Canadian Auto Dealer

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August sales disappoint

A couple months down… a couple months up… a couple months down… a couple months up. That’s been the story of new-vehicle sales in Canada so far this year and August’s sales are following the same script. After two strong months, with SAARs (Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates) for June and July...

02 Sep 2010 • Comments

McLaren Automotive shows off new MP4-12C

McLaren Automotive unveiled its MP4-12C Tuesday afternoon at an event in Toronto, marking the company's official move into the Canadian marketplace through its newest retailer - Pfaff Automotive Partners in Toronto. The new dealership is slated to open in Woodbridge, Ontario, next summer and will feature a product lineup to challenge...

02 Sep 2010 • Comments

It’s not uncommon for dealers to use dealer plates when crossing the border into the U.S. for business, and sometimes even for personal trips. But without the proper documentation, you run the risk of being turned back at the border. That’s why, after learning in June that several of its members,...

31 Aug 2010 • Comments

Summer sales of new vehicles in Canada are the strongest they have been in three years, according to Carlos Gomes, senior economist for Scotiabank. But it took a dramatic surge in incentives to get them there, he says. And along with that sales increase came an increase in actual transaction prices. “While...

31 Aug 2010 • Comments

In the last full week of August, Honda Canada released an announcement addressing the rumours that the company would no longer be selling the Honda Insight or Civic Hybrid. “Please note that it is just that -- a rumour. Honda Canada will listen to the voice of our customers and will...

31 Aug 2010 • Comments

Best practices - Service Advisor Evaluation form August 30, 2010 This is the first in a series of aids developed by Jim Bell, of Global Automotive Consultants, which we will be providing periodically to help you assess the operation of your service department. It could be argued that service advisors or service consultants, whatever you like to call them, are the ... Read more	The wholesale perspective at mid-year August 3, 2010 About this time each year we typically stop to reflect on what has occurred in the auction business during the first half. First, let’s take a look at prices in the overall market. If you have been watching the ADESA Canada Used Vehicle Price Index, you will have noted that prices ... Read more
Rewards and incentives… what do your customers want? July 20, 2010 A simple “thank you” can work wonders in cementing both a deal and customer relations. And there are several places along the sales path to express your appreciation. They include: 1) Incentives/rewards that bring folks into the store; 2) Promotions that help close that deal today; 3) Rewards for referrals; 4) Customer loyalty programs; 5) The straightforward, “Thank you” ... Read more	Supplier Spotlight: Canadian software supplier wins key awards July 13, 2010 Toronto area-based SCI Ltd., a pioneer in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions specifically for dealers, won two important business awards recently. SCI Ltd. placed 14th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for Canada and 90th on the Fast 500 for North America for 2009. This is the second year in a row that ... Read more
New Scotiabank program expands opportunity for dealers June 17, 2010 In 2008, over half-a-million newcomers arrived in Canada. If current immigration rates continue, by 2017 more than one in five Canadians will be foreign born. And many if not most of them will need vehicles. Newcomers, however, typically have difficulty financing large purchases such as automobiles. Which is why Scotiabank ... Read more	A new era at TADA June 15, 2010 Since the late 1980s the auto business has seen dramatic changes and as executive director of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), Bill Davis helped steer that association through some very challenging, yet exciting times. In March 2010, Davis finally eased into a much-deserved retirement, leaving huge shoes to fill. As ... Read more