WEEKLY: Suppliers ride the mpg wave | Can Facebook sell cars? | Stair-step incentives are back | Surviving the service trough

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER May 21, 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 EDITOR'S PICKS Suppliers ride the mpg wave Saving fuel brings soaring profits Gasoline at $4 a gallon and government-mandated fuel economy targets are creating vast opportunities for many big global suppliers. In North America, ...  FULL STORY   NET WORTH: Can Facebook sell cars?  Stair-step incentives are back  Takeshi Uchiyamada helped pilot Toyota through turbulent times  I'm going to miss that guy  Why China's auto market still has tremendous growth potential  Surviving the service trough  2 small? Not anymore  Lutz/Poling: 2 ways of seeing the auto world FINAL ASSEMBLY FINAL ASSEMBLY Fiat's Google gotcha: A 500 shows up at VW's front door Score one for Fiat in the sometimes whimsical, sometimes not, rivalry between the Italian automaker and Volkswagen. The two companies seem to taunt an ...  FULL STORY  FINAL ASSEMBLY : DeBoer thinks Dodge Dart will hit the bull's-eye FINAL ASSEMBLY : German press expects Audi to shuffle exec deck FINAL ASSEMBLY : China's top dealership group beats AutoNation in units -- but not revenue FINAL ASSEMBLY : Some days, Akerson would rather bowl BACK TO TOP DEALERS Higher incentive spending lifts VW brand Volkswagen of America is spending more per vehicle on incentives for its VW brand models in a bid to attract more shoppers and boost sales. The tactic ...  FULL STORY   Look of Dearborn dealership reflects Ford's founder, history  Chrysler needs more time to fix dealer rewards program  Dealers BACK TO TOP AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS Toyota prods suppliers to grow in N.A. Exec: Investment is the answer, not overtime As Toyota Motor Corp. expands production in North America, the company is pushing some hesitant suppliers to come along. ...  FULL STORY   Chevy SS takes on Chrysler rwd sedans  With sales rising, Smart plans TV ad assault  Ex-Navy captain now heads GM diversity effort  All automakers can do so much better with suppliers  Suppliers had a great 2011, if they didn't sell to Toyota or Honda  Daimler revamps M-B product development  Chrysler will boost transmission production  Despite yen, Toyota expects export surge to N.A.  Toyota reclaims global sales lead in Jan.-March quarter BACK TO TOP FINANCE & INSURANCE F&I WEEK: Attorneys will help dealers with regulatory questions Auto dealers who have been watching regulatory developments will get some answers next month during Automotive News F&I Week -- a free online conferen ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP MARKETING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY More clicks, lower cost Dealers refine Google paid-search strategy, slash online marketing fees Prices for Google paid search -- a powerful digital marketing tool for auto dealers -- have moderated in recent months after a big run-up in the previ ...  FULL STORY   Once a digital doubter, Texas dealer is now a believer  Ford to skeptics: Judge new vehicles on merits  Cliques through clicks: How brands use Facebook BACK TO TOP PEOPLE Reporter Bond joins Automotive News Vince Bond has joined Automotive News as a general assignment reporter for autonews.com and its social media sites. ...  FULL STORY   For Hinrichs, CEO road runs through China  Batey takes charge of GM's U.S. sales  Petersen: Poling was a great Ford teammate  Beyond crises, Toyota purchasing chief sees growth  Pricey fuel works for BorgWarner  Autoliv exec: Small cars need smarter airbags and seat belts  Obituaries BACK TO TOP DESIGN Redone Altima raises stakes in mid-sized battle Fighting Toyota's Camry for top spot, Nissan must balance demand, capacity Nissan North America last week started building its high-volume Altima with hopes of taking the volume even higher -- even as competition in the segme ...  FULL STORY   VW plots crossover to battle Subaru  How Lotus cuts weight without adding cost  3-series wagon gets bigger  Porsche drops 2-seater plan  Chevrolet to unveil small global crossover this fall at Paris show  Engineers keep an eye on ATS' weight  Uchiyamada backed U.S. in fight with Japan over Avalon BACK TO TOP FIXED OPERATIONS BRAIN BENSTOCK -- NEW YORK From 'absolute blind spot' to profit center Brian Benstock acknowledges neglecting the service department. Until just over a year ago, service marketing at his Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura st ...  FULL STORY   Dealer slashes labor rate, pushes service contracts  N.C. dealership bringing 'lost souls' back in the fold  At Flanders & Patch, fleet business picks up service slack BACK TO TOP WEBINARS MARKETPLACE JOB LISTINGS Leveraging CRM and New Devices: Improve Lead Conversion and Create the Ultimate Customer Experience May 31, 2 p.m. EDT Using technology to improve the customer sales experience, better reflect the OEM brand, increase lead conversion rates, reduce conversion times and provide end-to-end visibility and ROI measurement for sales and marketing campaigns. Cost: FREE 5 Secrets to a Successful BDC June 5, 2 p.m. EDT Join DMEautomotive VBDC Director Wendy Woodard in a discussion surrounding the sizable impact to your bottom line that missing even just 3 service calls a day can make. Cost: FREE F&I WEEK: The Leading F&I Event of The Year! JUNE 19-21, 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! Cost: FREE Invent the Future: Transparency & Integration July 12, 2 p.m. EDT Technology is driving more transparency throughout the automotive industry, among manufacturers, dealers and consumers. Learn how this can be beneficial to both OEMs and dealers. Cost: FREE Webinar Archives Library   A software company dedicated to help manufacturers Apriso Corporation   Largest provider of retail auto data in N. America Digital Motorworks, Inc.   Provider of sales and financing solutions. CUDL   LED is repositioning LA for economic success. Louisiana Economic Development   One Call Closer Automotive One Call Closer/ Outside Sales Rep   FandI Education and Compliance Leader. AFIP - Assoc. of Finance and Insurance Professionals   North America's leading automotive newspaper! Automotive News   Most Complete Auto Sales Solution on the Market   Increase your customer paid labor and parts sales Service Advisor Training   Campaigns run better on rocketfuel   Discover the secret to a great looking vehicle. CAP Final Coat CONTROLLER: Unknown Location: Council Bluffs, IA, United States General Manager: Unknown Unknown, HI, United States Service Manager: Unknown Location: Unknown, NA, United States Various Positions: Baker Motor Company Charleston, SC, United States Commercial Sales Director: Hertrich Family of Automobile Dealerships Location: NA, United States OPERATIONS MANAGER: The Carbone Auto Group Utica, NY, United States USED CAR MANAGER: Unknown Location: Nashville, TN, United States SERVICE MANAGER: Unknown San Diego, CT, United States Commercial Account Managers: Mullinax Ford Location: Mobile, AL, United States Certified Master Technician: Unknown Austin, TX, 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