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]

An investment analyst recently asked Toyota’s Bob Carter about a subject studied intently by the National Automobile Dealers Association — automakers asking franchised dealers to make mandated changes to their showrooms and more. The questioner wanted to know if $1 billion worth of improvements were going to bring a strong return on investment for both […] [Read More]

One company new to the North American market contends vehicle logistics can be simplified and says it has the tools to make this possible. According to Car Delivery Network’s vice president of North America Rod Hicks, the company believes it has a solution to the potential communication issues that can arise between shippers, drivers and […] [Read More]

It was announced late last week that Jacob Solotaroff of MAX Systems has been added to the lineup of the fourth annual DrivingSales Executive Summit. Solotaroff — senior vice president, general manager of MAX Systems — will be presenting a breakout session titled, “Staying mobile: How to sell to today’s savvy buyers” at the event, […] [Read More]

Inventory: the focus of many used-car dealers as auction prices remained high this year and quality, used units proved scarce. Lithia Motors senior vice president and chief financial officer Chris Holzshu offered some advice and best practices utilized by the dealer group’s stores during the recent J.P. Morgan Auto Conference. On-demand webcast recordings of presentations […] [Read More]

MetroGistics, a full-service vehicle transportation company based in St. Louis, has announced it has relocated from South 7th Street to a much larger space at 110 Rock Cliff Court, Suite D. While it has also recently opened a branch office in Port Huron, Mich., the company’s corporate headquarters remain in the greater St. Louis area. […] [Read More]

According to a recent study from shopping site CarGurus, men may be willing to spend a bit more on the lots than female customers. The study released Tuesday suggests that “when it comes to buying a car, men tend to shop longer and spend more than women.” [Read More]

As subprime auto lending gains more steam — by as much as 20 percent in some instances — analysts from NADA Used Car Guide and Fitch Ratings explained how the latest movements are benefiting dealers and investors. When it comes to moving new metal, Jonathan Banks, executive automotive analyst with NADA Used Car Guide, recently […] [Read More]