State and metro associations, 20 groups, local charitable boards and committees — there are seemingly countless ways for dealers to spend their daylight hours. It occurred to me recently that, if I wanted, I could spend 365 days a year traveling from one meeting to another, without ever stepping foot inside one of my stores. Obviously, […] [Read More]

CU Direct Connect announced last week that it has signed an agreement with Sonic Automotive to be a preferred lender for the dealer group's stores in Colorado. Officials indicated the agreement became effective on Aug. 1. CU Direct Connect, through its more than 34 member credit unions, is collectively one of the largest auto lenders […] [Read More]

With leasing volume rising, prices on those monthly lease contracts are moving upward, too, potentially boosting the equity left in those vehicles. Swapalease.com reported that average lease prices increased 2.1 percent year-over-year based on listings entering the market during August. The site found that prices on leases averaged $590.38, up from $578.06 at the end […] [Read More]

One of the prominent focuses of the Obama Administration has been its efforts to increase fuel efficiency and work on reducing the carbon footprint. These efforts have now turned toward the used-car market once again, following the 2009 Cash for Clunkers program. The U.S. Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency released Thursday a new […] [Read More]

Later this month, Auto Remarketing Canada is introducing a new feature to recognize the remarketing industry’s top players. Auto Remarketing Canada Digital Magazine will include the inaugural Auto Remarketing Canada Power 150. This special edition will list the most powerful companies within the remarketing and used-car industry in Canada. The collection includes businesses that span […] [Read More]

Perhaps used-vehicle shoppers watched movies such as "Gone in 60 Seconds" or "Legally Blonde" last month and saw a Porsche playing a prominent role — because something triggered quite a spike in consumer activity on NADAguides.com for the sports-car brand. Interest in Porsches soared 31 percent year-over-year in August, 10 percent more than fellow European […] [Read More]

The larger certified pre-owned vehicles remained scarce this past month as dealers began wrapping up the summer seasons. The rides that were the hardest to find in August were the CPO SUVs, particularly larger SUVs from Toyota and Chevrolet, according to the latest installment of vehicle scarcity data that is provided monthly to Auto Remarketing […] [Read More]

NADA Used Car Guide probably knows dealers are looking down the lanes or staring at their tablet screens and asking, “Am I really using this much of my floor plan for this 6-year-old car?” The reason analysts can picture this scenario is because they expect prices for 4- to 10-year-old units to be 0.5 percent higher […] [Read More]

The “brisk” used-car sales at dealer lots this year are ahead of an “already healthy 2012,” according to a presentation from ADESA’s Tom Kontos. And based on the findings the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report, things could be getting even better. Kontos — the executive vice president and chief economist for ADESA Analytical Services — […] [Read More]

Many new- and used-car shoppers hit the lots with a specific car in mind. But according to the J.D. Power 2013 New AutoShopper Study released this week, more than half of the younger — Generation Y —  buyers who began their search on the Internet for a new car may be open to consider any […] [Read More]