In announcing its 2019 Vehicle Satisfaction Award winners, AutoPacific said that Nissan’s Murano and Maxima “continue to be unbeatable” since their redesigns entered the market in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
“Even with new competition this year in the all-new Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas and Lexus ES, the Murano and Maxima came out on top,” AutoPacific president George Peterson said in a news release.
Based on responses from more than 50,000 new car and light truck owners, the VSAs identify the most satisfying vehicles in the market.
Affirming Peterson’s “unbeatable” description, Nissan has the most winning vehicles for the third year in a row, while Ram won the overall brand award among popular brands and Lincoln earned top brand honors among luxury brands.
As for Nissan, it notched six wins this year: Maxima, Altima, Armada, Murano and Rogue for the Nissan division and Q60 for the Infiniti division. The Murano won for the fifth year in a row, while the Maxima won for the fourth consecutive year.
The all-new Ram 1500 won its segment. The 1500, the first since Ram’s spin off as a separate brand, earned top satisfaction scores in 22 out of 32 attributes, including interior quietness, driver’s seat movement, interior styling and power and acceleration.
“The Ram 1500 is a truly exceptional pickup,” Peterson said in a news release. “But what carries Ram to the top as a brand is high satisfaction in areas that can be problems for other brands, particularly second-row seat comfort, interior storage, passenger roominess and user-friendly gauges and controls.”
Lincoln was the top luxury brand, and its Navigator was the top overall vehicle.
“An all-new vehicle and a minor refresh are hits for Lincoln,” AutoPacific said.
The company said Lincoln ranked fifth last year behind luxury brands Genesis, Lexus, Infiniti and Tesla. The all-new Navigator and updated and renamed Nautilus led their segments, with the Navigator named as the top overall vehicle. The Lincoln Continental was the top car, adding to Lincoln’s SUV and Crossover SUV category wins.
“In addition to the exceptionally crafted Navigator, Lincoln has made a strong push for customer treatment,” Peterson said. “It’s a hands-on experience that appears to be working.”
The AutoPacific website includes more information on the awards.
Eight years ago, CarLotz started out “to change the way people sell their vehicles,” said CarLotz chief executive officer Michael Bor.
“Being within the top 500 of the Inc. 5000 is validation that we have truly made an impact in the auto industry,” Bor said in a news release. “I’m constantly impressed by the hard work and dedication of our team and could not be prouder of everything we’ve accomplished.”
Inc. magazine on Wednesday announced that CarLotz was No. 435 on its annual Inc. 5000 list. The publication describes the list as “the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies.”
The magazine also announced on Wednesday that automotive logistics company ACERTUS made the list at No. 1752. The company uses proprietary technology to deliver services throughout the lifecycle of a vehicle, including vehicle transport, title and registration, storage, care and maintenance, and compliance services.
“We are honored to be included on this prestigious list and humbled to stand among the nation’s fastest-growing private companies,” said ACERTUS co-founder and chief executive officer William Billiter. “None of this would be possible without our amazing team — it’s a testament to their hard work and dedication to excellence. The same entrepreneurial spirit that gave us our start continues to fuel our relentless drive to deliver innovative products, comprehensive services and exceptional customer service.”
As for CarLotz, the company made the list for a second year in a row.
According to Inc., Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp and Zillow are among many companies that gained their first national exposure as honorees on the list, which the magazine says offers a “unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses.”
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter said. “There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”
The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will take place Oct. 10 to 12 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix.
To continue the momentum started by our Women in Remarketing and Women in Auto Finance franchises, Auto Remarketing has launched Women in Retail, an awards program that specifically recognizes leaders on the retail side of the auto industry.
This inaugural class of honorees is spotlighted in the July 1 issue of Auto Remarketing, which includes Q&As with each recipient of the award.
Next up is Brooke Skinner Ricketts, who is chief marketing officer at Cars.com.
Auto Remarketing: What was your career path to the retail auto industry? Did you always see yourself in this line of work?
Brooke Skinner Ricketts: I’ve worked in automotive throughout my career. Prior to joining Cars.com, I led creative strategy for Volkswagen and GM on the creative agency side, ran the Detroit automotive brand strategy at Twitter and helped develop an automotive credit product at fintech startup Avant. It’s such an important industry in the U.S., and it has been a thrill to participate in the digital evolution of the business. My career has been defined by digital businesses with an eye toward optimizing marketing effectiveness through data-driven insights.
At Cars.com, we are lucky enough to have more than two decades of intelligence to help inform our marketing strategies and drive the success of our advertiser partners. I feel fortunate to be able to work in such an important and rapidly evolving industry where I can lend my expertise in data-driven digital advertising, growth marketing and brand building to help advance automotive retail.
AR: What are some of the top challenges (and opportunities) in the retail car business this year? How are you and your company addressing those?
BSR: As Cars.com continues expanding beyond listings to a full-service digital solutions provider, its portfolio of companies and technology has rapidly expanded this past year to help dealers get ahead of three trends dominating the auto industry:
• Digital retailing: As an increasing number of consumers want to complete more of the purchase process online, we offer an end-to-end digital retailing solution, Online Shopper: Redline, which can seamlessly integrate into virtually any website provider in 24 hours, on average. After turning on Online Shopper Redline, dealers report seeing up to two to three times more qualified leads, on average, to dealer websites.
• Social selling: Millions of consumers spend time on social platforms every day, and dealers need to be leveraging high-quality audience data to target the right shoppers, with the right message at the right time. Cars Social, our social selling solution that serves native ads displaying real-time inventory to Cars.com’s 80% unique, unduplicated audience on Facebook and Instagram, helps them do this. The solution gives dealers access to car shoppers on social media and delivers 4x more qualified leads. We also continue to help dealers reach and connect with car shoppers on Facebook Marketplace through our popular Social Sales Drive solution, which delivers a nearly 40 percent chat to lead conversion rate.
• Reputation management: We know consumers trust reviews more than any form of paid advertising or editorial content and that personal recommendations and reviews are critical to dealership selection. We have also learned that consumers want to read reviews about specific salespeople in the dealership and select who they want to work with before arriving on the lot. Salesperson Connect, a DealerRater solution on Cars.com that connects shoppers directly with salespeople and allows dealership employees to create profiles and collect reviews, results in an average 89% higher closing rate and leads that close 15% faster.
AR: What is a book you have read that has influenced or helped your career?
BSR: “Women Don’t Ask” by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever. It helped me understand the importance of negotiation and discover my own style.
AR: Who is a leader, outside of the auto industry, that you admire and why?
BSR: I really admire Serena Williams. For me, she’s the epitome of grace and grit, and she continues to expand and extend her influence and leadership on and off the court, from entrepreneurial to investment to brand endeavors. She has strong principles, and she sticks to them. She works hard, is laser focused and totally ambitious — all while remaining a world champion tennis player and raising her young daughter.
AR: What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?
BSR: I’m most proud of the people I’ve helped grow. My mentor used to say that her job as a leader was to “water and weed,” so that we could grow. I take this role seriously, and I’m proud to say that many people who I’ve had the honor to help nurture are in leadership roles at some very impressive companies.
To continue the momentum started by our Women in Remarketing and Women in Auto Finance franchises, Auto Remarketing has launched Women in Retail, an awards program that specifically recognizes leaders on the retail side of the auto industry.
This inaugural class of honorees is spotlighted in the July 1 issue of Auto Remarketing, which includes Q&As with each recipient of the award.
Next up is Vanisha Palanivel, who is internet sales director at AutoNation Volkswagen Mall Of Georgia
Auto Remarketing: What was your career path to the retail auto industry? Did you always see yourself in this line of work?
Vanisha Palanivel: I started in the auto business as a business development center representative at a local Toyota dealership in Jacksonville, Fla. Fast forward four years later, I am a 22-year-old Internet sales manager for AutoNation in Atlanta! When I look back, I can’t believe the things I have been able to achieve. I have always had a love for cars; I am a pure JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) girl. Never did I imagine I would have a career in this industry, especially not one I couldn’t see myself leaving. I am a political science major and an avid debater. My path did not show any signs of being where I am today, but I’m in love. Don’t people do crazy things when they are?
AR: What’s a typical day like in your job? (if there is such a thing as “typical!”)
VP: You are right! Not a typical day. I am currently the internet sales manager at AutoNation Volkswagen Mall of Georgia. My team consists of five internet sales associates and three BDC representatives to help with the volume of opportunities we receive. My day begins and ends with doing everything in my power to help every one of them succeed.
Beyond simple traffic management I have a knack for getting subprime deals approved. I love the brand, and I truly love working for AutoNation; the pride for my job goes beyond my position. I truly love to see our store exceed every goal set.
AR: What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?
VP: My proudest moment was being promoted to a BDC manager merely at the age of 19. I could not believe it. I was well over my head, but had a person — my mentor, rather — who believed in me. I will never forget him. He gave me every tool I needed to succeed today, but beyond just being my boss, he helped me mature as an individual. The things he taught me will carry me through every position I take and every meeting I hold. He gave me a chance when most would have turned.
AR: What do you enjoy most about working in the auto industry?
VP: Personally, I enjoy the pace of the business. There is nothing more exciting than literally never being on top of anything. It seems crazy, truthfully — you must be a special kind of crazy to work here! Yet, it is refreshing to know that you will always have something to look forward to, a new change, a new program or even just a simple update. I am constantly on my toes. Four years in and I still have about maybe 10% of what I do down. There is never a monotonous day; never a down moment.
AR: What advice would you have for someone just starting out in retail automotive?
VP: Have fun, and never stop learning! It seems like a rather simple concept. However, starting out as young as I did, that was my mantra. This business, as any, has its ups and downs, but for the most part, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have encountered, thus far.
The ability to constantly learn an ever-shifting business, to understand the economics, the culture, as well as the people within it, has been a delight. Don’t forget what drew you in, what kept you going and what has you working those long hours. It is not for all, but it has an everlasting impression on the few that stay.
To continue the momentum started by our Women in Remarketing and Women in Auto Finance franchises, Auto Remarketing has launched Women in Retail, an awards program that specifically recognizes leaders on the retail side of the auto industry.
This inaugural class of honorees is spotlighted in the July 1 issue of Auto Remarketing, which includes Q&As with each recipient of the award.
Next up is Robin Hill, who is client adviser at Hendrick Lexus Charlotte.
Auto Remarketing: What was your career path to the retail auto industry? Did you always see yourself in this line of work?
Robin Hill: I have a degree in Biblical Studies. I was ordained to minister/counsel in 1993. I ran a private Christian Academy for 14 years; built it from K-4 to 12th grade within two years.
I relocated to Charlotte in 2007 to help build another ministry. I needed immediate income to support my family. I decided to find employment at a dealership. When I applied, they hired me on the spot. My goal was to do it just for the summer. However, I found that my experience, my genuine care for people and temperament fit right in. Surprisingly, I discovered my niche. I have been in the automotive business for 12 years now and have been very successful.
AR: What is a book you have read that has influenced or helped your career?
RH: Deepak Chopra’s “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” and John Maxwell’s “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” are the two books that have influenced me in my line of business.
AR: What do you enjoy most about working in the auto industry?
RH: I mostly enjoy the glistening eyes and the smiling face of a satisfied client. I get a high from that. It is so rewarding to bring happiness to others via great advice and excellent customer service. I also enjoy that no day is the same. It reminds me of the famous statement of the great philosopher, Forrest Gump.
“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get.” That is so true in the automotive business. I like change and diversity. The automotive business is that way every day.
AR: What aspects of the retail car business would you change?
RH: I would make it universal that a dealership closes at 7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Saturday the dealership closes by 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Family time is important and should be a priority with leadership. The trust ratings for salespeople is not very high. I have found because of being truthful and transparent, people like, trust and buy from me. I would offer training nationally to help get our trust ratings much higher. I am in the process of drafting a training manual that is like no other.
AR: What advice would you have for someone just starting out in retail automotive?
RH: If you do not care much for people, rethink your career choice. If you do not serve in excellence, you will operate from a level of mediocrity. If you are not a team player, single handedly you will stunt your growth. If you think it will be easy, that thought will fail you. If you are in it for the money, you will find yourself lacking. If you think you cannot, you will not. If you think you can, you will. Have a teachable heart, and mark mature examples before you. Be confident in your true potential, and compete only with yourself. Most importantly, manage your positive energy — void of excuses.
To continue the momentum started by our Women in Remarketing and Women in Auto Finance franchises, Auto Remarketing has launched Women in Retail, an awards program that specifically recognizes leaders on the retail side of the auto industry.
This inaugural class of honorees is spotlighted in the July 1 issue of Auto Remarketing, which includes Q&As with each recipient of the award.
Next up is Nikole L. Reed, who is senior manager of Infiniti used/CPO at Infiniti USA.
Auto Remarketing: What was your career path to the retail auto industry? Did you always see yourself in this line of work?
Nikole L. Reed: I would venture to say that most of us are doing something completely different than what we envisioned for ourselves at a young age. I wanted to be a lawyer, doctor and a backup dancer for Janet Jackson! Nevertheless, I started my automotive career as a temp employee at a large OEM while still in college. I suppose I impressed my superiors enough that I was hired as a full-time employee six months into my role and without a degree. When I finished my degree, I was approached with an opportunity to take a sales role that would include face-to-face interactions with dealers.
I was terrified at the thought, as all of my experience had been in office or HQ (headquarter) settings. However, the individual who approached me was a seasoned executive who told me that he saw great potential in me for a sales path. I trusted him and went for it. Eighteen years later, I lead a national sales team, and I couldn’t be happier. The takeaway for me was to begin interacting more with leaders and to gather mentors. These individuals have the experience to help you steer your career and often times see potential in you that you may not see in yourself.
AR: Who is a leader, outside of the auto industry, that you admire and why?
NLR: Serena Williams. She is a clear leader in her field, and I admire her for so many reasons. On her journey to becoming the “GOAT” of the tennis world, she faced obstacles that would have broken most people, and she did it with grace. She was treated unfairly and paid unequally because she was a woman and an African American. She was called names, suffered injuries and other health issues, but she never complained or called people out. She gracefully kept walking onto courts where she was not wanted and walking off with trophies. As a woman in any male-dominated industry, you will experience judgments, and people will question why you’re there or how you got there, but you have to brush it off, stay focused on your goals and believe in yourself. People will always talk so I choose to act with grace and let my work speak for itself. That can never be questioned.
AR: What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?
NLR: Something that I’m very proud of is the mentoring that I do both inside and outside of my company. I have quite a few mentees (too many to count) and new requests all of the time. I’ve been told that I probably have too many, but I don’t feel that way. It can sometimes only take 15-20 minutes to chat with someone and really help them. I do have some formal mentoring appointments, but most of them involve a cup of coffee, lunch or a quick phone call. I feel honored when I’m asked and feel an obligation to help the next generation and provide insight and perspective where I can. They look at me and see what they want to become, and that makes me really proud of the example I am setting and my career accomplishments. Asking someone to be your mentor takes guts, so I make time. I will always make time for someone who asks me for help.
AR: What do you enjoy most about working in the auto industry?
NLR: There are many things that I enjoy about the automotive industry, and I specifically enjoy the fact that it provides cross-functional opportunities that allow you to learn countless aspects of the business. This allows you to grow and be challenged as well as become very well-rounded from a business perspective.
Those opportunities are limitless, if that is what you want. I also enjoy the fact that it is a relationship driven industry, and the networking opportunities are endless. Working one-on-one with dealers, vendors, competitors and peers has helped me grow both professionally and personally. Successfully building relationships is a critical skill in any industry as it can aid you in moving the business forward as well as set you up for advancement in your career. You may also make some great friends along the way.
AR: What advice would you have for someone just starting out in retail automotive?
NLR: Traversing corporate America can be tricky, so the first piece of advice I would give is to seek out and develop relationships with mentors … both men and women. Having more than one mentor is crucial, because everyone has different perspectives to lend to certain situations. They have been where you are and know how to navigate your specific corporate landscape.
These individuals are also able to provide insight that can help you determine what the next move is for you or your overall career path. Be strategic with your moves, and always position yourself for growth. I would also encourage readers to find ways to set yourself apart from your peers and make yourself stand out in a positive way. Lastly, always bet on the home team, and believe in yourself and your ability. If you don’t, no one else will.
This dealer made the journey from a youth rehabilitation center to become one of the best operators in the country.
Otto Hahne, president of City of Cars in Troy, Mich., was named the 2019 National Quality Dealer of the Year by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association to close NIADA’s 73rd annual Convention and Expo in Las Vegas.
In a ceremony webcast live last Thursday night from the Venetian Resort on NIADA.TV, Hahne was chosen from the 13 state quality dealers nominated for the highest honor awarded among NIADA’s dealer members.
The National Quality Dealer is chosen by a selection committee comprised of some of the most distinguished names in the used vehicle industry based on a variety of factors, including contributions to the automotive industry and the association, and community involvement.
This year’s committee included:
— AFC chief operating officer Joe Keadle
— NADA senior vice president and chief operating officer Mike Stanton
— Black Book Automotive vice president and North American auction director Tim West
— NIADA senior vice president and 2013 National Quality Dealer Joe McCloskey of McCloskey Motors
— NIADA Region III vice president and 2011 National Quality Dealer Scott Allen
— Elgie Bright, chairman of the Automotive Marketing Department at Northwood University.
“I am so, so humbled. I love this industry and I can’t thank everyone enough,” Hahne said in accepting the award. “I never expected to be here.”
Hahne’s remarkable journey began with a troubled childhood that eventually led to Boysville of Michigan, a youth crisis rehabilitation center run by the Brothers of the Holy Cross. That, he said, was exactly what he needed to help him get his life on the right track and build the foundation for his career.
From there he enrolled at the Michigan Career Institute and graduated at the top of his class as a master mechanic. After working as a service technician for auto dealers, he opened his own independent shop, repairing and restoring Jaguars and other exotic cars.
Soon the owners of those cars began to ask him for advice about buying other high-end vehicles, a spark that ignited his passion for buying and selling cars. Eventually, that led him to become a buyer for auto dealerships, and in 1994 he took the leap of opening his own dealership, Factory Executive Motor Cars, with $20,000 and an inventory of just three vehicles.
That dealership, which was renamed City of Cars when Hahne moved it from Pontiac, Mich., to Troy in 2011, now has two locations with a combined inventory of 250 vehicles and $28 million in sales last year.
The family business – Hahne’s wife Jerrianne and children Lauren, Leah and Evan are all involved – has grown from two employees to 17.
That success is a result of Hahne’s dedication to providing the best possible customer experience, including everything from giving his staff “carte blanche” to take care of any customer issues that come up to giving dealership visitors what Jerrianne calls “the famous Otto hug.”
“We don’t really ‘sell’ cars,” he said. “We connect our customers with the right car for them.
“We can come in each morning with a smile, leave each day able to look ourselves in the mirror — and even have a little fun in between.”
Hahne is happy to pass along that business philosophy and the operational aspects of his dealership — including his favorite quote, “Every minute a car is not online is a minute of lost opportunity” — to others.
He has served as a mentor not only to his team members — six of whom have gone on to own their own independent dealerships — but to employees of other dealerships, many of whom have been sent to Hahne by the dealerships’ owners to be trained in his methods.
Hahne said his commitment to teaching others began with coaching his children and their teams in youth sports.
“I realized my job as coach was to put my team in the best possible position to win,” he said. “That is my mission today. I’ve trained so many dealers, many of whom have sent their team members to me. I’ve trained them and helped them. I always want to be transparent and give back.”
Hahne’s mission extends to himself – he continues to constantly educate himself on the industry’s latest trends and techniques. He is an active member of an NIADA Dealer 20 Group and in 2018 he completed the course to become a Certified Master Dealer.
He also gives back to his national and state independent dealers associations, the used vehicle industry and his community.
Hahne is currently serving his second term as president of the Michigan IADA, having previously served as vice president and on every MIADA committee.
In those roles, he was instrumental in MIADA’s successful campaign to enact legislation requiring pre-licensing and continuing education for the state’s used vehicle dealers and in setting up an internship program with Northwood University. He has been involved in NIADA lobbying efforts at the federal level at the National Policy Conference in Washington D.C.
Hahne has given his money and time to community and charitable organizations including youth sports, Boy Scouts, Care House, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Lions Club and, of course, Boysville. He has also helped numerous individuals, donating money, vehicles and Christmas gifts to families in need. For the past 10 years, he has given each patient at Detroit’s Qualicare Nursing Home a Christmas gift bag.
NextGear Capital honors Hahne, too
In recognition of Hahne’s award, NextGear Capital and Cox Automotive will donate an emergency response vehicle to Hahne’s local American Red Cross chapter.
This will be the ninth emergency vehicle donated to the American Red Cross through Cox Automotive. Since 2015, the company has donated more than $1 million to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief. The vehicle will be transported to the winner’s dealership where it will officially be donated to its local American Red Cross chapter.
“Otto and his team live out not only what it means to be a National Quality Dealer each and every day, but practice the very values NextGear Capital and Cox Automotive operate by,” said Randy Dohse, senior vice president of operations for NextGear Capital.
“He embodies all that it means to be committed to quality, excellence, outstanding customer service and to making the community a better place for everyone. I could not be more pleased with this year’s recipient,” Dohse continued.
Each year, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters around the country — from home fires and tornadoes to severe winter weather, hurricanes and floods. Members of the Disaster Responder Program invest in disaster relief readiness to ensure supplies, shelters and emergency vehicles are ready to respond when disaster strikes.
People mover. Entertainment center. Gathering place. Those are just some of the roles that today’s family car plays.
Edmunds considered those and other factors in mind in announcing its 12th annual Best Family Cars list. Honda won in three categories: Best family minivan, best family sedan, and best small family SUV. Ram, Kia, Mercedes, Volvo and Lincoln led in additional categories.
An engineer-led vehicle testing and rating process used more than 30 criteria in helping Edmunds editors select the winners in five main areas: driving performance, comfort, interior, utility and technology. The availability of safety, technology and convenience features designed with families in mind were among other areas Edmunds considered.
Edmunds editor-in-chief Alistair Weaver said that vehicle options of today thankfully exceed “the one-size-fits-all minivans and station wagons of the past.”
“As a new parent myself, I know how daunting it can be to find the right car for your family, but that's why we've done all the homework and tested all the cars — to make it easy for busy families to find their next car,” Weaver said.
To be considered for Edmunds Best Family Cars recognition, a vehicle must be in Edmunds’ top-five ranking in its competitive segment. The availability of family-friendly features and conveniences such as advanced driver safety aids, in-car entertainment options, ease of car seat installation, hands-free liftgates and power-folding seats were among other factors Edmunds used in selecting the winners. The winners all must have earned an overall eight out of 10 Edmunds rating, and most received either a NHTSA 5-of-5 safety rating or a good Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rating.
The 2019 Edmunds Best Family Car winners are:
Best Family Minivan — Honda Odyssey
“Comprehensively redesigned in 2018, the Honda Odyssey reasserted its dominant position next to rival minivans such as the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica,” Edmunds writes.
Edmunds added that the Odyssey includes “the ultimate family convenience feature” — an integrated vacuum cleaner. It also features Magic Slide seats to help configuring the rear seats for any variety of children. An in-cabin camera helps keep an eye on backseat passengers.
Best Family Sedan: Honda Accord
“The Honda Accord is the benchmark family car, the standard by which all others are measured,” Edmunds writes. “Exaggeration? No. The Accord's accolades span decades, and while rivals from Toyota, Ford and Hyundai have occasionally caught up or even surged ahead, the latest Accord's all-around excellence has pushed it back into the lead.”
Edmunds writes that with a “roomier-than-you-think interior,” massive trunk space, and many standard safety features, the Accord remains the family sedan of choice for those not following the current SUV trend.
Best Family Truck: Ram 1500
“The Ram 1500 raises the bar for full-size trucks,” Edmunds writes. “The interior is among the most accommodating and quietest we've tested — rear passenger space is class-leading by a goodly margin, and the rear seats even recline for upgraded comfort.”
Edmunds added that the Ram 1500 “outclasses many traditional SUVs in comfort and luxury” with features such as reclining rear seats, class-leading legroom, and an exclusive coil-spring rear suspension.
Best Small Family SUV: Honda CR-V
With the most cargo space of any compact SUV, the CR-V also gets great gas mileage, according to Edmunds. The company said the vehicle includes various active safety features includes options such as a hands-free rear liftgate and hands-free locking and unlocking.
Best Large Family SUV: Kia Telluride
The Telluride is newest vehicle on the list, and because of its comfortable third-row seat, Edmunds recommends it for large families. Edmunds compliments the vehicle for being fun to drive and having what it describes as family-friendly features such as multiple USB and power outlets and advanced safety aids such as a blind-spot monitor.
Best Luxury Family Sedan: Mercedes-Benz E Class
Edmunds says Mercedes E-Class offers standard all-wheel drive and a luxurious interior that it says is indicative of all Mercedes vehicles. The wagon variant’s 64 cubic feet of cargo space is similar to an SUV, making it a strong alternative for families needing the space but preferring a sedan feel.
Best Small Luxury Family SUV: Volvo XC60
The XC60 continues Volvo’s reputation for safety, while also exuding style and comfort, Edmunds says. The vehicle is more expensive than its non-luxury counterparts, according to Edmunds, but the company says the vehicle is “on the lower end of the spectrum for a true luxury SUV.” An integrated rear booster seat and an infotainment system are additional “thoughtful touches,” according to Edmunds.
Best Large Luxury Family SUV: Lincoln Navigator
“For big families who like big luxury, the Navigator can't be beat,” Edmunds writes. Its roomy interior is one of those luxuries, and riders can take advantage of features such as power-reclining third-row seats, an active noise-canceling system, in-car Wi-Fi and 10-inch rear screens.
Vehicle subscription provider Fair describes itself as a “forward-thinking alternative to traditional car ownership.” The company offers an app that lets buyers shop, get approved and pay for their next car, all on their phones.
Apparently, the company uses that same forward thinking in the area of employee engagement.
Inc. magazine named Fair as one of its Best Workplaces for 2019. Fair said in a news release that in compiling its list of top workplaces, Inc. viewed nearly 2,000 submissions from private American companies, measuring metrics such as employee engagement, employee benefits and quality of company culture.
“In a tight labor market, these businesses are out to nab top-performing employees by making life on the job ever more rewarding,” Inc. said in announcing the winners.
Fair has been named to the list of 346 finalists. Also named to Inc.’s list was Podium, an interaction platform built for businesses with a physical location. It enables customers to connect via text or messaging platforms.
According to Fair, Inc.’s goal was to identify companies that are the “best-of-the-best” at creating a supportive and engaging workplace where employees can thrive.
Inc. and Omaha’s Quantum Workplace identified some common themes in what makes a great workplace. Among the Best Workplaces 2019 finalists:
—99 percent provide health insurance — and some cover the cost
—49 percent allow employees to bring pets to work
—65 percent take employees to offsite retreats to relax and recharge
—16 percent offer paid sabbaticals to reward length of service
To identify its Best Workplaces, Inc. required each nominated company to complete an employee survey, conducted by Omaha’s Quantum Workplace, The employee survey covered topics such as employees’ confidence in their company's future, management effectiveness, employee perks, and employees’ level of trust in their company. Inc. then ranked all the employers based on a composite score of the survey results. According to the surveys, 74.2% of employees surveyed were engaged by their work. That number was an increase of over 72.1% from the prior year.
Companies with the highest employee engagement scores made strong efforts in putting the human elements of work at the center of their company culture, according to Fair. Those elements included diversity, employee recognition, and performance management. “Attracting and retaining top talent in today's competitive labor market requires a more holistic and human-centered approach,” Fair said in a news release.
The full report will be available in the June 2019 issue of Inc., which hits newsstands on May 28, and on Inc.com.
“All of us at Fair are delighted and excited to be honored by Inc. magazine as one of the Best Workplaces of 2019," Fair founder and chief executive officer Scott Painter said. “Here at Fair, our mission is to change the way people get access to cars by treating people fairly in all aspects of the process. We have worked to create a company culture that reflects that same core principle of fairness and want everyone on the team to feel seen and heard and know that their contributions are making a difference.”
Participating companies in the Best Workplaces 2019 survey were required to have a minimum of 10 employees and be U.S.-based, privately held and independent— not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies.
This week, Veros Credit, a finance company that specializes in the subprime space, announced the winner of its Auction of the Year.
Earning the accolade was North Bay Auto Auction of Fairfield, Calif. Veros Credit officials said North Bay AA was chosen this year for its excellence in overall inventory management, retention and customer service.
“We value our partnership and the auction's dedication demonstrated by each of your team members. North Bay Auto Auction goes above and beyond to ensure that our vehicle inventory is in the best hands,” Veros Credit officials said in a message to Auto Remarketing.
