For the past 30 years I have owned an advertising agency that specialized in television advertising for mostly auto dealers. For the past 15 years, I have also owned the magazine you are reading now. In that time, like you, I’ve seen the automotive industry change and develop. As I approach retirement, I want to suggest to auto dealers that “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” I … [Read more...] about The Future of the Automotive Industry Is Electric
Dealers and States Gear Up for the Terrible Tariffs
In an article from the August 18 Business Insider, “These are the states that would be wrecked by Trump’s proposed tariff on cars,” Bob Bryan writes about how the president’s proposed 25% tariff on imports would devastate some states’ economies. Read the article here. Although these tariffs were on hold at the time of this writing, the tariff proposal is sending chills down … [Read more...] about Dealers and States Gear Up for the Terrible Tariffs
Marketing: Do Your Job and Let Manufacturers Do Theirs
We’re almost to the halfway point of 2018. How are you feeling about the marketing plan you have in place for this year? (This assumes you do have one in place.) If you ask 10 automotive marketing professionals, you’ll get 10 different answers on what they think you should be doing. That’s because marketing and advertising are very complex, and strategies are simply … [Read more...] about Marketing: Do Your Job and Let Manufacturers Do Theirs
Returning to a World Without Endlessly Rising Vehicle Sales
Hopefully, everyone who attended this year’s NADA convention traveled home with new ideas for selling more vehicles in 2018. According to The Wall Street Journal’s report on March 1, vehicle sales in general are down, with the biggest hits coming to large cars. The good news has been for crossovers and small SUVs. Both categories have done well in the first … [Read more...] about Returning to a World Without Endlessly Rising Vehicle Sales
How Advertising That Sticks Out Draws Consumer Attention
As an auto dealer, you notice dealer advertising more than the average consumer. When you see an ad in the newspaper, online, on television, or hear one on the radio, you probably listen carefully because it is your business. Keep in mind that consumers probably don’t pay as much attention. Consumers tend to notice auto advertising only when they are in the market for a car … [Read more...] about How Advertising That Sticks Out Draws Consumer Attention