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by Steve Finlay Jun. 17, 2013

People Love Their Dealer, Hate Yours

When the National Automobile Dealers Assn. said the franchised dealer system protects consumers, irked Internet users began pounding their keyboards....More
by Steve Finlay May. 29, 2013

Color Me Blue, Red, White, Silver…

In the virtual world, auto makers offer vehicles with arrays of combinations. In the real world, dealers offer a lot less....More
by Jim Ziegler May. 21, 2013

Dealers Object to Sales Leads Routed to Competitors

Some dealers think they are paying for exclusive leads when, in fact, they are getting ones that are passed around and re-sold....More
by Jim Ziegler Apr. 30, 2013

Oh-Oh, Here Come the Jetsons

Self-driving cars preparing to hit the road, and I’m feeling nervous....More
by Steve Finlay Apr. 25, 2013

More Than Money Behind Dealers Suing Carfax

Dealers claim the vehicle-history report provider charges them too much, but they’re also miffed at how the company portrays them....More
by Steve Finlay Mar. 22, 2013

They Know What You Want. So What?

Tracking firms say they’re not snooping, just trying to determine customer interests in the name of relevant marketing....More
by Jim Ziegler Mar. 19, 2013

Cleaning House, Ford CEO’s Pay, Chevy’s Slogan and Chinese Drivers

As the boy moves out, the fireworks go off and a Dumpster gets filled – to the neighbor’s delight....More
by Steve Finlay Feb. 27, 2013

Send in the Themes

This year’s NADA convention didn’t hold the drama of some recent years, thank goodness, but did provide a glimpse of the future....More
by Jim Ziegler Feb. 20, 2013

Unconventional Convention Observations

A new wind is blowing, and we will see dealers and their associations rise against some of the abuses being inflicted on them....More
by Steve Finlay Feb. 1, 2013

My Name Is AutoNation and I’m a Dealership

The dealership chain originally saw a downside to naming local stores after a company listed on the stock exchange. That thinking has changed....More
by Steve Finlay Jan. 28, 2013

‘Who Are You?’

That’s what Peter Welch, now the incoming NADA president, wanted to know....More
by Jim Ziegler Jan. 23, 2013

I Hear Distant Drums

The classic movie conjures up a sense of foreboding and the inevitability of a showdown. I’m seeing something similar in the auto industry....More
by Jim Ziegler Dec. 20, 2012

Lots of Pants on Fire

Truth stretching has become common in the auto industry....More
by Tom Murphy Nov. 27, 2012

Ford’s Farley Wants to ‘Cut Through the Clutter’

Farley says every severed connection with a customer is an open door to losing that customer to competitors at a time when the market is flush with....More
by Steve Finlay Nov. 21, 2012

A New Generation of Penny Pinchers

People who grew up in the 1930s share something in common with latter-day millennials....More
Contributors

Steve Finlay

Steve Finlay is the editor of WardsAuto Dealer Business magazine. His journalism career started 40 years ago as a crime reporter. A Michigan native, he likes fast cars, big lakes and cold days.

Jim Ziegler

Jim Ziegler, president of Ziegler Supersystems, is a trainer, commentator and public speaker on dealership issues.
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What's Retail Front?

Blogs about automotive retailing, commenting on news impacting the business of selling vehicles.

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