Chrysler dealers will now have a new way to win more service dollars thanks to a new deal the automaker signed that allows technicians to work on and replace parts in competitor vehicles.   Chrysler’s Mopar division announced a strategic agreement with Magneti Marelli and Shell Lubricants that will give its dealership network the ability to […] [Read More]

The latest advertising campaign by Mazda North American Operations asks a simple question: “What do you drive?” To hook potential buyers, the automaker believes this campaign is built around the core brand principle that “if it’s not worth driving, it’s not worth building and it is this basic statement that defines Mazda.” The new campaign […] [Read More]

Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Daimler AG board and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, told shareholders today that his company has emerged from the financial crisis and has now turned the corner to growth. "We are on a path of profitable growth," Zetsche told about 5,200 shareholders at the International Conference Center in Berlin. "We announced […] [Read More]

DealerRater recently revealed the winners of the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award Program, which hands out honors for distinction in outstanding customer service based upon reviews of dealership experiences shared on the company’s website. The highest honor went to Russell & Smith Honda of Houston as 2011 Dealer of the Year. Managed by Jack Carney, […] [Read More]

The Pre-Owned Automobile Dealers Alliance is giving used-car managers another chance to ask three inventory experts directly about how to size up what buyers want in their particular market. The POADA’s next free Webinar in its ongoing training series, Pre-Owned Live!, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday. This one, titled “Understanding and Evaluating Your Market,” […] [Read More]

WomenCertified announced Tuesday it is launching a Dealer Recognition Program with research powered by J.D. Power and Associates. The idea behind the program is to help dealerships to increase customer satisfaction among their female clients through the WomenCertified Dealer Recognition Award. Customer satisfaction research, powered by J.D. Power, will qualify dealerships who meet a higher […] [Read More]

Ford wants potential buyers to remember a childhood milestone: pedaling a bicycle for the first time without the training wheels. The automaker’s new urban advertising campaign tied to the new Ford Focus is looking to rekindle that memory and many other childhood experiences as part of the launch of the campaign called “Inner Child.” The […] [Read More]

Along with some survey discussion about brand appeal and what technology consumers want in their vehicles nowadays, CNW Research expects the April used-vehicle sales total to jump 10 percent. President Art Spinella also predicted retail prices should edge upward because of short supply. Overall, CNW thinks April’s used-vehicle sales total could reach 3.6 million. The […] [Read More]

ALG officials believe the recent Japan disasters could lead to a 10-percent jump in new-vehicle prices, as well as growth in predicted residuals, though the company has not changed its this forecast as of yet. ALG, a DealerTrack company, broke it down to two levels. First, the company analyzed what impact a 20-day production disruption […] [Read More]

Toyota Motor Corp. is apparently warning U.S. dealers that inventories could come up short this summer due to production interruptions in North America and Japan. In a memo to dealers, Bob Carter, Toyota’s general manager, said the automaker is seeing significant production interruptions and has yet to create a May production schedule, according to a […] [Read More]