New Vehicle Market Data Vehicle sales continued to nose dive in relation to COVID-19, with March total new-vehicle sales down 37.9% year-over- year. The March SAAR plummeted to 11.4 million—down from 16.7 million the month prior and a decrease from 17.3 million last year. Additionally, new vehicle inventories came in over 3.7 million units. •… Continue reading KPI — April: New and Used Vehicle Sales
Tag: Trends
KPI — April: Recent Vehicle Recalls
2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass Vehicles Affected: Approximately 425,600 model year 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic pickup trucks and Jeep Compass SUVs produced before March 3rd The Problem: The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly. This reduces the driver’s visibility in certain… Continue reading KPI — April: Recent Vehicle Recalls
KPI — April: State of the Economy
Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 701,000 in March while the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate increase of 0.9 percentage point stands as the largest month-over-month increase since January 1975, and is reflective of the pandemic and efforts to contain it properly. Subsequently, the number… Continue reading KPI — April: State of the Economy
KPI — April: Manufacturing ISM
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in March, and the overall economy grew for the 131st consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. The March PMI® registered 49.1%, down one percentage point from the February reading of 50.1%. The Report On Business® measures its data using… Continue reading KPI — April: Manufacturing ISM
KPI — April: Voice of Consumers
A negative short-term outlook has caused consumer confidence to decline sharply…
Stimulus Checks Boosting Mobile Electronics Sales
Mobile electronics retailers, reps and distributors are reporting a notable boost in sales following the release of government stimulus payments to consumers, according to a CE Outlook poll. Dealers have reported back to the magazine that sales are up 20% to 300% in the mobile electronics segment since stimulus checks hit consumers’ bank accounts, and… Continue reading Stimulus Checks Boosting Mobile Electronics Sales
Automotive Paint Manufacturer Retools to Produce Hand Sanitizer
In an effort to help alleviate chronic shortages of Personal Protective Equipment for medical workers combating COVID-19, AutomotiveTouchup, a New Orleans based manufacturer of automobile paints and supplies, repurposed part of its production line to produce and donate more than 900 units of hand sanitizer for hospital use at LCMC Health New Orleans. “It was… Continue reading Automotive Paint Manufacturer Retools to Produce Hand Sanitizer
European Leather Supply Largely Unaffected by COVID-19
According to automotive upholstery blog The Hog Ring, supply of Hydes Leather and Alcantara from German and Italian warehouses has been largely unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic. While the blog had previously reported that Italy and Germany had halted leather production, any product marked as inventory could still be packaged and shipped, meaning supply of… Continue reading European Leather Supply Largely Unaffected by COVID-19
Winners of 2020 Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest Announced
Toyota has announced the winners of the 2020 Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest. The nine winners were chosen by a national panel of judges who assessed artwork by 41 finalists. The finalists were selected by Toyota team members and dealer employees nationwide from a pool of 97 semi-finalists. At 1,700, the contest received a… Continue reading Winners of 2020 Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest Announced
MANN+HUMMEL Producing Face Masks, Respirators
MANN+HUMMEL, a manufacturer of automotive, air and water filters and parent company of WIX Filters, has implemented a number of initiatives to support the growing battle against COVID-19, including producing face masks and respirators for healthcare workers. “Companies are mobilizing at unbelievable speeds to assist the frontlines in their fight against COVID-19,” said Charles Vaillant,… Continue reading MANN+HUMMEL Producing Face Masks, Respirators
PPG Commits Over $1.5 Million to Support Global COVID-19 Relief Efforts
PPG and the PPG Foundation will contribute more than $1.5 million to organizations supporting immediate community relief efforts and emerging recovery needs amid the impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the company announced. As part of PPG’s global COVID-19 response and support of crucial international and regional needs, grant recipients include: Feeding America: $150,000 to… Continue reading PPG Commits Over $1.5 Million to Support Global COVID-19 Relief Efforts
Air Lift Hosting Marketing Webinar Series for Shops
During this current crisis, Air Lift Company is aiming to assist the aftermarket automotive industry through a series of free webinars for owners of automotive shops about digital marketing. Click here to register for the webinar. Led by Air Lift’s Digital Marketing Strategies Manager, Devin Pringle, MBA, the six-week “Essential Online Marketing for Shops” series… Continue reading Air Lift Hosting Marketing Webinar Series for Shops
Should I Market My Business During a Downturn?
It is uncertain times for shop owners around the country. Whole states are on lockdown, people are stuck at home and cars are stuck in the garage. But that doesn’t mean your shop should go dark, too. Barry Alt, a digital strategist specializing in restoration, performance and race shops, says that it is important now,… Continue reading Should I Market My Business During a Downturn?
Hot Shot’s Secret Now Selling Hand Sanitizer to Businesses
Lubrication Specialties (LSI), manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret performance oils and additives and other specialty lubrication products, recently announced the production of alcohol-based hand sanitizer at their Mt. Gilead, Ohio, manufacturing facility to assist with preventative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, LSI began offering 4 oz. bottles of Hot Shot’s Secret hand sanitizer… Continue reading Hot Shot’s Secret Now Selling Hand Sanitizer to Businesses
Survey Finds Most Independent Dealers Remain Open
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a precipitously negative effect on used vehicle sales, independent auto dealers, for the most part, remain open for business – one way or another – and almost half of them have retained their entire workforce, according to a survey by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Those results, NIADA… Continue reading Survey Finds Most Independent Dealers Remain Open