Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Accept emails to keep up with auto maker information

Important auto maker email alerts, RSS news feeds and automobile manufacturer information are easily accessible and can be forwarded to your inbox daily. Take advantage of these services so that you don't have to go searching for news when you need it.

I recommend: Automotive Industry Today provides daily updated news about specific auto manufacturers that can be accessed by company, country and topic. Keep up with auto news and trends across the industries through Automotive News.

Read about the latest auto manufacturers industry news

Take time to read in-depth reports and magazines that cover the auto manufacturers industry further than the headlines. Often the best information that can help drive your own business decisions will come to you through off-beat news items that you happen to catch when reading automotive distributor magazines.

I recommend: Newstin gives hourly updates that could affect your business as well as articles by columnists that follow the industry trends, particularly those in the European Union. Motor Trend has an online magazine that is easy to navigate and follows the trends in the auto industry as well as covering news headlines. For new-model news, check Edmunds Inside Line.

Join trade groups for automobile companies

Associate with other auto company professionals to provide you with an inside track to news. Get involved with your automotive distributor association and take advantage of the networking opportunities to develop relationships. Regularly read the group's newsletters and other communication vehicles to find out what new distribution platforms are being introduced.

I recommend: Keep up with trends affecting the industry through the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Participate in a group such as the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association that follows your business news and offers events and conferences to keep up with trends.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find a reliable source for automobile manufacturer information that you can assign to an associate to keep up with daily. By taking this task off your daily agenda, you're creating more time in your day while bringing a junior member of your staff further into the fold.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use fleet car companies to obtain multiple vehicles for your business

Buying or leasing through fleet services is economical for companies buying multiple vehicles for their day-to-day business operation. It can be cars for employees, rental vehicles, taxis and more.

I recommend: See if your business is eligible for Ford fleet purchases. Your company must buy or lease at least five new vehicles a year or manage 15 total vehicles to qualify. Check costs of commercial fleet or small business ownership at Toyota.

Contact custom car manufacturers for limos, hearses, and small buses

Limousines and hearses are vehicles built on an extended or otherwise modified luxury car chassis. Most small buses are extensions of fleet and delivery-style vans with rear areas rebuilt for passenger space.

I recommend: Check vehicle specifications at VIP Coachworks which specializes in limo and custom car building. Check the available inventory of limos at American Limousine Sales. Federal Coach builds limos, hearses and small buses. Accubuilt also makes limos, as well as specialty vans and hearses.

Check automotive manufacturers' provisions for business vehicles

Though your purchases may not qualify you as a fleet, major companies are willing to work with businesses to custom-design vehicles for seating, payload, engine, towing and other requirements. Inquire about incentives, discounts and maintenance service for businesses.

I recommend: Examine General Motors' provisions for small business. Their Work-Ready Equipment program gives low-cost options for customizing certain trucks and vans. Chevrolet has a Business Central network to find and maintain the right work vehicles for your business. Dodge sells cars, trucks and vans for business.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchasers of limos, hearses, and other custom vehicles may find a product close to their requirements at a discount price from auto dealers of used vehicles. For start-up businesses, this can help your bottom line.
• •  Many car companies offer hybrid vehicles as part of their programs tailored to business. Evaluate whether going green can save your company in the long run and help achieve environmental goals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Earn a degree in auto manufacturers management

While a degree in automotive management is not a prerequisite for a job as a manager, it can give you a leg up. A degree will provide the educational background that many car companies require for a place in their management team.

I recommend: Ferris State University offers a bachelor's degree in automotive management. The degree covers topics that are related to auto dealers and car companies. For an online degree program try Northwood University.

Get training from the auto manufacturers industry

For the best auto manufacturers management education and training it is important to go to the source. Custom car manufacturers and private car manufacturers offer educational programs and training for management jobs within the industry.

I recommend: Chrysler offers current and prospective employees career development training. This training is essential for succeeding with the car company. If you would rather work with Ford Motor Company, check out its manufacturing job information and career programs.

Gain an education in all aspects of the auto manufacturers industry

A specialized education in the auto manufacturer industry is possible through attending formal training classes and seminars. Classes are offered by large corporations, while seminars are usually part of the yearly goals of an association or research institute.

I recommend: Check out the General Motors training program through the Pace Program. It is designed to create auto industry leaders. The Center for Automotive Research is also a great resource for training classes and conferences.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Gain industry knowledge by taking a job at one of the auto dealers in your area.
• •  Consider starting with an entry level position at a car maker. Most companies promote from within, and they will pay for additional education and training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM)

Any company producing either major components like drivetrains, suspension assemblies or interiors, or those assembling the final vehicles. Two elements further define OEM: what they manufacture and assemble occurs before the customer takes ownership; and they carry the responsibility of product marketing to the general public-the end users by managing a brand name, setting prices and distributing product through dealerships.

I recommend: For a basic definition of OEM, visit InvestorWords.com. The Automotive Consulting Group hosts a portal to the home sites of 60 OEM brands worldwide.

Tier one/two/three suppliers

If OEMs manage the auto brand and execute final assembly and distribution of the finished vehicles to the dealership network, the tiered suppliers focus on moving everything up the supply chain. From bottom to top: tier three converts raw materials into basic engineered products or finished surfaces, from sheet steel to rolled bars or chemical treatments. Tier two adds value by manufacturing finished products like body parts, springs or engine parts. Tier one delivers assemblies such as interiors, suspension assemblies, engines or transmissions.

I recommend: QS Digest by QCI International discusses quality standards development by OEMs in relation to their tier suppliers. Weblog's Autoblog mentions GM's decision to start paying tier two suppliers directly, to help them stave off bankruptcy from waiting for tier one suppliers to pay them.

Aftermarket

Companies involved in the automotive aftermarket produce goods and services consumers use after taking delivery of the vehicle. As such, OEMs, including tier suppliers, can be involved in the aftermarket, supplying parts for an auto that they assembled in the first place. While you can think of it as 'name brand' versus 'generic,' some aftermarket suppliers in the high-performance niche of the industry cultivate highly recognized brands with loyal following.

I recommend: The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) provides news and information on an industry producing over $285 billion in sales.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

As OEMs developed a nationwide network of dealers, and the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958 required dealers to affix a sticker to autos they sell, OEMs developed the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, or MSRP, to give consumers a consistent basis of comparison-some assurance that any two identical vehicles at two different dealers held the same value when they left the manufacturer. Not set in stone, suggested implies a guideline that buyer and seller can use to begin negotiations.

I recommend: Autotropolis provides a good definition of MSRP, with notes on what the price may or may not include.

Fleet

The conventional definition for fleet starts at 10 vehicles, typically categorized as rental, commercial or government fleets.

I recommend: Automotive Fleet hosts a site offering news on the fleet industry overall, leasing management, safety issues, fuel economy, maintenance and vehicle research.

Remarketing

Once your vehicles reach the end of their useful life (usually end of lease, or if maintenance costs exceed revenue generated from using the vehicle further) manufacturers can help you dispose of the vehicles through remarketing the autos to auction houses.

I recommend: Babylon offers a short definition of remarketing. Ford promotes a comprehensive Automotive Remarketing Services (ARS) program for fleet managers of rental companies, commercial fleets or leasing companies raging from vehicle retrieval and storage through reconditioning and auctioning to disbursement of proceeds.