Inside Automotive
Simplifying the automotive industry toolkit — Brian MacDonald | CDK Global
The automotive industry has spent the last few years navigating a tumultuous economy and volatile car market. With the post-pandemic era introducing even more challenges and difficulties, the need for leadership and innovation is critical. On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Brian MacDonald, CEO and president of CDK Global. Watch full segment here.
Top Stories
Stellantis continued to project strength throughout the third quarter as global sales and revenues improved but was hindered by labor strikes and worsening demand in the U.S. Compared to Q3 2022, the automaker shipped 1.4 million units worldwide, an increase of 11%, with sales improving throughout its segments. Read More
At its Normal, Illinois, facility, Rivian has installed a 2.8 MW wind turbine that, when combined with solar power, will provide clean energy for charging every new electric vehicle. Although Charlottesville, Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy started building the wind turbine in May, Rivian revealed it would install the device in June 2022. Read More
Japanese tech manufacturer and Tesla supplier Panasonic has reduced electric vehicle battery production, sparking fears of an electric vehicle slowdown. In its earnings report released Monday, Panasonic confirmed that it had slowed down automotive battery manufacturing over the last quarter to reach “an appropriate inventory level, in response to rapidly-reduced demand.” Read More
On October 27, TIME revealed Dale Benton, the president of Benton Nissan of Hoover in Hoover, Alabama, as one of the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year nominees. Benton will receive recognition on February 3, 2024, at the 107th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, along with 49 other dealer nominees nationwide. Read More
For Dealers
Integrating technology and human touch in car sales: Striking the balance for optimal customer experience
Technology is changing how consumers shop for and buy cars. Yet chatbots, virtual reality applications, and artificial intelligence haven’t eliminated the need for human interaction. Modern car dealerships need to balance digital tool usage with personal touchpoints to create memorable customer experiences. Read More
How to measure the value your service advisors bring to the dealership
Like it or not, a successful dealership boils down to metrics. Hit a certain threshold, and you can rest easy (or easier) until next month or next quarter. But the numbers aren’t always about sales; fixed operations can benefit from benchmarks. This approach starts with service advisors. Let’s explore the fundamentals of keeping these staffers accountable and how they can help the bottom line. Read More
