Donning the Laureate jacket
This special issue of Canadian auto dealer is designed in part to be a throwback to the old days of journalism where the corner newsie would yell out the big news of the day: “Extra, Extra, Read all about it! …
Category: Opinion
They grow up so fast
THIS IS A BIG YEAR FOR ME. MY BABY IS TURNING TEN. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Canadian auto dealer magazine. Ten years ago, we created the magazine that has been the leading Canadian magazine …
Doing the right thing
INVESTING IN GOODWILL WILL PAY OFF AT YOUR DEALERSHIP In an era of ill will towards business and populist leaders pandering to such sentiment, it has never been more important to invest in “long-termism” and to place the customer’s interest …
Cut through the hype
DEALERS ARE BOMBARDED WITH PEOPLE OFFERING COMPLEX ANSWERS TO SIMPLE QUESTIONS I had the privilege of presenting at CADEX 2015, the Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Association (NSADA) event in Halifax last month on the topic of digital measurement for dealers. …
See-through dealerships
Speaker after speaker at the recent Kijiji DealerTalk conference reinforced the event’s central message — that transparency is the name of the game for auto retailers. Whether it’s transparency in new or used vehicle pricing, availability of inventory, incentives, financing …
Canadian dealers vital to Canadian economy
The Canadian auto retail industry continues to thrive in a uniquely challenging marketplace THE PERIOD BEGINNING in late 2008 and ending today can be split up into three distinct economic periods: the immediate crash and recession; its subsequent lukewarm recovery, …
Future tech
Their world is changing, but dealers will adapt YOU CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER what the future of mobility will look like in our not-too-distant future. Touring auto shows and checking out the latest offerings from OEMs provide a startling glimpse …
Are you a great place to work?
AS THIS ISSUE IS GOING to press we are preparing to travel to Halifax for this year’s CADEX event. The half day conference, put on by the Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Association with the exclusive support of TD Auto Finance, …
The fuel efficiency dilemma
Manufacturers are scrambling to bring more fuel efficient vehicles to market but buyers aren’t following suit After a second consecutive record sales year for new vehicles in Canada that was driven entirely by growth in the truck segment, and with …
From bricks to clicks
There’s a lot of buzz in the auto industry about the industry’s changing business model and the move from bricks to clicks — where customers can complete some or all of steps to shop, finance and buy their vehicles online. …
CADA Summit reflections
As each new year begins, industry conferences and auto shows kick into high gear, and I attend a flurry of events in rapid succession. But the one that I enjoy most each year, and learn the most from, is the …
Complexity driven by simplicity
Canada’s current tax system is a direct result of our desire for democracy and deductions The federal government has finally moved into a surplus position after years of recession-induced (and stimulus-increased) deficits. Thus it has been able to fulfill some …
