Book Description
The automobile industry is evolving rapidly on a worldwide basis. Manufacturers are merging, component design and manufacture are now frequently outsourced instead of being created in-house, brands are changing and the giant auto makers are expanding deeper into providing financial services to car buyers. Meanwhile, all of the biggest, most successful firms have become totally global in nature. Plunkett’s Automobile Industry Almanac will be your complete guide to this immense, fascinating industry. On the car dealership side, giant, nationwide holding companies have acquired the best dealers in major markets. Even the used car business is being taken over by national chains. E-commerce is having profound effects on the car industry. Consumers use the Internet to become better informed before making a purchase. Online sites like Autobytel steer millions of car buyers toward specific dealers while the same sites deliver competing bids for cars, insurance and financing in a manner that lowers costs and improves satisfaction among consumers. Meanwhile, auto makers are using the latest in e-commerce methods to manage their supply chains and replenish their inventories. This exciting new book (which includes a database on CD-ROM) is a complete reference tool for everything you need to know about the car, truck and specialty vehicles business, including: Automotive industry trends and market research; Mergers, acquisitions, globalization; Automobile manufacturers; Truck makers; Makers of specialty vehicles such as RVs; Automobile loans, insurance and other financial services; Dealerships; Components manufacturers; Retail auto parts stores; E-commerce ; and much, much more. You’ll find a complete overview, industry analysis and market research report in one superb, value-priced package. This book also includes statistical tables, an automobile industry glossary, industry contacts and thorough indexes. The corporate profile section of the book includes our proprietary, in-depth profiles of the 400 leading companies in all facets of the automobile industry. Purchasers may also receive a free copy of the company profiles database on CD-ROM.

About the Author
Jack W. Plunkett, Publisher/CEO of Plunkett Research, Ltd., is well known as an author, speaker and business consultant. Jack Plunkett is the author or editor of more than 27 books, including Plunkett’s E-Commerce & Internet Business Almanac and Plunkett’s Biotech & Genetics Industry Almanac.A life-long entrepreneur, he has been recognized as a finalist in the "Entrepreneur of the Year" competition sponsored by Ernst & Young. Plunkett is a frequent public speaker and lecturer on university campuses and at industry events. His work has been widely covered by hundreds of magazines, newspapers and broadcast stations, including stories in USA Today and Inc. Magazine, and he has been listed in over 16 national and global biographies. Plunkett is frequently interviewed as an expert source by such publications as Investors Business Daily and The Wall Street Journal, local and regional newspapers and national columnists. He has appeared on over 50 talk radio programs. Plunkett has won several awards for his civic and charitable activities, including involvement in public libraries, the arts, education and health care issues. He is a co-founder of the Technology Entrepreneurs' Exchange.

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