Honda took the top three spots on Kelley Blue Book’s list of 25 most-researched vehicles on KBB.com during January, but it was Toyota leading the way with five of its models cracking the rankings. Ford was next in line with four, while Honda and Jeep were each represented by three vehicles in the top 25. […] [Read More]

Rendering of the AutoTrader.com Team Penske No. 22 Ford Fusion that will be driven by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano at the July 13 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (PRNewsFoto/AutoTrader.com). SOURCE: AutoTrader.com The AutoTrader Group is adding a few “Days of Thunder” and “Talladega Nights” to its calendar. Two of the group’s companies […] [Read More]

If dealers are trying to lure customers to their lots with deals, they might want to take a look at this recent list from U.S. News & World Report. The company released its choices for the "2014 Best Cars for the Money," which highlighted cars vehicles in 21 categories — from subcompact cars to full […] [Read More]

Cars.com is predicting an increase in lease incentive spending for 2014, and it appears that trend already began to play out in the opening month of the year. Chief analyst Jesse Toprak said the average leasing incentive per vehicle leased in January was up 4.3 percent year-over-year at $3,612. This follows a 5.1-percent rise for […] [Read More]

The severe winter weather is not only impacting shopping activity levels and prices in the used-car market, but it also appears to be influencing the types of used vehicles consumers are going after, especially in the icy Midwest. That’s according to the latest Hot Used-Car Report from Kelley Blue Book, which found that full-size SUVs, […] [Read More]

If managed correctly, these high lease penetration rates the industry is seeing might actually be a good thing. In spite of apparent trepidation by some in the business, several analysts at last month’s NADA Convention & Expo were pointing to a healthy leasing market, one that is likely beneficial for consumers, dealers and automakers, alike […] [Read More]

Here’s something dealers may want to use to emphasize value when the price tag is high: In Kelley Blue Book’s announcement  unveiling the 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, KBB’s Dan Ingle points out it’s possible a more expensive vehicle may end up saving the consumer money. Case in point, Lexus and its residual values. The […] [Read More]

NextGear Capital on Tuesday announced a new floor planning integration with AuctionACCESS, a development that comes on the heels of a credit line availability integration between the two companies. Officials highlighted these moves will allow auctions to quickly and efficiently originate floor plan transactions for their dealer customers. “NextGear Capital is continually searching for ways […] [Read More]

GWC Warranty, which serves as a marketer, administrator and underwriter of vehicle service contracts, announced recently that it has been named a Motor Trend Recommended Best Buy for Independent Dealers. The company said it is the only vehicle service contract provider to have earned this distinction. In order to receive this honor, GWC was required […] [Read More]

Analysts from three of the industry’s vehicle-driven websites — AutoTrader.com, KBB.com and Edmunds.com — stayed busy before, during and after Super Bowl XLVIII to compile data showing which automakers generated the most consumer and online traffic buzz through commercials throughout the broadcast. All three sites noticed a significant lift Maserati experienced with its campaign. At […] [Read More]