1 Thing We're Talking About: Considering a collision repair careeer after high school

1 Thing We're Talking About: Considering a collision repair careeer after high school https://ift.tt/YJsBTUt

While many high school graduates will attend college in the fall, the collision repair industry reminds those unsure of their future to consider a skilled trade.

Green-minded Subaru store uses rain to power car wash

Green-minded Subaru store uses rain to power car wash https://ift.tt/crZAENG

Planet Subaru has installed a pair of 800-gallon tanks in its service area that collect rainwater from the dealership roof, filter it, and use it for its customer car wash with the help of gravity.

Service & parts tip: Keys for service manager's long-term goals for department

Service & parts tip: Keys for service manager's long-term goals for department https://ift.tt/GaTOQw7

Turning vision into reality for service managersinvolves strategic planning and consistent execution, says Corey Smith, national fixed operations training manager at EasyCare.

American Honda's top sales exec Mamadou Diallo exits as automaker gains ground

American Honda's top sales exec Mamadou Diallo exits as automaker gains ground https://ift.tt/l021WKJ

American Honda's senior vice president of auto sales, Mamadou Diallo, will depart and Acura head of sales Emile Korkor is returning to Honda Canada.

Napleton Automotive tops new survey on Web lead response times

Napleton Automotive tops new survey on Web lead response times https://ift.tt/iRqW91M

Napleton Automotive topped Pied Piper's annual Web lead response time survey by relying on a centralized business development team.

Volkswagen ID7 EV, with a likely high price tag, would be tough sell, dealers say

Volkswagen ID7 EV, with a likely high price tag, would be tough sell, dealers say https://ift.tt/hVUrzjl

2024 was supposed to be the year in which Volkswagen's U.S. electric vehicle offerings would have expanded from just the ID4 compact crossover to a trio of EVs. A delay is changing that.

Technology is essential in the fight against fraud

Technology is essential in the fight against fraud https://ift.tt/Hboagw9

Harrington credits the dealership's identity verification software for giving them the tools to combat a sophisticated crime syndicate.

How long is service check-in? Customers and dealers have different answers

How long is service check-in? Customers and dealers have different answers https://ift.tt/aMJSve4

Dealers and consumers have different perceptions on how long check-in takes, according to a new GoMoto report.

Guest commentary: Dealerships should leverage lending partners to navigate market challenges

Guest commentary: Dealerships should leverage lending partners to navigate market challenges https://ift.tt/x0gC6Mm

The right lending partners can help a wide spectrum of buyers finance their next vehicle and at the same time inject efficiency into the loan process.

Stellantis U.S. sales boss Jason Stoicevich leaves after 2 months

Stellantis U.S. sales boss Jason Stoicevich leaves after 2 months https://ift.tt/PqtE9MF

Stellantis has appointed Matt Thompson as senior vice president of U.S. retail sales to succeed Jason Stoicevich, who took on that role in March.

Ford may lift restrictions on which dealers can sell EVs

Ford may lift restrictions on which dealers can sell EVs https://ift.tt/XyLZwiv

Ford, after 11 meetings with dealers around the U.S., plans to undo a key element of the EV certification it launched in 2022, prompting backlash and lawsuits.

How a 4-day workweek strengthened service at a Canadian dealership

How a 4-day workweek strengthened service at a Canadian dealership https://ift.tt/clxJQsX

Ontario dealership uses a four-day workweek instead of five to fix a technician shortage.

1 Thing We're Talking About: Stellantis scholarships for Native American students wanting to be technicians

1 Thing We're Talking About: Stellantis scholarships for Native American students wanting to be technicians https://ift.tt/5XIeud6

Stellantis will award three scholarships to qualifying Native American students in the U.S. and Canada to help them become automotive service technicians.

New-car demand remains weak in first 19 days of May, trade group says

New-car demand remains weak in first 19 days of May, trade group says https://ift.tt/Hv59TJA

Retail sales of new sedans, crossovers, SUVs and multipurpose vehicles industrywide dipped 5 percent year on year to some 900,000 in the first several weeks of May, the China Automobile Dealers Association said Wednesday.

Why Canadian dealers are turning to the Philippines to find service techs

Why Canadian dealers are turning to the Philippines to find service techs https://ift.tt/y56isnm

To date, more than 200 Philippine technicians have started working at dealerships in Ontario. But why the focus on the Philippines?

Overheard: Setting minimum standards for service staff

Overheard: Setting minimum standards for service staff https://ift.tt/xknIsXb

Cavender Auto Group's Allie Peters talked about some recent service department initiatives on the 'What the Fixed Ops?!' podcast.

Transparency and flexibility key in the finance office

Transparency and flexibility key in the finance office https://ift.tt/O9xqKbW

F&I managers should also try to present multiple financing options.

Average age of U.S. vehicles reaches new heights; total vehicles in operation continues to rise

Average age of U.S. vehicles reaches new heights; total vehicles in operation continues to rise https://ift.tt/COVBY9t

The average age of vehicles rises to 12.6 years, and total vehicles in use increases to 286 million. The aging rate is expected to slow.

Dave Cantin Group uses AI to value dealerships

Dave Cantin Group uses AI to value dealerships https://ift.tt/GRHQiq6

New York brokerage firm Dave Cantin Group started developing its AI-based Jump IQ software in 2022 and began testing it six months ago.

Used-vehicle-only list: 2023 a pivotal year for Carvana, others

Used-vehicle-only list: 2023 a pivotal year for Carvana, others https://ift.tt/yVgaxJ1

CarMax leads Automotive News' second tally of used vehicle-only retailers by sales volume, and Carvana recovers to keep its formidable spot on the list.

Some used-vehicle-only retailers in the U.S. (revenue in millions)

Some used-vehicle-only retailers in the U.S. (revenue in millions) https://ift.tt/lgx50UL

The 25 used-vehicle-only retailers on this list collectively sold 1,530,836 retail vehicles in 2023, down 9.2 percent from 1,685,716 in 2022. The 2022 total includes 24 groups as Zoom Automotive, of Bristol, Tenn., did not report sales that year.

Used-vehicle demand continues to rise

Used-vehicle demand continues to rise https://ift.tt/KbUdwgM

China’s used-vehicle market expanded 15 percent year on year to exceed 1.34 million in April, according to the tally of the China Automobile Dealers Association.

 

Service tip: Build strong team with training, regular check-ins

Service tip: Build strong team with training, regular check-ins https://ift.tt/sdG20Nu

To build a high-performing team, a service manager should focus on cementing team dynamics and enhancing performance, said Corey Smith, national fixed operations training manager at EasyCare.

Cadillac expands Europe presence, takes aim at German premium rivals

Cadillac expands Europe presence, takes aim at German premium rivals https://ift.tt/lCX5Rz1

The full-electric Lyriq's price is "extremely competitive" against comparable all-wheel-drive crossovers offered by BMW, Mercedes and Audi, GM Europe Managing Director Jaclyn McQuaid said.

F&I tip: Don't be afraid of artificial intelligence in F&I

F&I tip: Don't be afraid of artificial intelligence in F&I https://ift.tt/LPVdvgK

Car dealership offices shouldn't fear artificial intelligence, says Barry Schwartz, senior director of business development at finance and insurance metrics and menu provider StoneEagle.

F&I data: Santander study finds pent-up auto demand, need for lower payments

F&I data: Santander study finds pent-up auto demand, need for lower payments https://ift.tt/06voUPL

A Santander Consumer USA survey in February found 55 percent of middle-class customers delayed a car purchase during the previous year because of cost, up 5 percentage points from the last survey.

April vehicle shipments forge ahead behind exports

April vehicle shipments forge ahead behind exports https://ift.tt/SgLkOUJ

Wholesale deliveries of vehicles industrywide gained 9.3 percent year on year to 2.36 million last month, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said this week. Exports continued to drive the shipment growth, according to the trade group’s tally. 

Genesis dealership count triples

Genesis dealership count triples https://ift.tt/Ju45Uwk

Genesis now has 35 exclusive storefronts across the U.S., helping to edge the premium brand away from mainstream Hyundai.

Volvo's Q1 EV sales plunge: A momentary blip or a sign its 2030 plan is in jeopardy?

Volvo's Q1 EV sales plunge: A momentary blip or a sign its 2030 plan is in jeopardy? https://ift.tt/KZJcNqB

Volvo EV sales in the U.S. plummeted 65 percent in the first quarter. According to Cox Automotive estimates, it was the largest year-over-year percentage decline in the luxury segment.

What will high vehicle prices and interest rates mean for the auto finance market in 2024?

What will high vehicle prices and interest rates mean for the auto finance market in 2024? https://ift.tt/pq8zJax

Automotive News asked five auto finance experts to share their thoughts on these challenges and what affordability constraints might mean for the months ahead.

QoreAI places ID verification process in customer's hands

QoreAI places ID verification process in customer's hands https://ift.tt/s485iCl

The startup developed a platform that combines anti-fraud and ID verification processes typically handled by separate systems.

New-vehicle market contracts 2% in April

New-vehicle market contracts 2% in April https://ift.tt/flts1pL

Retail sales of new sedans, crossovers, SUVs and multi-purpose vehicles industrywide dipped 2 percent year on year to below 1.59 million in April, the China Automobile Dealers Association said Wednesday.

Digital auto finance will bring efficiency and better customer experience, experts say

Digital auto finance will bring efficiency and better customer experience, experts say https://ift.tt/JV3kPHa

Using technology to improve internal efficiency and external consumer experience were key themes for panelists speaking on digital auto finance at the 2024 Auto Finance Summit East conference.

‘Black box' auto finance decisions can complicate dealer lender choice

‘Black box' auto finance decisions can complicate dealer lender choice https://ift.tt/21D7axC

Lenders ditching traditional rate sheets and adopting new underwriting models for considering car loan applicants presents a challenge to car dealership finance offices, leaders at FinBe USA and Axos Bank say.

Stella Automotive AI raises VC from Reynolds and Reynolds, dealerships

Stella Automotive AI raises VC from Reynolds and Reynolds, dealerships https://ift.tt/4XQOtG7

Stella, which makes automotive artificial intelligence technology for dealerships, secured $19.7 million.

Register now for the Automotive News Leading Women Conference

Register now for the Automotive News Leading Women Conference https://ift.tt/CQy3I1z

The May 21 event features Ford Motor Co.'s Lisa Drake and Hyundai Motor America's Tia Battle as keynote speakers.

AI-powered auto finance company LendBuzz looks to expand after 2023 boom

AI-powered auto finance company LendBuzz looks to expand after 2023 boom https://ift.tt/B2dGApW

Lendbuzz's use of AI, neural networks and machine learning to evaluate credit applicants finds insights about risk that traditional underwriting would overlook.

Rivian to report Q1 earnings as EV maker cuts costs, prepares new models

Rivian to report Q1 earnings as EV maker cuts costs, prepares new models https://ift.tt/BbEgUey

While Rivian announced an $827 million incentive package from the state of Illinois last week, analysts still expect it to burn through billions in cash this year.

10-day sales reports were unending battle

10-day sales reports were unending battle https://ift.tt/0Ce2jiv

Keeping up with the sales numbers and getting compared to our competition every 10 days drove us nuts at Chrysler because our sales at the time were not keeping up with our competition.

Public retailers grapple with soft EV demand in Q1

Public retailers grapple with soft EV demand in Q1 https://ift.tt/yvjuS8M

All six public retailers experienced challenges with electric vehicles, but also saw opportunities.

TruCar details car-buying platform pilot; Q1 numbers improve

TruCar details car-buying platform pilot; Q1 numbers improve https://ift.tt/5Nktocq

TrueCar CEO Jantoon Reigersman said its pilot of an enhanced TrueCar+ platform will enable a digital car buying transaction from start to finish.

Top 5 stories of the week: Asbury looks to sell dealerships; UAW threatens Stellantis stamping plant

Top 5 stories of the week: Asbury looks to sell dealerships; UAW threatens Stellantis stamping plant https://ift.tt/Cg4sjxa

A quick look at the top automotive stories of the week as determined by reader interest.

Steps a new service manager should take in the first 30 days to set foundation for success

Steps a new service manager should take in the first 30 days to set foundation for success https://ift.tt/UA9dX5L

As a new service manager, the first 30 days are pivotal for laying down a strong foundation, says Corey Smith, national fixed operations training manager at EasyCare.

Sonic Automotive's EchoPark used-car business shows Q1 turnaround

Sonic Automotive's EchoPark used-car business shows Q1 turnaround https://ift.tt/9AzGucV

Sonic Automotive President Jeff Dyke said the group won't open any EchoPark stores this year.

Carvana Q1 net income swings to $49 million; revenue up 17%

Carvana Q1 net income swings to $49 million; revenue up 17% https://ift.tt/8Bs3Ugj

The online used-vehicle retailer said it sold 91,878 used vehicles in the first quarter, up 16 percent from the same period last year. Shares surged in aftermarket trading.

Fed holds rates steady, flags 'lack of further progress' on inflation

Fed holds rates steady, flags 'lack of further progress' on inflation https://ift.tt/rQD3ziK

The Federal Reserve said it "does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably towards 2%."