Firm created by Microsoft co-founder invests $30M in TrueCar 2:02 pm U.S. ET | Dec. 12, 2013  TrueCar, reportedly considering an initial public offering next year, said Vulcan Capital -- a private equity firm created by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen -- has invested $30 million in the vehicle-shopping site.... Read More »
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE Why dealers should hire teachers, not tech guys, to deliver cars 2:35 pm U.S. ET | Dec. 11, 2013  Most dealers right now are struggling with a fundamental part of their business: how best to deliver sold cars. Specifically, how should dealers educate their paying customers on all the cool technology that a new car, pickup or SUV contains?... Read More »
GABE NELSON Car hacking: Remote possibility, looming fear 12:01 am U.S. ET | Dec. 7, 2013  In a world in which hackers track computer keystrokes to steal credit card numbers and the government snoops on phone calls and e-mails, it's not so hard to imagine a laptop-wielding bad guy remotely wresting control of a car and wreaking havoc.... Read More »
Toyota moves closer to wireless chargingDec. 5, 2013 22:58 CET  Toyota is a step closer to offering wireless charging for its electrified vehicles after signing an agreement to license the intellectual property of WiTricity, a U.S. company specializing in wireless power transfer.... Read More »
Toyota moves closer to wireless charging 4:58 pm U.S. ET | Dec. 5, 2013  Toyota is a step closer to offering wireless charging for its electrified vehicles. The Japanese automaker has signed an agreement to license the intellectual property of WiTricity, a company specializing in wireless power transfer... Read More »
U.S. senator asks automakers how they will thwart hackers 4:06 pm U.S. ET | Dec. 3, 2013 A United States senator has asked 20 of the world's biggest automakers for information on how they secure their vehicles from cyber attacks, in light of reports by security experts who say they have identified ways to hack into cars.... Read More »
GABE NELSON Why automakers should pay attention to Amazon's drones 12:41 pm U.S. ET | Dec. 3, 2013  Even if Amazon never manages to launch its experimental drone delivery concept, the auto industry should see it as a wake-up call.... Read More »
EDITORIAL Connectivity evolves 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 25, 2013 Automakers seem reconciled to generating less revenue from vehicle connectivity than they once expected, and that's probably for the best.... Read More »
Farley says 'connected car' success rides on tech firm flexibility 5:06 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 19, 2013  Ford, trying to satisfy customer demands for more in-car technology, said technology companies must work in more open and flexible ways for Internet “connected-car” features to be as seamless as smartphone apps.... Read More »
Reynolds puts scare in Illinois store 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 18, 2013 For a dealership to change dealer management system vendors, it typically takes at least a year of preparation, staff training and testing.... Read More »
Akerson: 4G has gee-whiz factor 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 18, 2013  General Motors CEO Dan Akerson was blown away by a recent test drive in a GM prototype. It wasn't the torque or the ride or the handling. It was the high-speed wireless Internet coursing through the car's cabin.... Read More »
As apps hit the road in big numbers, who will profit? 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 18, 2013 The number of automotive apps in use in vehicles is expected to soar to 4.3 billion programs globally in 2018, up from 12 million last year, but it's not clear that these apps will prove to be a financial cornucopia for automakers.... Read More »
Sites give dealers bragging room 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 18, 2013  Dealerships are getting more online real estate to sell themselves on Internet vehicle shopping sites. At KBB.com, for example, dealers now have their own profile pages to post photos, reviews and ratings to differentiate themselves from rivals, said Jared Rowe, president of Kelley Blue Book.... Read More »
Scion pulls more dealers online 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 18, 2013  Scion, to prod dealers to connect with shoppers on the Internet, is helping retailers pay for online advertising on Google and other search engines. Frank Scion in National City, Calif., had never spent a dime for Google paid search until this month when Scion anted up co-op funds, said Sean Magaha, digital marketing director for the Frank Motors Group.... Read More »
High-tech battle: Dealers vs. crafty thieves 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 17, 2013  Stealing cars isn't always a messy game that leaves piles of broken glass at the scene.... Read More »
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE SD card players offer good customer service opportunities 4:03 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 7, 2013  Smart dealers and sales reps should look hard at the customer satisfaction opportunity as the CD player disappears from vehicles. The CD player's main replacement, the Secure Digital card reader, does a better job than its predecessor in about a quarter of the space.... Read More »
GM to expand online Shop-Click-Drive program nationwide 11:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 6, 2013  General Motors is rolling out nationwide a digital car-shopping tool that allows buyers to complete all aspects of a purchase online, from getting a price to applying for financing. GM said today that all of its roughly 4,300 Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick-GMC dealerships can feature the Shop-Click-Drive tool on their Web sites.... Read More »
These apps offer parking privileges 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4, 2013  Now that most infotainment systems have real-time traffic guidance apps, the next big thing is the search for a parking space. A bevy of startups have developed apps that enable motorists to find and reserve parking spots at their destinations -- typically in major cities such as New York, London or San Francisco.... Read More »
Online auto shopping dips again; could it be Santa's fault? 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4, 2013 Online auto shopping dropped again in September, raising questions about a strong finish for what has been a big sales year.... Read More »
Hinrichs: Tesla's Imax-sized screen is quite an eyeful 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4, 2013  Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of the Americas, says he has been busy lately driving competitors' products. One that impressed him is the Tesla Model S.... Read More »
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Shop-Click-Drive is 'a tool that works' 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4, 2013 Keith Crain suggested in his Oct. 28 column that General Motors' cutting-edge Internet sales tool, Shop-Click-Drive, "could be the beginning of a slippery slope for GM."... Read More »
Study: Online shoppers demand fast responses 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4, 2013 The willy-nilly shopping patterns of online car shoppers make it crucial for dealers to respond within five minutes to questions and requests for contact, according to new research by a dealer consulting firm.... Read More »
VINCE BOND JR. Coming to the center stack: Buy a car, get a coffee coupon 4:12 pm U.S. ET | Oct. 31, 2013  I can hear the commercials now. "Buy a [insert car here] and get 50 percent off on Starbucks coffee! The coupon code will pop up on your vehicle's screen. All you have to do is scan it with your phone and show it to the barista!" This isn't a far-fetched scenario.... Read More »
Retailer Kuni plunges into multiplatform plan 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 28, 2013  Kuni Automotive will wholesale its used vehicles on multiple remarketing platforms to its own stores and to other buyers.... Read More »
Mercedes integrates navigation system with Google GlassOct. 25, 2013 06:01 CET  Mercedes may introduce Google Glass integrated into a car's navigation system in its production models.... Read More »
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Special Report
 Dealer aims to create a 'place of delight'Bernie Moreno has expanded the suburban Cleveland-based Collection Auto Group from a single store in 2005 to 21 dealerships today. Mon., December 9» Watch the Video |
