Recent Stories
Taking initiative helps keep business rolling

As state-mandated shutdowns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic slowed business in the service lane, many fixed ops directors reduced hours and, in some cases, limited appointments to emergencies only.
Metrics help service departments staff for rebound after pandemic shutdowns

Dealership service departments have routinely used data to measure what works and what doesn't. But the effective use of numbers to help steer fixed ops decisions is even more crucial to pull some service departments out of a deep hole.
Dealerships will need technicians as pandemic subsides, business returns

Concerns over the auto retail industry's chronic shortage of service technicians have taken a back seat during the coronavirus shutdowns. But the issue isn't going away.
Virus makes hands-on training hard for techs-to-be

The National Automobile Dealers Association says the industry expects around 39,000 newly trained service technicians in an average year. But 2020 isn't an average year.
Some ahead of the curve on pickup and delivery

Some dealerships that have already been offering pickup and delivery services in their service departments have an advantage now.
Battery complicates EV service contracts

The hard part for extended-service contract providers is that automakers already put extra-long factory warranties on EV batteries as a way to reduce consumer worries and to promote sales.
Limited range of early EVs, such as the Nissan Leaf, led to low demand that hurt resale values.
EV residual values concern lenders

Captives fear losses as the number of electric vehicles on the road increases.
Mitsubishi ready to bring its digital marketing game

The Mitsubishi brand is getting a makeover in the United States, including the first new dealership facility appearance package in 16 years and a new product lineup.
Porsche is a strong brand, but captive, ad support are weak spots

Porsche's 192 U.S. dealerships have a lot of reasons to be satisfied with the brand, and vice versa. An area for improvement would be captive Porsche Financial Services, which offers retail and lease incentives but not floorplan or capital improvement financing.
Strong products and strong support from Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz USA is coming off a year in which the brand reversed a two-year sales slide. And retailers have more reasons to be upbeat
Mini dealers pin affordability hopes on EV

What Mini dealers want: a car with a price that matches consumer expectations. Help is coming in the 2020 Mini Cooper SE.
Porsche sales zoom, but dealers face roadblocks

Retailers delivered another record year for the make. Going forward, they wish their finance arm could do more.
Due in March: Electric Mini Cooper SE
Mini dealers expect a boost from new EV

The fully electric 2020 Mini Cooper SE is due out in March, and dealers expect a boost in sales.
EQC: Delayed in U.S. to meet European demand
Mercedes dealers await flow of EVs, hybrids

Jeff Swickard, chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board, says West Coast dealers, where demand is high for EVs and hybrids, are particularly excited about the new product this year.
Mitsubishi’s facility makeover program is its first in 16 years.
Mitsubishi's dealers focus on new models

The company is looking forward to a new generation of products with its alliance partners, Nissan and Renault.