Dealerships say live communication allows them to engage with customers as they shop rather than trying to follow up.

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Dealerships explore chat options instead of lead forms

Some dealerships are exploring ways to engage with customers while they're actively shopping online instead of following up after they fill out a website form.

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Dealers

Carvana makes reconditioning gains

The online used-vehicle retailer's available inventory is still pinched — down 27 percent from the previous quarter.

Volkswagen tests a Level 4 autonomous system, top. The automaker is bolstering its plans for the autonomous space, including an eventual robotaxi based on the ID Buzz, middle, and the Trinity, bottom, which will have a neural network capable of learning.

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Mobility Report

Despite setbacks, Volkswagen Group brands are ready to robo

Despite setbacks, the German group's brands are taking steps to catch up with rivals in development of automated driving technology.

Microchips

Downtime extended for Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler minivans

The plants in Belvidere, Ill., and Windsor, Ontario, will remain offline through mid-May because of the global microchip shortage.

Coronavirus

Stellantis to adopt hybrid workplace strategy

The automaker envisions a hybrid working model that will see employees spend 70 percent of their time working remotely and the rest on-site.

Daily Drive Podcast

Will chip shortage shrink the supply chain?

Deloitte's Chris Richards believes the auto industry's multi-tier supply base has too many layers and is causing the sector to fall behind other industries amid the microchip pinch.

News Analysis

Watch Elon Musk’s awkward ‘SNL’ promos -- plus, why his hosting stint is so controversial

Some “Saturday Night Live” cast members have balked, and crypto fans are in a frenzy.

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Dealers

Hendrick due to respond to suit by former employee claiming racist harassment

The plaintiff left Hendrick Toyota Concord in North Carolina because a white service department foreman repeatedly targeted him with racist vitriol, the suit alleges.

Retail

TrueCar Q1 hampered by chip shortage, loss of USAA business

The vehicle listings provider narrowed its first-quarter net loss to $8.4 million from $10.7 million in the year-earlier period.

Top retailers by used-vehicle sales

Our annual ranking of the top retailers by used-vehicle sales

The list showed some top-five shuffling as online upstart Carvana passed two of the country's biggest dealership groups.

PM NEWSCAST

Jeep, minivan stoppages extended

• Stellantis plots hybrid work

• Ferrari's new V-12 cars

• How Nuro avoided the Noid

See all PM Newscasts

AM Newscast

BMW reiterates full-year profit

• VW Group wants battery partners

• Carvana doubles revenue, narrows loss

• Hyundai aims to reach more Black buyers

See all First Shift

Special Video Report

In-house social media team creates 'raving fans' at N.Y. Chevy, Honda stores

Mohawk Auto Group is creating a fun company culture while getting serious about social. It's leveraging internal "brand champions" to engage the community, reduce ad spending and boost business.

EV Freedom Act can bring fast charging and a just future to all

Striking a balance between in-person and online car-buying

Vehicle owners' ongoing battle with infotainment systems

Ford Credit posts ‘outstanding' $962 million Q1 profit

Customers with high FICO scores transact fully on digital retailing platforms

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Ferrari aims to please fan base with two new V-12 models

Ford to revive Lightning badge on electric F-150, report says

Rolls-Royce drops Wraith, Dawn in U.S.

Systematic problem-solving pays off for Ind. dealership group

Group tunes into women's concerns

What the chip shortage means to the service drive

Service counter: Service forecast

Fixed in time: A GMC store in 1973 was a popular destination for driveway wrench turners

Despite setbacks, Volkswagen Group brands are ready to robo

Canada's Project Arrow project taps Aston Martin's Fraser Dunn as chief engineer

Self-driving startup Aeva says its sensor can detect vehicles over 500m away

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The Future Product Pipeline allows you to stay up to date on current and new brand products, along with changes and other features. Here is the latest update:

Segment: Alternative Power
Powertrain(s): Electric
New in 2021
A battery-powered version of the Genesis G80 sedan is the brand's first full-electric model, promising sporty acceleration and a generous driving range.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Segment: Alternative Power
Powertrain(s): Electric
New in 2021
The EQS will be available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, powered by a 107.8-kilowatt-hour battery that delivers 770 km (478 miles) of range.

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Automakers & Suppliers

GM manages to keep pickup lines, profits rolling

The automaker has lost more production volume than Ford, but it expects a lower financial toll because it has been able to avoid shutting down output of its high-profit trucks.

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Dealers

FCA employee-discount scheme a mystery

Workers say they have no idea how their information was used at a suburban Detroit dealership to give family discounts to people they don't know. A salesman now faces charges.

World Congress

Supply chain woes just won't stop mounting

This year has brought so many challenges at once that it has beaten out 2020 in terms of impact on companies, experts say.

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Dealers

Larry Van Tuyl buys Honda dealership in Houston

The former CEO of Van Tuyl Group, which was acquired in 2015 by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, has renamed the store Easy Honda.

Suppliers

American Axle swings to $38.6M profit in Q1, launches JV for EV powertrain

American Axle said it will join forces with Israel's REE Automotive to develop an electric propulsion system for e-mobility.

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Dealers

LMP buys Subaru store in W.Va.

The deal gives LMP Automotive Holdings Inc. its first Subaru dealership.

Automakers & Suppliers

Nikola reveals new SEC subpoena

The March 24 subpoena relates to projected 2021 cash flow and how the company plans to use funds from capital raises this year.

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Finance & Insurance

Mortgage giant Rocket Cos. adds auto finance to its future e-commerce platform

The site, Rocket Auto, will feature vehicle inventory and connect customers to auto lender offerings. Rocket Auto is currently a white label call center for used-car retailer Vroom.