When a customer has a complaint, often he or she will go to the dealership first to report the problem, explained Harry Haber, a used-car manager at a California Volkswagen dealership. Typically, it’s only after not getting a response, he says, that the consumer airs the complaint via the Web. So if an issue arises, […] [Read More]

According to Sonic Automotive, with inventory tight and the economy slow, it is becoming more and more important for dealers to focus on reputation management. During this summer’s J.P. Morgan Auto Conference,  Sonic vice chairman and chief financial officer David Cosper commented on some tips for dealers, as well as the role of dealer training […] [Read More]

Franchised dealers may be bringing in the dough on used units this month, but that isn’t the story for independents, according to CNW Research. The average transaction price for used cars at franchised dealerships “kept its head above water compared to the same month of 2011. Independents weren’t so lucky,” CNW president Art Spinella shared […] [Read More]

American women love their sedans, according to new research from Market Insight Corp. In a recent study, the company found that although crossover body styles remain popular with  female auto shoppers in the U.S., sedan body styles are on the rise. In July, the midsize sedan was the single most popular body style among U.S. […] [Read More]

David DiCienzo, franchise owner of both Thrifty Car Sales Westfield and Thrifty Car Sales Springfield — both in Massachusetts — says it’s all about having the right tools. And in talking with Auto Remarketing, the dealer, who has just purchased a third franchise from Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, noted that though challenges will arise in […] [Read More]

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is ramping up its investigative force to get a closer look at banks, lenders and other credit institutions, according to a recent job posting on the Department of the Treasury’s website. The vacancy listing indicates a marketing campaign that asks, “Do you want to be a leader in your field […] [Read More]

Yet another high-level executive from one of the nation’s largest auto finance companies is scheduled to join panel discussions at this year’s Re3 Conference, the part of the annual Used Car Week that delves into the recovery, repossession and remarketing fields. [Read More]

For the second straight year the auto industry is seeing improvements in customer satisfaction, and the data experts say dealers are the front line when it comes to shaping those consumer perceptions. The American Customer Satisfaction Index, released this morning, offers details on why incentives are out, quality is in, and on who makes the […] [Read More]

As new and used sales have spiked through the first half of this year, it seems dealership owners are less likely to sell their respective business — anticipating further growth. According to the Presidio Merchant Partners LLC “Automotive Retail M&A Market Report”  for the first half of 2012, after completing $229 million in U.S. dealership […] [Read More]

Though according to NADA Used Car Guide’s analysis, new-vehicle incentives and rebates, as well as declining prices on used vehicles, are helping boost auto sales this summer, it seems consumers are not quite as willing to put out the big bucks for a used vehicle as values continue to falter. Kbb.com explained that “luxury vehicles […] [Read More]