AutoMD.com's Top Five Jobs Best Left to the Experts!

These are jobs best left to the repair shop or the dealership.  Check out the difficulty ratings and tool requirements for each on AutoMD.com's How-to Guides.

1.  Replace an engine    
Lot of components to remove; requires specialty equipment; today's engines have more and more electronic controls, and it's easy to lose track of all the parts. Takes a lot of "know how."  Could take days to replace.    
 
2.  Replace a transmission    
Transmissions are heavy and difficult to remove.  Could take over 6 hours to replace.    
 
3.  Replace a clutch    
The transmission must be removed to replace the clutch. Lining up the clutch disc can be tricky.  Could take over 6 hours to replace.      
    
4.  Replace A/C components    
Refrigerants are harmful gases and laws prohibit the release of these gases into the atmosphere; clean working conditions are important to prevent contamination; need many safety precautions; not following correct procedures can damage the a/c system. Technician has to be certified to work with refrigerant. Could take over 4 hours to complete.    
   
5.  Perform a wheel alignment    
Requires specialty equipment to perform the job. Could take more than 2 hours to complete.    
    
Please visit AutoMD.com for more information.       

ADP to Acquire The Cobalt Group for $400M
The Cobalt Group, a Seattle-based automotive digital marketing company it has agreed to be acquired by Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ: ADP) for approximately $400 million in cash. The deal is subject to regulatory review and is expected to close in the next four to six weeks, according to ADP.
Xconomy Seattle, July 9, 2010

New GM on Steady Track to IPO as Old GM Fades Out
A year since General Motors' split into old GM and new GM, the new GM is barreling toward an IPO, while the old GM languishes in bankruptcy court. The new GM is a healthier company, one with a manageable cost structure, less debt, fewer brands and lower pension and health care obligations.
USA Today, July 9, 2010

Recalls Announced at Ford, Chrysler
Ford Motor Co. has advised the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is recalling 2010 Transit Connect vehicles to address a potential noncompliance with federal law. Separately, Chrysler Group, LLC is recalling 22,000 vehicles over possible brake problems and halting sales of some vehicles.
Detroit News, July 9, 2010

Ford Plans to Reinvigorate its Lincoln Brand
Smaller, stylish cars and SUVs will help Ford reinvigorate the Lincoln brand. By killing Mercury, Ford gives Lincoln new opportunities that previously would have conflicted with its sister brand.

Bankrate.com Reports on Latest Auto Loan Trends
Bankrate.com published its weekly look at auto loan rates. The group surveys large banks and thrifts to collect the information. According to the group, rates were up across the board.

Automakers Maintain Discipline in Inventories and Incentives, Edmunds.com Data Shows
Automakers have kept inventories low allowing them to lower incentives and still sell vehicles.  Domestic automakers increased incentives slightly from May to June, but overall they dropped as European and Asian automakers decreased their incentives.

Mazda Introduces CPO Program

Mazda North America unveils new certified pre-owned vehicle program aimed at boosting its used vehicle segment while making a better buying experience for shoppers. CPO program will include thorough multi-point inspection and reconditioning processes for dealers to follow. Qualifying vehicles must be 2006-2010 with less than 60,000 miles. Mazda says warranty coverage is "over and above any existing factory warranty." More info available or visit www.mazdaUSA.com.

AutoSoft Adds Menu Selling to F&I Solution

Dealer management system provider AutoSoft International  today announced the latest addition of menu selling to Finance Assistant, its F&I solution, providing a powerful selling tool that can increase F&I sales and improve customer satisfaction with fully customizable menus and multiple product/services packages. Also includes all legal disclaimer forms ensuring full dealership compliance with industry regulations. For more info visit AutoSoft International.

NADAguides.com Offers 2010 Model Data

Pricing and information for 2010 model vehicles is now available at NADAguides.com. Dealers can access info through the website. Pertinent information is updated daily, including wholesale, retail and asking price data, and is reflective of current and forecasted market conditions using advanced analytical tools and making it invaluable to dealers. Visit NADAguides.com for more information.

Top 5 Steps to Digital Marketing Success
By Steve Stauning

There are far too few dealer principals, general managers and sales managers at the dealership level (and even regional operations executives in the larger groups) who know enough about how to get the most from their teams’ ecommerce efforts. While these same positions managed everything about their stores’ sales and marketing execution in the years before the Internet, they sometimes feel helpless about how to maximize their ROI on the digital landscape. Here are my Top 5 steps for today’s automotive leaders to employ if they genuinely want to be successful with their online sales and marketing activities:
 
Step 1. Get Educated & Stay Informed
Learn everything you can about Internet sales and marketing. While the digital marketing landscape continues to evolve, it’s never too late for today’s automotive leaders to seek out credible training. It’s not really as complicated as you think; and the learning is cumulative.

Step 2. Remember Your Vision & Strategy
Every marketing activity your team executes is a tactic, and tactics can only be truly effective is they support your overriding strategy. If there is one common area where “progressive” automotive dealers have failed to effectively market online it is tying all of their online tactics to a well-thought-out strategy.
 
Step 3. Track & Measure
As a leader in your organization, you simply do not have the time or the patience to supervise every aspect of the day-to-day machinations occurring within your digital marketing plan. Your need for proper tracking and measuring (that delivers concise and actionable information) is inarguable.
 
Step 4. Test & Pilot (When You’re Ready)
Instead of diving in with both feet, why not ask the vendor to provide you with a no-obligation, 30-day pilot at no charge? If their product isn’t too complex, and doesn’t take too much labor for setup, they should be willing to accommodate. Plus, if it’s everything they are claiming, then you’ll be a customer for life, right?
 
Step 5. Never Change Too Much at Once
When leaders are truly concerned with growing their revenues driven by their online activities, it is critical that they add, subtract of modify no more than one variable at a time. The reason for this is simple: It’s impossible to tell what’s working if you change too much all at once.
 
Steve Stauning, partner in Kain Stauning Marketing Services, can be reached at steve@kainstauning.com. Click here to read this article in its entirety.

There aren't too many issues you can have with an ignition system, or are there? Ignition systems are of three basic designs: the distributor ignition system, the distributorless (DIS) ignition system or the coil-on-plug (COP) system. They all perform the same function, but due to design differences a "one size fits all" troubleshooting guide is not in the offing. Then there's that 1989 Jeep, one technician worked on. The Electric Control Unit (ECU) of a Chrysler Jeep is a separate type of service issue. Click here and then click on the image for some insight into solutions surrounding "no spark," a "weak spark" or a situation where the spark is happening at the wrong time.
 

Ford Offers the Ultimate in Rear Seatbelts
Automaker to introduce inflatable Seat Belt technology

The writer takes us inside for an exclusive demonstration of Ford's latest seatbelt safety technology -- inflatable rear seatbelts. Ford engineer, Saeed Barbat, is really excited about this “world’s first technology” in the inflatable seat belt. “It’s a very sophisticated system,” says Barbat. READ MORE...

The system, much like other airbags, will inflate in milliseconds when needed. They are intended primarily for children and the elderly, most often the ones who sit in the rear seat. Barbat explains that you can't just put airbags in the back seats. They're positioned differently than those in the front.

These advanced seat belts will be introduced on the North American-built 2011 Ford Explorers. Eventually, they will be offered globally on all Ford vehicles. "We think that inflatable seatbelts will be another game-changing technology for Ford," says engineering Vice President Paul Mascarenas.

Click here for more good reading on what promises to be a huge advance in safety technology!

Electric Cars -- Some Cities More Prepared Than Others

Major automakers everywhere are preparing for the inevitable popularity and dominance of the EV segment. But unless there is a network of charging stations in your city, selling them or buying one will be just about pointless. At present, some cities are working faster than others to prepare, eager to be in the mainstream of the 'electric age'. There are, however, risks in being too prepared, as witnessed by an ambitious plan to install 25,000 charging points in London. But what if EVs don't become the accepted mode of transportation there? Click here for the list of America's EV capitals and then click on the image for a timely discussion on the other side of getting charged up!