More COVID-19 headlines

Wednesday, May 20

Feeding 4,800 families: On May 22, Toyota/Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association dealers and The Salvation Army will distribute more than 4,800 boxes of groceries in 24 communities throughout the United States. “The coronavirus pandemic has left many families vulnerable and in a state of economic instability,” said Ed Fitzpatrick, association president. Dealership staff will distribute grocery boxes of non-perishable items like cereal and canned goods intended to help feed a family of four for a week. The Salvation Army is identifying families in need and instructing them to visit one of the participating Toyota or Lexus dealerships to pick up their grocery box. -- Toyota/Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association

Wednesday, May 13

-- Mike Motors of Minnesota, a Chevrolet-Buick-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership in Ely, Minn., will close by the end of July due to financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from KBJR 6 in Duluth, Minn. -- Melissa Burden

Donating body shop health equipment: Hawk Automotive, a 10-store dealer group in Illinois, delivered 400 N95 masks, three respirators and several boxes of non-latex gloves to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Ill., at the beginning of April. The dealer group also donated 1,000 gowns to AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet. Jim Muisenga, general manager of four Hawk Automotive stores, decided to donate body shop masks and respirators to the hospitals because "they could use it more than we could." -- Whitney McDonald

Tuesday, May 5

-- Cars.com has permanently laid off 170 employees, effective May 1, to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a document filed Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The majority of impacted employees had previously been furloughed. Cars.com expects pre-tax savings of $4.0-$4.75 million from the reduction. -- David Muller

Honda offers vans to help Detroit: Honda has delivered 10 of its Odyssey minivans, which have been specially outfitted to carry COVID-19 patients, to the City of Detroit for use by health care workers, the company said.
"To protect the health of the driver from the potential for droplet infection during transportation, the Honda Odysseys have been retrofitted with a plastic barrier installed behind the front seating area, as well as modifications to the ventilation system to maintain an air pressure differential between the front and rear seating areas," the company said in a statement.
Michigan state officials and Detroit city officials approached Honda in mid-April about the possibility of providing the vehicles after seeing reports about similarly outfitted minivans the company had provided to healthcare workers in Japan. The larger U.S. version of the minivans were modified by Honda engineers in Ohio, where the company has extensive operations. -- Laurence Iliff

-- The Toyota USA Foundation awarded $2.5 million in grants to a variety of nonprofits across the nation. The donations are focused on crucial needs, particularly food assistance and e-learning programs to help keep youth engaged. To date, including the above grants, Toyota has provided more than $8 million in funding and in-kind donations, including manufacturing and donating over 500,000 protective face shields for healthcare professionals. -- Toyota

Thursday, April 30

RainX windshield wash maker makes hand sanitizer: Memphis-based Highline Aftermarket, makers of several automotive accessories including RainX windshield wash, has converting a portion of its production to produce hand sanitizer and other disinfectants to help in the battle against COVID-19. -- Highline Aftermarket

Tuesday, April 28

NY dealers donate face masks: The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association will donate 500,000 face masks starting this week to New York residents at risk of contracting COVID-19. The association, which represents more than 400 franchised new-vehicle dealers in the New York City area, wants the 3-ply paper masks to go to seniors, essential workers and other at-risk residents. The masks will be divided among New York City's five boroughs and several surrounding counties and distributed with the help of local leaders, the association said. "During this extremely challenging time, when so many New Yorkers are suffering, losing loved ones, losing jobs, and struggling, car dealerships are once again here to contribute," association President Mark Schienberg said in a news release. -- Lindsay VanHulle

Monday, April 27

Coronavirus cases linked to Kansas dealership: Five cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, have been confirmed to be connected to Mel Hambelton Ford in Wichita, Kan., according to the Sedgwick County Health Department. Out of concern that members of the public may have been exposed to an employee with the virus, the county health department said, anyone who visited the dealership between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on April 17 and 8 a.m. and noon on April 20 should contact the health department or the local United Way. "Navigating COVID-19 has been difficult and we have taken the appropriate measures necessary to keep our employees and customers safe," dealership owner Lisa Hambelton said in a news release. -- Lindsay VanHulle

Friday, April 24

-- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is extending Michigan's stay-at-home order by another two weeks but lifting some restrictions that have limited commerce, work and leisure activities during the coronavirus pandemic. The new order does not explicitly address the ability of FCA, Ford and GM to restart assembly plants. -- Crain's Detroit Business

Wednesday, April 22

Byton furloughs Calif. staff: Chinese electric vehicle company Byton is furloughing approximately half of its 450 workers at its North American headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., the company said in a statement to EV news outlet Electrek. The company also said it’s evaluating its plans to launch the all-electric M-Byte SUV, which was slated to debut in China this year before launching in the U.S. in 2021. In the statement, Byton also said its leadership will “collectively take an 80% pay cut." "Given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy and the hit that the auto industry is taking, we like others have had to take measures to weather the hard times ahead,” Byton said. -- Alexa St. John

Tuesday, April 21

Lordstown Motors unveiling delayed: COVID-19 precautions have forced Lordstown Motors to push back the reveal of its Endurance electric pickup. The EV startup had planned to show the vehicle in June at the Detroit auto show, which has been canceled. The company says it likely will hold a virtual reveal in early summer from its headquarters in Lordstown, Ohio. In a statement, CEO Steve Burns said the company looks forward to "handing the keys to fleets across the country in January 2021." The previous target was  December 2020. -- Leslie J. Allen

Faraday gets government help: Fledgling electric vehicle company Faraday Future sought financial refuge from the U.S. government amid the COVID-19 pandemic that is wreaking havoc on established automakers and startups alike. Faraday obtained a loan of more than $9 million from the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program, as first reported by Chinese outlet The Paper. The startup was already beset by financial troubles, which are likely to be exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19. In recent years, the company has experienced a series of leadership upheavals and funding mishaps, notably a dispute with its main investor, Evergrande Health Industry Group. Other electric vehicle startups are also seeking financial assistance to weather the storm brought on by the virus, including electric trucking startup Workhorse and electric three-wheeler company Arcimoto, as reported by The Verge. -- Alexa St. John

Monday, April 20

Kia makes face shields at Georgia auto plant: Kia Motors’ auto plant in West Point, Georgia, is now making medical face shields for health care workers fighting the coronavirus across the country, the automaker said. Paid volunteers from the manufacturing facility are able to churn out 200,000 units a month of the protective devices, which will be donated first in Georgia, Alabama, New York and California. The volunteers at the idled plant are practicing distancing measures and undergoing temperature scans for safety. -- Laurence Iliff

Friday, April 17

-- The first critical care ventilators produced by GM and Ventec Life Systems in Kokomo, Ind., are being delivered by UPS to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in Olympia Fields, Ill., and Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. -- GM

-- In a Friday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ford Motor Co. said it expects to post a first quarter net loss of $2 billion. The filing updated financial guidance given earlier in the week, which did not include a net income/loss figure. -- Ford Motor Co. 

AutoWeb gets federal help: Dealership marketing company Autoweb said Friday it received close to $1.4 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, part of the $2 trillion federal coronavirus stimulus package. Autoweb will be able to defer principal and interest payments for the first six months, the company said in a news release. Autoweb previously said it froze hiring and developed a plan to manage operations, business continuity, communication with clients and technology in response to the coronavirus, as retail customers began suspending their marketing campaigns. The company will maintain employment, CEO Jared Rowe said. -- Lindsay VanHulle

Looking for a helping hand: The Do-Good Auto Coalition, a new initiative to link the auto industry with people seeking assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak, is in need of vehicles and volunteers to deliver food to charitable organizations helping people during the coronavirus pandemic. Diana Lee, CEO of New York-based Constellation Agency and an organizer of the coalition, said she is looking for help from dealerships and automakers who can serve as the missing link between farmers, growers and restaurant suppliers - who have unused food going to waste while businesses are shut down and Americans largely stay home - and food-rescue organizations and charities helping people struggling to make ends meet during the crisis. Lee said while some dealerships have volunteered with the coalition, many have furloughed their employees; she is asking automakers also to join the coalition to supply at least six cars and 10 volunteers needed on a daily basis. "We could use them every day at this point," Lee said. To help, visit the coalition's website. -- Lindsay VanHulle

-- Many automakers and suppliers in Michigan have pivoted toward producing parts for ventilators and personal protective equipment in the fight against coronavirus. Crain's Detroit Business has a list. -- Crain's Detroit Business

Thursday, April 16

-- The federal government will pay Ford and General Electric $336 million to jointly build 50,000 ventilators by July 13, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. -- DHHS

CDK avoids furloughs: CDK Global Inc. this week said it plans to avoid employee furloughs or layoffs through at least May 31. CEO Brian Krzanich wrote this week in a letter to employees that the Hoffman Estates, Ill., dealership management system giant will be able to "absorb the financial impact of this decision." The company did not rule out job action past the end of May. "As we have all seen and heard many global organizations have been forced to take both short- and long-term action to ensure the sustainability of their companies. Among the most common actions are furloughs and temporary layoffs," Krzanich wrote. "While we are facing the same challenges, we have decided that, at least through May 31, we are committed to avoiding furloughs or temporary layoffs as a consequence of the COVID-19 economic downturn." CDK has taken steps in recent weeks to preserve cash, including pausing vendors' service and adjusting payment terms, slowing hiring and postponing some initiatives, Krzanich wrote. Krzanich last month said he will reduce his salary and cash bonuses to $1 for the rest of 2020 and waive or reduce some fees for CDK's dealership customers. CDK has not yet announced when it will report its fiscal third-quarter earnings, but financial results are anticipated as soon as next month. -- Lindsay VanHulle

Dealers' outlook: The California New Car Dealers Association said in a new survey of its dealership members that 34 percent reported sales had fallen by 80 percent to 100 percent since the COVID-19 outbreak accelerated in California last month. That compares to 40 percent in a previous survey as of March 30. The association, which represents 1,400 dealerships, said 288 stores participated in the survey as of April 10. Other findings include:

• More than 97 percent of dealerships surveyed said their stores were open, with more than 80 percent saying they have improved their ability to sell online and deliver vehicles.
• More than 56 percent of participating dealerships had laid off up to 60 employees. That is up from more than 10 percent in a previous survey.
• Fifty-seven dealerships said their operations could be sustained for another one to three months as of April 10, down from more than 130 in the prior survey. CNCDA said more than 85 percent of responding dealerships applied for aid through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

-- Lindsay VanHulle

Mazda pledges $5 million for health care workers: Mazda is offering free oil changes and enhanced car cleaning to health care workers through its U.S. dealership network, regardless of make or model of the vehicle, and has pledged $5 million for the program, the company said. Essential Car Care, developed with Mazda dealers, includes a standard oil change plus interior and exterior cleaning using EPA-approved cleaners, the automaker said. The program runs from April 16 to May 4, and eligible recipients include hospital workers, mental health providers, medical testing technicians, public health agency workers, telehealth providers and employees of blood banks, Mazda said. There are some restrictions for exotic, classic and off-road vehicles. -- Laurence Illiff

Wednesday, April 15

-- The Mexican unit of Honda said on Tuesday it would extend a suspension of operations at its plants in the states of Guanajuato and Jalisco until April 30 due to the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak. -- Reuters

Honda to manufacture ventilator compressors: American Honda will soon be manufacturing compressors for the medical ventilators that are needed for the hardest-hit coronavirus patients.
Rick Schostek, executive vice president at Honda North America, said in a commentary on Linkedin that the automaker has transformed a technical center in Marysville, Ohio, into an assembly area for diaphragm vacuum compressors developed by Dynaflo Inc. The goal, Schostek said, is to produce 10,000 compressors a month.
Honda, which has donated personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks from its inventory, has also been producing face-shield frames using 3D printers at five different facilities. The equipment is being donated to healthcare workers and first responders, the executive said.
The company has also donated $1 million to food banks and meal programs across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and is providing matching funds for donations made by employees to food programs in their local communities up to $1,000 for each individual contribution. – Laurence Iliff

Tuesday, April 14

-- Sonic Automotive said Tuesday that due to the coronavirus pandemic, its board of directors has canceled awards of performance-based restricted stock units to more than 80 employees, including four named executive officers. -- Melissa Burden

Hyundai donates COVID-19 tests: Hyundai Motor America is adding to its efforts to fight the coronavirus in U.S. communities by donating 65,000 tests for hard-hit areas like New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit, the company said.
The new kits for drive-thru testing at some of the 22 U.S. locations supported by Hyundai come from Seegene, a South Korea-based company. The tests can detect three different genes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak.
"A best practice that was crucial in South Korea's handling of the coronavirus was drive-thru testing," said Hyundai North America CEO Jose Muñoz. "This approach protects the healthcare workers and patients from the potential spread of the virus, while diagnosing those most in need."
The automaker has pledged $4 million in grants for the U.S. through its Hope on Wheels program, which has supported children's' hospitals in the fight against cancer. Several of those hospitals are hosting drive-thru test sites for children and adults. -- Laurence Iliff

Thursday, April 9

Hyundai donation for Detroit: Hyundai Motor America has donated $100,000 and 10,000 coronavirus test kits to support drive-up testing in Detroit, part of a larger effort by the Korean automaker to support 21 U.S. drive-up sites with a $4 million grant from headquarters.
The tests, valued at $150,000, are on their way to Detroit and will be available in the coming days, said Zafar Brooks, director of corporate social responsibility for Hyundai. The nationwide effort began March 24 through the automaker’s Hope on Wheels program that supports hospitals focused on pediatric cancer treatment.
Detroit was chosen for the donation because of need, but the company also has “a lot of affection” for the city, which is near to the Hyundai America Technical Center in Superior Township, Brooks said. Hyundai contacted U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to channel the donation. -- Laurence Iliff

-- General Motors has shared its face mask manufacturing plans to help suppliers build up their own production. GM shared its processes with its suppliers, the Original Equipment Suppliers Association and the Michigan Manufacturers Association. "Our ultimate goal is to get more masks to the people who desperately need them," said Shilpan Amin, vice president of GM global purchasing and supply chain. -- Hannah Lutz

-- Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has expanded social distancing guidelines in the state and ordered the closing of all showrooms that display products for sale, including dealership showrooms. Businesses, like service centers, that continue to operate must provide employees with personal protective equipment under the order. --  8 News Now

Wednesday, April 8

-- Hyundai Motor America said it will give the 3,000 workers at its Montgomery, Ala., plant the option of using vacation time to be compensated while the plant is closed. The automaker said Wednesday that it is extending the closure of the plant until May 4. Also, Hyundai said Good Friday, which is this week, will be a paid holiday. -- Staff reports

-- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has extended the emergency health order in New Mexico to April 30, and clarified nonessential business rules. Under the amended order, dealership showrooms must be closed, but dealers can sell vehicles online. -- KOAT

Tuesday, April 7

Dealers' outlook: The California New Car Dealers Association said this week that a March 30 survey found 40 percent of dealerships polled reported vehicle sales had dropped by 80 to 100 percent since the coronavirus outbreak hit the state. The association, which represents 1,400 dealerships, received results from 322 stores that answered questions about the business impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Among the findings:

• More than 130 dealerships said operations during the crisis are sustainable for only one to three more months.
• More than 90 percent of those surveyed said stores remained open and more than 70 percent reported they had enhanced online sales and delivery.
• More than 10 percent cited laying off up to 60 employees.

-- Melissa Burden

Donating to fight COVID-19: German supplier Schaeffler, maker of transmission parts, bearings, clutches and other driveline components, said the company and the Schaeffler family are donating 1 million euros (about $1.1 million) to the Red Cross. The money is to be used to help the fight against COVID-19. Earlier this year, Schaeffler donated 800,000 euros ($872,000) to first responders in China. -- Richard Truett

Extending warranties: In a move mirroring one made last week by stablemate Hyundai Motor America, Kia Motors America is extending expiring warranties from March through May until June 30 for customers unable to bring their vehicles to dealerships for warranty repairs during the COVID-19 outbreak. -- Staff reports

Monday, April 6

-- Ford has gone from manufacturing 1,000 face shields to 1 million in 13 days. The automaker reached that goal on Saturday at Troy Design and Manufacturing in Plymouth, Mich. -- Detroit Free Press

Luxury marques offer deal: Jaguar Land Rover will offer 0% financing for 72 months on 2020 Jaguar and Land Rover models, and the 2021 Jaguar F-Type. Jaguar Land Rover also will defer the first payment for 90 days for qualifying customers who finance through Jaguar Land Rover, as long as the amount financed doesn't exceed $100,000. Additionally, Jaguar Land Rover Financial Group said lease customers will receive an extension in the term of a current lease agreement for up to six months. If a lease customer returns a vehicle and leases a new vehicle, the finance group will waive two payments of up to $750 each for eligible customers. -- Jaguar Land Rover

Friday, April 3

-- Crain's Detroit Business is compiling a list of layoffs in Michigan. Auto companies include: Benteler Automotive Corp., a maker of metal parts for vehicles, will temporarily halt operations and lay off 1,018 employees; ZF Axle Drives Marysville, an auto body parts supplier, plans to temporarily lay off 800 employees; Trico Products, a supplier of windshield wipers, is laying off 108 employees; and Ken Garff Automotive will temporarily lay off 360 employees across several dealerships. -- Crain's Detroit Business

-- Volkswagen will end a celebrity-driven campaign for its new Atlas Cross Sport crossover in favor of ads plugging a new program aimed at giving buyers some financial relief during the coronavirus outbreak. -- Advertising Age

VW payment deal: Volkswagen of America and Volkswagen Credit are offering payment assistance and incentives. New-car buyers can defer their first payment up to 180 days, and 0 percent, 72-month financing will be available for most vehicles. The program is set to run through April 30. Existing customers have been offered 90-day payment deferrals, lease extensions of up to six months, and waiver of past maturity fees in certain circumstances. -- Volkswagen of America

Medical gowns and masks: Volkswagen of America and one of its key suppliers, Faurecia, have partnered to produce masks and gowns for medical professionals treating COVID-19 patients. Faurecia is producing the items at one of its Mexico plants, and VW said the supplier is able to make an estimated 250K masks and 50K gowns per week. Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Scott Keogh announced the effort in a video. -- Volkswagen Group of America

-- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order on Thursday requiring residents to stay at home except for essential activities amid the outbreak, effective through April 14. -- Nashville Tennessean

Thursday, April 2

-- JM&A Group's in-house educational and training facility -- the Performance Development Center -- is offering free virtual training options to dealerships across the country. Class sizes will range from 10 to 12 individuals. The suite of live online courses will focus on F&I, service, sales and leadership. Each participant can take advantage of 60 minutes of personal attention from trainers. -- JM&A

Wednesday, April 1

-- Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that Florida is being shut down, joining more than 30 states that are under a "stay-at-home" order that limits business to essential activities. The order will take effect Thursday at midnight and will last 30 days. -- WEAR

-- Lithia Motors donated 4,800 gloves and 40 protective eyewear products Tuesday to Oregon hospital system Asante, company and hospital spokespeople confirmed. Lithia, the No. 3 largest public group in the nation, is headquartered in Medford, Ore. -- Jackie Charniga

-- Maine Gov. Janet Mills has issued a stay-at-home order, under which residents must stay home except for essential jobs, needs and exercise. -- WGME

Tuesday, March 31

Detroit automakers and their employees are working to help nurses and hospitals across the country. NBC’s Cynthia McFadden shares the story of one of Pat Tucker, a Detroit grandmother. “I’d rather save lives than sit at home,” she says. -- Today Show

Tuesday, March 31

Exposed to coronavirus? The public health department in Victoria County, Texas, said Tuesday that customers who visited Toyota of Victoria last week may have been exposed to COVID-19, according to a news report from the Victoria Advocate. The health department said people who visited the dealership between 8 a.m. and noon on Thursday, Friday or Saturday could have been exposed to the virus, according to the newspaper. Josh Smith, the store’s general manager, told Automotive News that he was told that someone who had tested positive had been in the dealership but that he had not been given more specific information about when and which department the person visited. Smith said the store remains open for sales and service and is cleaned hourly following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Employees are sent home if they aren’t feeling well, and to date Smith said he has not received word of a positive COVID-19 test result from any employee. -- Lindsay VanHulle

-- General Motors told suppliers on Monday it is postponing work on at least half a dozen future models to conserve cash during the coronavirus pandemic. Among them are the redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs built at its Arlington, Texas, plant. -- Reuters

Remote sales approved in New Jersey: New Jersey on Monday loosened restrictions on car dealerships amid a statewide order closing nonessential businesses’ physical locations. The new rules clarify that dealerships in the state can continue online and remote sales via phone, text or email. A vehicle can be delivered to the buyer, or the buyer can pick it up curbside at a dealership or in the service lane. –Lindsay VanHulle

-- CarMax said Tuesday it has closed 104 stores in 24 states. One location in Denton, Texas, is by appointment only until further notice. -- CarMax

-- In a LinkedIn column, GM CEO Mary Barra honors companies that are "seeing an urgent need and meeting it" in a time of crisis. She notes GM's work with the UAW and supplier partners to manufacture ventilators, surgical masks and shields. -- Mary Barra

-- Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered residents to remain in their homes for the next month except for essential needs. Under the order, vehicle sales and service is allowed. -- KTAR News

Monday, March 30

-- Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday issued a mandatory stay-at-home order, which prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people and closes state beaches except for exercising or fishing. The order takes effect Monday and will stay in effect until June 10. -- The Washington Post

-- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has issued a stay-at-home order for state residents beginning at 8 p.m. Monday. The order updates an order from last week that closed nonessential businesses. "We are no longer asking" residents to comply, Hogan said Monday. Maryland had 1,413 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Monday. -- The Baltimore Sun

-- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order urging residents in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties to stay home through "mid-May." -- Miami Herald

-- Kansas, Rhode Island and Alaska became the latest states to issue stay-at-home orders that limit business to those deemed essential. In Kansas, the order began Monday and will be in place until Sunday, April 19. The Rhode Island order is in effect until at least April 12. The Alaska order will be reevaluated on April 11. -- State of Kansas, WGBH News, State of Alaska

Sunday, March 29

-- Penske Corp. informed employees on Saturday, in a letter penned by Chairman Roger Penske, that the company's senior leadership will be taking pay cuts as the pandemic shutdown enters its third week. The letter noted that layoffs were possible. Penske and company President Rob Kurnick will not draw salaries through the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. -- Autoweek

-- Robert Garff, 78, chairman of the Ken Garff Automotive Group, died of the coronavirus on Sunday. Ken Garff Automotive released a statement saying that Robert and his wife, Katharine, tested positive for the virus after driving back from Palm Springs. They self-quarantined.-- The Salt Lake Tribune

Friday, March 27

Lithia postpones acquisitions: Lithia Motors will delay closing dealership acquisitions until the latter half of the year, according to a government filing. Lithia said it is renegotiating a "meaningful number" of acquisitions. There are no material termination fees or costs associated with postponing the deals, though Lithia notes a "significant decline in sales and service revenue levels in certain locations" and is experiencing forced showroom closures in some markets. The nation's No. 3 retailer adds that service departments in all 188 locations nationwide remain open. -- Jackie Charniga

-- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday a statewide mandate to prohibit nonessential travel and operations amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. -- WCNC

-- The Association of National Advertisers has put together a group of chief marketing officers to help the marketing community navigate the pandemic. Called the ANA's Global CMO Leadership Coalition on COVID-19, the group consists of 20 high-profile brand CMOs including Deborah Wahl from General Motors. -- Advertising Age

-- Montana and New Hampshire are the latest states to issue stay-at-home orders for their residents. New Hampshire's order, which closes nonessential businesses, takes effect late Friday and runs until May 4. New Hampshire's order says "automotive sales, repair and maintenance facilities" are among essential businesses. Montana's order begins Saturday and runs through April 10. -- Melissa Burden

Campaigns stopping: Dealership marketing company Autoweb said Friday that its retail customers have started to suspend their marketing campaigns, particularly in states that have been most affected by the COVID-19 virus outbreak. As a result, Autoweb said it has frozen hiring and developed a plan to manage operations, business continuity, communication with clients and technology in response to the coronavirus. "We are all clearly working through a time of uncertainty; however, our top priority has been to take the necessary actions for the health and safety of our employees in the U.S. and abroad, while ensuring the continuity of operations for our dealer and OEM customers," Autoweb CEO Jared Rowe said in a news release announcing the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 financial results. "To that end, all of our teams were mandated to work from home beginning last week, and we are doing all that we can to continue supporting our customers during this challenging time." Autoweb reported a net loss of $15.2 million for 2019 on revenue of $114 million. -- Lindsay VanHulle

NADA offers guidance: The National Automobile Dealers Association on Friday rolled out a series of webinars, white papers, best practices and other tools to help dealers do business amid the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The content will be available live and on demand, and feature such topics as the federal emergency relief, managing cash flow and reducing expenses, and classifying service and parts departments as essential businesses that can continue to operate under state and local government orders. -- Lindsay VanHulle

-- Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is asking for more clarification on federal guidance for essential services during the COVID-19 crisis. In a letter sent Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Peters said there are "many significant questions" on how states should implement the guidance. -- Audrey LaForest

Thursday, March 26

Dealers can sell in New York: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reconsidered a provision in the state's nonessential business order Thursday to allow dealerships to sell vehicles remotely or electronically. Previously, only parts, service and collision departments were allowed to operate under the state's 'stay-at-home' order. Dealerships still must keep their showrooms closed and apply social distancing requirements to all vehicle delivery or lease return appointments. Dealership employees can meet customers at their homes or in service bays that have been cleaned in accordance with Centers for Disease Control standards. -- Jackie Charniga

Salaries reduced: Vehicle listings company TrueCar on Thursday said it intends to reduce the base salary of CEO Mike Darrow and several other executives due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Darrow's current base salary of $590,000 will be reduced to $472,000 starting April 1, TrueCar said in a regulatory filing Thursday to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The reduction is in place indefinitely, until TrueCar chooses to partially or fully reinstate them. Salaries for three other executives will be cut. Noel Watson, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer, will have his base salary of $450,000 reduced to $382,500. Simon Smith, executive vice president of dealer sales and service, and Jeffrey Swart, executive vice president and general counsel, each will have their base salaries of $400,000 lowered to $360,000, TrueCar said. The company said cash retainers paid to TrueCar board members also will be cut by 20 percent starting April 1, until Darrow's full base salary is reinstated. -- Lindsay VanHulle

-- FCA fired 2,000 contract workers this week as the automaker, whose factories have been idled by coronavirus concerns and various statewide 'stay-at-home' orders, has placed several projects on hold. -- The Detroit Bureau

Nevada dealers open for business: Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has clarified that auto sales and service are considered essential business, and dealership sales and service operations can remain open with restrictions, according to the Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association. Under the rules, dealerships must strictly follow social distancing guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including establishing six feet of separation between workers, ensuring minimal contact between the public and employees and adopting contactless payment systems. To meet that guideline, the Nevada dealers group has recommended that dealerships, whenever possible, perform transactions online and deliver the vehicle to the customer. The Nevada dealers group, in a press release, said dealers should not "consider attempting any special sales event" that would encourage gatherings. It also said: "It is the Governor's expectation that a dealership, whenever possible, should restrict/prohibit access to the showroom by the general public." -- Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association

-- The Indy 500 will be postponed to Aug. 23, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, now owned by Roger Penske, said Thursday -- Associated Press

-- A record 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, the Labor Department said Thursday. -- The Washington Post

-- Steve Lewis Subaru in Hadley, Mass., is closing until Friday to clean and disinfect the building after a part-time employee tested positive for COVID-19. -- WWLP.com

-- Genesis Motor America has expanded its payment-relief program to all existing customers who purchased or leased their vehicles through Genesis Finance. Previously, the program had been available to those who acquired their vehicles between March 14 and April 30. Customers unable to work because of COVID-19 may request up to three separate 30-day payment deferrals. -- Genesis

-- Cars.com is the latest to request that automotive sales and leasing be designated "essential businesses" by the Department of Homeland Security during the crisis. "We believe that sales and leasing activity can take place in full compliance with social distancing and all the best practices designed to minimize the spread of the coronavirus," CEO Alex Vetter wrote in the letter dated March 24. -- Cars.com

-- AutoCanada says it has temporarily suspended some operations at its dealerships in Illinois and Canada in response to government orders to close nonessential businesses. At AutoCanada's eight Illinois dealerships, service and limited sales operations remain open. The same is true for the group's New Brunswick dealerships. The group's Ontario stores are fully open, while only limited service operations are open in Quebec. -- AutoCanada

Wednesday, March 25

-- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Idaho Gov. Brad Little issued statewide stay-at-home orders on Wednesday. -- Axios

-- CarMax on Wednesday increased its number of store closures to 87 locations across California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. -- CarMax

Carvana finds cash:  Carvana said Tuesday that Ally will provide an expanded credit facility of up to $2 billion over the next 12 months for the purchase of finance receivables. Carvana’s current credit facility of $1 billion with the lender expires in April, an Ally spokeswoman said in an email. -- David Muller

Penske closings: Penske Automotive Group has closed showrooms at six CarSense used-vehicle supercenters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey amid the coronavirus outbreak. CarSense on its website notes its "service department remains open and we are abiding by all suggested social distancing and sanitizing measures." CarSense says its virtual showroom remains open at CarSense.com and managers can help customers by phone, email, text, videoconference and online. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey governors last week issued stay-at-home orders and required nonessential businesses to close. -- Melissa Burden

Group 1 salaries reduced: Group 1 Automotive executives have taken "significant salary reductions" and all support staff have also seen salaries reduced amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said Pete DeLongchamps, the group's vice president of manufacturer relations, financial services and public affairs. He said details about the salary cuts would be announced "when appropriate." DeLongchamps said the group's dealerships are "staffing accordingly" in localities where stay-at-home orders are in place. Its parts and service businesses have remained open. -- David Muller

-- The Cardinale Mazda dealership in Salinas, Calif., closed its sales and service operations on Thursday, March 19, after an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus. -- The Californian

-- The TU-Automotive Detroit, TU-Automotive Awards and WardsAuto Interiors Conference 2020, originally scheduled for June, has been postponed until Aug. 18-20. -- Informa tech

Tuesday, March 24

Asbury store closed after employee tests positive: Asbury Automotive Group closed one of its stores, McDavid Honda Frisco, on Friday, March 20, after learning that an employee tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesperson said. Asbury said it followed CDC guidelines and advised employees of the Texas store to self-quarantine and monitor themselves for symptoms. Asbury, which has 88 U.S. dealerships, plans to reopen the store on April 4. -- Jackie Charniga

Hyundai nonprofit donates $2 million: The Hyundai Hope On Wheels nonprofit will donate $2 million to help 10 U.S. children's hospitals conduct drive-through testing for COVID-19. Testing will be conducted for children who are at high risk as defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines with a doctor's order. The hospitals will each receive a donation of $200,000 to support their drive-through testing centers. "Through our Hyundai Hope On Wheels program, we are committed to being a strong partner on behalf of children’s health and assisting during this time," said Jose Munoz, CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. -- Omari Gardner

-- Hawaii, New Mexico and Washington state issued stay-at-home orders, which will last at least the next two weeks, and up to the end of April in the case of Hawaii. -- CNN

-- Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Monday night that she signed a 14-day stay-at-home order, lasting until April 7. -- Atlanta Journal Constitution

-- Cars.com announced Tuesday that dealer customers will receive 50% off April, May and June bills applied across Cars.com and DealerRater services. It also announced a draw down on its revolving credit facility for $165 million in additional liquidity. -- Cars.com

-- The James M. Cox Foundation, named in honor of the founder of Cox Enterprises, announced it will provide up to $5 million to Emory Healthcare for COVID-19 testing equipment. -- Cox Enterprises

Monday, March 23

Open again: Kia Motors America has resumed production at its West Point, Ga., plant on Monday as scheduled, according to a company spokesperson. The plant, which builds the Optima, Sorento and Telluride, had closed for supply chain issues on Thursday and Friday, the automaker said. It also used the time for “additional cleaning and sanitizing.” -- Kia Motors America

-- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a sweeping "stay home, stay safe" executive order Monday further restricting business and work activity. The executive order will shut down businesses not deemed essential or "critical infrastructure." -- Crain's Detroit Business

-- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has issued a stay-home order, but auto dealerships are exempt. -- Willamette Week

-- West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has issued a stay at home order effective 8 p.m. Tuesday. -- WDTV

-- For April and May, Cox Automotive is giving a 50 percent discount on subscription fees related to several of its products, including Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack DMS, Dealertrack F&I, Dealertrack registration and titling products, HomeNet Automotive, Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, vAuto, VinSolutions and Xtime. -- Cox Automotive

-- West Herr Auto Group sent out this tweet, letting New York state customers know that its parts, service and collision departments were open for business, even if their sales departments were not:

-- Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a stay-at-home order, under which only essential businesses are permitted to stay open. The order goes into effect one minute before midnight, Wednesday, March 25, and runs through April 6. -- WLWT

-- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered all nonessential businesses to close as of 5 p.m. Monday. -- CBS Baltimore

-- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Monday said he will issue a stay-at-home order on Tuesday that will effectively close all nonessential businesses. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

-- Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered all non-essential businesses to close. -- CBS Boston

-- Dallas County, the second largest county in Texas, announced a shelter-in-place order Sunday. The order, issued by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, takes effect at 10:50 pm EDT Monday. -- The Texas Tribune

-- The Movin’On World Summit, an annual conference on sustainable mobility, has been cancelled. It was originally scheduled for June 3-5 in Montreal. -- Movin'On

-- CDK Global Inc. CEO Brian Krzanich announced he will voluntarily reduce his pay to $1 for the rest of 2020. -- CDK Global

-- CarMax said Sunday it has increased the number of stores it’s closed to 44, including locations in California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. -- CarMax

 -- Village Ford in Dearborn, Mich., announced that it is closing its service center for the next two weeks and sales will be by appointment only:

-- Nashville, Tenn., Mayor John Cooper on Sunday ordered that all nonessential businesses to close for 14 days beginning Monday. The order was more restrictive than that of Gov. Bill Lee, who urged residents to work from home and ordered bars and restaurants to close for 14 days. -- U.S. News & World Report

-- AutoNation updated its store hours on Twitter:

-- Holman Automotive has closed its new and used-car sales operations. Its dealerships' service and parts departments remain open. -- Holman Automotive

-- St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., have issued stay-at-home orders. -- St. Louis Public Radio and KMBC.com

-- Kentucky governor ordered nonessential in-person retail businesses, including dealerships, to close by 8 pm EDT Monday. -- Fox19.com

-- Delaware Gov. John Carney on Sunday announced a "stay-at-home" order that shuts down nonessential businesses beginning Tuesday at 9 am EDT. --  Delaware.com

Sunday, March 22

-- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Sunday announced stay-at-home orders, which take effect Monday night. Ohio's order lasts until April 6, while Louisiana's extends until April 12. -- The Washington Post

-- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday for nearly all of the state's 9 million residents. -- NBC News

Friday, March 20

-- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered all non-essential businesses closed to slow the spread of coronavirus. It will take effect 8 pm EDT Monday. -- nbcconnecticut.com

-- CarMax announced that it has closed 38 stores in four states -- Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida and California -- with plans to open some before the end of the month. Most store closings, 27, are in California, and there is no open date set for those stores.. -- CarMax

-- The state of Pennsylvania has ordered the closure of all dealership sales operations as of 8 p.m. Thursday.  Service and parts departments can remain open. -- Pennsylvania Automotive Association

-- TrueCar says it will allow dealers to change their billing models during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subscribing dealers with pay-per-sales arrangements can opt for a performance guarantee. Dealers in states where pay-per-sale and performance billing are not available, TrueCar will reduce April invoices by 50%. -- TrueCar

Thursday, March 19

-- Supplier update: Some suppliers, including Delphi Technologies and the two largest German suppliers Bosch and Continental, are temporarily ceasing production, following the lead of major automakers. Some notable suppliers to the Detroit 3, including Lear Corp. and Dana Inc., say it's too early to tell how they might respond. Others say they are considering shutting down their European facilities. -- Alexa St. John

-- Garber Chevrolet Highland in Indiana announced it is closing Thursday and Friday for an "extensive deep cleaning" after a technician tested positive for coronavirus. -- nwi.com

-- A Toyota worker at its Cambridge, Ontario, plant has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked on March 12, and hasn't been back at the plant since. -- Guelph Today

-- Compliance software vendor KPA launched a free COVID-19 Coronavirus Resources Center for employers needing information to remain compliant during the pandemic. -- KPA

-- The American International Automobile Dealers Association is canceling its annual Washington fly-in, scheduled in May, due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. -- AIADA

-- Bucking the trend to entrench in the age of coronavirus, auto supplier Inteva Products will invest more than $42 million to expand operations in Bluffton, Ind., expecting to create more than 400 jobs. -- Plastics News

-- Car shopping site CarGurus says it will cut its listing and display fees by 50% in April for all subscribed dealers. -- CarGurus

Wednesday, March 18

-- A group of auto service, transportation and manufacturing organizations are urging state and local governments to designate motor vehicle maintenance, repair and service as “essential" amid growing coronavirus concerns. -- U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association

-- McLaren says seven of its race team members who were tested for coronavirus while in quarantine in Australia have returned negative results. Also, the team member that tested positive is now free of symptoms. -- McLaren

-- The Automotive Sensor and Perception Conference & Exhibition, originally scheduled in May in Detroit,  has been postponed until 17-19 November 2020. - AutoSens

Tuesday, March 17

-- Geely is taking extraordinary steps to keep its 6,000 employees at its global headquarters working in their offices - Geely Media Center

-- Acura cancels March-Madness-themed ad campaign -- MediaPost