P&A Online

June 9, 2011

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Inverse Relationship: Vehicle Technology Versus VSC Costs

Hyundai’s New Trade-In Value Guarantee

OEM’s Embrace Mobile Apps, Providers Enter Market

Don’t Be “That Guy”

Another Possible Option for Pre-paid Scheduled Maintenance

Don’t Be “That Guy”

Dodd-Frank White Paper

Click here for a white paper that explores how the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act could impact our industry. Download the White Paper Here

IAS Announces New Tablet Based Technology Software

AUSTIN – IAS, a provider of F&I aftermarket programs to automobile dealerships, is releasing a tablet based software program called SmartPad, the newest addition to the SmartDealerProducts software suite. SmartPad shortens the F&I process and creates sales opportunities by utilizing the electronic tablet to gather and present a customizable array of information while the customer ... Read More »

Hyundai Motor America Launches Accessory Sales Programs

IRVINE — Looking to capitalize on increasing vehicle sales and market share, Hyundai Motor America has announced the launch of an in-store accessory sales program to be facilitated through MOBIS Parts America and powered by Insignia Group, LC, which provides accessory sales tools and training. The program provided by Insignia will feature a customized, Web-based ... Read More »

DealerTrack Backs Its Industry-Leading Compliance Solution With $25,000 Red Flags Guarantee

LAKE SUCCESS – DealerTrack is offering a $25,000 Red Flags Guarantee to current and new subscribers of its Compliance Solution, a suite of compliance tools available in the automotive retail industry. The new Red Flags Guarantee from DealerTrack will cover associated government-issued fines up to $25,000, should a dealership be cited for non-compliance with the ... Read More »

Interstate National Inks Deal to Administer New Hyundai Assurance Program

ATLANTA – Interstate National Dealer Services, one of the nation’s largest independent providers of vehicle service contracts and F&I products, has successfully completed a strategic alignment with Hyundai Motor America to administer the Hyundai Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee, the newest addition to the Assurance suite of programs. The new Hyundai Assurance program eliminates concern about ... Read More »

Ford Aims to Breathe Life Into Lincoln

Now that Ford Motor Co. has escaped from the grip of recession and projects a doubling of vehicle sales by mid-decade, the second-largest U.S. auto maker is making a revival of its ailing Lincoln luxury brand its top priority. Later this year, Ford will begin a sweeping make-over of the 96-year-old brand, to give staid ... Read More »

Toyota Vehicle Owners Can’t Pursue Economic Losses Under California Law

Toyota Motor Corp. vehicle owners outside California can’t pursue under that state’s laws their claims that unintended acceleration problems lowered the value of their cars, a judge ruled. Toyota owners say the company drove down the value of their vehicles by failing to disclose or fix defects related to sudden acceleration. Their lawyers asked U.S. ... Read More »

Chrysler Global Sales Increase of 11 Percent in May Is Below Marchionne’s Target

Chrysler Group LLC, the U.S. automaker operated by Fiat SpA, said global automobile sales in May rose 11 percent from a year earlier, trailing the goal Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne set for 2011. Global deliveries climbed to 160,144 last month, Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler said in an e-mail. Worldwide sales this year through May ... Read More »

Ford’s Mulally Says Economy Is ‘Biggest Concern,’ Sees Second-Half Pickup

Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said that while the economy is the automaker’s main concern, he expects conditions to improve in the second half of the year. “Our biggest concern of course is that the economy has slowed a little bit from where we thought it would be,” Mulally said today in ... Read More »

U.S. Treasury Said to Be Reluctant to Sell Its GM Shares at Current Price

The U.S. Treasury Department is reluctant to sell part of its 33 percent stake in General Motors Co. to the company at this point because the price is too low, a person familiar with the matter said. Executives at Detroit-based GM have discussed buying some of the Treasury’s shares or allowing all holders of common ... Read More »

Fiat Makes Bid for Canada’s Stake in Chrysler

VENICE — Fiat SpA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said Saturday the Italian auto maker offered about $125 million to the Canadian government to acquire its 1.7 percent stake in Chrysler Group LLC. Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Venice, Mr. Marchionne said he made the offer Thursday night. The disclosure came two days ... Read More »

Toyota President Touts Faster Output Recovery

SEOUL — Toyota Motor Corp. is having a faster-than-expected recovery from the shortage of auto parts caused by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, and expects production will be fully back to normal in November, the company’s president said Saturday. “Currently, we have only 30 vehicle parts on a short supply and the restoration ... Read More »

Treasury Drove Hard Bargain in Selling Chrysler Stake

WASHINGTON – Treasury Department officials held out for $500 million for the government’s 6 percent stake in Chrysler – $100 million more than what Fiat SpA initially offered to pay. The Treasury got far more than what Fiat paid for a 16 percentage point boost in its Chrysler stake in April, when it upped its ... Read More »