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News and Industry Features
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Automakers rethink luxury lines
Sales of luxury cars, once considered resistant to recessions, fell almost 21% last year -- double the decline in overall car sales -- and continue to slide this year, The Wall Street Journal reports. That raises a disturbing question for auto makers: Is it merely a reaction to the downturn, or a long-term change in consumer behavior? Car companies aren't taking chances. Some are preparing smaller, cheaper versions of their high-end nameplates. Others are tweaking their messages, emphasizing "sustainability" and fuel economy in a market segment that for years competed on who had the highest horsepower and richest leather. "Conspicuous consumption is no longer in," said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst at IHS Global Insight. While her industry forecasting firm expects growth to return to the luxury market, it is unclear at what rate, she said. "We aren't necessarily getting the under-35s back in the [luxury] market and we think there is some resistance to them coming in, both from a social-conscious perspective as well as an economic one," Lindland said. Seeking these entry-level buyers, Cadillac recently said it will introduce a compact car for the first time in more than a decade. The model, called the ATS, is due sometime after 2011 from the General Motors Co. division.
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Digital Marketing/Advertising On-premises
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WVU marketing professor gives tips to help auto dealerships
Car dealerships are being cut everywhere, including in West Virginia, but dealers can protect their businesses, according to a recently published journal article by West Virginia University economics professor, Dr. James Brown. In his article, “Why Suppliers Drop Profitable Dealers,” published by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at WVU’s College of Business and Economics, Brown addresses the issues facing both auto suppliers and their dealers, identifies which dealers are being dropped and offers advice to local dealers to avoid termination. According to the 2008 annual report of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, the state has 197 registered dealers of both new and used vehicles. This summer, 789 Chrysler dealerships were terminated across the country. General Motors also plans to cut 1,300 dealerships by October 2010. The future of the automobile industry is uncertain and auto dealers are looking for answers, Brown said. “It is probably too late for those car dealers already on the termination lists because the state of the auto industry is particularly dire at present,” Brown said. “However, there are some things that car dealers – or other retailers and wholesalers, for that matter – can do to protect themselves in the future.”
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 The Sept. digital version of Dealer magazine is here!
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Kbb.com: 'Cash for clunkers' moved many from used to new
The CARS 2009 program, better known as "Cash for Clunkers," was successful in changing in-market car shoppers’ consideration set from ‘used’ to ‘new’ vehicles, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Study . From the program’s official inception in July to late August when Cash for Clunkers ended, a significant percentage of in-market car shoppers said they previously considered buying a used vehicle, but now considered buying new (from 12 percent in July to 20 percent in August).
[FULL STORY]
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GM to drop corporate logo from vehicles
General Motors Co. will no longer include the silver "GM" corporate logo on its vehicles in a move to emphasize the four core brands that survived the automaker's bankruptcy, The Detroit News reports. The move, which takes effect starting with the 2010 model year, was made earlier this month by the company's newly formed executive committee. The move downplays the link between the Chevrolet, Cadillac , Buick and GMC brands and their corporate parent, following the automaker's recent trip through bankruptcy court and months of negative headlines. "We are just really focused on the four core brands and this provided us with another opportunity to make sure they were at the forefront," GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan said. GM's research indicates people outside the Midwest do not necessarily link a Chevrolet or Cadillac with GM, Rhadigan said.
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Emboldened GM probes new Opel options
Last November, General Motors was burning cash on a fast-track to failure and desperate to cut any deal to save itself and its German unit Opel, Reuters reports. But fast forward nine months, and time suddenly is on GM's side. With its own bankruptcy completed and growing confidence that the worst of the credit crisis and auto sales slump have passed, GM's new board can afford a cooler approach to Opel, analysts say. That includes sending GM management back as it did this week to draw up alternatives that would allow the automaker to buy back control of Opel and GM's British affiliate Vauxhall, an option not even considered before. "Just a few months ago, GM was not in a position to retain Opel," said Dennis Virag, president of the Automotive Consulting Group in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "They were fighting on life support. Now the patient has recovered." Analysts say GM's new lease on life has allowed its board to ask questions that had threatened to get lost in the highly charged negotiations over Opel involving the German government and its favored bidder Magna International (MGa.TO).
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Kia Motors taps Scripps Networks Digital for Forte launch
Kia Motors America has entered a partnership with Scripps Networks Digital to extend the launch of the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan. The partnership includes: "What's Your Forte" sweepstakes on FoodNetwork.com and DIYnetwork.com, rich media units with a custom recipe generator on FoodNetwork.com, sponsorship of FoodNetwork.com's Recipe of the Day widget, print ads and on-air spots.
[FULL STORY]
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ChannelNet launches video service for auto dealers
ChannelNet, a provider of cross channel online to in-store solutions, announced the launch of an online video service for automotive and home improvement dealers and retailers.
[FULL STORY]
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AIAG publishes Electronic Proof of Delivery guideline
The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announced today the release of a new guideline for the electronic reporting of vehicle delivery providing irrefutable, real-time information on the condition of the vehicle, when it is presented to the destination dealer, for all of the parties involved.
[FULL STORY]
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AutoExcavations 5.0 completion and free setup offer announced
Chip King of King Global Enterprises LLC. and Sandi Jerome, of Sandi Jerome Consulting, today announced the completion of AutoExcavations 5.0 Web based software program, which enables dealers and Multi-Channel marketing companies to build thousands of exact vehicle repurchase quotes, in as little as ten minutes a month.
[FULL STORY]
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In Dealer magazine
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Follow me...
by Jack Bennett
Well, here it is the middle of June and you are reading this in the middle of August, or possibly earlier, which is typically .jpg?i=083109113745) not a big deal, but at the rate the car business is changing you may be reading this in your newly formed used car operation, or your recently invigorated GM franchise, or your Fiat/Chrysler/Jeep/Eagle/AMC/Renault dealership. Things change faster than I can write and faster than we can edit, print, bind and mail you copies. But fear not because the story I am about to tell is still applicable. And probably always will be... at least for as long as we are all here, God willing. The story is about selling cars and how to do it. Yep! We still gotta sell ‘em. We are going to talk about the walkaround. I know, I know, you’ve heard it all before but so what, you think it can’t help to read it once more? With everything going on in your business every day, it’s nice to know that someone like me has your back and will help you get the info to your managers so they can run productive sales meetings. It’s what I do ladies and gentlemen. No need to thank me. Read more
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ARCHIVE
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Issue 2
August 19, 2009
Vol. 2
Issue 2
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Issue 1
August 12, 2009
Vol. 2
Issue 1
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Issue 52
August 5, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 52
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Issue 51
July 29, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 51
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Issue 50
July 22, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 50
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Issue 49
July 15, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 49
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Issue 48
July 8, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 48
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Issue 47
July 1, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 47
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Issue 46
June 24, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 46
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Issue 45
June 17, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 45
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Issue 44
June 10, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 44
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Issue 43
June 3, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 43
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Issue 42
May 27, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 42
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Issue 41
May 20, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 41
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Issue 40
May 13, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 40
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Issue 39
May 6, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 39
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Issue 38
April 29, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 38
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Issue 37
April 22, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 37
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Issue 36
April 15, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 36
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Issue 35
April 8, 2009
Vol. 1
Issue 35
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