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Automotive News

What dealerships service managers are reading

When I was first starting at Automotive News a few years back and trying to learn the service and parts business, Lee Harkins, CEO of dealership training company M5 Management Services, let me be a fly on the wall at one of his performance group meetings. I must not have made too big of a nuisance of myself because I’ve been invited back to every meeting since, including one a couple weeks ago in Orlando. The discussions there were the same: What are you struggling with? Where are you having success? What’s one best practice you want to share with…

Automotive News

April sales up 2.3% but still below pre-pandemic levels

New light-vehicle sales in April were up 2.3 per cent compared with the same period last year, but still below pre-pandemic levels, at an estimated 144,069 units compared with 180,616 in April 2019, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. Sales in April were also slightly below March. All figures are estimates now that the vast majority of automakers report sales on only a quarterly basis. DesRosiers managing partner Andrew King said in a statement that the seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales for April was 1.48 million units. King says that’s easily the weakest reading so far in 2023, and a…

Automotive News

What Happens if ADAS Calibration Isn’t Done?

Automotive design and technology are constantly evolving; each year, vehicles become increasingly advanced and reliable on electronic and computerized features to deliver better safety, performance, and comfort.Windshields are no exception. Although the windshields of newer vehicles may look like they’re just a piece of glass, most of them contain sensors, cameras, and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) equipment that play a large role in how your car functions. Unfortunately, this makes the process of replacing windshields more complex—and costly. Understanding ADAS Calibration ADAS refers to a wide range of automated features that assist or alert drivers while they’re…

Automotive News

Aston Martin to renew DB11, Vantage, DBS sports cars in 2023

LONDON — Aston Martin will reveal the first of its overhauled sports-car range at the end of this month, Chief Financial Officer Doug Lafferty said. The automaker has promised to reveal new versions of its three core sports-car models – the DB11, Vantage and DBS – over the next 12 months. The company has not said which will be first, but the DB11 is the oldest model in its lineup. Aston Martin will increase prices on all three cars as it looks to return to profitability with a target margin of 40 percent. “All the next-generation sports cars carry that…

Automotive News

Study reveals drop in customer satisfaction for independents

Recent numbers from research firm Ducker Carlisle showed growing dissatisfaction with franchised dealership service departments. This week, JD Power released its 2023 US Aftermarket Service Index Study that showed an overall decline in satisfaction with independent repair facilities as well. The data firm revealed independent shops dropped in all three categories that make up the study — quick oil change, full-service maintenance and repair and tire replacement. Shops were scored on seven measures within each of the three segments. These include ease of scheduling, fairness of charges, service adviser courtesy and quality of work. This is the fourth year of…

Automotive News

F&I talks over video a good option for car buyers

Jonathan Jordan, director of retail strategy for F&I product provider JM&A Group, said his company launched its so-called virtual F&I offering in 2018. He told Automotive News in late January the company had logged more than 23,000 transactions where the F&I manager and customer had never actually met — with about 20,000 occurring in the past two years. The video chat feature at first focused on the notion “customers don’t want to come to the dealership,” Jordan said. But this hypothesis was found to be incorrect, he said. “What I like to say is ‘it’s not that they don’t want…

Automotive News

Quebec toughens ZEV sales mandate, frustrating automakers

Quebec Environment Minister Benoit Charette announced April 21 that the province was “accelerating” the yearly percentage of ZEVs that must be sold until the goal of 100 per cent is reached in 2035. The current Quebec sales mandates are already more aggressive than the proposed federal mandates and the new provincial targets widen that spread significantly. For example, the federal ZEV target for 2027 is 23 per cent, the current mandate in Quebec is 34 per cent and the newly proposed mandate is 43 per cent. For the 2030, the federal target is 60 per cent, the current Quebec target…

Automotive News

32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News

“`html32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News Content 32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News The automotive industry is one of the most fast-paced and competitive sectors in the digital publishing world. From the rapid shift toward Electric Vehicles (EVs) to the latest breakthroughs in autonomous driving, staying relevant requires more than just reporting the facts. To truly stand out, your automotive news must be authoritative, engaging, and optimized for search engines. Whether you are a seasoned automotive journalist or a burgeoning car blogger, refining your strategy is essential for capturing the attention of gearheads and casual…

Automotive News

32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News

32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News In the fast-paced world of the automotive industry, staying relevant requires more than just reporting on the latest car releases. With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving technology, and shifting consumer habits, automotive news outlets must evolve to capture attention. Whether you are a dedicated journalist, a blogger, or a marketing professional, these 32 powerful tips will help you improve your automotive news coverage, boost your SEO, and engage a loyal audience. Mastering Content Quality and Accuracy The foundation of any reputable news source is the quality of its reporting.…

Automotive News

32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News

32 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Automotive News The automotive industry is currently undergoing its most significant transformation since the invention of the internal combustion engine. With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving technology, and shifting consumer habits, the demand for high-quality automotive news has never been higher. However, the digital space is crowded. To stand out, journalists, bloggers, and industry analysts must go beyond simple reporting. Whether you are running a niche blog or a large-scale automotive portal, these 32 powerful tips will help you improve your automotive news coverage, increase your authority, and grow your audience.…