When it comes to making a vehicle last–I mean really last–Irv Gordon is a superhero. The retired science teacher paid $4,150 for his 1966 Volvo P1800 when it was new (at that time it was nearly as much as his annual salary as a science teacher), and over the years he’s put 2.7 million miles on the car. Read the rest of this entry →

In an effort to improve Auttr, we have added an Industry News section.  There, you can find the latest auto industry news from major print, online and TV mediums.  And don’t forget to see what’s in the hearts and minds of the consumer by reviewing up-to-the-minute ‘tweets’ from Twitter.  You can find the Industry News section at: http://auttr.com/news/ or click the ‘Industry News’ navigation button from the main menu.  Other new features will be added to Auttr in the future.  Stay tuned!

Web site will allow consumers to haggle with dealers over new vehicles

updated 1:06 a.m. ET, Mon., Aug 10, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – General Motors and eBay Inc. are expected to announce Monday that hundreds of the auto maker’s California dealers will let consumers haggle over the prices of new cars and trucks through the online marketplace, as part of a previously disclosed trial.

About 225 of California’s 250 GM dealers are set to take part in the program, which will begin on Tuesday. They will be selling Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac vehicles on cobranded Web sites through eBay’s online auto marketplace, eBay Motors, until Sept. 8. The cars will also be searchable through eBay Motors and eBay’s main site.

The trial is part of Detroit-based GM’s turnaround plan, making more official a practice some of its dealers had already participated in on their own. It expands an existing partnership covering GM certified used vehicles sold through eBay.

Read full story at MSNBC

Orlando, Florida (June 26, 2009) — The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association selected Chip Perry, president and chief executive officer of AutoTrader.com, to receive its 2009 Ring of Honor for his dedication and contributions to the used automotive industry.  The award is the highest allied industry honor granted to an individual. 

Perry’s award was announced in Orlando, where some 1,300 people attended NIADA’s annual convention and expo at the Gaylord Palms Resort. 

“Chip Perry is truly a friend of our association and its members,” remarked Michael R. Linn, NIADA’s CEO.  “Awarding Chip the Ring of Honor is extremely satisfying to me both on a personal and a professional level.”

Perry is widely recognized as a pioneer in the online automotive industry.  He has been AutoTrader.com’s primary strategic architect and oversaw the evolution of its sales, marketing, information and customer services.  He was the first employee of AutoTrader.com, a company that has grown to 2,000 people with more than $500 million in annual revenues and 3.5 million new and used vehicle listings from more than 40,000 dealers.  With more than 14 million unique monthly visitors, AutoTrader.com attracts the largest audience of car buyers on the Internet. 

Before joining AutoTrader.com, Perry worked at the Los Angeles Times where he launched one of the first major newspaper online services. He is an engineering graduate from the University of Virginia and earned his MBA from Harvard’s School of Business. 

Linn called Perry “a friend and cohort for years.  He has given freely his time, energy and company resources to benefit the industry and our association on many, many occasions.”

About NIADA
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) http://www.niada.com/, founded in 1946, has represented quality independent automobile dealers for more than 60 years.  NIADA assists its members in becoming more successful within the used motor vehicle industry.  Through membership in NIADA, members join with more than 20,000 other professional automobile dealers who share the dream of financial prosperity for their business.  NIADA is the industry’s legislative representative protecting dealer and consumer interests.  The association consistently brings forward valuable industry education and information along with services and benefits designed to prepare members for an ever-changing marketplace.  As a consumer friendly association, automotive consumer information can be found on http://www.autoconsumer.tv/.

Orlando, Florida (June 27, 2009) — Michigan’s Jeffrey Howard Braatz was named NIADA 2009 Quality Dealer of the Year during televised ceremonies during the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s annual convention in Orlando last week.  The award is considered the most prestigious member honor sanctioned by the 20,000-member trade association, according to Michael R. Linn, NIADA’s CEO. 

A NIADA Certified Master Dealer, Braatz is owner of Paradise Motor Sales, Inc. in Lansing and is a 33-year veteran of the automotive industry.  He was one of 22 people competing for the national recognition after being named as quality dealer by the state association. 

“I am proud of the standards our members meet and Jeff epitomizes the quality of dealer professionalism that our members strive to reach,” Linn said. “Jeff earned the right to be called NIADA’s Quality Dealer of the Year for his efforts both in his dealership and in his community.” 

Nancy Chapman, executive director of the Michigan Independent Automobile Dealers Association which nominated Braatz, echoed those comments. “Jeff Braatz, of Paradise Motor Sales, is a person of unquestioned integrity. He has the courage and determination to persevere in the face of adversity. He has earned the respect and admiration of the Michigan Automobile Industry.  I commend Jeff for this achievement and hope he and his family will enjoy its rewards for years to come,” she said. 

NIADA Quality Dealer candidates are judged on a variety of factors including contributions to the automotive industry and community involvement.   Northwood University provides a panel of judges to help select the annual winner. 

Braatz got his start as a 19-year-old service station attendant who caught the eye of a car salesman from a franchise dealership.  By 23, he was a used car manager and by age 27, he had purchased his own dealership without help from family members or partners. “I just risked everything to do what I loved,” Braatz said. 

Since that time, Braatz has built Paradise Motors into a thriving business with a dozen employees who get credit from their boss.  “We have a great team that works well with one another and treats our customers with care and dignity,” he said.  “I communicate with all of them daily to help them keep their great attitude and positive outlook.  You can always do good business, have fun, operate with integrity and at the same time energize both the people and the process.” 

Braatz and his wife Mary have four children and he has been a member of the Michigan IADA since 1990.  He earned the coveted Certified Master Dealer certification in 2008 and was instrumental in creating the MIADA chapter for mid-Michigan. 

Community service has also been at the forefront of Braatz activities. He was honored in 2002 for a Business Restoration Award for his support and efforts in reenergizing commerce in a blighted area of the state’s capitol city.  His other strong interests include Special Olympics and helping under-privileged children who are at risk for drug abuse.

About NIADA
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) http://www.niada.com/, founded in 1946, has represented quality independent automobile dealers for more than 60 years.  NIADA assists its members in becoming more successful within the used motor vehicle industry.  Through membership in NIADA, members join with more than 20,000 other professional automobile dealers who share the dream of financial prosperity for their business.  NIADA is the industry’s legislative representative protecting dealer and consumer interests.  The association consistently brings forward valuable industry education and information along with services and benefits designed to prepare members for an ever-changing marketplace.  As a consumer friendly association, automotive consumer information can be found on http://www.autoconsumer.tv/.

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Add the Auttr banner to your web site Home page and let others know where to find you.  To save the Auttr banner artwork to your computer, right-click the image below and click ‘Save Picture As’.  The Auttr banner can also be found on the Auttr ’About Us’ page as well.  Special thanks to the National Automobile Auction Association for adding a link to Auttr on their homepage!  Visit the NAAA web site at: www.naaa.com.