 |
Don Navarro
KPN Advisors
Chairman and Managing Director
More Than Just Two Bankruptcies
What Washington thought would happen and what really went on is still going on. (The sooner we get the Treasury out of the game, the better.)
- [Read More] |
|
Ken Shilson
NABD
President and Founder
BHPH Finds Its Identity
Buy here, pay here is a critical source of transportation for many people in the U.S -- if it weren't for BHPH, many people couldn't get to and from work.
- [Read More] |
|
Adrian Moore
Xtrac Limited
Technical Director
Advanced Racing Transmissions
Current innovations in racecar transmissions. (Why transmissions are a more important part of vehicle technology than ever before.)
- [Read More] |
|
Stats and Smart Charts
 |
Average Trade-In Mileage & Unemployment Rates: Jan 08 - Jun 09
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 Significance of the Data
- Edmunds.com tracked correlation between trade-ins and unemployment
- Trade-in mileage increasing closely to unemployment rate
- Consumers preparing to buy cars but not closing deals
- Average mileage of trade-ins increased much in past 18 months
- Up 8% from year ago and 15% since January 2008
Source: Edmunds Auto Observer - July 21, 2009
|
|
Industry Conferences
|
 |
Las Vegas, NV August 4-7, 2009
|
 |
|
Traverse City, MI August 4-7, 2009
|
|
|
Long Beach, CA August 10-13, 2009
|
|
|
Carmel, CA August 16, 2009
|
|
|
San Francisco, CA September 29-October 2, 2009
|
|
|
Las Vegas, NV October 6-8, 2009
|
|
|
Las Vegas, NV October 14-16, 2009
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
People Going Places
 |
Kevin Root
DriverSide.com
VP of Product Strategy
DriverSide.com has named Kevin Root as Vice President of Product Strategy. Root has more than 20 years of industry experience and has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as one of the original automotive Internet pioneers. In his role at DriverSide, Root will be in charge of improving existing programs and features as well as leading the design of new ones. He has held roles at MSN Autos, the Cobalt Group and most recently as VP of Product Strategy and Development at Dealix, where he drove strategy for UsedCars.com.
|
 |
Steve Piccinati
America's Auto Auction
Senior Vice President
America's Auto Auction has named Steve Piccinati as Senior Vice President. Piccinati comes from Bank of America, where he served for 11 years as VP of Repossession and Remarketing. Prior to his tenure with Bank of America, his assignments included National Director of Fleet and Remarketing for Hyundai Motors, VP of National Remarketing for AutoNation, and multiple leadership roles at Nissan Motor Corporation.
|
|
|
| What's Next |
Anti-Identity Theft Program Requirements for Dealers Postponed Again
|
|
Dealers are required by the FTC to implement Red Flags enforcement programs to deter identity theft. The requirement has been delayed before and has just been delayed again until November 1, 2009. Meanwhile, the FTC is expanding its business education campaign.
|
|
|
Consumer Courage Increases Along with Clunkers Funding
|
|
Even with the controversy arising over the weekend as to its longevity, the CARS program is bringing out buyers in need of better, safer transportation but who hesitated for financial reasons for personal and national. AutoNation CEO Michael Jackson thinks there's been psychological effect that's getting consumers to start buying cars again.
|
|
|
 |
| Internet Sales & Marketing |
Deep Packet Inspection Not Going Away
|
|
Even though NebudAd has received public and federal backlash for its deep packet inspection technology, DPI is still flourishing. Without receiving prior approval to review consumer online behavior, it's been controversial. It may disappear as a standalone thing and get folded into other types of technology. Communication-services providers want to improve network security and remain interested in DPI.
|
|
|
2010 Ford Taurus Gets Hi-Tech Campaign to Match Car
|
|
Ford is advertising the 2010 Ford Taurus which offers high quality and innovative technology on par with much more expensive luxury cars in the same segment. Smart tag ads and Webisodes highlight the features in the debut campaign.
|
|
|
 |
| The Green Dealership |
GM Needs Federal Funds for Hydrogen Research Program
|
|
GM's hydrogen research project may be in jeopardy unless the automaker can get its hands on another $50-$70 million from the government, warns outgoing research chief Larry Burns. But it's hardly a good time for GM to ask for research money now.
|
|
|
Fuel Prices Affect Hybrid Payback
|
|
When petroleum-based fuel was priced above $4 a gallon, hybrids were flying off dealers' lots. This summer, however, gas prices are down and consumers are rethinking the hybrid payback equation. Surprisingly, diesels are the winner when all powertrain systems are considered.
|
|
|
 |
| F&I Administration |
Leasing May Make a Comeback at GM
|
|
A year ago residual values began to tumble and credit markets froze, causing auto lenders to tighten restrictions on vehicle loans. Sales plummeted. One of the causalities of this situation was auto leasing. GMAC got out of the leasing business in a hurry, but now it appears that GMAC will expand it lease portfolio once again.
|
|
|
Special Lease Deal for Toyota CARS Customers
|
|
Customers participating in the Cash for Clunkers program can get regional lease rates at Toyota dealerships. The rebates can be applied toward special 60-month leases on selected vehicles. Toyota isn't forgetting customers with trade-ins not eligible for CARS. They may be eligible for other regional incentives.
|
|
|
 |
| Used Vehicle Sales and Remarketing |
Cash for Clunkers Needs More Funding
|
|
An avalanche of auto sales has pushed the government's $1 billion Cash for Clunkers program to its funding limit. Nearly 250,000 vehicles have been sold through the program. The White House is working with Congress to find more money. Some lawmakers may ask for additional fuel efficiency guidelines before approving the money.
|
|
|
Edmunds.com Online Seminar Helps Clarify Cash for Clunkers Program
|
|
Edmunds.com sponsored an online panel to discuss the finer details of the Cars Allowance Rebate System, better known as Cash for Clunkers. Key topics included scrapping the trade-in, evaluating fuel-efficiency requirements, fielding consumer questions and recommending the right new vehicle.
|
|
|
 |
| Aftermarket Trends & Issues |
Report Shows Repair Shops Keeping Pace with Changing Consumer Needs
|
|
With more consumers keeping their vehicles longer, the auto repair industry looks to benefit. That's according to study from Frost & Sullivan. The report sees an upswing in jobs but shops are also adjusting to customer credit problems and other changes in the industry.
|
|
|
Tips for a Smarter, Safer Shop
|
|
Experts offers 11 tips for ensuring that repair shops are up to safety standards. A surprise visit from state regulators could result in penalties, and the shop would still have to make the improvements. Many problems involve documentation issues, so management must be up to speed.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
