About Me
Chuck ParkerMANHATTAN BEACH, CA
Chuck Parker, Automotive news industry veteran and Publisher of Automotive Information Network (AIN), which publishes web magazine Automotive Digest and six automotive specific e-newsletters. Automotive Digest is an on-line media magazine that provides an electronic media digest of the most significant automotive news.
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Category Archives: Automotive News and Trends
Another Brake Shoe About to Drop? Car Part Makers Nailed for Price Fixing
The Shocking Situation: So far, nine Japanese car parts manufacturers have been hit by the U.S. Department of Justice with fines totaling $740 Million for price fixing. That’s in addition to 20 companies that have been fined $1.6B — and … Continue reading
Big Data Channeling Qualified Car Buyers Out of Sales Funnel into Dealerships
Situation One: The traditional Automotive Sales Funnel now is either a tube, a straw, a python, or cocktail shaker (these are most recent designations by industry gurus). The More Serious Situation: A staggering amount of information & data about potential … Continue reading
Sound Really Informed & Blow People Away With How Smart You Are
Fracking in California: Energy companies should be made to disclose the formula of fracking chemicals & stop claiming it is a trade secret. 2. Cyber Security– Split reveals Big Tech vs. Grass Roots Group with the House bill pondering. 3. … Continue reading
Auto Dealer Principals &/or OEMS: Hire Ron Johnson Immediately
Situation: Ron Johnson who built and made Mac stores the premier hard goods sales outlets in America was recent fired by the old thinking traditional retailer, J C Penney. Significance: Johnson attempted to mimic the same type of atmosphere & … Continue reading
Dealer Management: Stay Paranoid, Fix People & Image Issues Now
The Situation: So far, things are going well for automotive dealer owners and management in 2013. The Real “However” Situation: There are issues, practices, policies and attitudes in your automotive dealership that need to dealt with now – this year … Continue reading
Are OEM CEOs Really Worth 8 Figure Comp Plans? Ford’s Mulally, in Particular?
The Situation: Alan Mulally, Ford’s CEO, made $21 million in 2012. Few in the automotive industry have ever been compensated at this level. He made $ 29.5 million in 2011. And twice as much as Dan Akerson at GM. On … Continue reading
Used Car Valuation Controversy Looms: Guide Books Challenged by Retail Sales Data
Potentially Controversial Situation Causing Stress & Confrontation: Move over Used Car Guide Books, here comes retail sales data seeking inclusion into the vehicle valuation process. The successful utilization and dealer market penetration of the inventory management systems have provided dealer … Continue reading
Big Data Turns the Customer Journey Funnel Into a Predictive “Tube”
The Situation: The “Funnel” has bottled up thousands of BIG data points about car shoppers for years. But the automotive sales funnel that we all have grown to love is now gathering, organizing, and channeling ever-more massive amounts of matched-up … Continue reading
Will Your Dealership Be Able to Take Twelve Transformative Actions To Still be in Business in 2018 ?
Situation: The business purpose, model, system, need, revenue base, function, and structure of the automotive retail sales operation called an automotive dealership is, has and will undergo even more drastic market changes, demands and realities in the next five years. … Continue reading