Gas prices are rising, but this time around, shoppers don’t seem very worried. According to Dataium’s July Automotive Shopper Index report, despite fuel rate spikes, interest in trucks continues to gain ground. And the Chevrolet Silverado led the pack, ranking highest in ASI for new vehicles: a first for the domestic OEM. [Read More]

A possible leveraged buyout could be in the financial future of KAR Auction Services. Two people familiar with the matter told Reuters this week that KAR has held exploratory talks with private equity firms about such a potential move. The sources indicated the deal could exceed $4 billion. In a message to Auto Remarketing on […] [Read More]

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]