Inside Automotive
Why dealers are returning to the M&A market after COVID — Aaron Zeigler | Zeigler Auto Group
In July, Zeigler Auto Group acquired Elhart Automotive, which includes Elhart’s Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and GMC dealerships. On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Aaron Zeigler, president of Zeigler Auto Group, to discuss the acquisition and the current state of his businesses’ operations. Watch full segment here.
Top Stories
New car supply dipped slightly in July as improved manufacturing, higher demand and ongoing scarcity allowed dealers to sell more vehicles at higher prices. According to a Cox Automotive report, dealership inventories shrank roughly 1% from the previous month but grew 71% from last year, when new car supply was heavily constrained by production shutdowns and limited resources. By the end of July, retailers held 1.96 million vehicles in stock, down from June’s 1.98 million. Read More
Auto lending is a procedure that is becoming more automated, and dealership finance teams are typically in favor of using new technologies like AI to determine loans. However, there is no alternative to a successful face-to-face sales encounter when developing commercial partnerships. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study, issued on August 11, 77% of dealership F&I teams believe in-person interactions with sales staff are critical to increasing business with lenders. Read More
Electric vehicle startup Fisker has announced updates to the upcoming Ronin super GT, unveiled earlier this month. The Ronin super GT, tagged as “the world’s most sustainable supercar,” is a five-seat luxury sedan originally teased in May. After officially unveiling the model at the automaker’s Product Vision Day event, Fisker has now revealed a launch date in the latter half of 2025, alongside the electric vehicle’s price tag: $385,000. Read More
A Lincoln car dealership provided school supplies to 40 teachers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Recipients include teachers from Norristown, Malcolm, Waverly, and Lincoln schools. A few weeks ago, Anderson Mazda of Lincoln announced on its Facebook page that it aimed to cross certain items off the wish lists of a few nearby teachers. Teachers jumped at the chance to comment on the post, which drew close to 200 responses. Read More
For Dealers
More cash deals than ever in ’23—How to turn a negative into a positive
‘I can’t wait to take the next cash deal!’ said no F&I manager EVER. Most see them as a ‘dead’ deal where there is little or no chance to hold any decent gross. But it’s not a lost cause at all. Sure, it’s a little more challenging but in this current market, there is still a way to make these deals a positive one for F&I. Industry expert Experian has reported a leveling off of new car cash deals but a rise for used car transactions. Read More
Q&A with ACV: Managing used EV inventory for greater sales success
As the automotive industry experiences a rapid acceleration of electric vehicle trends, dealerships must adapt to this changing landscape to seize new business opportunities. Transitioning to EVs involves more than just updating service departments—sales teams must be equipped to guide buyers through this significant shift. Understanding customer needs, acquiring product knowledge, and implementing effective follow-up strategies are essential for success. Read More
