Carl Anthony

Here is Automotive News' latest data-centric project: Top 100 U.S. dealership groups ranked by used-vehicle sales in 2023. https://lnkd.in/gNX3NkdD A special thanks to Mary Raetz and Heather Rowe of the Automotive News Research & Data Center, who compiled and sorted the Top 100 data and answered each data-related question I had during the writing process for this. This package also wouldn't be possible without a lot of other careful human effort, including contributions by AN's design, social media, web, multimedia, editing and copy editing teams. I'm especially glad for Amy Butters' careful reviews of the copy that went into this package. ICYMI: Read Gail Kachadourian Howe and Julie Walker's breakdown of the Top 150 dealership groups (by new-vehicle sales in 2023) here: https://lnkd.in/gT-kjdTk We're also looking to build out our list of retailers who sell only used vehicles. If you operate one, submit your contact information at the following link to receive a survey about it: https://lnkd.in/gWmj2zPN

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In recent years, several automakers have expanded the age eligibility limits for vehicles in their respective certified pre-owned programs. And although there’s room for improvement, dealers are improving the customer experience in the service department. Both are good signs, given what S&P Global Mobility discovered about the average age of vehicles on the road. Here's why.

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iSeeCars examined data from more than 1.3 million transactions of 3-year-old used vehicles between November 2022 to April 2023 and determined average cost per 1,000 miles per year for various segments and models. They found that the price per 1,000 miles per year for 3-year-old hybrids ($3,056) was 2.1% lower than that of gas cars ($3,123). More details and insights from Karl Brauer in this story below

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The AM for Every Vehicle Fraud • Uncovering the lies the NAB and politicians are spreading about AM. • The bullying tactics being used to force automakers to keep AM in cars that likely will backfire. • How auto manufacturers are playing with the NAB – their real radio plans revealed. • Tricks consolidators are using that hurt AM’s chances to remain as standard equipment in the dash. https://lnkd.in/equq7q9p

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Michigan dealership group takes branding to the skies with hot air balloon. Zeigler Automotive Group goes above and beyond to spread the word about their dealerships. Literally. Flying high above billboards and car lots, a hot air balloon emblazoned with the name of the Kalamazoo, Mich., dealership group dances through Midwest skies every summer. In an increasingly competitive market following the inventory shortage, Zeigler's balloon advertising strategy is to connect positive emotions with their brand, said Sam D'Arc, Zeigler's COO. "We buy from people that we trust and that we have an emotional connection with. That is what the balloon does," D'Arc said. "I have never seen someone watching a hot air balloon who doesn't have a smile on their face." The dealership group bought the custom balloon in 2021 for about $75,000 and it will last about 15 years, CEO Aaron Zeigler said. Pilot Derrick Jones flies it almost every weekend from May to October at dealership grand openings, balloon shows, charity events and more. Jones typically takes two passengers at a time for trips that last about an hour. Riders range from Zeigler staff to clients to members of the public who bid for the opportunity at charity auctions. Many people also post pictures of it on social media when they see it overhead. "It is singular in its ability to engage with communities," D'Arc said. Memorable marketing The balloon is a key piece of branding as the dealership group grows, Zeigler said. It added six stores last year, bringing its total to 41, and retailed 20,644 new vehicles. Zeigler ranks No. 45 on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S. Jones, who also is the director of Zeigler's Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Fiat dealerships in Grandville, Mich., sees firsthand how the balloon creates a "circle of brand and marketing," he said. "If people are thinking about the Zeigler balloon, they think of Derrick. And if they are looking for a car, I usually get a call, text or email saying: 'My uncle, my neighbor, my friend, my coworker is looking for a vehicle,' " Jones said. "People just don't forget about it — it's memorable." It is tricky to calculate any direct return on investment for the balloon, D'Arc said. But the auto group is counting on the balloon's unique ability to inspire joy, loyalty and brand awareness. "You cannot buy a bigger billboard," D'Arc said. "And it's traveling, so everyone who sees it is pointing it out to people." Team becomes crew Being a top performer at Ziegler could mean the chance to travel to the top of the skies. The dealership group uses balloon rides as an incentive for team members, Zeigler said. It is a rare opportunity for employees and their family members so it brings out people's competitive sides.

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I'm paraphrasing, but a long time ago some executive in the automotive industry told me that if your brand was relying on fleet sales to prop itself up, something was seriously wrong. That was the old days, when "fleet sales" meant selling 10,000 white Buick Skylarks to Enterprise just to keep production numbers looking good. Today, there's a staggering amount of innovation coming out of fleet services. And it's not just for the huge fleet customers with tens of thousands of pickups on the road. Even if you're a one-man plumber with a single van, brands like Ford Motor Company have a solution for you. What's really exciting to see is how this is going to influence EV sales in the fleet segment. If a purchasing manager gets a report that models the reduction in maintenance and fueling costs for a fleet of 2,000 Transit vans or Lightning Pros by shifting to electric power, they'd be out of a job if they ignored it. Your average consumer may not like the idea of connected services, but fleet managers live for it and are willing to pay for it.

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David Zipper for Fast Company: Detroit killed the sedan. We may all live to regret it. Last week, General Motors announced that it would end production of the Chevrolet Malibu, which the company first introduced in 1964. Although not exactly a head turner (the Malibu was “so uncool, it was cool,” declared the New York Times), the sedan has become an American fixture, even an icon, appearing in classic films like Say Anything and Pulp Fiction. Over the past 60 years, GM produced some 10 million of them. With a price starting at a (relatively) affordable $25,100, Malibu sales exceeded 130,000 vehicles last year, a 13% annual increase and enough to rank as the #3 Chevy model, behind only the Silverado and the Equinox. Still, that wasn’t enough to keep the car off GM’s chopping block. The company says that the last Malibu will roll out of its Kansas City, KS, factory this November; the plant will then be retooled to produce the new Chevy Bolt, an electric crossover SUV. With the Malibu’s demise, GM will no longer sell any affordable sedans in the U.S. In that regard, it will have plenty of company. Ford stopped producing sedans for the U.S. market in 2018. And it was Sergio Marchionne, the former head of Stellantis, who triggered the headlong retreat in 2016 when he declared that Dodge and Chrysler would stop making sedans. (Tesla, meanwhile, offers two sedans: the Model 3 and Model S.) As recently as 2009, U.S. passenger cars (including sedans and a plunging number of station wagons) outsold light trucks (SUVs, pickups, and minivans), but today they’re less then 20% of new car purchases. The death of the Malibu is confirmation, if anyone still needs it, that the Big Three are done building sedans. That decision is bad news for road users, the environment, and budget-conscious consumers—and it may ultimately come around to bite Detroit. https://buff.ly/3WKR0me

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🚙Used Car Managers🔥 🔥General Managers🚗 🚘Dealer Principals🔥 🔥Automotive Professionals🚖 Want to price your invetory to maximize profits? David Long shares H.O.W. on All Things Used Cars. 🤯 Every Friday starting at 9AM EST/6AM PST… Jump into the conversation or be a 🪰 on the wall like me! Either way, you’ll walk away with amazing insights and actionable tips that you can implement at your dealership today to improve your bottom line. 💰🤑 👀 in the comments for a link to the full episode replay of Pricing For Profit. #automotive #autodealers #automotiveindustry #carbusiness #automotivesales #newcarsales #usedcarsales #usedcardealer #sales #salesdevelopment #salesexcellence

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Subscribe to JATO’s monthly Strategy & Innovation Newsletter, bringing the latest industry news round-up to your inbox. Find the latest edition here: https://hubs.li/Q02tLyZ00 #Automotive #AutomotiveNews #CarNews

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Toyota North America, American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Nissan Motor Corporation, Subaru of America and Mazda North American Operations can be feeling pretty happy about their US Q1 sales. Up by a combined 16pc, with 20pc+ for Toyota and Honda. But the three firms that sell a BEV option in the US (Honda don't quite yet, and Mazda have retreated) saw the all-electric share of their sales mix shrink, even from last year's meagre levels. So they really are all-in on ICEs remaining buoyant and hybrids continuing to be the electrification route of choice. Which is all well and good until that isn't the case. And for companies whose best-selling models shifted almost 2.8mn units in the compact and midsized (European C and D) segments last year, ignoring all-electric in vehicle classes potentially very open to BEVs once compelling models hit the streets looks a risky bet.... https://lnkd.in/efkHe9vt #ev #autosales #toyota

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Great call this week. If you missed it, here was our opening Automotive Economic Update and Our intro to the topic with some great back and forth below in this short clip. David Long The full replay can be heard here: https://lnkd.in/gRvKi_Rf

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🚙Used Car Managers🔥 🔥General Managers🚗 🚘Dealer Principals🔥 🔥Automotive Professionals🚖 While some run scared in a volatile used car market, some say BUY THEM ALL! This Friday, May 31st, starting at 9AM EST/6AM PST... John Ellis, Brian Miller, Jasen Rice, Brian Kramer, and other top automotive minds dive deep into this important topic on David Long’s All Things Used Cars. Jump in the conversation or be a 🪰on the wall like me! Either way, you'll walk away with profit-boosting insights and actionable strategies to get more than your fair share. 💰💴🤑💲 Look in the comments for a link to RSVP. You'll be texted a reminder once the room opens up. #automotive #autodealers #automotiveindustry #carbusiness #automotivesales #newcarsales #usedcarsales #usedcardealer #sales #salesdevelopment #salesexcellence #leadership #leadershipskills

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Immerse Yourself in the Future of Automotive Technology I discovered many years ago that #AutoTechDetroit is the foundational conference for automotive technology, connected vehicles, mobility, and retailing – This year June 5-6, at the Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi MI - no one related in any way to this sector should miss it. https://lnkd.in/g4MZstHR Created and masterminded by the car folks at WardsAuto (100-year history as a driving force in automotive) and Informa, AutoTech: Detroit brings together over 3,000 (that’s thousand) industry leaders from around the world, for two days of incredibly new and informative presentations and immersive B2B networking. For example, I can tell you (because I was there) it’s a fact that connected car and mobility discussions started here, many years ago, way before they were even discussed (let alone buzzwords) anywhere else – this is about as forward-thinking and cutting edge automotive you can get. I’m very privileged and delighted to say that I’ll be moderating a fireside chat panel on the evolving automotive retailing sector, “Shifting Gears – New Business Models for the Automotive Experience,” ( Wednesday, June 5  3:40pm) with industry leaders - Scott Kunes from Kunes Auto and RV Group, and Greg Moran from Zoomcar. We will be tackling the big topics – ·       How can the industry reimagine business models centered on consumer experiences, long-term partnerships, and the entire vehicle lifecycle? ·       What potential conflicts and opportunities arise as OEMs and dealer networks transition from product-centric to service-centric models? ·       What complexities do dealerships face with software updates for EVs, and how can they be addressed? Thank you Lisa Brailsford, Alexa Madden, Lewis Powers, and the entire Informa and WardsAuto team for once again putting on this mega think tank for the automotive industry (and allowing me to be a small part of it!). No one who needs to know “what’s coming down the road” in automotive technology should miss this event – I look forward to seeing you there! #AutoTechDetroit #automotive #automotivetechnology #connnectedcar #EVs #newcarsales #automotiveretailing #Driveitaway #DWAY

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No legacy automaker will survive if we keep delaying EV plans—the American automotive industry must commit now to stay in this race. Jim Farley‘s leadership in calling for a heightened sense of urgency is super critical—existential. This is the hardest pivot our industry has ever needed to make, and there’s no time to soft talk this issue any longer or continue catering to what most customers want right now due to fears and resistance to change; either pivot to electric vehicles or risk being done in the next few years. Happy 4th of July America 🇺🇸! Source full talk: https://lnkd.in/emA-2HcX Source Jim’s op-ed: https://lnkd.in/e3pZgXk2 #AutomotiveIndustry #EV #ElectricVehicles #Ford Ford Motor Company

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Get a handle on how to engage your used car customers the RIGHT way. Better Car People's CEO Aaron Kleinhandler discusses the change in the Used Car Market and how to work with customers who are more knowledgable than ever.

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The linked article is representative of how auto reporters gaslight their readers about the performance of GM CEO Mary Barra. To say that GM’s EV sales are up 40% is meaningless given the paltry number of electric vehicles the automaker sells. GM in the second quarter sold a mere 21,930 EVs, compared to the 443,956 EVs Tesla delivered. Unlike GM, Tesla sells its EVs at a profit. Some folks might recall that Barra not that long ago vowed she’d be selling more EVs than Tesla by the end of next year. Moreover, GM’s Mexican-made EV Blazer has been recalled and a second stop order has been issued because of a mechanical issue with the front suspension component. GM late last year recalled and issued a stop sale order on all its EV Blazers because of disastrous software issues. GM sold only 746 BrightDrop EV delivery vans in the first half. The company told investors in November 2022 that BrightDrop would generate $1 billion in annual sales in 2023 and that it already had 25,000 orders for the vehicles. What happened to those orders? GM in the second quarter edged Toyota on total sales, but that, too, is misleading. There is a waiting list on several of Toyota’s most popular hybrid vehicles and dealers reportedly are selling them considerably above MSRP. GM is already discounting its 2025 EV Blazers. Speaking of Mexican-made vehicles, a shoutout to the Ford amigos earning poverty wages who build the Bronco Sport, which was the No. 1 ranked small SUV in J.D. Powers initial quality rankings. The Bronco Sport is built is Mexico, where the “All In On America” company also proudly builds its electric Mustang and Maverick pickups and maintains the biggest engineering team in Latin America. Ford’s UAW workers need to up their game. More than 4,000 F-150 2024 pickups have been recalled because the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. Ford CEO Jim Farley earlier this year boasted that delaying F-150 deliveries for months allowed the company to identify some dozen defects that would have required recalls. Auto writers might want to ask Barra and Farley about the status of the adapters they promised buyers of their EVs that would be available around now to connect to Tesla’s Superchargers, but I understand the media’s reluctance to avoid questions that might prompt someone to question the respective $28 million and $27 million compensations Barra and Farley received last year. https://lnkd.in/gtDVqeDk #gm #ford #tesla #electricvehicles

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