Inside Automotive
How Ken Garff Auto group is fusing its mainland culture with its Hawaii acquisitions – Brett Hopkins
Automotive powerhouse Ken Garff Automotive Group, number nine of the top 150 dealership groups, recently expanded its portfolio on the islands of Hawaii. On today’s Inside Automotive, we’re joined by the CEO of Ken Garff Automotive Group, Brett Hopkins, to tell us more about this acquisition and the state of his operations today. Watch the full segment here
Top stories
President Biden is urging car manufacturers and union leaders to forge a deal and avoid a strike as exchanges between Big-Three automakers and UAW representatives intensify. Speaking to automakers Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Biden strongly advised that three companies “take every possible step” to support and maintain their current workforce, even as the industry’s shift to electric vehicles forces factory shutdowns for re-tooling. Read More
As competition in the market for electric vehicles intensifies, Tesla launched less expensive versions of its Model S and Model X vehicles in the U.S. According to Tesla’s website, the less expensive models of both vehicles, introduced on August 14, cost $10,000 less than the standard model. Compared to the Model X, the Standard Range of the Model X starts at $88,490. Read More
Ford will include its driver-assistance software, BlueCruise, on several 2024 models by default. The car manufacturer announced the new plan on Monday, August 14. Previously, customers were required to opt-in for BlueCruise at checkout. The service provides Level 2 self-driving capabilities, which include elements such as adaptive cruise control and hands-free driving in certain conditions. Read More
Lordstown Motors announced on August 15 that it had reached a $40 million settlement with Karma Automotive over a 2020 lawsuit in which the now-bankrupt EV company was accused of stealing intellectual technology. The agreement, awaiting approval from the bankruptcy court, calls for $5 million to be paid as royalties for using Karma’s intellectual property, which Lordstown was accused of stealing. Read More
For Dealers
Creating a seamless online-to-offline EV buying experience
Remember the golden days of car buying? There wasn’t an internet where people could do research—only magazines. When new cars arrived, dealers often used opaque waterproof marker paint over the windows for the big yearly reveal. Walking into a dealership, the smell of new cars, a firm handshake with a salesperson who knew your name, and a test drive that sealed the deal. It was personal, tangible, and authentic. Read More
Exploring the impact that social media has on automotive sales
In the dealer’s lounge, you may scroll through Instagram. Not for leisure but to inspect a competitor’s latest post showcasing their newest sedan under a mesmerizing sunset. It may have thousands of likes, hundreds of comments, and make you think: “Are we missing out?” Welcome to social media, where the boundaries between social entertainment and business blur, continually reshaping the auto sales landscape. Read More
