Inside Automotive
FADA Pres. Ted Smith on direct-to-consumer sales ban, Ford’s Model e program
In June, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed a bill banning direct-to-consumer sales (excluding Tesla) to protect franchise dealers in the state, which went into effect on July 1. So, on today’s edition of Inside Automotive, we’re pleased to welcome back Ted Smith, President of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), to tell us more about the bill, the association’s response, General Motors’ challenges with their dealers, and the lawsuit filed against Ford. Watch the full segment here
Top stories
AutoNation strengthened its position over the second quarter, beating analyst revenue forecasts thanks to higher earnings from after-sales services and increasing demand for new vehicles. Analysts had expected AutoNation to announce declining revenues for the period due to the shrinking used car market. Read More
Car owner satisfaction declined for the second year in a row, according to the J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. It is the first time in nearly three decades that the annual study has displayed two consecutive years of decline. Between 2022 and 2023, car owner satisfaction shed two points after falling one point in 2021. Read More
The automotive business has been significantly impacted by artificial intelligence. According to Future Market Insights, sales of driverless vehicles are expected to reach $70 billion by 2033. However, AI-powered self-driving cars are not the only change; the manufacture of cars is already incorporating AI technology. Read More
According to an Auto Trader report, the number of people interested in buying a “Chevy Convertible Corvette” has increased by 120% since the release of the “Barbie” trailer. In a time when we essentially travel by computers on wheels, the trend was found through data analysts from social media and auto auction websites, citing more people want to return to the basics. Read More
For Dealers
Leveraging mobile apps for improved customer engagement in dealerships
On any given day in your dealership, a mechanic will grapple with diagnosing a perplexing issue in a customer’s vehicle. A tool that swiftly and accurately solves the mystery would be an invaluable ally, right? Read More
Are car buyers who work-from-home making F&I sales easier?
For the last few years since the start of the pandemic, companies have been more open to the idea of working from home to reduce turnover while maintaining productivity. Though some major companies are starting to bring back workers to a ‘hybrid’ work environment, those that are counted as ‘fully remote’ workers are likely here to stay. Dealers have been seeing an unexpected benefit from the work-from-home crowd. Read More
