Dealers to States: Let Us Control Data
In January 2018, North Carolina Auto Dealers Association President Robert Glaser predicted a battle over dealership management system data would be waged at the state level. In at least five states, the fight has begun, reports Automotive News. In Montana, Arizona, and Oregon, dealers scored a win by lobbying their state legislatures to pass laws this year giving them control over data stored in a DMS while also preventing the software providers from charging a fee to third parties. A related law was enacted in Hawaii last year, and similar legislation has been introduced in North Carolina. The dealer push is not expected to stop there. "It's going to go across the country," said Bruce Knudsen, executive vice president of the Montana Automobile Dealers Association. "The most important thing for dealers is to [be able to] control your own data." Read more here.
Mazda's Complicated Journey to Premium
As a brand, Mazda has been moving away from its focus on inexpensive performance — marketed since 2000 with the "Zoom-Zoom" tag line — to what it calls Mazda Premium under the latest "Feel Alive" slogan. According to Automotive News, analysts differ on whether a mainstream brand with a relatively long history in the U.S. can reshape itself as an alternative to luxury brands such as Infiniti, Acura, and Audi. In the meantime, some dealers are hurting financially and asking for factory help. A few dealers have sued Mazda over its facility program, saying it will drive up operating costs. Going upscale is not an easy proposition for an Asian automaker known for value. Mazda argues that as a small brand, it's better off finding a niche that commands better margins. It's new Signature trims, for example, are lavishly appointed with nappa leather, genuine wood trim, heated and ventilated seats, alloy wheels and turbocharged engines in most models. A CX-5 Signature compact crossover stickers at $37,935, including shipping. Mazda says the trim has proved popular. Read more here.
The 25 Most Expensive Cars to Insure
Those feeling as if they are paying more for car insurance are not wrong. Car insurance premiums rose by more than 20% between 2011 and 2018 to a national annual average premium of $1,427. All signs suggest rates will continue to rise in the near future, reports USA Today. The amount Americans pay for car insurance depends on many factors, including driver age, driving record, and location. Of course, the kind of vehicle also makes a big difference in insurance costs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit research organization funded by auto insurers, collects data on insurance claim frequency and insurance cost per vehicle. In a given year, insurance companies make claim payments of roughly $964 on average per vehicle. This is an average – so while insurers pay zero dollars for vehicles that go without incident in a given year, they might pay over $20,000 or more for vehicles involved in accidents or other events. Click here to read more about the most expensive vehicles to insure.
There Have Been 15 Heatstroke Deaths of Children Left in Hot Cars in 2019
Fifteen children have died from heatstroke in the USA this year as a result of being left in hot cars – and it's not even July, reports USA Today. Three of the deaths occurred since last Saturday, and extreme heat is likely in the South and parts of the Midwest on Sunday heading into the Fourth of July. The latest hot car death came Thursday evening in Morristown, Tennessee, when a 3-year-old boy was found in a minivan after he had been reported missing since 4 p.m. The temperature had reached 90 degrees. More than 800 children have died in hot cars since 1998. The requirement for children to sit in back seats after juvenile deaths from air bags peaked contributed to the climb since children are more easily forgotten in the back seat than the front. Read more here.
May Wholesale Trends Bring Back Thoughts of Tax-Season Heyday
Veteran dealers likely will say tax season isn’t what it used to be when some stores registered a significant portion of their annual retail sales fueled by refunds, reports Auto Remarketing. Well, KAR Auction Services chief economist Tom Kontos explained that based on the May wholesale data he reviewed, this year’s tax season might have rekindled memories of those active years. According to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used-vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale used-vehicle prices in May averaged $11,667, which is up 1.5% compared to April and 5.0% relative to May. Kontos indicated compact and midsize cars were two notable segments that experienced overall average price declines for the month. Read more here.
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