A need for speed
MEET CANADIAN RACECAR STAR JAMES HINCHCLIFFE Canadian James Hinchcliffe dropped out of university to pursue a racing career. And it paid off. The race car driver is on track to win his first IZOD IndyCar Series in his No. 27 …
News
Booming car sales a good sign
DEALERS REMAIN CAUTIOUS, BUT 2012 SALES ARE ROCK SOLID Much has been made this year of the very strong rebound we’ve seen in Canada in the retail automotive market. After a modest year of gains in 2011, most were predicting …
Beware the grim reaper
The battle over who is responsible for disposing of your used car A few months ago I briefly touched on a concept as part of a larger issue which was the focus of my column at the time. Given what …
Providing peace of mind
Buying and selling a used car is not the gamble it once was For dealers, buying the right used car can result in a tidy profit and a happy customer. Buying the wrong one can result not only in losing …
Keeping a watchful eye
It seemed like a good place to park: For the past two summers a pair of ospreys — also known as sea hawks or fish eagles — have occupied a nest at the entrance of Salmon Arm, B.C.’s Jacobson Ford …
Manitoba legislation safeguards against unfair car repairs
New Manitoba legislation is setting standards for all vehicle repair shops as it adopts best practices and demands complete disclosure of pricing and fair treatment. Manitobans will be better protected from hidden charges, incomplete information and fraudulent vehicle repair practices, …
Our mid-year report card
The overall market is up but some brands are doing better than others With 2012 half down, as of this writing, it’s proving to be a very good year indeed. While sales are not quite on record pace, they’re not …
There’s money in mishaps
Investing in collision and body repair can reap big rewards over the longer term “You have to be willing to make the commitment,” says Jim Donaldson, manager at Heffner Collision in Kitchener, Ont. “The business today is very competitive. If …
Click once, click twice…Sold!
With advanced tools and unrivaled access, online auctions are dramatically changing the way dealers are buying and selling used vehicles In automotive retailing, much like any business, dealers are often looking ways to save time and money. And when it …
Six tips for social media success
Fixed ops can shine in social media marketing efforts It was just a few years ago that traditional advertising was king of the kingdom. You could blast your message to the masses and inevitably someone would hear it. Direct mail …
What do customers care about the most?
Brands and price trump dealership experience for Canadian car buyers With this installment in Canadian auto dealer, Harris/Decima research project, we asked customers about what most influences their purchase decision. When a customer walks into your showroom, more than ever …
Chrysler dealer Jim Inkster celebrates 40 years
When Jim Inster, sole proprietor of Inland Chrysler Dawson Creek, looks back over the years as he celebrates four decades as a dealer, it’s a career highlighted by historic events. They include John F. Kennedy’s assassination, interest rates rocketing to …
