CBT automotive newscast: May 13, 2021

Featured Interview:

How this California car dealer handled pandemic-related challenges to open a new Lexus store in the fall
Last year, crews broke ground on Lexus of Temecula Valley in California. This fall, the car dealership is expected to open its doors on nearly five acres. The store will be part of the Temecula Valley Toyota ownership family, and on today’s show, we’re pleased to welcome Tom Rudnai, President of Temecula Valley Toyota. The Lexus store was supposed to break ground a year ago but was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Temecula was able to reconstruct a plan for starting work on the new location. Read more

Top Headlines:

Toyota Motor Corp. seems to be unfazed by the pandemic and semiconductor struggles that have plagued its competitors. The Japanese automaker reported a net income of $7.05 billion in the first three months of 2021, an increase from $2.97 billion the year before. CFO Kenta Kon credits Toyota’s improved supply-chain management to pre-emptive measures put in place following the Fukushima earthquake in 2011.

Hendrick Automotive is denying allegations of racism from a former employee. Lance Blair left his position at Hendrick Toyota Concord in February of this year and filed a complaint against the dealership which cited years of racist harassment from fellow employee, Phil St. George. Hendrick has filed a response that denies most of Blair’s claims saying that Blair, “failed to provide [Hendrick Automotive] a reasonable opportunity to stop or correct the alleged misconduct…”

Volkswagen is reviving its cult-class Microbus as a highly automated, electric van featuring self-driving technology powered by Argo AI. The new and improved ID.BUZZ is forecasted to be available to the public by 2025.

On Wednesday, CNBC reported that the national average for a gallon of gas rose above $3 due to a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline. Americans in Southeastern states are rushing out to fuel up in fear of a supply shortage. So far, Georgia has been hit the hardest. 15.4% of the state’s fuel stations are wiped out, while almost 60% of stations in the Metro Atlanta area are empty.

News & Opinion:

Americans are optimistic about travel plans as traffic volumes return to normal
In most jurisdictions, the number of cars on the road today looks very close to how it appeared prior to March 2020. According to the latest Hankook Tire Gauge Index, the number of commuters who have returned to work at the office or school is at the same level as it was prior to the pandemic’s start. The report shows that 44% of commuters are driving to the office again and 43% have returned to driving to in-class studies, matching pre-COVID figures. Read More

What should be on your dealership’s content marketing calendar?
Your content marketing calendar helps you plan, manage and execute your advertising and social media marketing strategy to fit your customer’s needs. There may be unplanned events or promotions that come up, but for the most part, this calendar shows your staff what the dealership’s content marketing will look like each week, month, and quarter. It also helps plan staffing for quick responses to inquiries and sales that result from your planning and strategy. Read more