Cliff Banks - The Banks Report

Napleton Files 3rd Lawsuit — This One Against Volkswagen

April 10, 2016 — On Wednesday, Ed Napleton, owner of one of the largest dealer groups in the country, filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen alleging the automaker engaged in criminal racketeering. Napleton owns three Volkswagen dealerships acquiring the Urbana, IL store three days before the diesel emissions scandal exploded in September. Napleton also claims the manufacturer… Continue Reading

The Modern Showroom — Thoughts from NADA

The Modern Showroom — Thoughts from NADA

Most dealerships today are configured to yesterday’s processes and experiences. The environment hasn’t kept up with the digital age.  While most dealerships have effective websites and Internet processes, their store images often don’t reflect the new realities of today’s society – touch screen mobile devices; interactive and personalized digital signage and virtual reality (VR) applications. But… Continue Reading

1st Quarter Recap & Future Outlook for Auto Retail Vendor Acquisitions

1st Quarter Recap & Future Outlook for Auto Retail Vendor Acquisitions

April 5, 2016 — Despite a relatively quiet first quarter, the hot merger and acquisition pace among automotive retail vendors the last couple of years should continue well into 2016. From January 2014 to December 2015, the industry saw 47 IPOs, acquisitions and investments totaling an estimated $37 billion in capital changing hands. (Read TBR’s recap…

This content is for subscribers only.
Log In Subscribe
Public Dealer Group Buy-Sell Activity to Slow; Private Activity Hot

Public Dealer Group Buy-Sell Activity to Slow; Private Activity Hot

March 31, 2016 — From January 2013 to December 2015, the six public dealer groups acquired 149 new car dealership rooftops, including 24 stores in Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom, adding an approximate $8.7 billion in revenue over the three years. The acquisitions comprise 15% of the 1,002 total buy-sells tracked by The Banks Report the last three years.…

This content is for subscribers only.
Log In Subscribe
Fiat Revamps Floundering Retail Strategy

Fiat Revamps Floundering Retail Strategy

March 10, 2016 — It’s back to the drawing board for Sergio Marchionne’s grand strategy for Fiat’s return to the U.S. Five years after the Italian brand began its comeback in the U.S., Marchionne’s retail strategy is floundering. Sales are down 15% through February this year, even with the recent launch of the much-awaited 500X, whose…

This content is for subscribers only.
Log In Subscribe