What China’s Automotive Struggles Means for the U.S.

What China’s Automotive Struggles Means for the U.S.

January 1, 2015 — China’s car dealers’ inventory battle with automakers shows the need for strong franchise laws. Also, what do the current challenges in the Chinese automotive market mean for the U.S. and the potential entry by players such as Volvo’s parent Geely or the Warren Buffett-backed BYD Auto?  The recent spate of stories highlighting…

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Cliff Banks - The Banks Report

Dealerships Are Key in Cyber Attack Wars

December 27, 2014 — Much of the auto industry’s discussion regarding cyber warfare focuses on the inherent vulnerabilities of the connected vehicle. But one area that receives little scrutiny is the retail side of the automotive industry. This will soon change as dealerships likely will become one of the central battlefields in the cyber wars that will be… Continue Reading

Monster October for Dealership Buy-Sells

Monster October for Dealership Buy-Sells

The automotive retail space is within striking distance of 300 dealership acquisitions for all of 2014 following a monster October that saw 49 rooftops change hands. Meanwhile, prices for deals start to climb in wake of Buffett’s announcement. Fueled by Lithia Motors’ acquisition of the DCH Automotive Group, the 49 rooftops that changed owners in…

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3rd Quarter Dealership Buy-Sell Update

3rd Quarter Dealership Buy-Sell Update

November 3, 2014 –The dealership buy-sell market remains hot through for the year with 200 acquisitions through the third quarter. While Warren Buffett’s announcement brought a renewed sense of energy to the market, it ultimately may dampen potential acquisitions for the next couple of quarters as buyers are content to wait out what is proving to…

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Cadillac’s Plan – New Home & New Vehicles; Fewer Stores?

Cadillac’s Plan – New Home & New Vehicles; Fewer Stores?

October 29, 2014 — Dealers in the market for a Cadillac franchise may want to tread carefully. A month ago we wrote about what we believe will be a painful forecast for many of Cadillac’s 924 dealers. The brand has a new home in New York and as many as 10 new products coming in…

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Lawsuit Shows BMW Punches Sales

Lawsuit Shows BMW Punches Sales

October 8, 2014 — A federal judge in New Jersey Monday approved the settlement of a class action lawsuit resulting from BMW’s long standing practice of forcing dealers to help inflate its monthly sales numbers in what is commonly known as “punching” sales. The lawsuit alleged BMW cheated customers by reducing the length of its four-year Ultimate…

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Welcome to Automotive Retail, Mr. Buffett

Welcome to Automotive Retail, Mr. Buffett

October 2, 2014 – Warren Buffett’s announcement today that his Berkshire Hathaway Group is acquiring the Van Tuyl Group Group has the potential to change the market over the next year. Certainly, adding his iconic stature to an industry that already has business luminaries such as Roger Penske and MikeJackson only adds further validation that automotive retail is…

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A New Breed of Investor in Automotive Dealerships

A New Breed of Investor in Automotive Dealerships

September 22, 2014 — A new type of investor in dealerships may provide the comfort level manufacturers require and the flexibility dealers need.    Recently a new breed of investor has been drawn to the business of franchised retail auto dealerships. Included are hedge funds, private-equity funds and family offices. First, what attracts them to automotive…

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