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Last post on Apr 19, 2013 at 9:32 PM
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#709 of 720 Re: more fun with state franchise laws [steve_]
by carthell
Oct 26, 2012 (8:20 pm)
Yay for Mr. Musk! Drivers (no pun intended) of change never get any respect initially. I hope that Tesla survives this trial-by-fire. (The car dealer associations sure picked an underhanded way to extract a profit from someone else's efforts struggle through the current economic downturn.)
#710 of 720 where Wagoner landed
by steve_ HOST
Jan 26, 2013 (7:17 am)
"A new online service enables car shoppers to test drive vehicles without going to a dealership.
Tred, a Seattle startup with ties to former GM CEO Rick Wagoner, cuts dealership trips by delivering new vehicles for consumers to test drive and possibly purchase.
Tred drivers, not salespeople, deliver the vehicles wherever the shopper wants. The service ensures that dealerships can keep salesmen on the floor at all times, the company said."
Seattle startup tied to Wagoner delivers cars for test drives (Automotive News)
#711 of 720 Re: where Wagoner landed [steve_]
by carthell
Jan 26, 2013 (8:12 am)
Rick's been doing a few things since his ouster from GM, a Google search shows. Mainly, sitting on boards of other corporations and at least one university it appears.
If it were me, I would not mind Mr. Wagoner's counsel in the new business. You don't work for one of the largest companies in the world for 30 years, even a declining one, without picking up some skills and knowledge that can be taken, rebuilt, and applied in a new way.
#712 of 720 Dealers thriving on stronger volume, more franchises
by steve_ HOST
Feb 15, 2013 (9:45 am)
"The number of car dealerships in the U.S. remained stable in 2012, but the volume per store set a record, according to data released Thursday by Urban Science, a Detroit-based retail consulting firm.
There were 17,851 dealerships in the U.S. in 2012, up 0.5% from the previous year’s 17,767. The industry lost some Saab and Suzuki dealers, but that was offset by stronger overall sales, said vice president John Frith.
Most dealers who survived the downturn in 2009 are thriving."
U.S. car dealerships post record sales in 2012 (Detroit News)
Feb 17, 2013 (6:27 am)
I know Ford wanted to shrink the # of Lincoln dealers and here in North Jersey, we've lost about half of the dealerships thru closures and at least one merger. I'm also seeing some odd combinations of brands under one owner/location. A Ford dealer added Kia a few years ago and about one year ago, added Infinity. So you got those three brands in one location, tho each has its own showroom. Just kinda odd to see Kia/Infiniti/Ford models side by side in one large lot.
#714 of 720 Re: Lincoln [otis12]
by steve_ HOST
Feb 17, 2013 (7:04 am)
That is a bit odd. I'm used to seeing "second tier" brands together, but Ford and anyone other than Lincoln (or Mercury, back in the day) is odd.
The strange one up in this area (although it's over in N. Wisconsin), is a joint Toyota/Honda dealer.
#715 of 720 Re: Lincoln [steve_]
by otis12
Feb 23, 2013 (1:08 pm)
Toyota/Honda? That is very odd, though it must make cross-shopping easier for consumers looking at an Accord vs. Camry or Civic vs. Corolla.
#716 of 720 Re: Lincoln [otis12]
by steve_ HOST
Feb 23, 2013 (3:19 pm)
Yeah, here's their website. Can't imagine there's too many other dealers around with that combo.
#718 of 720 Re: Lincoln [steve_]
by explorerx4
Apr 19, 2013 (2:16 pm)
A local group has Honda, Nissan and Toyota together. Each brand has it's own showroom.