NADA convention

NADA CONVENTION

Telematics challenge: Capable but simple

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
Telematics systems run the risk of becoming too complicated and distracting, yet they also can become outdated well before the vehicle's life is complete. So said a panel at the J.D. Power International Automotive Roundtable.... Read More »

 

The giddy sales forecast: Full speed ahead!

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
All that giddy optimism in the air at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention was remarkable and appeared genuine. That's because, one by one, automakers have followed up their bold talk with big sales projections for 2013.... Read More »

 

Cheap, easy credit gives lift to leases

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
Encouraged by cheap and easily available credit, several mass market brands will get more aggressive with leasing this year to boost sales and customer loyalty.... Read More »

 

KEITH CRAIN

Orlando was the place to be

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
During the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando this month, there was buzzing. Last year was a good one. Everyone was upbeat and looking forward, with some caution, to the rest of the year. It was a pleasant change from the past few years Keith Crain is editor-in-chief of Automotive News.... Read More »

 

Getting Busy at NADA

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
The NADA convention in Orlando was a round-the-clock combination of serious business, relationship building and relaxing with peers and colleagues. Here are some scenes from the show.... Read More »

 

NADA CONVENTION

Dealers brace for health care sticker shock

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
Two years of hoping the national health care law would go away have left many auto dealers unprepared for changes that take effect Jan. 1. Dealers have 10 months left to re-evaluate and restructure their employee health care benefits under the Affordable Care Act.... Read More »

 

NADA CONVENTION

NADA's agenda: Cut red tape, watch Washington

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
he new chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association will keep a close eye on how new health care and lending laws are implemented and also wants NADA to find ways to cut red tape affecting dealerships, he said during his inaugural speech.... Read More »

 

NADA CONVENTION

Underriner: Ease rules on stores

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
With little payback proved, automakers should back off demands on dealers for massive investment in facility image programs, outgoing NADA Chairman Bill Underriner told dealers.... Read More »

 

NADA CONVENTION

Stop whining about yen, Honda exec tells Detroit 3

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
Tough talk from Detroit about the weakening yen giving Japanese automakers an unfair advantage in the United States "doesn't pass the sniff test," says American Honda's top sales executive.... Read More »

 

NADA CONVENTION

Report: Rising sales of rentals to restock used-vehicle supply

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 18, 2013
New-vehicle sales to rental car companies in 2012 rose 11 percent to 1.55 million units, which will help increase the number of vehicles returning to the used-car market in 2013, predicts an annual report on the state of the used-car industry.... Read More »

 

JIM HENRY

The dealer, F&I vendor disconnect

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 13, 2013
There’s a disconnect in the F&I space that’s getting more obvious. Many dealers, including some of the big publicly traded dealership groups, say they’re limiting their F&I menus to three or four items: extended-service contracts, GAP policies, prepaid maintenance and perhaps another.... Read More »

 

AutoNews Now: A call to stop 'intruding'

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2013
New NADA chief raps 'one size fits all' factory mandates, calls for vigilance over customer data; smaller bailout bite; Alfa 4C.... Read More »

 

First Shift: Prime time for Mitsu

7:45 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2013
Marketing spend doubling with restyled Outlander; Hyundai loyalty push; BMW's pledge; taking on 'death tax'; ROI culture at Benz.... Read More »

 

DAVID BARKHOLZ

AutoTrader: Only 2 of 3 of dealership Web visits are for vehicle shopping

11:42 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
After reviewing nearly 3 million dealer Web site visits at 3,000 dealers recently, AutoTrader found that 32 percent of dealer Web visitors go to the site for something other than shopping.... Read More »

 

AutoNews Now: Chevy ad, growth plan

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Bowtie debuts global marketing campaign, eyes more sales; new SUV is sold out; keeping employees honest.... Read More »

 

Midday Newscast from NADA: Cadillac sales hopes

11:45 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Dealers told to expect 35 percent retail improvement, VW infotainment plans, break for Fiat dealers, eBay goes for parts bin.... Read More »

 

Nissan urges dealers to stay on track amid product blitz

5:19 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
After setting a brand sales record in 2012 and two years of record dealer profitability, Nissan urged retailers at its make meeting to stay focused on the strategy of the past three years. Nissan is midway through a plan to introduce five key model redesigns in 15 months.... Read More »

 

Acura to give each dealer 2 RLX sedans ahead of launch

2:33 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Acura plans to give each of its 265 dealers two 2014 RLX flagship sedans on Friday, a month before the car goes on sale March 15.... Read More »

 

AutoTrader acquires incentive-tracker Automotive Information Systems

2:40 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
AutoTrader Group's stable of online classified properties and software companies just got bigger. Dale Pollak, founder of vAuto, a unit of AutoTrader, said AutoTrader has acquired Automotive Information Systems, an Ann Arbor, Mich., tracker of new-vehicle incentives, for an undisclosed price.... Read More »

 

Mitsubishi to double marketing spend this year, return to prime-time network TV

3:39 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Mitsubishi Motors North America executives told dealers at a standing-room-only make meeting here today that it will double its marketing spend this year and return to prime-time network TV after a long absence.... Read More »

 

Hyundai aims to increase owner loyalty

12:53 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Hyundai Motor America hopes that the third shift added in September at its Alabama plant will help the company boost 2013 sales 4 percent, to 730,000 units.... Read More »

 

First Shift: Plus side of dealer reviews

7:45 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Study shows sales edge if stores score high online; Ford spruce-up bucks; plus, Henry Ford, Dr. J and a really big truck.... Read More »

 

MIKE COLIAS

Why Chevy's new advertising road looks promising

11:22 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Opinions on what flavors and themes should infuse Chevy's brand messaging are as diverse as its sprawling vehicle lineup.... Read More »

 

Ally sees full U.S. repayment by 2014 on auto business gains

10:11 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
Ally Financial, the second-largest remaining investment by the Treasury’s federal bailout fund, will repay the government by 2014 on the strength of its auto-finance business, its CEO said.... Read More »

 

EDWARD LAPHAM

Why 'Back to the Future' resonates at NADA

9:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2013
It caught my eye immediately. Parked at a booth in the NADA exhibition hall was a DeLorean time machine. It looked as if it had just blown in from the "Back to the Future" movie trilogy -- complete with blinking dashboard lights and a flux capacitor.... Read More »