It sure has been a lousy year so far, especially for dealers used to selling lots of trucks. Consumer confidence is skipping along the bottom, while the housing market has yet to see the bottom in many states. Joblessness is at a five-year high. And nobody seems to know where the stock market or gas prices will go next. What’s a dealer to do? This special issue on the economy is designed to help. First, we talk to analysts to get an overview of the economy; then we check in with dealers around the country to see how they’re faring. In “Hard Times,” senior editor Joan Mooney pulls it all together to help show where vehicle sales may be headed.

Hard Times
(print edition only)
The economy: When will it bounce back?
By Joan Mooney

Sharp Selling Points
(print edition only)
Ten tips to help your sales stay up in a down year.
By Sarah E. Moran

Pre-Owned Primer
(print edition only)
Ten ways to get the most mileage from your used-vehicle department.
By Mary Anne Shreve

Service And Smarts
(print edition only)
Ten fixed-ops ideas to lift your bottom line.
By Scott Sowers

OnTrack
Vehicle previews; What's new
in the business.
Edited by Joe Phillips and Joan Mooney

Chairman’s Page
(print edition only)
The growth of grass roots.
By NADA Chairman Annette Sykora

NADA Highlights
(print edition only)
NADA-24 update. Member satisfaction survey. More Energy Star dealers. Mulally to address convention.
By Laetitia Clayton

NADA Spotlight
The annual Washington Conference.
By Laura Withers

Washington Update
(print edition only)
“Exception” notice for credit customers. Dealership unions. Buyer’s guides en español?
By Leigh Glenn

Sales Trends
(print edition only)
Internet survey. This Month's Data: NADA DSP survey. Average dealership profile.
Edited by Atilla Akgun

Best Ideas
(print edition only)
Moving used cars.
By Nancy Dunham

20 Group
(print edition only)
Keeping perspective: mining solid opportunities in today’s shaky market.
By Skip Harkness

Green Tips
Ecofriendly events: making the green scene in your community.
By Vanessa Caceres

Used Cars
(print edition only)
Online marketing.
By Martha Thomas

Buyer’s Guide
This month’s print edition.
By Christine A. DeJoy

TalePipe
Huffs and puffs along the automotive road.
Edited by Peter Craig

Shifting Gears
License plates.
By Atilla Akgun