WEEKLY: Roaring back toward sweet 16 | VW favors Mexico for Audi plant | Suzuki cuts costs; dealers bail

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER April 16, 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 the 32 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 Roaring back toward sweet 16 Surging sales send forecasts soaring Sales of 16 million light vehicles? Suddenly it's not a mirage. In recent days, several key analysts, some big dealership groups and a handful of auto ...  FULL STORY   VW favors Mexico for Audi plant  Suzuki cuts costs; dealers bail  Dealers warm up slowly to live chat on Web  Autoliv exec: Stereo cameras are next big thing in safety  As engines downsize, Freudenberg seeks new markets  Big boys rule new frontier in vehicle safety  Survival strategies Advertisement Turning to the Cloud? Turn to T-Systems. Experience counts when implementing major Cloud projects. That's why leading automotive organizations turn to T-Systems for technology that revolutionizes business. T-Systems delivers SAP implementation expertise, Cloud Readiness, and fail-safe IT infrastructure -- essential to compete and thrive. Learn more about T-Systems unparalleled track record in the delivery of cloud services. FINAL ASSEMBLY FINAL ASSEMBLY Mazda's latest quandary: Keep the Carp or cut them loose? Mazda should be trying to sell its baseball team as aggressively as it has been selling its stock, analysts say. ...  FULL STORY  FINAL ASSEMBLY : From pitchman to Ironman: Octogenarian Lutz thumps Colbert FINAL ASSEMBLY : Ram dial-a-gear is child of Chrysler's push-button past FINAL ASSEMBLY : The 1st-qtr. share shuffle: Winners and losers FINAL ASSEMBLY : Many hybrid owners don't buy a second BACK TO TOP DEALERS BMW ties CSI to dealer margin BMW has tied more of its dealer profit margin to customer satisfaction and is removing a link to used-car sales. ...  FULL STORY   Daily rental fleet lifts 1st-qtr. sales  Dealers  Lexus looks to reverse slide with 21% sales gain in '12  No paper-plate smiles -- and no employees BACK TO TOP AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS NHTSA seeks override unit on all autos U.S. safety regulators proposed a mandate last week that would require a brake-override mechanism that enables a driver to stop a vehicle if the accel ...  FULL STORY   Volvo will offer 4-cylinder engine in U.S. this fall  Carmakers keep vehicle stocks lean  Suzuki struggles around the globe  I'm a limousine liberal?  Just 2 things wrong with Volt  A disaster in the making  N.A. output up 9% in March  Nissan, Daimler planners confer weekly on more deals  Autoliv pursues high-growth collision avoidance BACK TO TOP COLUMNISTS KEITH CRAIN Reality doesn't matter; perception does Last week at a General Motors laboratory in Warren, Mich., a battery exploded, injuring a few people, including one seriously. It made news. Reports i ...  FULL STORY  DAVID SEDGWICK : Big boys rule new frontier in vehicle safety JAMIE LaREAU : Selling a car to a vet? Start with 'Thanks' BACK TO TOP FINANCE & INSURANCE 6 ways to sharpen your F&I intelligence A lot rides on the tiny space that most dealerships give their finance and insurance departments. You can stay on top of the world of finance and insu ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP MARKETING BEST PRACTICES Dealer's 'huge!' commercials get into people's heads Billy Fuccillo's Kia commercials blanket Cape Coral, Fla. Just try to get away from Billy Fuccillo in Florida's Fort Myers-Cape Coral market. He won't let you. ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP PEOPLE Knott steps down; Chrysler promotes 2 execs The retirement for medical reasons of Dan Knott, Chrysler Group's purchasing boss, on Friday, April 13, has resulted in new responsibilities for two o ...  FULL STORY   Wanted: Dealership stars under 40  Obituary BACK TO TOP DESIGN Flurry of product reshapes big-sedan segment Mass-market brands add touches usually seen on luxury cars Volume brands are trying to do with the big sedans what they did with small cars -- add features, gussy up the interiors, liven up the sheet metal and ...  FULL STORY   A nose job, a new attitude  Caught: Fiat-based mules for Jeep, Chrysler  Mays: Flashy MKZ grille isn't gospel for future models  A legacy of elegance BACK TO TOP FIXED OPERATIONS AUTOMOTIVE NEWS WEBINARS Tips on tapping technician talent Good mechanics are hard to find. An Automotive News Webinar this week, "Finding Top Service Technicians Using Non-Traditional Techniques," will help y ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Cadillac takes a CUE from LaHood At the Detroit auto show in January, a high-profile visitor stopped by Cadillac's display of its latest infotainment system for a demonstration: U.S. ...  FULL STORY   Coming soon: Driverless cars 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.   ADP Dealer Services   Empowering Consumers to Make Smart Buying Choices Autobytel   Auto Owner Email Postal and Phone Data-All Verified Media One   Electronic and no wires to test, tap or cut. The Widget   LED is repositioning LA for economic success. Louisiana Economic Development   Discover the secret to a great looking vehicle. CAP Final Coat   North America's leading automotive newspaper! Automotive News   Software-Powered Direct Marketing Programs Tri-Auto Enterprises, LLC   Automotive insight and marketing solutions. Polk   Service is more than our name. Service Group Insurance and Financial Services   Let us show you how AutoRaptor You have many choices when it comes to a CRM GENERAL SALES MANAGER: GRINDSTAFF FORD Location: Elizabethton, TN, United States F&I Manager: Unknown MI, United States Administrative officer/accounting officer: glocom Location: MD, United States General Manager: Volkswagen of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota, United States Business Consultants: Maritz LLC Location: Philadelphia, PA, United States Various Positions: PLATTNER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP Sarasota, FL, 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 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. Automotive News is located at 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Michigan, 48207