DECEMBER 30, 2021

Build-to-Order Gains Momentum at Long Last

The ordering process has been around for years without drawing much consumer interest, but it’s now seen as a plan B because of dealership inventory constraints.

Paper-based, manual workflows can create bottlenecks in your dealership’s daily processes, system connections, and cash flow. Dealertrack is your one-stop shop for digital solutions that improve efficiencies for F&I, trade-ins, and registration & title.

Franchised Dealers Will Outperform Direct Sales to Consumers

Despite a public image that often disparages dealers, the traditional franchise model will trump the direct-to-consumer model. The direct model has worked well in other industries. But we’re talking cars here, not laptops or tablets that can be delivered to your doorstep.

Get more leads. Close more deals. Earn higher profits.
Cox Automotive Digital Retailing gives you the most comprehensive set of retail solutions in the industry, so you can support any consumer, shopping anyway, from anywhere. Every car sale is unique. Don’t compromise the consumer’s experience, or your dealership’s goals, with patchwork solutions.

Analyst Warns of ‘Profit Desert’ as EVs, AVs Enter Market

No automaker can hang back and let their competitors take the early risks without potentially falling behind in developing EVs and autonomy, says analyst Mark Wakefield of AlixPartners.

You drive. We’ll navigate
With direct access to dedicated underwriter and Account Executive teams, customized F&I solutions and training courses, Ally provides the resources you need to help your dealership succeed.

Stellantis CEO Tavares Seeks Supply-Chain Control

“The challenge is to determine which supply chains you want to control,” Tavares tells Joe White, global automotive industry editor for Reuters, who moderated the discussion. “You need to select strategic, scarce raw materials – the few things you need to control.”

Fewer Summer Incentives Challenge Auto Retailers, OEMs

The short supply of new vehicles, which has significantly impacted the incentive dollars dealers typically receive from OEMs, means dealers must more closely scrutinize their customers’ buying capacity to maximize profit potential on each transaction this summer.

Torrid Auto Sales Defy Tight Inventories, Toyota’s Carter Says

Toyota outsold General Motors for the first time in the second quarter – but only by about 5,000 units, according to Wards Intelligence. But Bob Carter, Toyota North America’s sales chief, says it’s not “sustainable” that Toyota could continue to outsell GM in the U.S.

Study Says EVs’ Service Costs Higher – at First

“There are more issues to iron out when a new EV is launched,” says James Davies, head of the analytics firm We Predict.

Motor Bella Gets Lots of Praise – and Rain

With heavy rain in the forecast, Motor Bella media activities were canceled for a day.

Which EV Startups Will Survive?

Established automakers are going to fight like hell to keep what they’ve got. It’s going to be the greatest battle this industry has ever seen, against startups Tesla, Fisker, Arrival, Rivian, Faraday Future, Lucid, Nikola and others.

Dealerships Changing Hands at Record Rate

The question for dealership buyers and sellers is how long the current, favorable environment can last, with demand outpacing supply, record average transaction prices for new and used vehicles, and pent-up demand for parts and service.

Tearing Apart Ford Mustang Mach-E, for Education’s Sake

“That Mach-E is a shiny new modern vehicle in all its glory, but for us it is a teaching instrument,” says Washtenaw Community College’s Brandon Tucker.

J.D. Power Charts Course for Dealer EV Sales Success

J.D. Power’s Brent Gruber says the concept of “two in, two out” could be used to describe shoppers’ feelings about EVs. That means about 20% are strongly in favor of EVs, and another 20% are strongly against them. It’s the middle 60% that can be influenced.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement