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UAW files charges against nonunion automakers, Ford cuts F-150 production, Asbury finalizes $1.2 billion acquisition

Inside Automotive 

The retail industry faced massive changes, including customer behavior & interest rates. Jen Suzuki joins us to further explain how.Adapting your sales strategies to the current retail automotive market – Jen Suzuki
The retail automotive sales industry has been facing several challenges, including changes in customer behavior and rising interest rates. As the year draws to a close, we are taking a look back at the good, the bad, and everything in between. Joining us on the latest episode of Inside Automotive is Jen Suzuki, Sales Trainer and the President of eDealer Solutions.  Watch the full segment here.

Top stories

On Dec 11, the UAW Union filed unfair labor practice charges against Hyundai, Honda, and Volkswagen for interfering with organizing workers.The United Auto Workers Union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Hyundai, Honda, and Volkswagen with the National Labor Relations Board. The charges accuse the automakers of unlawfully interfering with organizing workers. UAW claims management at three locations engaged in unlawful “union-busting” as workers organize to join the UAW. Read More

Ford plans to cut F-150 Lightning production in half as the industry faces normalizing ICE sales and unexpectedly low EV demand.
Pictured: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning,

Ford plans to cut production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup in response to lower-than-anticipated EV demand in the U.S. The Detroit automaker said it would reduce its annual production target for the truck to 50% of its original weekly goal of 3,200. Starting in January, the Dearborn, Michigan factory that makes the F-150 Lightning will only build 1,600 units per week Read More

Asbury completes $1.2 billion acquisition of Jim Koons dealership group.
Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC

Asbury Automotive Group has now fully acquired Jim Koons Automotive Companies, one of the largest privately-owned dealership groups in the U.S., for $1.2 billion. The sale brings 20 dealerships representing 29 franchises under the Asbury Automotive umbrella, including one of the top-performing U.S. Toyota storefronts and six collision centers. The $1.2 billion price tag was comprised of $740 million in goodwill and $420 million in real estate, leasehold improvements, vehicle and parts inventory and fixed assets. Read More

Palmiero Toyota's Give Back Program set up an assembly line of kindness to distribute $65,125 to 48 local non-profits in Meadville, PAThe Meadville, Pennslyvania, Palmiero Toyota dealership went the extra mile during its 14th annual Give Back Program by setting up an assembly line of kindness that distributed $65,125 to 48 local nonprofits. Every year, from early November to the Saturday before Giving Tuesday, the Palmiero dealership doubles as a polling center for an election in which all candidates are local nonprofits. Read More

For Dealers 

Cross training can provide benefits for both departments, including empathy, better deals and stronger hiring.3 reasons why it’s important to cross train sales & F&I
Cross training in any business setting is always looked at as an important part of helping the entire team not only understand more about what one person or team must do to fulfill the mission of a company but also to help foster a stronger sense of teamwork. Dealers are no exception. Read More

ambassadors5 ways to turn customers into ambassadors for your dealership
What is more powerful than well-drafted ad copy, video content, or a social media post about your dealership’s discounts? You may be surprised to find that it has nothing to do with any dialogue you create regarding your dealership. According to a survey by SalesFuel, 59% of respondents said that a dealership’s reputation was the most important factor in choosing one to visit. Typically, your reputation will depend on what others have to say about you. As a result, customer reviews can play a huge role in your marketing strategy. Read More

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Jaelyn Campbell
Jaelyn Campbell
Jaelyn Campbell is a staff writer/reporter for CBT News. She is a recent honors cum laude graduate with a BFA in Mass Media from Valdosta State University. Jaelyn is an enthusiastic creator with more than four years of experience in corporate communications, editing, broadcasting, and writing. Her articles in The Spectator, her hometown newspaper, changed how people perceive virtual reality. She connects her readers to the facts while providing them a voice to understand the challenges of being an entrepreneur in the digital world.

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