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A Tale of Two Realities: Franchised and Independent Dealers See Two Different Auto Markets, Latest Cox Automotive Study Finds 09/16/2019 ATLANTA, Sept. 16, 2019 – According to the Q3 2019 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) released today, U.S. automobile dealers view the current market as negative, with an index score of 48. The slight decrease from Q2’s score of 49 was not statistically significant. The index reading of 48 indicates that slightly more dealers feel that the current market is weak compared to the number… Read Article

Dealer Sentiment Index Jonathan Smoke Press Releases

Younger Generations Could Provide Answer to Dealership Turnover Issue 07/23/2019 ATLANTA, July 23, 2019 – As employee turnover across the U.S. reaches new heights and competition for talent redefines the workforce, dealerships find themselves at the epicenter of the struggle to attract and retain skilled workers. Fortunately, the Cox Automotive 2019 Dealership Staffing Study reveals an optimistic forecast with younger generation showing a greater interest in dealership jobs than older generations. According to the latest study,… Read Article

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Car Buyers Visiting Fewer Dealerships, Making Faster Decisions as Online Engagement Rises 04/15/2019 ATLANTA, April 15, 2019 – According to a new study released today by Cox Automotive, budget-minded, time-strapped, tech-savvy U.S. car buyers are spending a higher percentage of their shopping time online and less total time in market as they hunt for their perfect ride. The 2019 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey study also indicates consumers continue to be frustrated by new-vehicle prices and are more likely than… Read Article

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Head of the Class: Ford, Mercedes-Benz Named Valedictorians in New Retail Brand Scorecards Study 01/24/2019 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24, 2019 – As auto dealers from across the country gather in San Francisco for the annual NADA convention, top honors were given to Ford and Mercedes-Benz in the non-luxury and luxury categories, respectively, in a new study released today. The comprehensive study measures and compares core brand attributes that most impact dealer performance. The Retail Brand Scorecards are compiled by Cox Automotive… Read Article

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Retail Auto Sales to Drop Further as Alternatives to Ownership Become More Accessible and Affordable, According to Final Phase of Cox Automotive Evolution of Mobility Study 01/17/2019 ATLANTA, January 17, 2019 – Retail auto sales in the U.S. could drop as much as 29 percent as alternatives to traditional vehicle ownership becomes more accessible and affordable, decreasing the amount of miles consumed by personally owned vehicles. This is the key finding in Phase No. 3 of the Cox Automotive Evolution of Mobility Study, released today. The latest study shows how the cost of… Read Article

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New Study Offers Blueprint for Dealership Fixed Ops Staffing Success 08/19/2019 Automotive News, Aug. 19, 2019 -- The shortage of talented auto service technicians is acute and growing. The turnover of service advisers at new-vehicle dealerships has come to resemble a revolving door. Workers younger than baby boomers aren't especially interested in dealership jobs, including those in the service department, parts desk and body shop. Even as franchised dealerships must rely on service revenue for an ever-greater share… Read Article

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CPO Gains Some Year-Over-Year Steam to Start 2nd Half 08/19/2019 Auto Remarketing, Aug. 19, 2019 -- It was a great start to the second half of the year for the certified pre-owned car market. There were 236,579 CPO vehicle sales in July, which beat year-ago figures by 6%, despite trailing June figures by 2%, says a new Data Point report from Cox Automotive, which cites Motor Intelligence data. This follows a first half where sales were up… Read Article

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Misconceptions About EVs Hindering Demand 08/19/2019 Automotive News, Aug. 19, 2019 -- Cost and practicality are deterring customers from buying electric vehicles, according to a Cox Automotive study. But Cox says much of the concern is based on misconceptions. "A lot of it is misconception and an education opportunity for manufacturers and dealers," said Rachelle Petusky, manager of research and market intelligence for Cox Automotive's mobility group. "Their understanding of EV is… Read Article

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Tesla Is An EV Brand Awareness Juggernaut Compared To Competition 08/19/2019 Forbes, Aug. 19, 2019 -- When it comes to electric vehicle brand awareness in the marketplace, Elon Musk’s Tesla by far surpasses all others, according to a study released Monday by Cox Automotive. When asked what brands of electric vehicles they were aware of, 81% of consumers responding who said they are considering an electric vehicle purchase named Tesla. Far behind were Toyota Motor Co. at 52%, Chevrolet… Read Article

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Cox Automotive’s Isabelle Helms Discusses the Latest Recruiting Trends For Dealers 08/12/2019 CBT News, Aug. 12, 2019 -- Attracting the top talent is always on every dealer’s mind, however as the workforce begins to change, so should recruiting strategies. On today’s show, CBT News takes a look at our recent conversation with Isabelle Helms, vice president of research and marketing intelligence for Cox Automotive. She discusses key findings from the 2019 Dealership Staffing Study, and what they mean… Read Article

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PODCAST: Practical Uses of AI at Auto Auctions, Dealerships & in Mobility 07/06/2019 Auto Remarketing, July 6, 2019 -- In this episode, recorded at the company's Detroit-area offices, Cox Automotive chief product officer Marianne Johnson discusses practical uses of artificial intelligence for dealers and auto auctions, the use of AI in alternative vehicle usage and connecting the online to in-store experience for car dealers. Plus, she shares how dealers can be good stewards of data. Listen here Read Article

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Why Current U.S. Fleet Sales Won’t ‘Haunt’ Industry 06/29/2019 Automotive News Weekend Drive, June 29, 2019 -- Automotive News Reporters Michael Martinez and Mike Wayland are joined by Jonathan Smoke, chief economist, Cox Automotive, on Weekend Drive to discuss the first half of the year and how the market has fared so far. They discuss several factors affecting the market, including how lower discounts and different customers are helping to fuel "healthier" U.S. fleet sales… Read Article

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Increasingly More Affordable Than New, Used Cars Become ‘Strongest Part of Market’ 06/28/2019 Auto Remarketing, June 28, 2019 -- Cox Automotive chief economist Jonathan Smoke emphasized that the statement he was about to make was “not a negative thing.” Smoke and other Cox Automotive leaders were speaking to reporters and others gathered at the company’s Detroit-area offices on Wednesday, discussing Cox's 2019 Mid-Year Review and Outlook report. “The strongest part of the market — from a retail sales perspective, it’s driving… Read Article

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U.S. Sales Projected to Fall 6th Straight Month 06/28/2019 Automotive News, June 28, 2019 -- For just the third time in a decade, the U.S. auto industry is expected to enter the summer selling season without a monthly sales gain. Light-vehicle deliveries are predicted to decline between 1.5 and 3.3 percent this month from June 2018, according to estimates from four forecasters. That would mark the sixth straight month of declines and the third time… Read Article

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Fleet Sales Soar To Historic Levels And That’s A Good Thing 06/26/2019 Forbes, June 26, 2019 -- Fleet sales have always been the low-profit bottom feeders for automakers looking to keep assembly plants running and padding monthly sales reports. But an analysis presented by Cox Automotive on Wednesday indicates the carp of the car industry has suddenly become attractive game that is not only growing to historic levels, but pulling in higher profits. “If our forecast is correct for… Read Article

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