Ursula Zerilli See All Staff Page Recent Stories What's more important than profits? A dealer explains In this wide-ranging Q&A, dealer George Girjel talks about turning around underperforming dealerships and why automakers should favor individuals as store buyers. High-volume dealerships mute their identities for online sales As more dealerships sell parts online, many of them seek to attract customers by playing down their identities. Toyota ramps up winter sports marketing with Burton Snowboards partnership Toyota is snowballing its support for winter sports with a multiyear partnership with Burton Snowboards. Dealer Teddy Morse on his 'trial by fire' After his father's death in July, Teddy Morse, 41, took over his family's dealership group, founded by his grandfather in 1963. In this Q&A, he talks about his baptism by fire, the personnel policies he learned from his father and grandfather and other matters. Industry's women urged to empower one another The need to battle a confidence deficiency was a common thread among speakers and attendees at Automotive News' Leading Women Network Conference. The solution? Women in the industry must empower one another. An ousted dealer's long road back Colleen McDonald, 51, fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court before getting back Livonia (Mich.) Chrysler Jeep in July, after losing three dealerships during the General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcies. In this Q&A, she speaks about losing the stores, getting one back and resuming operations. Mercedes' Sprinter fights notion that it's unaffordable The Mercedes-Benz badge may be too fancy for Sprinter van buyers in the United States. So Mercedes has begun advertising the sticker price on the refreshed 2014 Sprinter van to negate its luxury appeal. The move comes as Mercedes attempts to gain market share from rivals by reaching individual and fleet customers who are not accustomed -- or even averse -- to driving a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. TV spot showing crash highlights crackdown on motorist texting A commercial showing a truck crashing into the side of a car carrying two young women and a man will begin airing this month on national TV while police crack down on texting motorists. GM prepares dealers for onslaught of recall work General Motors is lining dealer inventories with rental cars as customers begin turning in Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions and other recalled models with faulty ignition switches for repair. GM has altered its rental car policy and has agreed to work with Enterprise, Hertz and Avis to ensure rentals are available to customers if demand exhausts dealer courtesy cars. GM also is offering customers towing service and a $500 discount on new cars in addition to the free fix. Prius tops Consumer Reports' cost-per-mile study For the second year in a row, Consumer Reports is finding the Toyota Prius gives consumers the biggest bang for their buck. The Prius topped Consumer Reports' Best New-Car Value analysis, released today, which ranks more than 200 vehicles on performance, reliability and costs.