Last week’s announcement that Holman Automotive is acquiring the Kuni Automotive Group is significant on numerous levels. The Banks Report, which broke the news of the deal, estimates that it is the biggest dealer acquisition since Warren Buffett’s purchase of the Van Tuyl Automotive Group in March of 2015. So what does the deal mean for…
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
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
April 1, 2016 — Despite most of its 236 dealers not in favor of offering no-haggle pricing, Lexus will begin piloting a one-price initiative at 11 stores within the next few weeks, says Jeff Bracken, general manager for the luxury automaker. Lexus has spent more than two years designing the program, called LexusPlus, along with… Continue Reading
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…
March 10, 2016 — The blows keep coming for Volkswagen dealers in the U.S., who lost a key ally yesterday with executive Michael Horn’s sudden departure. According to a statement from Volkswagen, Horn, who had been CEO Volkswagen Group of America for nearly two years, is leaving the company immediately to pursue other interests. His exit is… Continue Reading
February 26, 2016 — Tesla has won its latest battle fighting state franchise law designed to keep it from selling vehicles to consumers. at least for a few months. The Indiana Senate Commerce and Technology Committee decided yesterday to send a controversial bill banning manufacturer-direct automotive sales to customers to an interim study committee later this year. House… Continue Reading
February 20, 2016 — Building on a strategy he hinted at more than a year ago, Cadillac President President Johan de Nysschen outlined a retail strategy this week at a dealer meeting in California that calls for hundreds of the brand’s smaller dealerships to become virtual showrooms. A key part of de Nysschen’s strategy is how… Continue Reading
January 16, 2016 — General Motors’ Factory Pre-owned Collection, announced last week during the North American International Auto Show, looks to be an intriguing opportunity for the automaker’s dealers, but it does raise questions. There are benefits, but numerous dealers have emailed TBR expressing concern that GM is trying to provide a solution to a problem that doesn’t…
January 15, 2016 — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles came out fighting late yesterday in a strongly worded release rejecting the allegations of falsifying sales made in a civil lawsuit filed this week by dealer Ed Napleton. In the statement, FCA called the lawsuit “nothing more than the product of two disgruntled dealers who have failed to perform… Continue Reading