The brand might have some of the smallest units on the road, but J.D. Power and Associates determined the badge packs the most effective punch with its website. J.D. Power’s 2013 Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study — Wave 1 revealed that the company with the best site is smart, scoring 845 on a 1,000-point scale. Jeep […] [Read More]

The American International Automobile Dealers Association is reminding dealers they still have time to register for the group’s 43rd Annual Meeting and Luncheon at next month’s NADA Convention and Expo in Orlando, Fla.   In addition to a keynote address from Mercedes-Benz president and chief executive officer Steve Cannon, AIADA’s annual meeting and luncheon will […] [Read More]

After climbing for two months in a row, the latest RDN Monthly Analytics Update indicated December recovery volumes decreased 1 percentage point from the November level, leaving 2012 closing on a trend of consecutive month-over-month dips. However, the December reading came in flat against year-earlier levels. Countering that downward movement, RDN indicated December recovery orders […] [Read More]

As the average age of vehicles on the road continues to rise, it seems people are looking to keep their rides longer than ever.  According to a recent KBB.com home page poll, a third of respondents said they intend to keep their next vehicle purchase for 10 years or more. And this is quite a […] [Read More]

On Monday, the Michigan Wolverines and Kansas Jayhawks became the latest in a revolving door of teams taking the No. 1 spots in the NCAA men's college basketball rankings this season. But consistency seems to be the name of the game in the used-car market. The Honda Accord has continued its reign as the used […] [Read More]

Industry experts report that used prices remain stagnant for both independent and franchised dealers, with prices dropping to rates quite a bit lower than seen in 2012. CNW Research president Art Spinella said used-vehicle prices remain stagnant on both a retail and wholesale level. So far this month, prices are down 2.73 percent for franchised […] [Read More]

A couple studies released late last week focused on the service side of the dealership, with one online survey showing customers may need a bit more incentive to visit in-dealership repair shops over independent stores. The AutoMD.com survey revealed that while consumers are generally satisfied with their dealership experience, they trust independent repair shops over […] [Read More]

It seems the year is off to a roaring start in terms of used-car sales. With Edmunds.com expecting an estimated 3.21 million used cars to be sold this month — for a SAAR of 40.2 million — CNW Research anticipates the number will reach 2.3 million units, up 4 percent year-over-year. And both franchised and […] [Read More]

Store managers and finance executives now can pluck guidance from new reference books when they have situations regarding compliance with a specific federal act as well as — in the case of franchised dealerships — relationships with parent manufacturers. CounselorLibrary.com, the publisher of auto financing and leasing legal compliance services, announced the newest in its […] [Read More]

How important is your online advertising strategy? Dealers rely on customer relationship management to gauge how many shoppers are citing the Internet as incentive to visit a dealership, but this practice may not be providing accurate results, according to a recent study.  This week, AutoTrader.com released a new white paper called “The CRM Paradox,” which […] [Read More]