Author: Automotive News n Feed

Andy Vine, dealer principal at Land Rover Louisville and Jaguar Louisville in Kentucky, takes over this year as chairman of the Jaguar Land Rover Retailer Cabinet. The two British brands are coming off a strong year.

Joe Eberhardt, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, says the growth spurt the company has enjoyed since 2014 will continue in 2017, but at a slower pace — even if auto sales have peaked.

Project Pinnacle is Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen’s plan to revamp the brand’s retailer network by changing the way dealers are paid for the vehicles they sell and for complying with brand standards.

The average profitability of Mercedes dealerships in 2016 was “roughly on par” with 2015, said Ken Schnitzer, chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board. While that was an improvement from 2014, it’s still unsatisfactory for dealers, he says.

Subaru dealer Rocky DiChristofano has taken the brand’s pet-friendly reputation to heart. Subaru dealers are selling plenty of vehicles for furry friends to ride in, too.

Michael O’Brien has been chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Council since January 2016 during a time of near-record sales and the continuing shift of consumers toward utility vehicles over traditional sedans.

Steve Hinkle, chairman of the Volvo Retail Advisory Board, says the success of the redesigned XC90 crossover shows that the brand is on the right road.

Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings, the owner of Volvo cars, plans to roll out its mid-priced Lynk and CO brand in the United States and Europe in early 2019, but cautioned those plans could change if President Donald Trump imposes a border…

Forty-nine U.S. auto dealers have been nominated by automotive trade associations for the 2017 Time Dealer of the Year award. The nominees were announced by Time and Ally Financial, the sponsor.

Auto supplier Lear said it posted record fourth-quarter core operating earnings of $386 million, up 7 percent from a year earlier, thanks to strong operating performances in its seating and electrical systems segments.