dealership Archives

Report: Does Alex Rodriguez’ Mercedes dealership have a PR problem?

Filed under: Car Buying, Mercedes-Benz, Celebrities, Luxury

Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz

Alex Rodriguez, in case you haven’t heard, is seemingly the new Most Hated Man In Baseball, ostensibly replacing commissioner Bud Selig (for now). Rodriguez was slammed with a 211-game suspension due to his role in the MLB’s latest steroid scandal in which “A-Roid,” as fans have taken to calling the former superstar, was cited with steroid use and attempts to hide his involvement by “engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate” the investigation, according to the MLB’s official report.

Why is this on a car site, then? Because Rodriguez’ name is attached Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz in League City, TX. An Ad Age report cites Mercedes-Benz USA in saying that A-Rod owns “about half'” of the dealership. Mercedes, for what it’s worth, isn’t going to any to any lengths to distance itself from its dealership or its controversial namesake, saying, “We never promoted the fact that A-Rod owned a dealership, so there’s really nothing to ‘distance’ ourselves from. And since his activity is not illegal but rather prohibited by MLB, there’s nothing actionable here.”

With the scandal still a fresh piece of news and A-Rod’s pending appeal, it’s difficult to tell what sort of effect, if any, his name will have on the dealership’s sales. Ad Age contacted the GM of Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz to get the dealership’s view, but no calls were returned. According to Mercedes, any name change is up to Rodriguez and his partner(s) at the dealership. Somehow, though, we think A-Rod has other things to worry about beyond his dealership’s name.

Does Alex Rodriguez’ Mercedes dealership have a PR problem? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Aug 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler-owned dealership under California DMV scrutiny

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat

Chrysler Motor Village LA

Automakers have traditionally had little luck owning car dealerships, but that hasn’t stopped them from trying. A recent effort by Chrysler led to the creation of Motor Village in downtown Los Angeles, but the local dealer association is none too pleased about the facility’s location.

Back in 2008, Chrysler purchased La Brea Avenue Motors and in January, the automaker moved the operation to its current downtown LA location. The $30 million facility is now home to Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Fiat stores. Unfortunately, it resides within 10 miles of three other Chrysler dealers, which is a violation of California franchising laws. The local dealer association brought the matter to the attention of the California New Motor Vehicle Board back in March, and the agency has since voted unanimously to have the California DMV open an investigation.

California makes one-year exceptions to the franchise law-for example, if the automaker partners with a local dealership that invests in operational improvements and plans to buy out the OEM stake-but in the case of the Motor Village, Chrysler doesn’t qualify. Lawyers for the automaker tell Automotive News that the Chrysler has attempted to find such an investor but has been unsuccessful so far. The search for a partner continues, but for now, Chrysler says the store “a test bed for new retail and marketing ideas.”

If the DMV finds Chrysler to be in violation of the franchise agreement, California could pull its business license.

Chrysler-owned dealership under California DMV scrutiny originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last domestic car dealership in San Francisco shuts its doors

Filed under: Etc., Ford, Earnings/Financials

San Francisco Chrysler closed sign

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the very last domestic dealership in the greater San Francisco area closed its doors a little over 10 days ago. Previously, San Francisco Ford, Lincoln, Mercury was the only dealership selling new products with an American badge on the grille in all of the 47.6 square miles of the city (the Chrysler-Jeep dealer shown above went bust in 2008). Ford took over operations at that dealer almost three years ago after the original owners walked away. After talks with various other local franchise owners fell through, Ford has finally cut off the lights for good.

But domestic dealers have faced a tough climate in San Francisco for years thanks to a much larger share of import sales compared to the rest of the country. According to one source quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle, import vehicles outsell their domestic counterparts 4:1 in the Bay area.

Those rare San Francisco domestic owners will now have to travel outside of the city for their factory maintenance and repair, which likely won’t do anything to help American manufacturers better their outlook in the near future.

Last domestic car dealership in San Francisco shuts its doors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Michael Vick hawks for Nissan dealership, skirts shame

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Nissan

Michael Vick Woodbury Nissan commercial

Michael Vick’s Woodbury Nissan commercial – Click above to watch the video after the jump

When Michael Vick went to prison for bankrolling an illegal dog fighting operation, sports journalists and fans the world over threw dirt on his once highly successful career as an NFL quarterback. Vick did his time and eventually made his way back to the big time, but it appeared that his days as a starting quarterback were over. Not so fast. An injury to Philadelphia’s starting quarterback meant that Vick got a second chance to run an NFL offense. And he’s been excelling; perhaps enough so to become the league’s MVP. But can he sell Nissan vehicles? Not a national campaign, mind – we’re talking about a local dealer.

Woodbury Nissan, a dealership in New Jersey just outside of Philly, has hired Vick to hock new and used vehicles. The move probably doesn’t endear the dealership to dog lovers (or animal owners in general), but the hope is that Eagles fans really won’t care. Interestingly, USA Today notes that Vick isn’t getting paid for his appearance, though he is getting use of a $54,000 Armada for his troubles.

Hit the jump to watch the commercial (scripted to mimic The Office)l for yourself. Vick isn’t wearing a cowboy hat and he’s not yelling about amazing deals. Instead, the nearly two-minute spot is very well done for a local add, and it’s pretty funny, too. The dealer even takes a shot at the diminutive Versa, which may not sit well with corporate, but it gave us a chuckle.

[Sources: YouTube, USA Today, Automotive News – sub. req.]

Continue reading Video: Michael Vick hawks for Nissan dealership, skirts shame

Video: Michael Vick hawks for Nissan dealership, skirts shame originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: U.S.-spec Fiat 500 right at home in Chrysler’s hip new LA dealership

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

2011 Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Yesterday, we told you about the grand opening of Chrysler’s swanky new Motor Village dealership in downtown Los Angeles – the first North American dealership to sell the Fiat 500. As part of its big opening-day ceremonies, Chrysler unveiled the U.S.-spec 500 ahead of its official reveal at this week’s LA Auto Show. A variety of colors and trims were on hand, and being surrounded by all of these 500s at once only makes us more eager to get some seat time in the diminutive little Italian Job.

The first round of 500s will go on sale later this year, in Sport, Pop and Lounge trim levels. A wealth of colors, interior fabrics and wheels will be available, and you can see some of what Fiat has to offer in our high-res image gallery, below.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2011 Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500

LA 2010: U.S.-spec Fiat 500 right at home in Chrysler’s hip new LA dealership originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler announces company-owned halo dealership in LA

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat

Chrysler has unveiled a new company-owned dealership in California, called Motor Village of Los Angeles, that will sell and service the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, Fiat and Mopar brands. A five-story glass structure will house separate salons for each of these marques. This new dealership, which marks Chrysler’s return to central LA after a 10-year absence, will be used as a test bed for new ideas that could one day filter down to the rest of the Chrysler’s dealer network. Click past the break for all the details in the official press release.

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Chrysler announces company-owned halo dealership in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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