WardsAuto Dealer Business

APRIL 2013:

Internet Sales Keep Growing

The 13th annual WardsAuto e-Dealer 100 indicates dealers are active participants in the growing digital marketplace where they engage customers, manage reputations and move the metal. READ MORE.

Also in this issue...

• JIM ZIEGLER: The Full Sweep - Cleaning up, Ford CEO's pay, Chevy new slogan, Chinese drivers
   
• FEATURE: Dealership Gets Over Hump - Economy still a concern, but BMW store doing well in Arizona
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: The Gap Has Grown - Dealers may face 'intense pressure' as sales rise, but not staff level

ARCHIVED ISSUES

MARCH 2013

• JIM ZIEGLER: Unconventional Observations - What I learned at my 23rd annual NADA convention and expo
   
• FEATURE: Record Year for Throughput - Average sales per dealership expected reach 839 units in 2013


• INTERNET MARKETING: Internet Spurs Cross Shopping - The online highway to buying vehicles is long, wide and winding
  
   

FEBRUARY 2013

• JIM ZIEGLER: I Hear Distant Drums - The government tries to create a market for EVs few people want
   
• FEATURE: Driving Force - Winners: Five 4-bangers, four 6-cylinders, one supercharged V-8


• INTERNET MARKETING: Jeff Cryder's Tell-All - Confessions of a young social-media manager

JANUARY 2013

• JIM ZIEGLER: Lots of Pants on Fire
   
• FEATURE: 'Sweet 16' Soon? - 16 million vehicles-sales year may be coming faster than we think


• INTERNET MARKETING: 'Glowing Rectangles' Rule - With smartphones, 'world is changing in the palm of your hand'

DECEMBER 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Dealers Pitch in After Sandy
   
• FEATURE: Used-Car Prices Lose Some Muscle


• INTERNET MARKETING: Too Much Information? - Car shoppers can suffer from info overload

NOVEMBER 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: CarFax Get Its Facts Wrong
   
• FEATURE: Leaf Sales Falling Short - Nissan keeps faith in its electric car despite limited consumer interest


• INTERNET MARKETING: Some Reviews Cross the Line - Problems arise when dealers pay for posted customer feedback

OCTOBER 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Just When I Thought. . . TrueCar.com doesn't seem like a true friend of dealers
   
• FEATURE: Keep Them Coming Back - Customers retention described as a 'must' at Crest Auto Group


• INTERNET MARKETING:Onward, Upward With OnStar - General Motors' new telematics executive is taking vehicles wireless

SEPTEMBER 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Panic in Premium Segment - Some upscale auto makers are playing games to boost their sales
   
• FEATURE: Honda Helps Dealers Go Green - Corporate program slowly gains acceptance in eco-conscious times
 
• INTERNET MARKETING: CEO's Year-One Lessons - FordDirect chief tells what she has learned about and from dealers

AUGUST 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Opel Dragging GM Down - Auto maker killed off Olds and Pontiac, so why not Opel?
   
• FEATURE: Major Distraction - Auto makers, regulators toil over how to combat inattentive driving
 
• INTERNET MARKETING: Now Hear This - Today's brand advocates play to a larger social - network audience

JULY 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Kia Dealer-Friendly, With Limits
   
• FEATURE: Will Electric Cars Succeed?
 
• INTERNET MARKETING: After the Sale - Social Media increases importance of post-purchase experience

JUNE 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Remembering My Auto Idol - Carroll Shelby left mark (and skid marks) on industry
   
• FEATURE: Many Recession-Weary Car Buyers - Consider HEVs and EVs Impractical
 
• INTERNET MARKETING: Text Set Shuns Telephones - Many young people call it quits when it comes to calling

MAY 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: EVs Getting KO'd in Market - It's a case of government, not consumer, demand
   
• FEATURE: Dolly Parton in Showroom - Ringing up car sales is music to Nashville dealer's ears
 
• INTERNET MARKETING:Getting Digital Down Pat - Dealers strive to become social-media mavens

APRIL 2012

• JIM ZIEGLER: Facility Upbraid - Dealers set to fight auto makers over upgrade demands
   
• FEATURE: Who's Hot in the Market - Dealers who buy comeback brands may score wins
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Freer Speech - Social media makes online auto chatting more open

MARCH 2012
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: Something To Cheer About - Chrysler's 'Half Time in America' does whole lot of good
   
• FEATURE: All the 'Right' Moves - Business model puts top managers in the driver's seat
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Dealers Focus on E-Quality

FEBRUARY 2012
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: Poised for Comebacks
   
• FEATURE: The End of a Brand
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Dealers Face Facebook Facts

JANUARY 2012
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: Who's Getting What Data?
   
• FEATURE: Top 500 Dealer Profile: Walker Automotive Group
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Please Press 1 for Flashback

DECEMBER 2011
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: This year’s Winners, Losers
   
• FEATURE: Top 500 Dealer Profile: Sam Swope Auto Group
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Remember the Human Touch

NOVEMBER 2011
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: Without All the Fixins
   
• FEATURE: Top 500 Dealer Profile: Joe Serra, Serra Automotive Group
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Dealers Urged to Rethink Marketing

OCTOBER 2011
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: Is VW Ready to Rock?
   
• FEATURE: Red-Hot Dealership Group
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Facebook, How Do I Love Thee?

SEPTEMBER 2011
 

• JIM ZIEGLER: Things Better Than Many Think
   
• FEATURE: LOT of Interest
   
• INTERNET MARKETING: Autobytel Re-Reinvents Itself