WEEKLY: $4 gas fuels a surge in March sales | Despite slow sales, Ghosn sticks with EVs | Chevy's store plan by the book | New York auto show

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER April 9, 2012

» Tell a colleague about this newsletter    » Open this newsletter in a web browser    » Home page » Webinars » Contact Us ShareThis Click here to view this week's digital edition Innovators compete for PACE Awards > Click here are summaries of 26 finalists for the 2012 Automotive News PACE Awards Innovation at auto suppliers is enjoying a renaissance as automakers rely on suppliers to control costs, improve fuel economy and boost quality. • What: Automotive News PACE Awards • Co-sponsored by: Ernst & Young and Transportation Research Center Inc. • Winners announced: Black-tie ceremony April 23 • Where: Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit • Other finalists: Featured weekly through the April 16 issue and online at autonews.com/pacefinalists EDITOR'S PICKS $4 gas fuels a surge in March sales Buyers aren't thinking small; they're thinking fuel-efficient It feels counterintuitive. Expensive gasoline not only helped propel new-vehicle sales in the first quarter. It was a key factor in the surge. But cus ...  FULL STORY   Despite slow sales, Ghosn sticks with EVs  This tile, that gray: Chevy's store plan by the book  Butzi's 911 lives on as design icon  Viper: More roar, less weight FINAL ASSEMBLY FINAL ASSEMBLY EV booster: Progress is vast, sales are secondary The push for vehicle electrification is sputtering, if you judge by paltry sales, technology malfunctions and endangered governmental funding. But to ...  FULL STORY  FINAL ASSEMBLY : From Chrysler, a logo that's not quite so daffy FINAL ASSEMBLY : Rolls-Royce owners say small and green just isn't their scene FINAL ASSEMBLY : This crash vs. the past: Faster plunge, slower return BACK TO TOP DEALERS Hyundai aims to add 100,000 retail sales Hyundai Motor America plans to halve fleet sales this year, part of an effort to increase retail sales by 100,000 units, CEO John Krafcik says. ...  FULL STORY   NADA, Power team up on dealer data  For former Chrysler dealers, arbitration win could be a loss  Lincoln embraces concierge approach  Ky.'s attempt to protect rejected dealers fails  Dealers  Chrysler offers dealers DIY financial checkup BACK TO TOP AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS Inventory woes still plague Honda March sales decline on shortages of popular trim levels Honda's disappointing March sales had some industry watchers scratching their heads. But executives say inventory woes are still to blame. While the o ...  FULL STORY   Ghosn: Partnerships needed to stay ahead  A superpenalty is not called for  Last thing GM needs is a car guy on top  Nissan: 400,000-plus Altimas no problem  Kia to focus ad spending on Optima sedan for now  Cadillac plans ad blitzes for XTS, ATS BACK TO TOP AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE CONGRESS CEOs will address resilience The European auto industry has been rocked by overcapacity, high debt and lagging sales. What does this mean for the future of the car business? Speak ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP COLUMNISTS KEITH CRAIN It must be springtime It's time to kick off spring, when everyone traditionally heads for New York. Media days were last week at the New York auto show, which has a springt ...  FULL STORY  GREEN SHOOTS : Pioneer's work fuels today's innovations JASON STEIN : Enjoy the boom . . . while it lasts? BACK TO TOP FINANCE & INSURANCE FINANCE & INSURANCE Your F&I prospect has a smartphone. Now what? Finance Director Megan Jacoby's job is elevated to a higher level when her customers pull out their smartphones. Over the past year Jacoby has noticed ...  FULL STORY   Training, menu plan boost service contracts BACK TO TOP PEOPLE Showroom to prison cell for cash-starved dealer Oregon retailer kites checks to pay bills, gets 3-year sentence Honda dealer David Gilbert was a pillar of the community in quiet Roseburg, Ore. And starting this week, he'll be behind bars. Gilbert was sentenced i ...  FULL STORY   Next chief will expand NAMAD's agenda  IAC's new CEO: We can meet demand  Wanted: Dealership stars under 40 BACK TO TOP AUTO SHOWS NEW YORK AUTO SHOW Jaguar drop-top coming next year The car wasn't ready for the New York auto show last week, but Jaguar announced at the show that it will build a soft-top convertible called the F-Typ ...  FULL STORY   Hyundai jettisons Veracruz  Mercedes increases U.S. industry sales forecast  VW's U.S. chief pushes for return of Scirocco  Impala shows new face for Chevrolet  Ram gets new powertrain, fuel-saving technologies  Impala moving upscale, away from fleet business  Mazda6 gets wider stance, adds mpg  Revamped Mercedes GL loaded with safety gear  Toyota energizes Avalon design BACK TO TOP DESIGN 1 platform, 4 million cars VW's modular unit will be the basis for more than 40 models worldwide Volkswagen AG is pushing the global-platform concept to a level unprecedented in the auto industry, introducing a modular platform this summer that ev ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THE GREEN SCENE High praise for hybrids Prius engineer: We must expand technology, preserve brand image As chief engineer for the Toyota Prius, Satoshi Ogiso has strong opinions about the value of hybrid technology and about preserving the brand strength ...  FULL STORY   What LaSorda's know-how brings to troubled Fisker  DOE auto loan program was badly bungled BACK TO TOP WEBINARS MARKETPLACE JOB LISTINGS Hiring Top Service Technicians Using Non-Traditional Techniques April 18, 2pm EDT Cost: $59 through April 11, then $99 This Webinar will challenge everything you know about advertising for the best service technicians and getting them hired. F&I WEEK June 19-21 Complimentary The 2nd Annual F&I Week is designed to help you maximize F&I operations and profits, and increase customer satisfaction through live educational webinars, real time Q&A, and networking opportunities. All from the convenience of your desk! The Changing Service Loyalty Landscape Sponsored by DMEautomotive Available On-Demand Complimentary This webinar will showcase new research that topples industry myths and will have a dramatic impact on your service marketing strategy. Creating Online Videos to Engage Buyers Available On-Demand Cost: $99 Video is a critical component to building a successful dealership marketing strategy today. This webinar will focus on how to use video to drive organic search and how video can help with website conversion. Converting Online Visitors into Sales Leads Available On-Demand Cost: $99 You spend thousands of dollars every month to drive traffic to your website. Now learn to convert your internet traffic into sales. Transforming Retail Sponsored by IBM Available On-Demand Complimentary Explore how Transforming Retail can make a lasting, and positive impact in Automotive business. Master Google To Sell More Cars Available On-demand Cost: $99 Drive more traffic to your website, increase your online customer service score, and much more! View More Webinar Archives On-Demand.   OEM Parts Locator and Marketing Service PartsVoice   A premier auto finance provider Ally   LED is repositioning LA for economic success. Louisiana Economic Development   Most Complete Auto Sales Solution on the Market   Integrated perspectives into info. and insights. Experian Automotive   Electronic and no wires to test, tap or cut. The Widget   A software company dedicated to help manufacturers Apriso Corporation   Durability-Clarity-Cleanliness-Safety Crystal Fusion   Let us show you how AutoRaptor You have many choices when it comes to a CRM   Automotive insight and marketing solutions. Polk   Web-Based Credit Application Management System Administrative officer/accounting officer: glocom Location: MD, United States General Manager: Volkswagen of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota, United States Various Positions: PLATTNER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP Location: Sarasota, FL, United States Business Consultants: Maritz LLC Philadelphia, PA, United States Various Positions: The Bayway Auto Group Location: Houston, TX, United States General Managers: Unknown Northern, CA, United States Various Positions: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Location: ATLANTA, GA, United States Regional Vice President: Protective Unknown, Ohio, United States District Sales Representative: American Honda Location: Upstate, NY, United States Internet Marketing & Sales Manager: Unknown NA, United States To view other breaking news stories throughout the day, visit autonews.com To unsubscribe from this email newsletter, or to sign up for more email products, please click here. 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