Thursday, October 24, 2024

Used-vehicle power players Carvana, CarMax see AI uses in inspections, appraisals and more

Used-vehicle power players Carvana, CarMax see AI uses in inspections, appraisals and more https://ift.tt/8bupmts

Used-vehicle sales giants are among auto retailers assessing and expanding applications of artificial intelligence.

Used-vehicle power players Carvana, CarMax see AI uses in inspections, appraisals and more

Used-vehicle power players Carvana, CarMax see AI uses in inspections, appraisals and more https://ift.tt/D6QZNvJ

Used-vehicle sales giants are among auto retailers assessing and expanding applications of artificial intelligence.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Guest commentary: New strategies make the road back to 17 million SAAR possible

Guest commentary: New strategies make the road back to 17 million SAAR possible https://ift.tt/EP2u0Xi

The industry must be willing to take a disciplined approach to sales, inventory management and pricing.

Vehicle cost and high rates are holding back middle-income Americans, according to Santander

Vehicle cost and high rates are holding back middle-income Americans, according to Santander https://ift.tt/OuxBpcq

Thirty percent of those surveyed said they were likely to take out an auto loan if rates came down.

Nissan sales boss downshifts beleaguered brand's U.S. share target

Nissan sales boss downshifts beleaguered brand's U.S. share target https://ift.tt/eD3NH8g

The former Lexus marketer is working to flip old perceptions and draw new buyers by targeting the rational and emotional impulses involved in car buying.

Monday, October 21, 2024

Forvia posts slightly lower Q3 sales, but wins new business from Chinese automakers

Forvia posts slightly lower Q3 sales, but wins new business from Chinese automakers https://ift.tt/FywzQO6

Forvia said it underperformed the local automotive production in China due to “customer mix evolution and start of productions delayed from 2024 to 2025.”

Saturday, October 19, 2024

As Fiat stalls as part of Stellantis, Italy's Turin struggles to stave off decline

As Fiat stalls as part of Stellantis, Italy's Turin struggles to stave off decline https://ift.tt/HzeoCjX

Turin's Mirafiori plant — once the symbol of Fiat's might, employing about 60,000 — has shriveled to a shadow of its former self under Stellantis ownership.

Friday, October 18, 2024

Used EVs could be answer for consumers seeking affordability

Used EVs could be answer for consumers seeking affordability https://ift.tt/SdsQJBG

The depressed values of used electric vehicles present an attractive solution to cost-conscious consumers seeking transportation, business leaders said at the 2024 Auto Finance Summit.

Stellantis dealers regain optimism after executive shake-up

Stellantis dealers regain optimism after executive shake-up https://ift.tt/iZaeTMk

Stellantis' dealer council met with new North America COO Antonio Filosa this week after criticizing the company's leadership over stagnant sales and bloated inventory.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Used-vehicle sales rise in Sept.

Used-vehicle sales rise in Sept. https://ift.tt/w9UuTV7

Sales of used light vehicles, after stagnating three straight months, rose 3.3 percent to 1.32 million last month behind a vehicle scrappage program, according to the China Automobile Dealers Association.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Guest commentary: Why bringing back stair steps is bad for automakers, dealers and consumers

Guest commentary: Why bringing back stair steps is bad for automakers, dealers and consumers https://ift.tt/5CRMToE

Fluctuating prices and preferential treatment given to some dealers create a sense of unfairness and unpredictability.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Guest commentary: Know your customer and tailor payment options to fit them

Guest commentary: Know your customer and tailor payment options to fit them https://ift.tt/JHKjzPI

Auto lenders and others should tailor payment options to their customers' preferences, writes PayNearMe CMO Anne Hay.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Sept. new-car market expands 4.5% behind scrappage program

Sept. new-car market expands 4.5% behind scrappage program https://ift.tt/UO1TvGN

Retail sales of new sedans, crossovers, SUVs and multipurpose vehicles rose 4.5 percent to 2.11 million in September after declining five straight months, the China Passenger Car Association said on Oct. 12, drawing on a final tally. 

Light-vehicle shipments edge up after dipping 3 straight months

Light-vehicle shipments edge up after dipping 3 straight months https://ift.tt/eUF3XrS

Wholesale deliveries of light vehicles bounced back last month as the positive impact of a government vehicle scrappage program kicked in and exports remained strong, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said.

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Column: Yeehaw! Best Dealerships To Work For event celebrates winning stores

Column: Yeehaw! Best Dealerships To Work For event celebrates winning stores https://ift.tt/XxkhLmY

The Best Dealerships To Work For event was held in Nashville to celebrate an expanded group of stores that create great places to work and retain employees.

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Leo Michael cartoon: Nissan's Halloween scare

Leo Michael cartoon: Nissan's Halloween scare https://ift.tt/6mZV2zD

Nissan says it will give retailers escalating bonuses on the Rogue, Pathfinder and Frontier if they reach or exceed October sales targets. It's the return of a scorned sales practice to help lift margins and market share.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Having fun at work a key driver of employee attitude among Best Dealerships

Having fun at work a key driver of employee attitude among Best Dealerships https://ift.tt/vyYdKXL

Having fun was one of the top 10 factors contributing to employees liking their dealership, according to Best Dealerships partner Workforce Research Group.

1 Thing We're Talking About: Chariot Automotive Group honored for support of college's auto programs

1 Thing We're Talking About: Chariot Automotive Group honored for support of college's auto programs https://ift.tt/85DTjeg

The owners of Chariot Automotive Group were honored for their support of the automotive training programs at Ivy Tech Community College.

Overheard: Start mobile service with one van and don't overcomplicate it

Overheard: Start mobile service with one van and don't overcomplicate it https://ift.tt/xitwhzK

Dedicate one adviser to oversee mobile service and make that their own responsibility, said Jeremy Stephens, remote operations director at Bozard Ford Lincoln on the 'What the Fixed Ops?! WTF?!' podcast.

GM’s sales slide 21% in Q3; electrified vehicles top gasoline models for first time

GM’s sales slide 21% in Q3; electrified vehicles top gasoline models for first time https://ift.tt/2dhpOm8

In the third quarter, GM’s two joint ventures delivered more than 224,000 full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, an increase of 61 percent and 53 percent of the company's overall China sales. 

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Gen Z, millennials prefer a new generation of collectible cars

Gen Z, millennials prefer a new generation of collectible cars https://ift.tt/tgM2E7f

Gen Z and millennials have the passion for collecting cars, but what they want to drive is very different from the Mustangs, Camaros, MGBs, TR6s and Porsche 914s their parents loved.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Nissan revives stair-step plan to drive sales of 3 key models

Nissan revives stair-step plan to drive sales of 3 key models https://ift.tt/TwdcSgm

Nissan dealerships that achieve October sales goals will get bonuses of $200 to $750 on each Rogue, Pathfinder and Frontier sold.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Georgia Mercedes dealership sues commercial vehicle customizer for nearly $5 million

Georgia Mercedes dealership sues commercial vehicle customizer for nearly $5 million https://ift.tt/6bx8dDv

A Georgia dealership sued a South Carolina company for nearly $5 million for failing to pay for 83 Mercedes-Benz vehicles it bought in 2023, according to a federal court suit.

Florida dealerships battening down for 2nd major hurricane in 2 weeks

Florida dealerships battening down for 2nd major hurricane in 2 weeks https://ift.tt/JdxRhQ1

Dealerships along Florida's Gulf Coast began preparing early in the week for Milton, the second major hurricane to threaten the region in less than two weeks.

Lucid Q3 sales rise 91% to record 2,781 on generous incentives for Air sedan

Lucid Q3 sales rise 91% to record 2,781 on generous incentives for Air sedan https://ift.tt/toMCrhN

Lucid Q3 production increased a modest 16% as the automaker cleared out vehicle inventory. The EV startup's stock price rose about 2% higher in midday trading.

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Leo Michael: Braking Stellantis

Leo Michael: Braking Stellantis https://ift.tt/x97ZSzg

Given the labor, manufacturing and supply chain issues plaguing Stellantis, poor Q3 U.S. sales results reinforce the uncomfortable questions already facing Stellantis management.

Thank technicians for getting things done

Thank technicians for getting things done https://ift.tt/8XITdqc

Thank the technicians for running the service department. It is not their job description, but they are the ones who know how to get things done.

Food Truck Fridays help forge connections

Food Truck Fridays help forge connections https://ift.tt/onMYNGe

Staffers at a Subaru dealership in Massachusetts spend some Fridays each summer showcasing new vehicles and interacting with potential customers at a local zoo.

Friday, October 4, 2024

Rivian reports 36% drop in Q3 sales, slashes full-year production forecast on parts shortage

Rivian reports 36% drop in Q3 sales, slashes full-year production forecast on parts shortage https://ift.tt/KIe8E6r

Rivian sold 10,018 vehicles in the third quarter and cut its full-year production forecast to around 48,000.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Volvo sales slide for sixth straight month

Volvo sales slide for sixth straight month https://ift.tt/gfZVIy1

In the first three quarters, Volvo’s China deliveries dropped 9 percent to 113,037, with September volume slipping 16 percent to 12,915. 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Judge orders CDK to transfer dealership data for Asbury Tekion pilot

Judge orders CDK to transfer dealership data for Asbury Tekion pilot https://ift.tt/Z1qRQzi

A Gwinnett County Superior Court judge has ordered CDK Global to provide Asbury Automotive Group with data from four Georgia Asbury's dealerships for use in the group's planned Tekion pilot there.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

HYUNDAI-GENESIS: Q3 volume up, September sales impacted by fewer selling days and Hurricane Helene

HYUNDAI-GENESIS: Q3 volume up, September sales impacted by fewer selling days and Hurricane Helene https://ift.tt/mAczf4a

Hyundai's hybrids continue to set records, and Genesis' crossovers are the primary driver of growth for the luxury brand.

NISSAN-INFINITI: Q3 sales dip 2.2% in aftermath of Hurricane Helene

NISSAN-INFINITI: Q3 sales dip 2.2% in aftermath of Hurricane Helene https://ift.tt/b7lZnyE

Nissan Rogue deliveries tumbled 24 percent in the absence of a hybrid option.

September sales fall at Hyundai, Kia

September sales fall at Hyundai, Kia https://ift.tt/p5YRmLw

U.S. new-vehicle sales are expected to drop in September and the third quarter, with analysts expecting volatility the rest of the year, as affordability remains a challenge and the U.S. presidential election looms.