Lexus and Hyundai remain the highest ranked automotive manufacturers based on consumer-written dealership reviews, according to a mid-year update of the 2015 DealerRater Consumer Rating Index (CRI) for Auto Manufacturers. The DealerRater CRI is calculated by averaging consumer ratings of …
Recently, Dealer Solutions Canada facilitated in the ownership transfer of J. Lockwood Chrysler FIAT Ltd in Oakville, Ont., from Jay Lockwood to Gord and Reg Nimeck. Following the acquisition, the dealership has been renamed South Oakville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram …
For the fifth year in a row, the Jeep Wrangler has been recognized as the “Hottest 4×4-SUV” at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty equipment manufacturers believe …
Protecting the environment has become a major issue over the last several years and so have the related fines for not complying. Recovering the cost of shop supplies from a customer is an interesting subject that appears to have a …
Owning an auto dealership today is big business. With ever-increasing competition, manufacturer retailing demands, data management, the Internet, an informed consumer and attracting and retaining the right team, the business is now extremely complex. Add to that the pressures of …
For the past couple of decades we’ve been promised that fuel-cell powered vehicles were just around the corner. We were also promised that once they made it to market, they would revolutionize the very concept of the automobile. That …
In the modern, ultra competitive auto retail marketplace, what distinguishes one dealership from another is its relationship with its customers, and how the responsibility of that relationship and the processes that make it possible are aligned between the staff at …
Anyone who has completed a construction or renovation project knows firsthand that the last five per cent of it is usually the most difficult. In fact, we often see the final five per cent not completed for many years, if …
Some months ago, I wrote about an informal survey of dealerships in North York, Ont. and how many were just not geared up to greet and engage the digital customer’s attention. Recently, I did some more mystery shopping at retail …
I have used this space on several occasions to offer insights into the recent evolution of consumer debt dynamics in the Canadian automotive retail market. Though the details varied, the theme did not: consumers have piled on more debt in …
Probably the most common question I get from dealers is “How do I get more leads?” Leads are the lifeblood of automotive retail and when I hear dealers requesting more, I know we can help. With well over 80 per …
A cord cutter is one of 7.6 million households in the U.S. that has chosen to sever relationships with cable and satellite TV services in favor of online offerings. This is the new normal. Traditional media is seeing a decline …
