Larry P. Vellequette Reporter covering Toyota and Volkswagen for Automotive News [email protected] 313-446-0478 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Subaru's entry-level hatchbacks key for 2023 Subaru of America sales chief Jeff Walters says the brand 'can really clock' sales of the redesigned Impreza and Crosstrek five-door hatchbacks when production levels normalize in the second half of 2023. The big Scout in the room at VW VW's dealer make meeting Saturday could be testy, but that would mean retailers looking back to their worst sales year since 2010 instead of looking forward to easing production issues and more inventory. Hollis: New Toyota CEO Sato is 'great' choice for North America Jack Hollis, head of sales for Toyota Motor North America, says news that Koji Sato would succeed Akio Toyoda as Toyota CEO is great news for the automaker's North American dealers. 4th Audi ‘sphere' concept pushes mixed reality interior with a sportback-pickup trick Audi's Activesphere BEV concept transitions from a sleek sportback crossover into a mini pickup, and it features an interior that utilizes augmented reality to keep its occupants informed and entertained. 2023 dealer profits: Only way is down Thomas King, president of data analytics for J.D. Power, says dealer profitability will inevitably come down in 2023 from 'stratospheric' 2022 levels as supply increases. VW: Despite inventory, controversy, 2022 was a good year Volkswagen National Dealer Advisory Council Chairman Charlie Hall says he wants to focus on improving the partnership with Volkswagen Credit to make leases more competitive. Audi: A sweet spot of days' supply Audi National Dealer Council Chairman Don Flow says the brand and its dealers learned lessons about how to operate at maximum efficiency and balance during the pandemic. Toyota: Grand Highlander a retention opportunity Toyota National Dealer Advisory Council Chairman Steve Gates says returning to 60 or 70 percent of the pre-covid inventory levels would be ideal. For Toyota dealers, sales process sure is familiar Steve Gates, Toyota dealer council chairman, said he has been selling Toyota vehicles since he was a senior in high school, and the current sales process looks surprisingly familiar to him. Flow: Audi, dealers find recipe for profitability Now entering his third year as chairman of the Audi National Dealer Council, Don Flow said the German premium brand and its dealers have reset their relationship and are now working more collaboratively. They also discovered the balance point where factory and dealer can achieve maximum profitability. New lineup electrifies Lexus dealers Now in his third year as chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Council, John Iacono says the Japanese luxury brand has white space in its lineup that is about to be filled by the RZ450e and TX crossovers. Carl Hahn transformed VW into global powerhouse Carl Hahn, the visionary German auto executive who transformed Volkswagen AG from a parochial manufacturer into a global automotive powerhouse, died Jan. 14 in Germany. VW sues in Illinois to block extra dealer warranty reimbursements Volkswagen Group of America called a year-old provision of Illinois' franchise laws unconstitutional for making automakers pay consumer rates for dealer warranty work. VW to promote Hein Schafer, Rachael Zaluzec into sales, marketing roles Former American Honda veteran Ray Mikiciuk, who joined VW in October 2020, has departed. Is worst of new-vehicle inventory shortage in rearview mirror? Inventory levels rose sharply in December and crested 1.8 million for the first time since May 2021, according to Cox Automotive. While still constrained, a slower selling rate has helped dealership stocks return to something closer to normal levels, Cox said. Load More
Larry P. Vellequette Reporter covering Toyota and Volkswagen for Automotive News [email protected] 313-446-0478 See All Staff Page