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automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesDealership Multiples Reaching Unprecedented High Prices - Automotive Ventures

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Dealership Multiples Reaching Unprecedented High Prices. June 5, 2015. A recent Automotive News article. Highlights that individual dealership multiples are reaching astronomically high prices. And it doesn’t look like the pressure’s going to subside any time soon. Especially for the red-hot German brands, the limited number of stores for sale inevitably leads to fierce competition and high prices. And the pressure isn’t being helped by the fact that more investors. Sellers of German dealerships can ofte...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesFord Customers Rent Cars Out to Lower Monthly Payments

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Ford Customers Rent Cars Out to Lower Monthly Payments. June 30, 2015. It’s exciting to see the automakers continue to experiment with new consumer-centric car sharing models. That Ford is testing a new car sharing initiative that will reduce Ford Credit customers’ vehicle costs by enabling them to rent out their cars. The program covers late-model Ford-brand vehicles beginning with the 2005 model year that have fewer than 125,000 miles. San Francisco startup Getaround. With Getaround absorbing 40 percen...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesLarge Players Come Together for Ecommerce in China

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Large Players Come Together for Ecommerce in China. June 26, 2015. AIM Media Group reports. That one of the largest automotive sites in China is partnering with the country’s largest dealer group to develop an ecommerce software platform for automotive transactions. This would be the equivalent of Autotrader and AutoNation collaborating here in the USA. 8221; – but the two parties say they will expand into other areas in future. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Your email address will not be published. Compet...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesIs Asbury Automotive Struggling with their Q Auto Concept?

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Is Asbury Automotive Struggling with their Q Auto Concept? July 24, 2015. Is Asbury Automotive Struggling with their Q auto. During the latest quarterly conference call, Asbury execs discussed the company’s Q auto. Concept and were generally positive, but there might be more to the story if one reads between the lines. As previously reported in this blog. Asbury Automotive Group has invested about $25 million to open used-vehicle stores under the Q auto. So far, and it will be interesting to watch if the...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesInfiniti Launches In-Showroom App for Sales and Service

http://www.automotive.ventures/infiniti-launches-in-showroom-app-for-sales-and-service

Infiniti Launches In-Showroom App for Sales and Service. July 28, 2015. The automakers continue to invest in technology solutions to help their dealers. As previously noted in this blog, OEMs like General Motors are investing. To help their dealers get closer to online-enabled ecommerce. And now Infiniti has launched. A new in-showroom app to support their dealers’ sales and service efforts. Infiniti claims that they are the first automotive brand “to develop a retailer and client facing applicatio...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesThe Long-Term Benefits of Autonomous Vehicles

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The Long-Term Benefits of Autonomous Vehicles. June 19, 2015. There’s been a lot of press recently on Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), ranging from when the Google driverless car. Will hit the road to whether or not Apple is going to launch a car anytime soon. They note that development of self-driving, or autonomous, vehicles is accelerating – representing a major innovation for the automotive industry. But their timing, uptake, and likely penetration remains a bit hazy. Are already hitting the road. Many...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesSonic's EchoPark Initiative Drives F&I Efficiencies

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Sonic’s EchoPark Initiative Drives F&I Efficiencies. June 12, 2015. We’ve been tracking Sonic’s EchoPark initiative for some time. As part of the industry’s increased focus on consumer-centric buying experiences, especially at the large dealer groups. Sonic’s initiative is a good example of the large R&D innovation investment being made in an attempt to anticipate and get ahead of consumer shopping needs. A recent Automotive News article. 8220;It isn’t where you’re just getting handed off to ...Extended ...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesMore Automotive OEM Collaboration Expected

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More Automotive OEM Collaboration Expected. May 29, 2015. Vehicle OEMs are looking for ways to reduce costs, and some are looking at collaboration as the answer. Sergio Marchionne hasn’t exactly been quiet about his desire to merge Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with another car company. Last summer, he floated the idea of joining forces with Volkswagen, but that deal was subsequently sunk. More recently, the New York Times reported. The announcement comes amid media reports that said the two companies are ex...

automotive.ventures

Automotive VenturesDealers Effected by Shift to Flat Fees for Auto Lending

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Dealers Effected by Shift to Flat Fees for Auto Lending. June 24, 2015. Dealers are being effected by the shift to flat fees for auto lending. We reported two months back. That dealers were becoming under increased scrutiny by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding lending practices. The CFPB was created as a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act back in 2010, and their mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans. That BB&T Deale...