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News, features and commentary about the world's auto dealers and distributors.

Some Auto Makers Miss Apple’s Point, Consultant Says

Glenn Mercer says standardization is good, but certain auto makers wrongly take it to an extreme by insisting all of a brand’s dealerships must look like clones.

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May 20, 2013

User Submitted Content

Avoid Going Into Compliance Overload

The majority of legal problems dealers face result from customers who register complaints but don’t obtain satisfaction....More
May 17, 2013

Article

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Sometimes Oddly, Used-Car Prices Vary by Source

Perception may trump reality when values fluctuate based on used-car sources....More
May 16, 2013

User Submitted Content

Don’t Let Expenses Gnaw Into Profits

There still are real gross-profit opportunities available to dealers....More
May 16, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Some Auto Makers Miss Apple’s Point, Consultant Says

Glenn Mercer says standardization is good, but certain auto makers wrongly take it to an extreme by insisting all of a brand’s dealerships must look like clones....More
May 15, 2013

User Submitted Content

Marketing Spots Should Hit Shoppers While They’re Hot

Today, dealer advertising must be a “real-time” experience for potential customers....More
May 14, 2013

Article

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Ford Uses Videos to Enhance Car-Delivery Experience

The program is designed to fulfill customer interest while avoiding the potential of a buyer going into information overload....More
May 13, 2013

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Some Dealership Pay Plans De-Motivate Salespeople

It’s hard to keep talent if employees feel they’re earning minimum wages....More
May 10, 2013

Article

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Nothing Idle About Dealer Chat Services

Some customers who use website chat functions aren’t ready to speak to a car salesman yet....More
May 9, 2013

Article

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Dealership Pulls Heavy Duty at Former Army Facility

Bay Ridge Ford converts a Brooklyn military building into a service center for big and small vehicles....More
May 9, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Volvo Holding Its Own in Battered Spanish Market

German Lopez, chairman of Volvo Car Spain, says the red ink resulted from the overall contraction of the country’s automobile market and the delayed arrival of the new V40 5-door hatchback. He expects a return to profitability in 2013....More

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2012 WardsAuto Dealer 500

2012 Ward's Mega Dealer 100

2012 WardsAuto e-Dealer 100

WardsAuto 2012 Dealer F&I 150

2012 NADA Conference & Exposition

MegaDealer 100

Full Coverage: WardsAuto's annual ranking of dealer groups.

May 1, 2013

Article

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Megadealers Strong, Not Omnipotent

The players on the WardsAuto Megadealer 100 are all-stars, but they don’t fill the entire lineup....More

May 1, 2013

Article

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AutoNation CEO Likes Green, Green Cash of Home

Michael Jackson tells why he sees 2013 as a banner year for his company and the auto industry in general....More

May 1, 2013

Article

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Megadealer Uses Concentrated Firepower

Ed Tonkin sees a collective race to prosperity as automotive market conditions improve....More

May 1, 2013

Article

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Group 1's Earl Hesterberg: The Transformer

Former Ford executive leaves his mark as CEO of dealership chain....More

Apr. 19, 2013

Article

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Lithia Founder Lauds Son for Dealership Group’s New Direction

Megadealer Sid DeBoer talks about his new role and the new direction Lithia has taken....More

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Plus: 2013 WardAuto e-Dealer 100

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Industry Voices

May 20, 2013

User Submitted Content

Avoid Going Into Compliance Overload

The majority of legal problems dealers face result from customers who register complaints but don’t obtain satisfaction....More

May 16, 2013

User Submitted Content

Don’t Let Expenses Gnaw Into Profits

There still are real gross-profit opportunities available to dealers....More

May 15, 2013

User Submitted Content

Marketing Spots Should Hit Shoppers While They’re Hot

Today, dealer advertising must be a “real-time” experience for potential customers....More

May 13, 2013

User Submitted Content

Some Dealership Pay Plans De-Motivate Salespeople

It’s hard to keep talent if employees feel they’re earning minimum wages....More

May 6, 2013

User Submitted Content

Dealership Franchise System Works Best

Why analyst Maryann Keller is right about the fundamentals of automotive retailing....More

More Industry Voices - Insight, observation, and advice from WardsAuto readers.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Ward's 10 Best Interiors: Coverage of 2013 winners, nominees, video test drives and more.

May 17, 2013

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2013 Ward's 10 Best Interiors Honorable Mentions

What about those interiors that were close but just couldn't crack the Ward's 10 Best Interiors list? Here are the vehicles that were in the hunt.

Apr. 30, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

2013 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors Quick Hits

WardsAuto editors present a summation of every interior evaluated for the 2013 competition. Most comments are taken directly from scoresheets submitted by our editors. Prices listed are sticker....More

Apr. 30, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Avalon Interior Celebrates Yin-Yang Balance

Toyota’s new flagship sedan interior blends hard and soft, light and dark, shiny and matte, and creates a soothing ambience that extends from design to kinematics....More

Apr. 30, 2013

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2013 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors: Toyota Avalon

From the headliner edge to the floor mats, the Toyota Avalon belongs in any textbook dedicated to outstanding examples of automotive fit-and-finish.

Apr. 30, 2013

Article

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Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Redefines Premium Pickups

With saddle-brown leather and burled walnut trim, the up-level pickup is one of a handful of entries to receive near-perfect scores from WardsAuto jurors....More

Full Ward's 10 Best Interiors coverage.

Editor's PIcks

May 17, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Ford to Add C-Car Into Mix in Mexico as Fiesta Shifts to Thailand

Fiesta U.S. sales last year were down 17.2% to 56,775, but deliveries rose 7.0% to 22,108 through April, according to WardsAuto data....More

May 16, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Lamborghini Egoista Concept a Dream

The car has all the makings of a being a futuristic concept only, with its center driving position, compact size, exotic materials and race-car DNA. But enthusiasts are hoping for a small production run just the same....More

May 15, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

New HSV Range Includes Fastest-Ever Oz-Built Car

The flagship GTS is powered by what the auto maker calls the most potent engine ever fitted to a locally manufactured vehicle: a 6.2L LSA supercharged V-8 making 576 hp and 546 lb.-ft. of torque....More

May 15, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Brazil Auto Market More Diverse as Incomes Rise; Small Cars Still Rule

Given that car ownership indicates high social status, it is a priority to buy a vehicle even for Brazilians with modest annual incomes as low as $15,000, industry experts say, which is why 150 different models are offered in the country....More

May 14, 2013

Article

WardsAuto

Customers Demanding City Express, Chevrolet Says

The need to move fast drove GM into its alliance with Nissan for its new City Express cargo van, which will offer the same powertrain as the Nissan NV200, but feature exclusive sheet metal up front....More

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WardsAuto editors' blog offering insights
on the global auto industry.

WardsAuto Blogs

May 20, 2013

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Dynamics in Surging Large Pickup Segment Mostly Point to More Market Share

Supporting the production rise are large-pickup sales in the U.S., which could top 1.9 million in 2013 and shoot past 2 million next year....More

May 17, 2013

blog

Historic Piquette Avenue Plant Experiences Rebirth

The Piquette plant built 12,000 Model T’s by 1910, and by then the car’s runaway success gave birth to yet another big idea: Ford’s Highland Park plant 4 miles (6.4 km) to the north, a hulking complex 10 times larger than the humble wood and brick Piquette facility that later was used to produce Studebakers....More

May 15, 2013

blog

No Wonder They Call It Branding

If John Wayne were asked to mosey in to a design studio and help create a pickup truck, chances are he'd rustle up something like the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn....More

May 13, 2013

blog

Semi-Autonomous Cars Surest Bet in Five Years 1

If you wager on where the automotive market is going, look at what will be required by future government regulations, what will be affordable and what will not resemble an economic stimulus for trial lawyers....More

May 8, 2013

blog

Auto Makers Need to Fess Up on Fleet Sales 4

Are auto makers pulling back on fleet sales? It's difficult to know as so few are open about the practice....More

May 6, 2013

blog

Turbos, Blowers and Real-World Fuel Economy 6

If the public gets the idea auto makers are trying to pull a fast one, it could cripple one of the hottest technologies in the automotive industry....More

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Latest Galleries

May 20, 2013

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'13 Mini Paceman

Mini Cooper Paceman designed to be much more than 2-door Countryman.

May 17, 2013

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Current Data Center Graphs

Current charts and graphs from WardsAuto Data Center.

May 17, 2013

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2013 Ward's 10 Best Interiors Honorable Mentions

What about those interiors that were close but just couldn't crack the Ward's 10 Best Interiors list? Here are the vehicles that were in the hunt.

May 17, 2013

gallery

Lamborghini 50th

The 4-day rally sees 350 classic, contemporary and futuristic Lamborghinis cruise a 725-mile course along the Mediterranean Sea and through north-central Italy.

May 16, 2013

gallery

Lamborghini Egoista Concept

The Egoista's cab-forward design, rear-midship engine and curved silhouette give the car the appearance of a bull ready to charge.

May 15, 2013

gallery

'14 Lexus IS 250

Lexus targeted the BMW 3-Series with the all-new IS 250 and 350 sports sedans, which feature improved driving dynamics and upgraded interiors.

Click here for editors' Vehicle Test Drives

U.S. light vehicle pics & highlights by model.

Interest in autonomous vehicles continues to grow, but technical, legal, regulatory and cost hurdles remain. When will true driverless cars reach the U.S. market?

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