Automotive News - March 10, 2008 - (Page 22)

22 • MARCH 10, 2008 Milestones Vern Sims and Lance Sims of Sims Honda in Burlington, Wash., received a 25-year award for Honda. Upgraded auction ID carries a fee Arlena Sawyers asawyers@crain.com ■ 25 with Ford Fred Suppes, right, of Suppes Ford in Johnstown, Pa., receives a 25-year award for Ford from Brennen Murray, Ford Motor Co.’s Pittsburgh region market representation manager. ■ 25 with Chrysler A.J. Giblin, right, of Champion Chrysler-Jeep Gulf Freeway in Houston receives a 25-year award for Chrysler from Michael Oliver, dealer operations manager at Chrysler LLC’s Southwest Business Center. We invite items and top-quality photos for the dealers section. For guidelines, e-mail pfoley@crain.com or call 313-446-0378. Or send items to: Dealers Section Automotive News 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207-2997 ■ 25 with GMC Greg Walker of Walker CadillacPontiac-Buick-GMC in Carrollton, Ga., receives a 25-year award for GMC from Angela Montgomery, BuickPontiac-GMC zone manager for the Southeast region. When it comes to backing up, why look anyplace else? Starting this summer, dealerships and individual buyers will have to pay annual fees to take part in a process that makes it more convenient to purchase vehicles at auctions. The membership card is now free. AutoTec LLC, which developed and issues the AuctionACCESS card, says the new version will make buying vehicles at National Auto Auction Association sites more efficient by reducing paperwork. The $100 fee also will encourage dealerships to keep their business information up-to-date, limiting the possibility of unauthorized buyers at auctions, AutoTec says. The card helps dealership buyers do business at 182 North American auctions, which handle more than 85 percent of vehicles sold through the association. The two largest auto auction companies, Manheim and ADESA Inc., are association members. Dealerships can go online to identify employees who are authorized to buy vehicles for them, instead of faxing or bringing paperwork to each auction the employees attend. Besides the new dealership fee, AutoTec says it will charge individual buyers $40 a year for the card. AutoTec CEO Chuck Redden said the new fees will help defray the cost of features aimed at improving accuracy and keeping out unauthorized buyers. Keeping track of buyers Redden said it’s difficult to determine how many dealerships use AuctionACCESS because registration data are not current. The upgraded card will help AutoTec keep closer track of active, authorized auction buyers. The new system also will make it easier for dealerships to manage their auction accounts by enabling them to file more data online, cutting down on paperwork, Redden said. “Everyone is counting on this data to be correct — the auctions and the dealers,” he told Automotive News. Buyers can use their old cards through July. AutoTec, of Birmingham, Ala., will conduct an advertising campaign this spring to tell dealerships and buyers about the changes. AuctionACCESS cardholders insert the card into kiosks at participating auctions. The kiosk prints a badge that allows dealerships’ authorized employees to buy vehicles that day. Overall, the association’s 308 North American auctions sold 9.6 million used cars and trucks in 2007. Sure, you could put the rear camera display someplace else, but why? The mirror is an intuitive, ergonomic location that lets you view the reflected scene and the display simultaneously. It’s also a cost-effective solution that simplifies cross-platform integration. And, the on-demand display comes packaged in an auto-dimming mirror with a host of other optional value-added features. Online convenience David Hudson, a dealer in Madisonville, Ky., who sells 11 brands, said the new card is worth the fee. He said he and seven other buyers buy about 100 used vehicles at auction each month for his four dealerships. Hudson said he appreciates the convenience of adding and deleting the names of authorized buyers online. He said: “It allows us to focus more on acquiring good inventory than on administrative paperwork.” c The Gentex rear camera display one look shows it all. Gentex Corporation • 600 North Centennial, Zeeland, Michigan 49464 • 616-772-1800 • www.gentex.com http://www.gentex.com http://www.gentex.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 10, 2008

Cheaper small cars are part of VW's U.S. plan Ford offers to buy back 81 stores As dollar dives, automakers juggle global strategies Jaguar-Land Rover deal will be signed within weeks GM Planworks chief leaves Jacoby cites dealer role in VW makeover Slim fast Nissan: Electric car to get here in 2010 Family honor Suddenly, Arkona's a key software player Chrysler may build vehicles in Russia Congress may ban mandated arbitration Volvo signs dealers willing to exit Breeding a hybrid? Prius could be a brand Honda adds benefits for same-sex partners Top China execs to speak at conference Manual for Challenger waits until '09 Ex-Sonic president: Gulf States raided Sonic GM, American Axle: Ties that bind Boardroom coup ousts Chamco executives False data imperil all auto financing Dealers would suffer if Calif. gets its way GM, Ford should bring Euro cars here Fresh ideas are fine, but Chrysler must be wary We need that 10% of useful inventions Safety options: Let consumers decide Tire monitors are full of problems Germany's labor setup just doesn't work Alabama adding auto jobs more slowly Engineer Banks strives to sip fuel, burn rubber Toyota Financial takes risks to aid dealers Honda captive beefs up dealer training in leasing NADA releases 2 subprime guides ADP develops e-sales brochure Credit unions' share of auto loans declines Upgraded auction ID carries a fee Dealers At hard-charging Hyundai, the plan is simple: More — now Genesis sedan's assignment: Boost image of all Hyundais Allied will supply sensing systems to Magna Haldex opens Mexico plant Behr gets Nano pact How Tupelo talked Toyota into building a plant there Infiniti FX showcases new Nissan technology Ford may consider hatchback for U.S. Audi to launch A4 sedan, wagon together BMW M3 convertible Saab hybrid concept has solar roof panels Toyota could bring tiny 4-seater to U.S. Hummer to push H3 pickup's usefulness New look for the SL Tiny Nano makes big waves GM's Opel unveils small hatchback that could become part of Saturn line Who says Americans don't want hatchbacks? 9-3 will dominate Saab marketing Lutz: Green takes greenbacks Leap year added to Feb. misery 9 U.S. Toyota executives will retire Ford gives employees $1,000 bonus Denso picks new N.A. CEO GM extends buyout offers CAW OKs TRW pact Lampert ups AutoNation stake Sagging Chrysler boosts spiffs Feb. output is up slightly Buick offers the Cadillac of caddies GM's board: The royal robe fits Fritz Be it metal or men, Geneva all about style Raising the roof (price) Italian cops bust Fiero-aris Consumer Reports' verdict on Chrysler products: Eeeee-uuw!

Automotive News - March 10, 2008

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