Private equity firms continue to see auto financing as an excellent option to leverage. In recent weeks, Bain Capital Ventures injected $55 million into defi SOLUTIONS, and Fair secured a round of strategic equity funding that is led by Siemens-backed next47 global venture fund and also includes BMW, CreditEase FinTech Investment Fund, Millennium Technology Value Partners, […] [Read More]

While numbers remained flat throughout the year for most brands, among non-luxury dealers, both domestic and imported, Lincoln saw the largest share-of-visit increase year-over-year (plus 2.25 percent). This is according to The Year in Location: 2017, Auto Report from PlaceIQ results released Tuesday. Luxury brand BMW (plus 3.9 percent) saw the largest share-of-visit increase year-over-year, followed by Acura […] [Read More]

Across the United States, the number of operating automotive dealerships remained steady in 2017. That's according to the latest Automotive Franchise Activity Report from Urban Science released Tuesday. There were a total of 18,213 dealerships rooftops as of Jan. 1 — a 0.2-percent increase from a total of 18,170 on Jan. 1, 2017, according to the report. The […] [Read More]

Those holiday ads for vehicles — especially for luxury models — evidently stimulated activity not only at dealerships, but also at Swapalease.com. While stores might have moved some extra metal that was a gift, the site's lease-transfer approval rating took a tumble in January. Swapalease.com reported that vehicle lease credit applicants registered a 57.8-percent approval rate […] [Read More]

Dumping sedans into fleet sales is certainly a path-of-least-resistance option leveraged by automakers in the past, but experienced used-car market observers understand the severe damage that strategy can do. However, in light of technology advances and consumer preferences — not only in the United States but also globally — pulling the fleet lever doesn’t quite […] [Read More]

The Blue Oval’s captive is pleased with how its subsidiary is performing while making inroads to serve consumers who want an alternative to securing a vehicle without the commitment of a retail installment contract or leasing agreement. Executives from Canvas — the Ford Motor Credit subsidiary offering what they believe is a convenient and hassle-free […] [Read More]

On paper, it might not seem like the most auspicious of starts to 2018 for the used-car market. January was the third straight month that wholesale prices declined sequentially, putting the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index at its lowest reading since July. What’s more, the Cox Automotive report accompanying that index said retail used-car sales […] [Read More]

The chicken wings and guacamole from Super Bowl parties are long gone, but what about dealerships seeing a meaningful lift in shopper activity stemming from the television advertising bought by automakers during the game? If past trends are any indication, the store phones should have been busier than drink and food stations at those Big […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book announced Wednesday both brand and category winners of its 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, which recognize Hyundai as the top brand to offer new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs. This is the second year that Hyundai has received KBB’s 5-Year Cost to Own brand award. KBB said that the Hyundai […] [Read More]

U.S. News & World Report announced Tuesday that Honda earned more Best Cars for the Money awards than any other automaker this year. The awards recognize vehicles that provide consumers with the best combination of quality and value in 14 different automotive categories. Honda models earned awards in four categories, including the CR-V for best […] [Read More]