CDK Global to sell international business for $1.45 billion

CDK Global to sell international business for $1.45 billion https://ift.tt/3fOLF69

CDK Global says it will focus on its core North American operations and repay debt as it considers future capital investments.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries https://ift.tt/3lmidph

Dealers featured this week include Julie Dunning, dealer principal of Dunning Toyota in Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Rose Winter, dealer principal of Winter Honda in Pittsburg, Calif., and Kevin Peters, vice president of Winter Auto.

Lexus' reign continues atop dealer surveys

Lexus' reign continues atop dealer surveys https://ift.tt/37nhbUK

In winter 2020 and summer 2020 rankings, Lexus was dealers' most-liked brand according to the National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Attitude Survey.

Mass. ‘right to repair' law faces new court fight

Mass. ‘right to repair' law faces new court fight https://ift.tt/37je9kr

Major automakers allege in a federal lawsuit that the revised law poses cybersecurity and vehicle safety risks and the short timeline sets an "impossible task" for compliance.

New Infiniti chairman plots strategy to improve vehicles, experience

New Infiniti chairman plots strategy to improve vehicles, experience https://ift.tt/3g0lABj

Global Infiniti brand boss Peyman Kargar wants to accelerate growth of the struggling premium brand through a four-pronged strategy that hinges on new product, new technology, better customer experience and a focus on performance.

NBA star's dealership aids to eateries

NBA star's dealership aids to eateries https://ift.tt/3fQEsCk

Trail Blazer Damian Lillard invited every restaurant in town to sell his Toyota dealership a $100 gift card that would be donated to charity.

GM gives itself more control over selling EVs

GM gives itself more control over selling EVs https://ift.tt/3o8IJEa

The automaker will dole out inventory based solely on customer orders and is asking dealers to use no-haggle pricing. The automaker even asserts the right to limit GMC dealers' interactions with Hummer buyers.

How to use data to reposition for retail success

How to use data to reposition for retail success https://ift.tt/2Jnwrt1

Automotive retailers can learn from other digital retailers as the digital car-buying trend grows.

Ford-Toyota dealer from Nigeria achieves sales dreams in Vermont

Ford-Toyota dealer from Nigeria achieves sales dreams in Vermont https://ift.tt/3lf84dL

Years ago, a customer didn't want to buy a truck from Faith Mba because he's Black. A decade later, Mba bought the store.

Nigerian dealer achieves sales dreams in Vermont

Nigerian dealer achieves sales dreams in Vermont https://ift.tt/2KOMYGO

As a Ford salesman, one customer didn't want to buy a truck from Faith Mba because he's Black, and management didn't push back. About 10 years later, Mba bought the store.

AV truck startup Gatik loads up on groceries

AV truck startup Gatik loads up on groceries https://ift.tt/3q8ksQA

The latest partnership gives Gatik another foothold amid increasing competition in the self-driving trucking realm.

All Mustang Mach-E models top 200 miles between charges

All Mustang Mach-E models top 200 miles between charges https://ift.tt/3fJyp2x

Ford's new EV hits dealerships next month, with a range between charges of more than 200 miles.

GM plans to seek banking charter for auto-lending business, report says

GM plans to seek banking charter for auto-lending business, report says https://ift.tt/37dFvbV

GM's finance arm, General Motors Financial Company Inc., has been talking to federal and state banking regulators for months about forming an industrial loan company and could file its applications as early as December, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Manheim reaches 75th year in turbulent 2020

Manheim reaches 75th year in turbulent 2020 https://ift.tt/3q6GuTB

Manheim celebrates 75 years in a historic year of unprecedented challenge.

Auto loan debt jumps in third quarter, N.Y. Fed says

Auto loan debt jumps in third quarter, N.Y. Fed says https://ift.tt/2UYH6wv

Auto originations in the third quarter marked a large improvement over the last, the Fed said, which saw more extreme impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pandemic vehicle-ownership trend drives F&I product sales

Pandemic vehicle-ownership trend drives F&I product sales https://ift.tt/2JbVX4a

Wary of the various expenses that come with vehicle ownership, consumers are seeing additional value in protection products, an Ally Financial survey finds.

Moving into retail can mean literally moving

Moving into retail can mean literally moving https://ift.tt/35V77De

Novice and aspiring minority dealers can face tough decisions as they try to break into the business, when available opportunities often don't match up with their current location.

Coalition to push for ZEV transition

Coalition to push for ZEV transition https://ift.tt/2HrXceV

The Zero Emission Transportation Association has a goal of 100 percent electric vehicle sales in the U.S. by 2030.

Dealer anniversaries

Dealer anniversaries https://ift.tt/397qriv

Dealers featured this week include Lori and Brian Manly, founder and dealer principal of Manly Honda in Santa Rosa, Calif.; and Nils and Brady Peterson, vice president and president of Peterson Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Nampa, Idaho.

Look for women's success at dealers

Look for women's success at dealers https://ift.tt/35V4ph5

Automotive News should consider featuring women in retail in its Leading Women section, writes a reader in a letter to the editor.

Sea lion found lounging in Mini dealership lot

Sea lion found lounging in Mini dealership lot https://ift.tt/3fmHoGV

The animal showed up at Mini of Marin near San Francisco Bay while searching for food, not a deal on a new set of wheels.

Ford dealers see future of used sales

Ford dealers see future of used sales https://ift.tt/2UT4ECI

The automaker used its virtual annual dealer meeting to show retailers how it plans to help them capture more used-vehicle sales.

EV-wary dealers offered upward of $500,000 to drop Cadillac

EV-wary dealers offered upward of $500,000 to drop Cadillac https://ift.tt/398UYwu

The luxury brand is offering buyouts that sources say range from $300,000 to upward of $500,000. Dealers have until Nov. 30 to accept.

Don't count subscriptions out yet

Don't count subscriptions out yet https://ift.tt/35RtGbQ

The industry can make these services work, but it needs to change a few things first.

NADA chair: ‘The biggest obstacle is regression'

NADA chair: ‘The biggest obstacle is regression' https://ift.tt/2HwqrNK

While the pandemic has put dealers on a "roller coaster of unpredictability" this year, NADA Chairman Rhett Ricart says the crisis also has pushed the digital world into "hyperdrive," accelerating consumer and dealer adoption of online vehicle sales.

Despite COVID, there's much to be thankful for

Despite COVID, there's much to be thankful for https://ift.tt/3nPdApm

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, let's pause to give thanks for the remarkable ways automakers and retailers have risen to the challenges of the pandemic.

Hyundai suit is latest challenge for retailer

Hyundai suit is latest challenge for retailer https://ift.tt/3flUSme

The automaker’s lawsuit accusing Napleton Automotive of deliberately damaging engines to collect warranty payments adds to a web of legal issues for the dealership group.

Dealers brace for shutdowns, absences as cases surge

Dealers brace for shutdowns, absences as cases surge https://ift.tt/2KyWn5d

Retailers are better prepared for outbreaks and government-imposed limits, but that doesn't make it easy.

COVID-19 committees help Calif. dealership group share strategies

COVID-19 committees help Calif. dealership group share strategies https://ift.tt/3fnVOq8

Stevens Management Co. created COVID-19 committees at its four California dealerships that meet on a weekly or as-needed basis and share strategies to improve business practices during the pandemic.

Lincoln's market share rising, but reliability questions raise red flag

Lincoln's market share rising, but reliability questions raise red flag https://ift.tt/3fkHrmm

The brand has largely avoided the negative business effects of the coronavirus pandemic by investing early in customer service experiences other automakers had to implement on the fly. New crossovers have also helped but may be dragging down its reliability scores.

Amid pandemic, bike sales climb along with rentals

Amid pandemic, bike sales climb along with rentals https://ift.tt/2UNJcz8

The growth in personal purchases of bikes complements, rather than competes, with shared bike and scooter rental.

10 key vehicle debuts for the end of a rocky year

10 key vehicle debuts for the end of a rocky year https://ift.tt/3pPNPag

Automakers are sending a slew of critical new and redesigned models into dealer showrooms right now.

Uptick in bike sales complements rentals

Uptick in bike sales complements rentals https://ift.tt/2UJJ6sn

The growth in personal purchases of bikes complements, rather than competes, with shared bike and scooter rental.

2020 racial strife underscores challenges faced by minority dealers

2020 racial strife underscores challenges faced by minority dealers https://ift.tt/2IU42dB

The killing of George Floyd and uprisings over police brutality and systemic racism have prompted the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers to reaffirm the diversity message that it has been delivering to automakers since the group’s founding 40 years ago.

Alliance calls Mass. ‘right to repair' law unconstitutional in lawsuit

Alliance calls Mass. ‘right to repair' law unconstitutional in lawsuit https://ift.tt/3pPoKMs

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation argues the data law "makes personal driving data available to third parties with no safeguards to protect core vehicle functions and consumers' private information or physical safety."

Gee Automotive buys 5 stores, expands in Idaho

Gee Automotive buys 5 stores, expands in Idaho https://ift.tt/3pP0A4D

Gee Automotive began in 1983 with a Pontiac dealership in Spokane, Wash. The retailer has grown through acquisitions and now has 29 dealerships.

Ford to launch new online used-vehicle sales platform

Ford to launch new online used-vehicle sales platform https://ift.tt/32Yh6FM

Ford detailed the new used-vehicle brand, called Ford Blue Advantage, to roughly 8,000 dealership employees during a three-day virtual meeting.

Toronto, Montreal digital auto shows scrapped for 2021

Toronto, Montreal digital auto shows scrapped for 2021 https://ift.tt/3nDdIIm

Organizers of the Montreal and Toronto auto shows have scrapped their plans to transition to virtual platforms from traditional in-person events for 2021 due to a lack of manufacturer participation. Live shows have been in doubt since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

Kaizen for the win: Japanese brands dominate Consumer Reports rankings

Kaizen for the win: Japanese brands dominate Consumer Reports rankings https://ift.tt/36OUsAV

The Mazda brand finished on top of Consumer Reports' annual Reliability Survey for the first time, followed by Toyota and Lexus.

Kaizen for the win: Japanese brands dominate Consumer Report rankings

Kaizen for the win: Japanese brands dominate Consumer Report rankings https://ift.tt/3lNeKRF

The Mazda brand finished on top of Consumer Reports' annual Reliability Survey for the first time, followed by Toyota and Lexus.

Hyundai sues Napleton over alleged fraudulent engine warranty claims

Hyundai sues Napleton over alleged fraudulent engine warranty claims https://ift.tt/3pD7biG

In the lawsuit, Hyundai alleged the defendants bought certain Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles from auctions and would present fraudulent warranty claims about the vehicles to the automaker.

N.Y. dealership settles claims of deceptive practices targeting Chinese, non-English-speaking customers

N.Y. dealership settles claims of deceptive practices targeting Chinese, non-English-speaking customers https://ift.tt/3lIZoxt

This is the second New York dealership to be charged with deceiving non-English-speaking customers in two years.

Consumer finance cases headed to Supreme Court could impact auto finance

Consumer finance cases headed to Supreme Court could impact auto finance https://ift.tt/3nw6uFS

Hudson Cook is eyeing three cases in particular that deal with deceptive advertising enforcement, arbitration agreements and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Ford, Truist rank highest in consumer finance satisfaction

Ford, Truist rank highest in consumer finance satisfaction https://ift.tt/38UBRGf

A J.D. Power study also found accelerated digitization of dealership finance-and-insurance departments during the pandemic impacted consumer responses.

Though improved, pandemic conditions prevail in auto finance

Though improved, pandemic conditions prevail in auto finance https://ift.tt/3fnm6Jj

TransUnion says that millions of auto loan accounts remain in some form of financial hardship status, and ongoing economic pressures will further strain peoples' wallets.

Brockman case could be ready for trial in 2021, prosecutor says

Brockman case could be ready for trial in 2021, prosecutor says https://ift.tt/32RosLq

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for former Reynolds and Reynolds CEO Bob Brockman were ordered to discuss a schedule for the case against Brockman, who is charged with tax evasion and wire fraud.

California dealerships face new round of COVID-19 restrictions

California dealerships face new round of COVID-19 restrictions https://ift.tt/3kH5H36

The California New Car Dealers Association said a majority of dealerships in the state operate in counties with the more severe restrictions.

Lithia acquires luxury dealership in Virginia

Lithia acquires luxury dealership in Virginia https://ift.tt/32SN866

The latest purchase in the public retailer's fourth-quarter buying streak marks Lithia's first entry in the state and the Mid-Atlantic market, CEO Bryan DeBoer said in a statement.

Crisis exposes flaws in supply chain

Crisis exposes flaws in supply chain https://ift.tt/35ywV7I

As vehicle stockpiles became depleted, automakers and their global supply chains have not been able to meet the continued demand, exposing structural flaws in an industry that won't return to normal anytime soon.

Good sign for Nissan on dealer perception

Good sign for Nissan on dealer perception https://ift.tt/35yRGjO

The brand recorded an uptick in the NADA Dealer Attitude Survey — an industry insider's measure of how auto retailers confidentially feel about their franchise.