So-called infotainment systems, which can provide both information and entertainment, have been around in various forms for more than a decade. They encompass a multitude of possible features ranging from satellite radio service to real-time navigation to emergency reporting services …
Almost three weeks after a hurricane and tsunami devastated Japan, much of the nation’s auto industry remains shut down and the resulting disruption in the critical global parts supply chain is beginning to impact automakers in the rest of the …
Digital solutions can help drive success in one of a dealership’s most challenging areas For some dealers, inventory can either be a blessing or a curse. Have the right vehicles in stock and you can often move metal off your …
Several Canadian dealerships have separate sales teams for new and used but it’s not the usual approach. Opinion remains divided on the issue and evidently the debate has gone on for years. Back in 1919, Walter B. Zimmerman, a Hudson-Essex …
In the summer of 2005, everything in the economy and auto industry had aligned to deliver us the trinity of business success. We had traffic, profit and staff morale. Profits were amazing because customers were hungry for our product and …
A roundtable discussion with industry experts The participants were in a feisty mood when we gathered in the boardroom of the CADA office for the first in a series of roundtable discussions on the state of the auto industry in …
Get a pay plan with payback It’s more than just the money, as Canadian dealers know well. A well-designed compensation package addresses several business needs. It supports recruitment, assists in retention, motivates performance and rewards the employee with money (direct …
When does it make sense to work with a recruiter? When is that the best strategy for hiring new staff? It all depends on the circumstances. While Steve Quinn (Quinn Automotive Group) has a firm policy of promoting from within, …
The dealers’ perspective on auto auctions “The auctions are an integral part of our business,” says Fred MacNeil, president of the Steele Auto Group in Halifax, NS “We use them extensively.” Indeed, auto auctions play a pivotal role in most …
Five steps to increased efficiency and profitability Manufacturers have been pushing dealers to get into the quick-service business for years but have failed to provide them with a business plan that works for all parties involved. Many stores have resisted …
Looking to sell your dealership? Learn who your buyer is With the arrival of fall comes the excitement of new beginnings. Kids are back at school, summer vacations are a distant memory, and dealers all over the country begin to …
Laureate winner shares his insights At this year’s ADESA remarketing forum, Steve Chipman, 2010 Laureate winner and president of the Birchwood Automotive Group, based in Winnipeg, MB, provided insight into the auto business to an audience consisting primarily of large …
