Recent Stories
Dealers
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.
Fixed Ops Journal
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.
Marketing
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.
Dealers
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.
Executives
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.
Dealers
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.
Future Product
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.
Regulation & Safety
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.
Service
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.
Marketing
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.