December 17, 2015 — It was an intense first two weeks in the dealership buy-sell world as transactions involving 38 stores were either closed or announced through December 15. December is shaping up to be a huge month which could put the industry near 500 rooftops exchanging hands in 2015. It’s the biggest two week stretch since The Banks Report…
December 16, 2015 — Ending several weeks of speculation, The Banks Report has learned that FordDirect’s CEO Stacey Coopes is leaving the company as soon as today following a recent vote by the company’s board of directors. Insiders tell TBR the move raises questions about FordDirect’s future over the next several months. Differences in philosophy… Continue Reading
December 16, 2015 — McLarty Automotive acquired four dealerships this week from the Asbury Automotive Group in Little Rock, AR. The purchase gives the McLarty group 13 dealerships — 11 that have been acquired since the end of October. The four dealerships are North Point Nissan (McLarty Nissan of Little Rock); North Little Rock Nissan (McLarty… Continue Reading
December 11, 2015 — The Renault Nissan Alliance and the French government reportedly have agreed to terms that will restore balance of power between the two sides. The agreement, which still has to be voted on by the board, will allow Nissan to protect itself from increasing influence from the French government. The dispute (read more here)… Continue Reading
December 11, 2015 — CDK Global announced today that CEO and President Steve Anenen will retire by the end of the company’s fiscal year on June 30, 2016. Brian MacDonald, who was named to the board of directors in June, will become president on January 1 and will take over the CEO position once Anenen… Continue Reading
December 10, 2015 — Volkswagen executives today presented a far more favorable picture of the automaker this morning during an early press conference than could have been envisioned a few weeks ago. But the situation in the U.S. remains more murky as Volkswagen waits for guidance from U.S regulatory officials on whether its proposed fixes…
December 8, 2015 — If you haven’t been paying attention to French politics recently, an intriguing battle is brewing for control of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. A vote by the alliance’s board that likely will determine its future is scheduled for December 11. The background is complicated. In a move to protect jobs and its ability to…
December 6, 2015 — Volkswagen’s challenges are showing no signs of letting up and appear to be growing in complexity. Plunging sales, disappearing incentives, VW’s inability to find a fix and questions surrounding management continue to plague the automaker and its dealers. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, top Volkswagen executives are…
December 5, 2015 — After launching AutoNation Express a year ago the nation’s dealer group is taking the next step adding the ability for customers to secure an online appraisal for a trade along with determining financing. The new components launched earlier this month according to a report in the Sun Sentinel. The initial program has… Continue Reading
December 1, 2015 — Apparently, someone recently declared it to be open hunting season for the media on car dealerships. Recent stories include claims of racism (in the Huffington Post) due to dealers fighting against the CFPB’s efforts to curtail financing profits to claims yesterday in the Daily Signal that removing the dealership monopoly from… Continue Reading