UPDATE: Reporting from NADA 2011 with Chris and Mike

DealerElite's own Chris Saraceno reports back to Mike Myers from NADA 2011.

Chris was at the JD Power session this morning at NADA and here is what he reports, exclusively on dealerELITE:

UPDATE 2/5/11:

Mark Reuss, President of GM NA
- GM will partner with the show Glee and Transformers for their Super Bowl commercial
- New Chevy Cruz "Eco" will get 42 MPG and be out this year
- GM has changed how they look at their dealers. GM has internalized that their dealers are their customers and that's most important.
Ernst Lieb, Pres/CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA
- He was asked "What does it take to win big in retail"? He replied...
  - Partnership & transparency with team members
  - Be proactive VS. reactive
  - Measure what matters
  - Be dedicated to the details
  - Do not rest on your laurels
Mike Jackson, Chairman & CEO of Autonation
- Quote: "I'll go on record and say manufacturers that continue stairstep programs & preaches customer satisfaction are hypocrites. Stairsteps are destroying market value, customer satisfaction, turning buyers into shoppers, making negotiating harder, and turning off their customers."
  
  UPDATE: 2/3/11:
JD Power reports US automotive sales is predicted to increase to 13 million vehicles sold for 2011
- 15 million sold in 2012
- 15.7 million sold in 2013
- 16.2 million sold in 2014
- 16.4 million sold 2015
- CHINA to sell 19 million vehicles THIS YEAR IN 2011!!!
Hybrids and electric vehicles
- 3% of all vehicle sales for 2010 were Hybrids
- In 2015, Hybrid and Electric vehicles will rise to 8% total sales
- By 2020, a whopping 29% of all vehicle sales will be Hybrids or Electric!
Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne
- Chrysler will pay back every cent to the US Government
- Hybrid will be the next generation minivan
- 130 dealers will carry the FIAT brand
- More than 80% of Chrysler dealers are profitable; most since 2000
- 2011, Chrysler predicts it will sell 2 million vehicles
- The average age of vehicles on the road today are 10.2 years old. A decade ago, it was 8 years old. Marchionne says this means potential for industry growth
- Marchionne clearly states, as long as he's CEO of Chrysler, ALFA ROMEO will not be for sale!

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Comment by Pat Kirley on February 6, 2011 at 5:15am: I Agee with Mike Jackson, the manufacturers are destroying residual value in their own product. It is short term gain with a huge price to pay into the future. Here in Ireland lots of customers first question is, what is your special offer. On some makes the under the table money is greater than the margin. In real terms the price is retail less bonus, so all these offers reduce residuals. And it will make it harder to do business going forward.

Comment by Jason Scott on February 5, 2011 at 9:32pm: That is awesome, thanks guys

Comment by David Long on February 5, 2011 at 8:37pm: Thanks for the updates guys!

Comment by MANNY LUNA on February 5, 2011 at 8:14pm: Thanks you !!!!

Comment by Craig Lockerd on February 5, 2011 at 11:45am: Thanks for the info,stop by Dealer Magazine and see our friend Jim Ziegler while you're there....we couldnt make it out this year.

Comment by john waring on February 5, 2011 at 9:24am: If you are at NADA please stop by the AutoTrader.com booth and check out our new product set for 2011 which includes a new social media package. Our goal is to get more EYEBALLS on your vehicles. January saw over 17 million UNIQUE shoppers on our site.

Chris, enjoy yourself and I will stop by and see you this next week.

John Waring

610-390-7625

Comment by Philip Zelinger on February 4, 2011 at 5:56pm: Thanks for the input Chris.

I just settled in at The Ritz Carlton and I hope to see you and Mike at our Pre-NADA Convention Networking Party in the Lobby Lounge from 5PM to 7PM to help us launch IntellaCar's new mobile sales presentation platform. Tomoorow night we are celebrating SiSTeR Tecnologies being awarded a patent for their video production/marketing platform at a VIP Party which has a seat reserved for you as well!

After all, what are friends and NADA for!

Comment by MANNY LUNA on February 4, 2011 at 4:36pm: Right on Bobby!

Comment by CJ Romig on February 4, 2011 at 4:17pm: Thanks for the updates...some people actually have to work this weekend!!!!

Comment by MANNY LUNA on February 4, 2011 at 4:01pm: Thanks Chris and Mike keep me posted please...