Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Some Chevy dealers ceasing Volt sales due to costly tools]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/some-chevy-dealers-ceasing-volt-sales-due-to-costly-tools/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/some-chevy-dealers-ceasing-volt-sales-due-to-costly-tools/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/some-chevy-dealers-ceasing-volt-sales-due-to-costly-tools/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Automotive dealerships are accustomed to training sales and service professionals when new models arrive, but the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt - and its pricey additional tool and equipment costs - is frustrating some low-volume retailers to the point of dropping the model from the showroom. A recent report says that a few discontented dealers have stopped carrying the innovative sedan because General Motors is requiring a more significant investment in the near future, and the specialized costs (in excess of $5,000) aren't offset by the model's slow sales at those establishments.

This time last year, Chevrolet had 2,614 stores certified to sell its Volt (out of 3,079 dealerships). A full 70 percent of the sales were generated by the 300 highest-volume dealers - leaving 2,314 dealerships to fight for the remaining 30 percent. Some of those non-metro stores, like Jim Barnard Chevrolet in Churchville, NY, have sold just five units in the past two years (they are understandably opting out).

Yet some dealerships, like John Holt Chevrolet-Cadillac in Chickasha, OK, are soldiering forward. Even though they have sold only five Volts since its introduction, the owners have chosen to make the investment as sales are on the upswing (Volt sales have more than tripled this year) and GM is introducing other plug-in hybrids with similar technology (Cadillac ELR) in the near future. "I figured I'd be foolish not to buy the damn $5,100 tool," said owner Holt.

Some Chevy dealers ceasing Volt sales due to costly tools originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet volt salesretailerstool investmentvoltWed, 02 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20414135/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/02/some-chevy-dealers-ceasing-volt-sales-due-to-costly-tools/20414135/article-detail.xml 20414135 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/voltlead328_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/voltlead328.jpg <![CDATA[McLaren Automotive names first 35 cities to get dealers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/21/mclaren-automotive-names-first-35-cities-to-get-dealers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/21/mclaren-automotive-names-first-35-cities-to-get-dealers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/21/mclaren-automotive-names-first-35-cities-to-get-dealers/#commentsFiled under: ,

McLaren dealer rendering - Click above for high-res image gallery

McLaren Automotive has announced the 35 cities where the MP4-12C will be available when it goes on sale next year. Dealers in the 19 countries on the list are still being evaluated and at least 23 of them will be named by McLaren prior to the public debut of the new sports car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

There are few surprises on the list of cities, with all of the usual suspects being represented including Paris, London, Los Angeles and Tokyo. As you'd expect, the Middle East is over represented with seven locations, including two in Saudi Arabia. The UK isn't left of the mix with one dealer each in Manchester and Birmingham, while those of us in the States will have to check out McLaren's newest supercar in Tampa, Florida. Over 500 dealers have applied for the first 35 outlets and McLaren expects some expansion in 2012. Of course, that's all dependent on demand, but with 2,500 prospects expressing interest in buying an MP4-12C so far, there could be a McLaren boom in the making.


Gallery: McLaren Automotive dealer renderings


[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading McLaren Automotive names first 35 cities to get dealers

McLaren Automotive names first 35 cities to get dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealersdealershipdealershipsmclarenmclaren automotivemclaren automotive dealersMcLaren MP4-12CMclarenAutomotiveMclarenAutomotiveDealersMclarenMp4-12cretailersFri, 21 May 2010 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19487024/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/21/mclaren-automotive-names-first-35-cities-to-get-dealers/19487024/article-detail.xml 19487024 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/210510-b-mclar-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/210510-b-mclar-630.jpg <![CDATA[Koenigsegg reportedly rejects 81 out of 218 U.S. Saab dealers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/koenigsegg-reportedly-rejects-81-out-of-218-u-s-saab-dealers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/koenigsegg-reportedly-rejects-81-out-of-218-u-s-saab-dealers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/koenigsegg-reportedly-rejects-81-out-of-218-u-s-saab-dealers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Automotive News, Federal Express letters arrived at 81 of Saab's 218 dealers on Thursday stating that their franchises had not been selected to move forward and become a dealer for the post-sale entity, Saab Cars North America. The package from General Motors said that Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, Saab's buyer, had selected only certain stores based on its business plan requiring strong, well-located dealers showing profits and high volume.

All Saab dealers signed termination agreements in June when GM entered bankruptcy. The dealers who received reject letters today will follow the terms of those agreements. Meanwhile, the remaining 137 U.S. Saab dealers will have to wait patiently until the end of November when the sale is scheduled to close (although those close to the deal say it may take longer). Current Saab dealer contracts with GM will not expire until October 2010, at which point the remaining dealers will sign new franchise agreements with Saab Cars North America.


Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5


[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Koenigsegg reportedly rejects 81 out of 218 U.S. Saab dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 saab 9-3X2010 saab 9-52010 saab 952010Saab9-3x2010Saab9-52010Saab95BankruptcyDealersGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsgm saleGmSaleKoenigseggRetailersSaabSaleFri, 13 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19235866/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/13/koenigsegg-reportedly-rejects-81-out-of-218-u-s-saab-dealers/19235866/article-detail.xml 19235866 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/9_5_630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/9_5_630.jpg <![CDATA[GM offering buyouts and bonuses to HUMMER dealers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/gm-offering-buyouts-and-bonuses-to-hummer-dealers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/gm-offering-buyouts-and-bonuses-to-hummer-dealers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/gm-offering-buyouts-and-bonuses-to-hummer-dealers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the above image for our 2009 Hummer H3T high-res gallery

Taking heed of lessons learned when it shed the Oldsmobile brand, General Motors is quietly negotiating with HUMMER dealers to prevent lawsuits if the brand is sold or extinguished. Even though confidentiality agreements have been signed, HUMMER dealers are reporting heavy discussions with GM to buy back stores and compensate owners. GM has even paid second- and third-quarter bonuses (averaging six figures) in advance. June delivered gloom to HUMMER as the brand's sales fell 59.3 percent (to just 2,072 units) as near $5-per-gallon fuel prices began flowing through pumps. If that weren't bad enough, the rugged off-road brand was hit with another mass exodus of sales on GM's announcement that HUMMER might be sold. With sales falling, experienced dealership staff leaving, and fuel prices still up in the air, GM's Jeep-fighting brand has literally fallen off the road.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd, Photo by Scott Olson/Getty]

GM offering buyouts and bonuses to HUMMER dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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