November 2, 2009 at 4:23 pm
In a turnaround story for a troubled industry, Ford Motor Company posted a surprising 3rd quarter profit of nearly $1 billion, though it has still lost some $1.3 billion for the year. School of Management Dean Lou Lataif, a former top Ford executive, says adversity has built character in the current generation of Ford’s leaders.
“While Ford [...]
October 21, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Whereas in the 1980s nearly four in five Americans were repeat buyers of the same brand of automobile, a new survey shows only 20 percent show such loyalty today. School of Management marketing Professor Shuba Srinivasan, who studies auto-industry marketing, says increased reliance on sales promotions is partly to blame.
“Over the last decade, the auto [...]
September 30, 2009 at 4:41 pm
With pickup truck sales at a 25-year low, automakers are facing signficant pressure to offset the losses. School of Management Dean Lou Lataif, a former Ford Motor senior executive, says the basic business model for all auto manufacturers is under stress.
“Automakers will need to continue to rationalize their cost structures while adding features and options [...]
September 11, 2009 at 11:59 am
Post-bankruptcy General Motors is launching a new “May the Best Car Win” marketing campaign with a money-back offer aimed at luring back customers. School of Management marketing Professor Shuba Srinivasan says the campaign should create buzz but likely will have a low rate of return.
“This offer could serve to reassure prospective car buyers already considering [...]
August 24, 2009 at 10:42 am
With experts still debating if the program will have had any significant positive environmental impact, the govenment’s “Cash for Clunkers” rebate program comes to an end with about a half million vehicles sold. School of Management Dean Lou Lataif, a former Ford executive, says the initiative had some positive value.
Contact Lou Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu
August 10, 2009 at 12:34 pm
In a grand experiment, revived General Motors will let most of its California auto dealers haggle online with customers by selling new vehicles over eBay. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, says the move is inevitable, but could have some glitches — like when a car owner is both the buyer and [...]
August 6, 2009 at 10:55 am
The Senate is expected to extend the “Cash for Clunkers” auto-sales rebate program, and send the bill to President Obama to sign. Buyers would get until Labor Day to make a deal with their car dealership. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, says the program is appropriately helping the struggling auto [...]
The so-called “Cash for Clunkers” program, aimed at stimulating the auto industry by offering consumers rebates for turning in old cars for more fuel-efficient models, went through its $1 billion in a week. The House then voted to add $2 billion more to keep the program going. School of Management Professor Shuba Srinivasan, who has [...]
Saying the only alternative would be liquidation, a federal judge has okayed the sale of GM’s assets to a new government-run agency, paving the way for the automaker to emerge from bankruptcy. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, can discuss the implications.
Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu
June 30, 2009 at 10:32 am
Bailed-out General Motors is in bankruptcy court today seeking permission to sell off its assets to the U.S. Treasury funded Vehicle Acquisition Holdings LLC. School of Management Professor Israel Shaked, a bankruptcy expert, can discuss the process.
Contact Israel Shaked, 617-353-2665, shaked@bue.edu
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