Fewer Dealers in the Forecast for Cadillac

Fewer Dealers in the Forecast for Cadillac

Various media reports last week confirm Cadillac is offering buyouts to 400 of its smallest dealerships. The news isn’t a surprise as we speculated numerous times since September 2014 that Cadillac Chief Johan de Nysschen would try to reduce the number of 925 Cadillac dealers down to 400 to 500 stores. The buyouts follow Cadillac’s…

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How FCA’s Sales Scheme was Different Than Typical ‘Punching’ Practices

How FCA’s Sales Scheme was Different Than Typical ‘Punching’ Practices

July 19, 2016 — As news leaked yesteday that the FBI and SEC is investigating Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for possible sales fraud, a key question kept popping up in conversations — how is what FCA allegedly did any different than what other automakers do when it comes to reporting sales? For years — even decades —… Continue Reading

Salesforce and Automotive Retail — Is There a Play?

Salesforce and Automotive Retail — Is There a Play?

July 7, 2016 — The automotive retail technology world is dominated by three players today — Cox Automotive, CDK Global, and Reynolds and Reynolds. On the CRM side, the major players are DealerSocket and ELead1One. Meanwhile, Salesforce is hovering around the industry. The question is, will this power structure continue over the next two to… Continue Reading

An Automotive Brexit Primer on What to Watch in the Coming Months

An Automotive Brexit Primer on What to Watch in the Coming Months

July 3, 2016 — The long term effects on the auto industry resulting from Great Britain’s vote to exit the European Union may well be determined by how amicable the divorce proceedings are. Early indications are that the breakup could be ugly. But it’s only been a week since the Brits shocked the world so…

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Volkswagen’s Initial Diesel Payout to Exceed $15 Billion

Volkswagen’s Initial Diesel Payout to Exceed $15 Billion

(UPDATED June 30 with dealer information)  June 28, 2016 — Volkswagen is expected to announce settlements with U.S. regulatory agencies and 475,000 customers for lying about its diesel emissions today that could exceed $15 billion. According to numerous media reports, the deal only affects the 475,000 customers that purchased 2009 – 2015 2.0 liter diesel Volkswagen…

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Cadillac’s Project Pinnacle Becomes Reality — Virtually

Cadillac’s Project Pinnacle Becomes Reality — Virtually

June 16, 2016 — Dominating headlines over the last 10 days was Cadillac’s pending move to “encourage” approximately 400 of it smaller franchises to become virtual stores. It’s a story that demands attention — Cadillac moving to virtual reality dealerships. But the reality (not virtual) is, the move likely will have little effect except to ultimately force…

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Cliff Banks - The Banks Report

NY Court Rules GM’s Sales Formula Not Legal

May 10, 2016 –In an intriguing decision last week, the New York’s Court of Appeals determined in a 5 – 1 decision that General Motors’ use of its Retail Sales Index to evaluate its dealers’ sales performance violates state law. The ruling could force manufacturers to change how they measure their dealers’ retail performance. GM used the RSI In 2011 in… Continue Reading