sources for signs of trouble. Its clients include several major auto lenders, which are getting advisory services and data reports to protect them from risky dealership partners.

U.S. dealerships need more EVs, environmental group says

U.S. dealerships need more EVs, environmental group says https://ift.tt/2Xdaak6

The Sierra Club said its survey of more than 900 U.S. dealerships found that 74 percent did not stock a single EV, but noted about 40 percent of dealerships in states that have adopted California's zero emission vehicle mandate had EVs for sale.

Porsche, Buick top J.D. Power sales satisfaction ratings

Porsche, Buick top J.D. Power sales satisfaction ratings https://ift.tt/2CBP99c

This was the second straight year for Porsche to top the J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index rankings and the fourth time since 2015.

Consumers want more personalization in online auto shopping, survey says

Consumers want more personalization in online auto shopping, survey says https://ift.tt/2O5y38X

Just 26 percent of those surveyed said dealership websites provided a personalized experience and only 47 percent of websites "proactively recommend vehicles of interest based on the customer's browsing behavior."

FCA prodded dealers to absorb glut of unordered cars, report says

FCA prodded dealers to absorb glut of unordered cars, report says https://ift.tt/32FveAL

Four dealers said Fiat Chrysler has revived what’s known in industry circles as a “sales bank,” Bloomberg reported. The automaker denies it has restarted the practice.

Terminated Chrysler dealers lose case against government, plan to appeal

Terminated Chrysler dealers lose case against government, plan to appeal https://ift.tt/2CAWYMt

The nearly 300 U.S. dealers who joined the lawsuit waited nearly a decade for the matter to go to trial. About 500 dealers chose not to participate. Len Bellavia, a lawyer for the dealers, said they plan to file an appeal later this week or early next week.

Customer service focus boosts CDK's DMS sales

Customer service focus boosts CDK's DMS sales https://ift.tt/2Kos9z1 focus on improving customer service has had a positive effect on CDK Global DMS sales, says CEO Brian Krzanich.

Lawsuits trade blame for key-maker's troubles

Lawsuits trade blame for key-maker's troubles https://ift.tt/2rwUWe0 Global has accused Jay Wiener, the founder of the company's High Tech Locksmiths subsidiary, of sabotaging the company he built. Wiener has countersued, saying KAR mismanagement ruined his key-making firm.

Automakers build brands with CPOs

Automakers build brands with CPOs https://ift.tt/36SRhHC

Automakers are after the two-thirds of used-car shoppers who are buying from independent and private sellers.

Ford, Toyota get high marks for diversity

Ford, Toyota get high marks for diversity https://ift.tt/2Q8u1iH

Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors topped the industry in the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's 2019 Automotive Diversity Scorecard released this month.

Where the appraisal process is the center of attention

Where the appraisal process is the center of attention https://ift.tt/2NxWtsJ

Sonic Automotive has a centralized Retail Trade Center, where it quickly prices Sonic franchise and EchoPark used-vehicle trade-ins, outright purchases and vehicles that come through its CarCash appraisal app. The company sees its system, which varies from those of some peers, as a competitive advantage.

Unclear ADA compliance rules on websites flummox dealers

Unclear ADA compliance rules on websites flummox dealers https://ift.tt/34UKk7f

Some dealers, lawyers and compliance experts say the lack of specific federal regulations governing how a website must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act has led to uncertainty over what steps to take to meet ADA compliance.

Carvana's rapid expansion, sales gains continue

Carvana's rapid expansion, sales gains continue https://ift.tt/2qJR48Q Ernie Garcia says the number of vehicles Carvana buys from consumers more than tripled on an annual basis in the third quarter, and that's a good sign.

Inventory declines on UAW strike against GM

Inventory declines on UAW strike against GM https://ift.tt/32zd9UY

The number of vehicles on hand at the beginning of November fell to the lowest level in three years.

Divergent paths for top retailers

Divergent paths for top retailers https://ift.tt/2NzUmob

Lithia Motors continues to expand its new-vehicle store footprint, while Sonic Automotive sold five dealerships and exited Ohio.