WEEKLY: The midnight shift returns with a vengeance | GM will base bonuses on owner loyalty | Japan's giants roar back | Keeping an eye on F&I

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER June 4, 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 NIGHT MOVES The midnight shift returns with a vengeance as automakers hustle to boost production At General Motors, nearly one in five U.S. hourly workers now clocks in close to midnight and goes home around sunrise. GM has more assembly plants in ...  FULL STORY   GM will base bonuses on owner loyalty  Game on: Japan's giants roar back  Keeping an eye on F&I  COURTING SALES  It won't be long before we know  An Alfa Romeo roadster built in Japan? Who says it's a bad idea?  Private equity was good for Obama -- why not Romney?  Blue Oval is worth a chunk of change  Fields on Ford N.A.: Much accomplished, more to do 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 McLaren designer: Dump 'Model T' assembly method Gordon Murray, the celebrated Formula One race car designer, says he has a new way to build small cars profitably by eliminating several steps in the ...  FULL STORY  FINAL ASSEMBLY : A thousand-rev salute to racing great Shelby FINAL ASSEMBLY : Designers at Chrysler are going with the (air) flow FINAL ASSEMBLY : Alex Mair's lesson: Volume over quality is a bad choice BACK TO TOP DEALERS U.S. dealership count: Going up Some brands are eager to expand; others make up for past cuts In a surprising swing after the severe cutback in U.S. dealerships during the recession, some automakers are again adding stores. This year is shaping ...  FULL STORY   Kahn seeks Round 2 in fight with Nissan  Dealers BACK TO TOP AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS How Caddy exec plans to relaunch his brand Can Don Butler succeed after many have failed? Chat with Cadillac marketing chief Don Butler and you don't sense that this is a man with the weight of an iconic, 110-year-old brand on his shoulders ...  FULL STORY   Little-known electric i remains a low-key EV  Hyundai unifies creative in global brand campaign  L.A. is new global nerve center for Lexus  Super Bowl ads are fun but ineffective  Sometimes groggy, but 5% richer  Emerging markets may export Toyotas to U.S.  Report: Mazda will cut jobs in U.S. and Europe  GM vows to spend more on NFL TV spots  GM targets world with Man U deal BACK TO TOP AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE CONGRESS European execs assess a market in turmoil 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 FINANCE & INSURANCE Subprime's comeback fuels Chrysler sales The dramatic comeback of subprime loans has helped the entire industry recover from the recession, but easier credit has returned like an old friend t ...  FULL STORY   Auto lending: Let's try to keep things in balance  F&I pros share tips, strategies and must-knows  Hey, keep it down out there!  Honda store uses scrap to sell tire plans  Retailer's big lease business steers F&I offerings  Want to sell service plans? A process helps  Scheduling system, renovation cut F&I waits at Chevy store  What if a customer turns the tables?  How dealers can win Gen Y buyers' business BACK TO TOP PEOPLE Ford fast-tracker Fields learns from slowing down Mark Fields was once on the fastest of fast tracks at Ford Motor Co. He rose quickly through the executive ranks with stops at Mazda Motor Corp. in Ja ...  FULL STORY   Obituary BACK TO TOP DESIGN CARS & CONCEPTS Italian flair, German precision The striking BMW Zagato coupe unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy may be more than just a ...  FULL STORY   BMW: 'Good looks' will sell coupe-style sedans  VW's Browning: We're considering a mid-sized SUV  Aston Martin AM310 makes a quiet debut in Italy  BMW promotes Habib to head of automobile design  Volkswagen CC four-door to get R-Line trim  6 designs compete in $5 billion effort to replace aging Humvee  Redone Lexus ES isn't just a me-too Toyota BACK TO TOP REMARKETING Auto auctions differ in policy on sales of recalled vehicles There is no consistent industrywide policy on how auto auction companies handle the sale of vehicles that have been recalled but not yet repaired, bas ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP FIXED OPERATIONS FIXED OPERATIONS After rivals close, dealer adds 18 bays Monthly service revenue rises 71% at Ohio store Dealer Larry Taylor sees service as his Field of Dreams. "Build it and they will come," says Taylor, 64, owner of Beau Townsend Ford-Lincoln in ...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 11 new members join EV leaders Automotive News named its Electrifying 100 a year ago amid cresting industry enthusiasm for electrified vehicles and the benefits they might br ...  FULL STORY   Still electrifying  Reduce accidents; keep eyes on road 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 IBM's Institute for Business Value: 2012 CEO Study June 27, 2 p.m. EDT IBM's CEO Study will provide unique leadership insight including automotive industry-specific perspectives on the strategic issues facing automotive organizations of all sizes. 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   Software-Powered Direct Marketing Programs Tri-Auto Enterprises, LLC   A software company dedicated to help manufacturers Apriso Corporation   One Call Closer Automotive One Call Closer/ Outside Sales Rep   OEM Parts Locator and Marketing Service PartsVoice   Automotive insight and marketing solutions. Polk   FandI Education and Compliance Leader. AFIP - Assoc. of Finance and Insurance Professionals   Durability-Clarity-Cleanliness-Safety Crystal Fusion   LED is repositioning LA for economic success. Louisiana Economic Development   Largest provider of retail auto data in N. America Digital Motorworks, Inc.   Integrated perspectives into info. and insights. Experian Automotive   Discover the secret to a great looking vehicle. CAP Final Coat Parts Manager: Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel Location: Laguna Niguel, CA, United States Sales Manager: East TN Ford Dealer TN, United States CFO - Automotive Dealership Group: Automotive Recruiters International, Inc. Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States General Sales Manager: Razzari Ford/Mazda Merced, CA, United States Sales Manager and F&I Manager: Performance Toyota Location: Memphis, TN, United States CONTROLLER: Unknown Council Bluffs, IA, United States Service Manager: Unknown Location: Unknown, NA, United States Comptroller/ Office Manager: Uknown FL, United States Certified Master Technician: Unknown Location: Austin, TX, United States Used Car Sales Manager: Pfaff Automotive Partners Inc Toronto, Newmarket, Canada 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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