New-car dealers hit hard in 2009
Indiana lost 49 new-car dealers last year, the biggest thinning of the herd in at least a decade, according to data released
last month by the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Auto Dealers
Articles
LEADING QUESTIONS: Burd Ford flies after tragedy
Richard Burd's suicide led to shrewd cost-cutting at the family auto dealership. For Christine Burd, returning to profitability is both heartening and heartbreaking.
Widowed car dealer Christine Burd becomes mental health advocate
Burd, who is president of Burd Ford, a mother of four, and a fixture on television commercials for the dealership, has become
an advocate for mental health following her husband’s suicide.
Gavel flies on muscle car auction
"My Name is Earl" and "Charlie's Angels" cars are among the more peculiar offerings
at the 1,750-vehicle
Mecum Auction Co. collector car sale that runs through Sunday at Indiana State Fairgrounds.
All Things Automotive aims for national reach, 20 stores by year-end
GM’s axing of its Saturn brand may fuel the nationwide emergence of an Indianapolis-based used-car franchisor. The first All
Things Automotive franchise will open this month in Fishers, at the former Saturn store owned by Lockhart Automotive Group.
With five new acquisitions, Skillman builds car-lot dynasty
Ray Skillman bought five car lots in the last 12 months from other dealers who have struggled during the recession. Skillman now ranks among the five largest dealers in the area, and his chain is poised
for even more growth.
Fishers approves $19M auto mall development
The town has agreed to create a tax-increment financing district to help fund infrastructure improvements for Butler Automotive
Group’s proposed development.
Fishers Town Council delays vote on $19M auto mall
If the council gives its blessing, construction could begin this spring on Butler Automotive Group’s five-dealership development
along State Road 37. About 230 jobs could be created.
Fishers Town Council set to review auto mall plans
Butler Automotive Group is proposing a $19 million development along Indiana 37 that could include five auto dealerships and
create about 230 jobs.
Former Saturn franchise in Fishers enters new orbit
An All Things Automotive franchise is replacing Saturn of Fishers. The concept, aimed particularly at displaced Saturn dealers,
involves used-car sales and service bays stocked by Carquest.
Prominent local car dealer Tom Wood dies
Indianapolis car dealer Tom Wood died Thursday morning after battling lung cancer. Wood grew his business from a single dealership
he purchased in 1967.
Pioneering automobile dealer Lockhart dies
Freda Lockhart was the first woman to open dealerships for Cadillac and Saturn automobiles.
Legislation to protect car dealers re-emerges at Statehouse
Dozens of Chrysler and General Motors dealers in Indiana were terminated last year. Now, a dealer trade group wants to
block automakers from preying on termination fears to wrest concessions from surviving dealers.
Falcone mourning Saab
Former dealer saw the end coming, but says customers are following him to Volkswagen and Subaru.
Even Bentley sales are down
A Zionsville dealer says the economy is influencing its wealthy buyers, but things would be worse under Rolls-Royce.
KAR Auction Services shares inch up after IPO
Shares of KAR Auction Services Inc. Friday inched above prices set by the vehicle auctioneer in its initial public offering.
KAR Auction Services shares open lower after IPO
Stock in Carmel-based KAR Auction Services Inc. on Friday morning traded below prices set by the vehicle auctioneer in its
initial public offering.
Saturn’s loss, Byrider’s gain
J.D. Byrider, the Indianapolis chain of used-car lots, is courting Saturn dealers to come into the fold as Byrider franchisees.
Kokomo plants benefit from ‘clunkers’ program
The federal government’s popular Cash for Clunkers program that ended Monday gave a boost to Kokomo’s Chrysler
plants.
Clunkers program a jolt for car sales, not a fix
Now comes the hard part for the auto industry – luring customers without big Cash for Clunkers discounts.