 |
| |
Industry News in the Last 24 |
| |
January 19, 2010 |
| |
 2010 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview Raises More Than $2 Million for Children's Charities
The Black Tie gala that began the public part of the Detroit auto show brought celebrities from all over. Several video presentations can be seen, including Michigan's governor, the charity 'who's who,' photos of Electric Avenue and everything from concepts to reality.
PRnewswire.com, January 18, 2010
|
|
| |
 Ford Keeps its Focus at Staid Detroit Auto Show
While Ford Motor Company swept top honors at the Detroit auto show, and the new Focus retains a high spot in the Ford lineup, the overall mood for Detroit automakers was low key, in keeping with the struggles that dominated 2009.
MSNBC.msn.com, January 18, 2010
|
|
| |
 Chrysler Just Can't Dodge Controversy Over Bowl Buy
As the Chrysler LLC Dodge brand get set to spend millions on a 60-second Super Bowl ad, the critics line up and won't go away, arguing taxpayer money could be better spent. There is another side, of course, which the article certainly touches upon.
AdAge.com, January 18, 2010
|
|
Sponsored by:
|
|
| |
WHAT'S SIGNIFICANT THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS |
| |
Detroit Auto Show 2010: The 24 Best Green Cars
Visitors to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit can explore all kinds of hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles from the well-known Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster to vehicles new to the U.S. market.
|
|
| |
Despite Risks, Internet Creeps Onto Car Dashboards
Despite some features like videos and Internet access being disabled while the vehicle is moving, safety experts including the US DOT are concerned about features which aren't disabled creating additional distractions.
|
|
| |
AutoTrader.com: Supply Shortage Slows Used, CPO Activity
AutoTrader.com notes a drop off in used-vehicle activity, due mostly to lower inventories of popular units. Analysts say trend was evident in asking prices for trucks and SUVs.
|
|
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
|
|
 |
 |
|
 Body Shop Culture: Key to Change
Too many times we learn of a good idea, but get frustrated when our employees won’t adapt as quickly as we would like. Once you get people thinking alike you have come a long way toward growing a new culture. Here are three of the components that go into culture change:
1. Identify your “unchangeables.” Unchangeables are absolute standards that you have determined you must use when conducting your business. These unchangeables or core beliefs are essential to consistent decision-making. Once you have identified them, share these ideas with your staff repeatedly so they will think like you.
2. Keep score! In business it is vital that our employees have a clear idea of what good performance is and how it can be quantified. Score keeping should be more immediate and dynamic. Visual scoreboards can be installed for the whole world to see.
3. Regular and formal communication. The people who excel are those who conduct quarterly company employee reviews. The quarterly review is as much a process to keep you from becoming complacent as it is for the employee to be directed and re-directed.
Click here to read the entire article by Dave Dunn, owner of Masters School of Autobody Management.
|
|
 The Future of Your Dealership – Now is a Good Time to Think About It
Transitions in life occur whether we want them or not, and there’s never a good time to think about your dealership down the line – who will ensure it will be around for a very long time, when you’re gone. This is a topic that’s easier to think about if you have good people around you who can be counted on in the event of a transition. Who will you turn to? Are your technicians capable of carrying on their fine work in that event? Have you put in place a retirement plan for yourself, and them? How can you ensure these good people will be there for you, your son or your daughter? Click here or click on the image for some food for thought….
|
|
|
|
 The “Vision for Tomorrow” is Here today!
New this year -- Executive Track Workshops designed to cover all your business concerns
Speaker: Peter Ricchuiti
Saturday, February 13
11:00 a.m.
Room 202 A-C (date change from convention brochure)
Peter Ricchiuti is a professor on the financial markets at Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business. Peter started his career with the investment firm of Kidder Peabody and later managed over three billion dollars as the assistant treasurer for the state of Louisiana. His topics include the economy and financial markets and how uncertainty brings opportunity -- topics you won't want to miss to compete in 2010!
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMN Loyalty Driver Will Drive Your Revenue Plan
Visit us at NADA at Booth #233!
Loyalty Driver is the fully managed dealership e-newsletter that turns leads into sales and sales into lifelong customers. Promote your dealership brand! We help you sell vehicles by driving leads 3 ways: Buy Signals, dealer website traffic, and inbound calls. Professionally written articles, video, mobile access, social media, coupons, and reporting are included. More information is available by visiting www.imninc.com.
|
Take Advantage of the JM&A Advantage
Visit us while at NADA at Booth #2527
JM&A Group, one of the nation's largest independent sources of extended service contracts, pre-paid maintenance programs and credit insurance products, helps dealers achieve unsurpassed levels of finance and insurance performance in the retail automotive industry. Our goal is to help you turn today’s challenges into income-generating opportunities leading to new heights of profitability. Visit www.jmagroup.com.
|
Compli Helps Dealers Stay on Track and Compliant
While at NADA Come Visit Us at Booth #1291
Compli's web-based platform simplies workforce and compliance management by automating the distribution and tracking of policies, forms and training. Standardize your business processes, create actionable intelligence to drive productivity, reduce risk and increase profits with Compli. At NADA 2010 you will see Compli unveil the world's first Workforce DMS! To learn more visit www.compli.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Increased Growth for Women Users of Secondary Lease Market
LeaseTrader.com, the nation's most popular online lease swap marketplace for car leases, reports a growing number of women using the company's peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace as a way to shop for an auto lease and to avoid the dealer sales environment.
A significant portion of feedback collected by LeaseTrader.com indicates its women customers prefer to shop for car leases by working directly with another consumer because the P2P method removes the car dealer and sales person from the equation. In fact, avoiding the dealer sales environment was the leading reason women used the online marketplace (88.3 percent of the time) according to LeaseTrader.com.
"Car dealerships have made improvements over the years in adjusting their retail sales environment to be more in tune with women's interests and preferences for the car buying process," said Delia Passi, CEO of WomenCertified.com. "Many dealerships still have a long way to go in meeting women's expectations, however, even though women are the primary influencers of auto sales. For this reason many woman are deciding to break the traditional car buying mold and are finding success in connecting with others on the Internet to find their next vehicle of choice."
For more information visit www.LeaseTrader.com or Twitter @Lease_Trader or call 800-770-0207.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swapalease Sees Traffic Rise in 2009
Swapalease.com, world's largest automotive lease marketplace and pioneer in facilitating lease transfers online, provides programs (including new leases and for sale vehicles) for both consumers and dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Traffic rose as benefits include low monthly payments, short term commitment, no money down. For more info call 866-SWAP-NOW or visit swapalease.com.
|
Complimentary Webinar from Compli
Join us for a free webinar, Jan 27, 12 noon to 1 p.m. Eastern time, hosted by Compli and presented by John Donovan, Partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP. This valuable presentation is designed to alert you on key areas where your dealership is vulnerable to wage-hour claims. Lack of compliance can be costly! Register now and receive email instructions. Q&A session to follow.
|
Saleen Performance Vehicles Introduces New iPhone App & Websites
Saleen demonstrates its mobile presence to the international automotive industry at Detroit auto show with launch of an iPhone app and two all new websites. iPhone app provides the first vehicle configuration application on the mobile market. Browse SpeedLab parts for body, engine, driveline, brakes, suspension, and connect with a Saleen dealer. More info at www.saleen.com.
|
|
|
