Jackie Charniga

Detroit

Automotive Reporter at Detroit Free Press

Auto Reporter @freep; MFA @Columbia; former F&I, Retail Reporter @Automotive_News

Featured in: Favicon

adage.com

autonews.com (+2) Favicon

chicagobusiness.com Favicon

crainsdetroit.com Favicon

autoweek.com Favicon

defector.com Favicon

popula.com Favicon

rubbernews.com Favicon

tirebusiness.com Favicon

columbiajournal.org + 1 more

Articles

Former dealer Joe Maus returns to auto retail with Chevrolet store

Jul 29, 2024 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

When Keffer died in 2015, his children took over the business. Maus said he sold his stakes in the three stores to Jim Keffer, Dick's son, with whom he continued to work until the sales. Those dealerships now operate under Keffer Auto Group as Independence Mazda, Albemarle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram and Albemarle Ford. Though Maus is no longer affiliated, there are Maus family ties to one store.
Service departments weigh benefits, drawbacks of recouping credit card fees from customers

Jul 15, 2024 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

As dealer profits fall from pandemic highs, a growing number of retailers are considering a controversial tactic to help offset one of their top monthly costs: surcharges on credit card transactions in the service lane. Credit card companies charge dealerships thousands of dollars in processing fees per month, making it one of a dealer's top 10 expenses, retailers said. Recouping those costs by passing them on to the consumer can risk relationships and customer satisfaction index scores.
Land Rover, Mitsubishi, CDJR, Nissan of Shelby dealerships sell

Mar 20, 2024 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga |Julie Walker |Jim Henry

A dealership group secured its first Land Rover dealership and entered a new state, the Nissan of Shelby dealership that faced adversity will get a fresh start and a minority-owned dealership group expanded by two stores, all in transactions that closed in the first quarter. Here's a look at the deals involving luxury, import and domestic dealerships and stores in Colorado, North Carolina and Virginia. Keyes Motors Inc.
Kia, Subaru, Buick-GMC and Honda dealerships sell in Q4, Q1 transactions

Mar 14, 2024 | autonews.com | Gail Kachadourian Howe |Jackie Charniga

Here's a look at the deals involving import and domestic dealerships in Maryland, Texas and Delaware. Chris Ourisman, of Ourisman Automotive Group, on Jan. 24 purchased Shockley Honda in Frederick, Md., from Marisa and Mike Shockley. Part of the attraction of the store, renamed Ourisman Honda of Frederick, was its one-price, one-person sales model, Ourisman, president of the group, told Automotive News. One employee assists customers through the entire sales transaction using this model.
Proposed Virginia legislation aims to limit buy-sell approval time

Feb 8, 2024 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

Clarifying the notice requirements will prevent automakers from insisting they need more information about the sale, which can draw out a decision, said Don Hall, CEO of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association. Any buy-sell application not objected to within 60 days would automatically be considered approved, he said.
Dahl Automotive grows in Wisconsin, reintroduces CDJR brands

Jan 29, 2024 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

"The Kocourek organization is known for its operational excellence, team engagement and community impact," Dahl said in a statement. The purchased stores, Kocourek Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of Rhinelander, Kocourek Honda of Rhinelander, Kocourek Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of Stevens Point and Kocourek Honda Stevens Point, were renamed Dahl Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram Rhinelander, Dahl Honda Rhinelander, Dahl Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram Stevens Point and Dahl Honda Stevens Point.
Chevy, Cadillac dealerships trade hands after Nebraska court battle involving GM exercising its right of first refusal

Oct 1, 2023 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

Ron Huber, the former longtime owner of Huber Chevrolet and Huber Cadillac in Omaha, Neb., attempted to prevent General Motors from being able to exercise its right of first refusal and assign a new dealership buyer when he included a special provision in his November 2021 purchase agreement with Woodhouse Auto Family.
Boon or burden? Automakers' use of right of first refusal in dealership buy-sells aids some, hinders others

Sep 29, 2023 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

A sometimes-controversial clause in franchise agreements ultimately helped Alex Medina realize a lifelong dream of owning his own dealership. Someone else had negotiated with sellers Patrice Ross and Mark Phelps to buy Oracle Ford, a store outside Tucson, Ariz. But Ford Motor Co. exercised its right of first refusal: The move blocked that sale, and Ford redirected the deal — at the same price and terms — to Medina.
Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, VW, Ford and Audi dealerships sell across 4 states

Aug 25, 2023 | autonews.com | Jack Walsworth |Julie Walker |Jackie Charniga

Two Canadian auto retailers expanded their U.S. portfolios, while two large Midwest retailers expanded in their home states with transactions that closed in the first three quarters of the year. Here's a look at the deals involving import, luxury and domestic brands and stores in Michigan, Ohio, Texas and New York. Fox Motors grew its Michigan footprint with the Monday purchase of a Kia dealership. Fox Motors of Grand Rapids, Mich., said it bought Kia of Grand Rapids North from Liechty Auto Group.
W.Va. man youngest to earn world-class technician status

Aug 17, 2023 | autonews.com | Jackie Charniga

Nathaniel Dillard, 23, the youngest world-class technician ever, knew when he got his first vehicle that it was up to him to get it running. The Martinsburg, W.Va., native started working on cars when he was 8 years old with his father, who was in the U.S. Air Force. By his teens, the father and son were picking up vehicles on the cheap and getting creative with available parts. That first car? A model three years younger than him — a 2003 GMC Sonoma. "I remember replacing the cylinder head.