Rebecca Lindland

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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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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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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As the automotive industry continues to evolve in these changing times, it’s necessary to creatively innovate. Ford has done just that with Ford Pro. Ford Pro brought in $3 billion during just the first three months of this year. It functions as a “one-stop shop” for businesses, and that — in my opinion — is where the real value lies. The unit services companies and the government and offers work-ready vehicles, service, software, charging and financing solutions. It’s comprehensive and efficient. This concept, the end-to-end ecosystem is actually very much also a part of ParkMyFleet’s DNA. We welcome every type of fleet and the company has comprehensive offerings, including servicing, cleaning, charging/fueling and remarketing, among many others. Because at the end of the day, our most valuable asset in business is efficiency. Enabling a customer to maximize efficiency is simply a winning formula. #remarketing #auto #autoservice #mobility #Ford #FordPro #Tech #Fordtech https://lnkd.in/gZ6kGdfU

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Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke notes, “There is a lot of uncertainty in this market, leaving consumers and dealers alike unsure of the road ahead. In the auto business, uncertainty is the enemy – it negatively impacts sales, hurts consumer sentiment, and leaves auto dealers feeling troubled.” ….. but what if you’re creating a frictionless, personalized new car pipeline by pulling consumers ahead in their buying journey? Curious how CarSaver can navigate an uncertain market by creating Certainty, Loyalty and Driving Sales for our OEM and Dealer partners? Ask me How :) #automotive #carsaver #newcar #technology #adaptiveretail #upgrade #drivesales #increaseloyalty #letsworktogether

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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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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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Great perspective on what is really happening in the EV market from Laurence Iliff of Automotive News. One takeaway: Auto sales act like other free markets and prices rise and fall with demand for EVs two. Incentives near $9k or more lower the price to attract buyers. OEMs at some point need to have vehicles that sell without such huge discounts.

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While the upswing in 2024 isn’t likely to be as strong as last year’s, the wholesale vehicle market is showing a gradual rebound in volumes… Cherokee Media Group’s Joe Overby has more in this premium content from #AutoRemarketing. #businessintelligence #usedcarweek

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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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Auto execs: The revamped Center for Automotive Research #CARMBS will dissect issues that matter, expand your network and enhance your career. The North American auto industry’s top thought leadership event, here are some highlights you can expect, including General Motors President Mark Reuss: https://bit.ly/45kqDpF #automotive #thoughtleadership

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Dealers, this is not the right time to eliminate KBB ICO, significantly as new vehicle inventory is rising in your dealership. To provide your customers and dealership staff with the most powerful experience, use the power of data science and connected solutions like vAuto by Cox Automotive, VinSolutions, Xtime, and Kelley Blue Book. We can help you predict the right decision by utilizing data from all these solutions. Don't wait for tomorrow; start today and invest in connected solutions to leverage the power of Cox Automotive Data! See my comments in the article- #automotiveindustry #automotive #dealership #dealerships #dealershipsuccess #fixedops #fixedoperations #servicedapartments #servicedepartment #servicemanager   #CRM

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During its Q1 earnings call, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley said the company needs to make “tremendous progress” on Model e as it expects the division to lose between $5 billion and $5.5 billion this year. Read more about how Ford is adjusting in my latest for Automotive Dive:

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Incentives drive behavior within the parameters of affordability. In a need-based demand market like this, affordability trumps incentives. The Automotive Advisor Team helps dealers build inventory plans based on market-driven insights as well as the dealer’s specific inventory around their local market’s demand by price and segment. It's important to be cautious of overgeneralizations using historical automotive KPI performance trends that no longer fit as they once did in our new post-COVID auto market. Frank Knox Brian Kramer David Long

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How are Volkswagen and Rivian working together to accelerate software development? This is a really exciting partnership to create advanced vehicle software combines their strengths in innovation and cost reduction to boost EV capabilities Full story from Stella Nolan in EV Magazine Insight from: 💡 Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe "Rivian was created to help the transition from fossil fuels through compelling products and services, and this partnership beautifully aligns with that mission." 💡 Oliver Blume CEO of Volkswagen Group "The partnership fits seamlessly with our existing software strategy, products, and partnerships. We are strengthening our technology profile and our competitiveness." #Automotive #VW #Rivian #Software #EV https://lnkd.in/eAgTA325

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Californian drivers appear to be losing some enthusiasm for Tesla. A California Auto Outlook report shows year-over-year Tesla registrations are down again in the state. The report, published on Monday by the California New Car Dealers Association, summarizes first-quarter vehicle registration figures statewide. The report said Tesla saw a 7.8% dip in sales in California in the first quarter, down from 54,265 in the last quarter of 2023 to 50,025 in Q1. The drop follows last quarter's 9.8% decline. Read more in Business Insider https://lnkd.in/exaHWtm5

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The automotive retail industry is known for long-held stereotypes about its workers and roles. To say it’s a misunderstood industry is an understatement at best. Nearly 2 million people were employed in the motor vehicle industry over the last 18 years, contributing to this multitrillion-dollar sector’s success, and dealerships are a big part of it. So, we surveyed 300 current dealership employees in the 2024 CDK Dealership Workplace Study to understand what level of job satisfaction and enthusiasm they’re experiencing, what motivates them, and what would make them leave. We also talked to 100 former dealership employees for their take on why they left the industry. There are surefire positive takeaways for store leadership, including a job satisfaction rate far higher than the national average. But there are also some signs of alarm around the types of benefits and pay that are missing the mark. The study digs into the likely factors such as benefits and compensation as well as other workplace issues related to expanding skills; diversity, equity and inclusion; and leadership impact, to name a few. It also uncovers which industries former auto retail employees transitioned to when they opted to leave the car lot for good. We share four key takeaways that address ways dealer leaders can shore up a loyal and long-term staff in order to build a successful and profitable business to meet customer needs and expectations that are top of mind for dealer owners everywhere right now. https://eb1x.co/aOddJtb

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