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Monday, March 9, 2009
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Issue 37
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VOLUME 3
ISSUE 37
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News, Trends & Products
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What new union legislation could mean for dealers
AIADA issues call to action
The American International Automobile Dealers Association has rolled out a campaign to stop a bill expected to be introduced in the House and the Senate sometime this week. "This is brewing up to be one of the biggest battles we could see in the 111th Congress between organized labor and business – each fighting for their livelihood," AIADA says in a bulletin to members. "AIADA opposes the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), also known as Card Check, because it threatens dealers, manufacturers, and their workers. We encourage all of our dealer members to contact their representatives in the House and the Senate." Look inside if you want to send a message to your rep.
[FULL STORY]
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Protecting your most valuable asset. . . Your customer
Understanding what it takes to keep customers in tough times
More Info on the Digital Dealer Conference
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No lead left behind
Following up with Internet leads and unsold prospects using a virtual BDC
More Info on the Digital Dealer Conference
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White House task force to test-drive Volt in Detroit
Top advisers to the White House auto industry task force will test-drive the technology behind the Chevrolet Volt and meet with top executives from GM and Chrysler on Monday in Detroit, The Detroit News reports. The advisers -- Wall Street investment fund manager Steve Rattner and corporate restructuring expert Ronald Bloom -- will visit General Motors Corp.'s technical center in Warren and Chrysler LLC's nearby truck assembly plant, an Obama administration official said Sunday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the trip would include a look at labs where technology for the Volt is being developed, and a test drive of a demonstration vehicle equipped with the Volt's hybrid electric drive. They also will meet with United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger, said the official.
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I-CAR online training hits 15,000 milestone
The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) has reached the milestone of delivering 15,000 online training programs. “This delivery system is gaining ground with the industry,” says I-CAR Technical Director, Jason Bartanen. “The number of collision industry professionals who choose to take online training has grown steadily since it was first introduced.” The online training system was introduced in August 2005 and reached the “10,000 trained” milestone in July 2008.
[FULL STORY]
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Auto dealer groups lobby for aid in Washington
Two auto dealer associations met Friday with the White House auto task force and urged the government to take measures to make it easier for dealers and their prospective customers to obtain credit, The Detroit News reports. Representatives of the National Auto Dealers Association and the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers spoke with members of the task force, which has held meetings over the past two weeks with a wide variety of auto executives, industry experts, labor representatives, creditors and politicians. In a letter sent Monday to President Barack Obama, the dealer associations said falling consumer confidence, credit market turmoil and a steep drop in lending had "created an unsustainable business climate" for thousands of dealers.
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Students build a winning hot rod for dealer
When Mark O'Brien, president of Roy O'Brien Ford of St. Clair Shores, Mich., forked over $6,000 last year for a 1951 Ford Coupe Sedan he intended to serve as his teenage son's first car, he figured it would take another $10,000 to get it into driveable condition, the Detroit Free Press reports. But thanks to the Hot Rod High auto tech students at Roseville High School, seven months and nearly $150,000 later, O'Brien instead got himself an award-winning hot rod making the rounds on the custom car show circuit. This weekend, the car, which the Roseville students dubbed Hope, will be featured in the 57th annual Detroit Autorama at Cobo Center. "I never thought the car would end up like this," O'Brien said. "Our nice dark blue grandma car bought to be a daily driver was turned into a $150,000 trailer queen. These kids did an amazing job."
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DCR Systems granted U.S. patent on lean-based collision repair process
Following a full and extensive review by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Ohio-based collision repair pioneer DCR Systems has been granted a full U.S. Patent on its vehicle collision repair process and system. This patent is the first of its kind, validating the innovation of DCR’s lean-based process and confirming, despite widespread skepticism, that a collision repair system can be so unique as to warrant a patent.
[FULL STORY]
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Alliance selects Experian Automotive's inventory optimization tool
Experian Automotive today announced it has been selected by Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (AAPA) to provide its AutoCount Vehicles in Operation data for the Alliance's inventory optimization tool, which will be made available to its 53 North American shareholders.
[FULL STORY]
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IP Intelligence helps 4 Wheel Parts steer online shoppers
Digital Element, an IP Intelligence solutions company, announced that 4 Wheel Parts, the largest distributor of 4x4 parts and accessories for trucks, Jeeps and SUVs, has selected the company's IP Intelligence technology to deliver more relevant content to online shoppers and to create more cross-channel sales opportunities between the distributor's retail stores, e-commerce site and free catalog.
[FULL STORY]
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PPG names Domenic Brusco senior manager, industry relations
PPG Industries announced the appointment of Domenic Brusco to senior manager, industry relations for North America Automotive Refinish effective immediately. In this new role, Brusco will be the company’s lead liaison for industry stakeholders, including the various collision repair associations, insurance and information providers. He will work with industry leaders to identify and seek solutions to business challenges that the automotive aftermarket industry face.
[FULL STORY]
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How to endure, survive and even thrive in tumultuous times
Is that what you and your store(s) need at this very moment? The knowledge of how to endure in these tumultuous times? The ability to survive in these tumultuous times? And can you imagine…a plan to even thrive in these tumultuous times?
[FULL STORY]
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The importance of service in today’s economy
Why it pays to go the extra mile to help your customers on the rough road ahead
Full Story
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In DFO magazine
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Understanding the times...
by Charlie Polston
What.jpg?i=030909120355) is your fixed operations goal in 2009? In order to succeed... you must have a clear understanding of where you are now, and how you got there. The past two years have been rough in our industry and most automotive gurus predict 2009 won’t be any better. There is light at the end of the tunnel, though, as most market-watchers expect a resurgence of new car sales in 2010. I’ve heard my experts say, “As goes new car sales, so goes service.” Personally, I disagree. I believe the service department can grow and thrive and flourish, regardless of what happens with new car sales. When folks aren’t buying cars, it means they are holding on to what they have; and those cars need to be maintained. If you’ve been following my articles in Dealer Fixed Operations magazine or attending my NADA workshops over the last several years, then you know that I have only one message: Sell preventive maintenance services to your customers. It is the only strategy I’ve ever seen that will work no matter what the economic climate or how strong the winds of uncertainty are blowing.
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Dave Anderson's Leadership Quote of the Week
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To become successful you must do more than emulate the best practices of other organizations. You must embrace and apply the principles of success. To do what they do you must become like they are - Dave Anderson, Learn to Lead, Inc.
Order Dave Anderson's new DVD: "How to Tighten Up, Toughen Up and Stay Up in Down Times"
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DFO Community
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