Recent stress tests conducted by Fitch Ratings determined the majority of AAAsf rated U.S. prime auto loan ABS outstanding classes of notes are comfortably able to withstand a hypothetical recession and material declines in used-vehicle recovery rates. Under the moderate scenario, Fitch expects all AAAsf rated notes to likely remain rated investment grade with nearly […] [Read More]

The National Automobile Dealers Association is hosting a free Webinar this week to explain the tax implications of tangibles regulations, a rule that came on the books last year. The 90-minute session — which is set to include several experienced certified public accountants — is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday. NADA […] [Read More]

After years of a back-and-forth saga involving three companies, a move has officially been made. Hertz Global Holdings and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced Sunday that the two companies have entered a definitive merger agreement. Under this deal,  Hertz would purchase Dollar Thrifty for $87.50 per share in cash, translating into a purchase worth a […] [Read More]

A new report released by Maritz Research recently claims that four in 10 customers are not even test driving their cars before purchasing. This is an astounding number of consumers, even if half of them didn’t tell the truth. This phenomenon of customers bypassing the test drive can actually cause a backlash of issues for […] [Read More]

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]