CarMax to spread the word about omnichannel

CarMax to spread the word about omnichannel https://ift.tt/3hsRkj7

The nation's largest used-vehicle retailer said it has transformed every aspect of its business so that it can deliver an omnichannel experience.

COVID-19 dominates most-clicked 2020 stories

COVID-19 dominates most-clicked 2020 stories https://ift.tt/3pyT4Kj

Coronavirus dominated the news cycle this year, roiling the U.S. auto industry.

Key F&I trends of 2020

Key F&I trends of 2020 https://ift.tt/2WWfZmA

According to some of the nation's largest F&I providers and administrators, 2020 is a year unlikely to be forgotten, one which spurred change throughout the finance process.

2020: A year to remember or what?

2020: A year to remember or what? https://ift.tt/34KnJfF

It might seem an odd time to launch this Automotive News yearbook, but believe me it was planned well before we knew 2020 was going to be, well, so 2020. Our aim is to provide an almanac of sorts, something you might want to keep handy into 2021 or beyond.

A Call To Action: Industry rose to help society in toughest times

A Call To Action: Industry rose to help society in toughest times https://ift.tt/38GdA56

When the history of the COVID-19 pandemic is written, there should be a prominent place for the auto industry heroes who stepped up, pitched in, mobilized, fed, educated and comforted.

Top stories of 2020

Top stories of 2020 https://ift.tt/3nTQPRj

Choosing No. 1 was easy. The tough part was remembering nine other things that happened this year.

Industry forges community amid the crisis

Industry forges community amid the crisis https://ift.tt/38GNiQ2

The 44th annual Automotive News World Congress in Detroit went virtual this year in an eight-week series of Congress Conversations that highlighted issues and trends in the auto industry emerging from the pandemic.

Communication key in dealer, lender relationships in 2020

Communication key in dealer, lender relationships in 2020 https://ift.tt/3rrn7Fu

Dealer respondents to J.D. Power's 2020 U.S. Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study said they had more trouble getting in touch with lender representatives this year, even after shelter-in-place orders lifted in much of the country.

2020 in review — and what to expect next year

2020 in review — and what to expect next year https://ift.tt/3hfPMJ9

Vehicle prices are likely to remain high, and if credit remains constricted, affordability will be a key theme of the new-vehicle market next year.

CarMax quarterly earnings rise 36%; store expansion resumes

CarMax quarterly earnings rise 36%; store expansion resumes https://ift.tt/3nCDddc

The nation's largest used-car retailer said that demand softened toward the end of its fiscal third quarter as COVID-19 cases spread.

Michigan direct-sales bill stalls in Legislature as term ends

Michigan direct-sales bill stalls in Legislature as term ends https://ift.tt/3pabjFV

The bill as amended would have removed an exemption for Tesla from Michigan's ban on direct vehicle sales, but the measure was not taken up before the end of lawmakers' two-year term.

Mitsubishi dealers count on next-gen Outlander

Mitsubishi dealers count on next-gen Outlander https://ift.tt/37yynYR

Some dealers see the automaker's first new-generation U.S. vehicle in years as critical for the brand's survival in North America as they push for more marketing money.

Peter Welch leaves a 'leaner and meaner' NADA

Peter Welch leaves a 'leaner and meaner' NADA https://ift.tt/3avJnIA

The head of the National Automobile Dealers Association since 2013 cited selling its NADA Used Car Guide, exiting the retirement-planning business and bulking up the public-affairs department as noteworthy accomplishments.

Leader fights fear with happy tunes

Leader fights fear with happy tunes https://ift.tt/3p3r15E

The president and dealer principal of Schumacher Chevrolet Auto Group last month became the first woman to chair the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers in its 102-year history.

Food bank receives an unexpected zero

Food bank receives an unexpected zero https://ift.tt/3pbXpmM

Sullivan Auto Group promised a $5,000 donation, but the owner multiplied that by 10 without telling officials from the charity until they came to get the check.

OBITUARY: Jack Thompson

OBITUARY: Jack Thompson https://ift.tt/2LWAsFN

The Pennsylvania dealer and founder of the Thompson Organization died Dec. 8 at age 89.

Nissan ready to take digital-retailing plunge

Nissan ready to take digital-retailing plunge https://ift.tt/3aHxteP

The service, Nissan@Home, will enable consumers to shop for a vehicle, schedule test drives, complete the paperwork for a purchase and take delivery without having to step inside a dealership.

After COVID, there's a new benchmark for retail success

After COVID, there's a new benchmark for retail success https://ift.tt/2KmUUPD

Units per salesperson is a metric that dealerships have tracked for decades. It also hadn’t fundamentally changed in more than 35 years – until COVID-19.

Santa's sleigh full of Chevys

Santa's sleigh full of Chevys https://ift.tt/3avJVhC

A decades-long tradition of installing a 1-ton Santa statue outside an Indiana dealership ended last year when the store was sold. But the new owners bought a new St. Nick after a town outcry.

Want to gift a Lexus? First check your ‘aper'

Want to gift a Lexus? First check your ‘aper' https://ift.tt/38kMSid

"Saturday Night Live" apparently isn't a fan of those ubiquitous year-end commercials that urge consumers to give their loved one a luxury car topped with a giant red bow.

JM Family on journey to expand beyond autos

JM Family on journey to expand beyond autos https://ift.tt/2WAulsS

A new business unit and the hiring of two executives — including former AutoNation CEO Cheryl Miller — mark a shift for the automotive-focused conglomerate.

Prosecutors raise doubts on Brockman health claims

Prosecutors raise doubts on Brockman health claims https://ift.tt/3rjucIu

A federal court is set to hear arguments in January about whether to grant a competency hearing for former Reynolds and Reynolds CEO Bob Brockman in a tax fraud case.

Buffalo dealerships show signs of success

Buffalo dealerships show signs of success https://ift.tt/3rhwOqc

As the Buffalo Bills have their best season since the 1990s, Northtown Automotive has drawn attention to itself with ever-changing billboard messages taunting the team's opponents.

N.Y. stores limit turnover by promoting from within

N.Y. stores limit turnover by promoting from within https://ift.tt/2WA7w8G

At Garber Rochester, all employees are encouraged to move up.

Morgan grows presence in southwest Florida with O'Brien acquisition

Morgan grows presence in southwest Florida with O'Brien acquisition https://ift.tt/3rkwF5o

The acquisition, which closed Tuesday, brings Morgan Auto Group's total dealership count in Florida to 45.

Maroone takes full ownership of West Palm Beach Chevy store

Maroone takes full ownership of West Palm Beach Chevy store https://ift.tt/2KDVaJC

Maroone USA said it will "enhance" some of the Florida store's offerings, such as adding statewide vehicle delivery.

Auto recovery in 2021's first half to exclude nonprime shoppers

Auto recovery in 2021's first half to exclude nonprime shoppers https://ift.tt/2Kb8XHV

A slowdown in nonprime originations isn't likely to stem from auto lenders tightening their underwriting practices in 2021, credit bureau TransUnion said. Rather, a slowdown in demand from consumers in these credit tiers will curtail purchases.

Auto recovery in 2021's first half to exclude nonprime shoppers

Auto recovery in 2021's first half to exclude nonprime shoppers https://ift.tt/2Kb8XHV

A slowdown in nonprime originations isn't likely to stem from auto lenders tightening their underwriting practices in 2021, credit bureau TransUnion said. Rather, a slowdown in demand from consumers in these credit tiers will curtail purchases.

Former AutoNation CEO Miller rejoins JM Family

Former AutoNation CEO Miller rejoins JM Family https://ift.tt/2KzvMEQ

Cheryl Miller, who resigned from the largest U.S. dealership group in July after taking medical leave, will be CFO of JM Family Enterprises as the automotive-focused conglomerate moves to diversify.

Judge weighs decision to transfer Brockman tax fraud case to Texas

Judge weighs decision to transfer Brockman tax fraud case to Texas https://ift.tt/3r3tb6S

A federal judge did not rule on a change-of-venue request, filed by attorneys for former Reynolds and Reynolds CEO Bob Brockman, during a court hearing Tuesday.

Pennsylvania dealer Jack Thompson dies of COVID-19 at 89

Pennsylvania dealer Jack Thompson dies of COVID-19 at 89 https://ift.tt/3r0CuEL

A longtime car enthusiast, Thompson opened his first store — one of the initial Toyota dealerships in the U.S. — in 1969. He also had a passion for racing, which pushed him to acquire a BMW franchise in 1981.

Victory Automotive Group files, later dismisses, lawsuit against DealerSocket

Victory Automotive Group files, later dismisses, lawsuit against DealerSocket https://ift.tt/3qVoMTJ

The delaership group voluntarily dismissed its breach-of-contract case against DealerSocket, which was filed last week in federal court in Texas.

Tools, tech ease omnichannel transition

Tools, tech ease omnichannel transition https://ift.tt/2ILZaHH

Dealers across the U.S.-- fighting for survival as the pandemic surged this past spring -- purchased new technology, plugged in retail tools and revamped digital processes to sell vehicles online when face-to-face wasn't preferable, or possible.

Some dealers ditch F&I office in digital shift

Some dealers ditch F&I office in digital shift https://ift.tt/3a7DBfS

To adapt during the pandemic, dealers switched to digital transactions and, in some cases, entirely eliminated their dealerships' F&I offices.

Inventory crunch lesson: Less is more

Inventory crunch lesson: Less is more https://ift.tt/3mhAepd

The pandemic has caused great disruption in the auto industry, but retailers and automakers posted massive third-quarter profits. How can this be?

Profits, cash boost dealership M&A this year

Profits, cash boost dealership M&A this year https://ift.tt/37c7idU

Buy-sell activity rose in the third quarter following coronavirus-related slowdowns earlier this year. Industry experts expect to see a high level of transactions heading into 2021.

Winning the trust of digital customers

Winning the trust of digital customers https://ift.tt/37YG0H2

Kevin Frye, marketing director for Jeff Wyler Automotive Family in Ohio, said his group is trying to earn digital shoppers' trust by replacing the form lead with real-time communication.

Dealer anniversary

Dealer anniversary https://ift.tt/3494353

The dealers featured this week is Randy Curnow, dealer principal of Randy Curnow Buick-GMC in Kansas City, Kan., and Max Curnow, vice president.

How to keep people above water on loans

How to keep people above water on loans https://ift.tt/3oOQjV4

Shorter-term loans and cash down are strategies to help buyers avoid negative equity.

Competency hearing in Brockman case sought

Competency hearing in Brockman case sought https://ift.tt/3gI0ub0

Attorneys for former Reynolds and Reynolds CEO Bob Brockman are seeking a competency hearing based on diagnoses consistent with Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Dealers should be treated as partners in EVs

Dealers should be treated as partners in EVs https://ift.tt/2LnU6tR

Automakers, who will spend billions on the manufacturing of electric vehicles, should step in to help retail outlets with the costly facility upgrades needed to sell and service them.

Stuckey Automotive wants to buy your car

Stuckey Automotive wants to buy your car https://ift.tt/3ninaB0

The dealership group is hoping a used-vehicle buying program will help generate new inventory and potential customers.

Service Counter: Repair downturn a result of the pandemic

Service Counter: Repair downturn a result of the pandemic https://ift.tt/3qWan9C

A look at the toll the pandemic has had on dealership fixed operations, and recall work.

Independent repair shops can have their own set of frustrations

Independent repair shops can have their own set of frustrations https://ift.tt/3oMKnf9

Becoming a Saab mechanic via Subaru is the last thing I ever envisioned. But thanks to two new used cars, my face is now a familiar one at the parts counter of my local Subaru dealer.

Efficiency focus helps turn tech's 15 hours into 45

Efficiency focus helps turn tech's 15 hours into 45 https://ift.tt/2KlV4Gy

Ask Dave Eschbaugh about the value of the Matrix Trade Institute and its unconventional training methods, and the service manager at Porsche Beachwood thinks of Nico Grolimund, an hourly technician.

How some automakers are preparing for the switch to EVs

How some automakers are preparing for the switch to EVs https://ift.tt/3a7A80J

Here is what some automakers are doing in their tech education programs at colleges to address the switch to electrification.

The climate is right ... the political climate, that is

The climate is right ... the political climate, that is https://ift.tt/3oORrbb

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to be at least as aggressive in enacting legislation aimed at curbing greenhouse gases and harmful emissions than the Obama administration.

Fixed in time: Service department at Ferguson-Olander Ford in Kansas in 1937

Fixed in time: Service department at Ferguson-Olander Ford in Kansas in 1937 https://ift.tt/349MyS8

The Ford dealership took over space previously occupied by Stretch and Strain, a Nash Motors dealership, along the city's Auto Row.

Pay, poor tools, pandemic are sore spots for technicians, but EVs interest them

Pay, poor tools, pandemic are sore spots for technicians, but EVs interest them https://ift.tt/3mjmt9k

The Carlisle & Co. Automotive Technician Survey in the fall of 2020 had more than 17,500 responses representing 17 brands across the U.S. and Canada. The survey shows the challenges the industry has with technician satisfaction.

Student gets on the fast track to flat-rate mechanic

Student gets on the fast track to flat-rate mechanic https://ift.tt/3afBNBo

An old Chinese proverb notes that what people hear, they forget; what they see, they remember; but what they do, they learn. Rebekah McCandless-Bates can relate.