The Dataium Automotive Shopper Intensity Index continued its upward momentum, increasing 4.65 percent from August to September. Dataium said the positive movement of the ASI — which serves as an early predictor of the next 30 to 45 days of automotive retail sales — reflects the strengthening consumer confidence that has been aided by a […] [Read More]

FLD, Inc., said Thursday it has promoted a new director of business development. Appointed to the role is Carol Fowler, who previously served as transportation manager and sales rep for the company, overseeing both national and international fleets. [Read More]

WALKAWAY has filled its newly created position of manager of dealer services. In a move that became effective today, earning the promotion to the role was Dana Senin. The company — which builds, markets and administers credit protection products for the retail auto business as well as the recreational vehicle industry — also announced that […] [Read More]

The recent acquisition of Ally Credit Canada by Royal Bank of Canada triggered a question during a quarterly conference call Wednesday: Why didn’t General Motors Financial make a run at the financing arm since it already has lending and leasing activity in the country? GM Financial president and chief executive officer Dan Berce addressed the […] [Read More]

Used cars have gotten more expensive. At least, that is one fact consumers and dealers have come to expect during the past few years. But, after three years of “dramatic growth”, the price hike slowed a bit this year, according to NADA Used Car Guide. In fact, the projected average price of used cars and […] [Read More]

The National Remarketing Conference, sponsored by SmartAuction, as the industry’s leading conference, is an excellent place to stay up-to-date on information relevant to all aspects of the industry, including fleet, lease and rental. In a 2:45 p.m. session on Nov. 15, the market dynamics of this industry niche will take center stage at the National […] [Read More]

Though the trade-in numbers for vehicles three years old and younger has been “very low,” Jack Ballinghoff has found that fellow Toyota dealers shouldn’t have any problem finding off-lease vehicles. The general manager of Koons Tysons Toyota said that while he’s not pursuing the three-year-old and younger vehicles right now, Toyota dealers who are can […] [Read More]

CU Direct Connect announced Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with AutoNation that names CU Direct Connect as a preferred lender for all of the dealer group’s stores in Colorado. The agreement is effective as of today. Officials said that CU Direct Connect, through its 34 member credit unions, is collectively the largest auto […] [Read More]

A new TransUnion study found that people who monitor their own credit files open significantly more new auto loans and credit cards, and perform generally as well on those loans as consumers who do not monitor their own credit. The company's study determined that consumers who monitor their credit in any given credit score range […] [Read More]

“Dale, what can I do to take my used-vehicle operations to the next level in 2013?” This question comes my way more frequently, and much earlier in the year, than it did in the past. To me, this is a good thing: more dealers are thinking hard and planning ahead to do a better job […] [Read More]