Greetings from Beijing, where I attended Auto China press day a few days ago. Though there is a lot of talk about China’s economy, and its car sales, slowing, this is still a big and fairly healthy market. There was a lot of optimism in the air.
I also attended an international dealer conference yesterday where one topic was growing sources of income for Chinese dealerships, whose margins are sinking. Today I met with the Mr. Shen Jinjun, chairman of the China Automobile Dealers Association. We discussed how China needed to develop its used car and auto finance sectors to help dealers here boost profits.
He also mentioned that foreign investors can now buy dealerships here, and urged me to let my readers know. So I am doing so.
Back in the U.S., this week we have the first of a series we are starting profiling women in automotive. These women are all speakers or moderators at the Women in Automotive conference coming up in Florida in June. Automotive Buy Sell Report is a media sponsor. Susan Lane, who I profile in this issue, highlights the role community involvement plays in helping a dealership’s bottom line.
Succession is a topic that is on many dealer’s minds these days. Sometimes the problem is the next generation isn’t interested in taking over the family business. Even when the next generation is fully invested in the family business however, that doesn’t mean everyone’s interests are aligned, aka vision conflict. In this issue Loyd Rawls looks at the issue of vision conflict and how to deal with it.
As always, we also have Transaction News.
Enjoy!
