In what could be considered encouraging signs on a number of fronts, J.D. Power and Associates discovered that May leasing levels moved higher both month-over-month and year-over-year. According to J.D. Power’s May Industry Health Review, May’s lease penetration settled at 20.9 percent, up 1.5 percent from the previous month and 9.4 percent from the same […] [Read More]

Dealers selling new and late-model used midsize cars may have a new selling point at their disposal when talking with moms and dads who visit their lots. Edmunds.com editors are recommending the midsize car as the most ideal vehicle segment for teenagers. And after evaluations of every model in the segment, Edmunds has released a […] [Read More]

As part of its renewable energy goals, Manheim announced new solar projects at two of its auctions. On Tuesday, the company reported on the completion of photovoltaic solar installations at both Manheim Baltimore-Washington and Manheim Nashville, projects meant to produce clean energy and reduce carbon emissions. This brings the company’s total number of completed solar […] [Read More]

A zombie is a person whose behavior or responses are wooden, automated, lacking will or creativity. The definition of a zombie skip-tracer is the person in your office who logs on to their favorite data source and clicks just to click, robotically starting with the Holy Grail search of the Social Security Number. It seems […] [Read More]

Dataium has discovered that its May Automotive Shopper Intensity Index produced the first decline since January, partly due to consumers staying in market longer than previous months and extending the buying cycle from between 30 and 45 days to 60 days. In fact, Dataium contends last month’s  seasonally adjusted annualized rate for new-vehicle sales may […] [Read More]

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association has announced its 2012 National Quality Dealer of the Year. Receiving this honor at NIADA’s 66th Annual Convention and Expo in Las Vegas was Michael D’Andrea. The co-owner of Miracle Motor Mart in Columbus, Ohio and former Ohio State linebacker was one of 21 dealers nominated for the award, […] [Read More]

Securities & Exchange Commission paperwork not only divulged AutoTrader Group’s intentions to become a publicly traded company, the necessary filing revealed what the newly formed entity that includes AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto and VinSolutions intends to do with proceeds from the selling of shares. Company executives are looking to generate $300 million through a […] [Read More]

Previously unavailable, AutoTrader Group’s financial performance as well as the size of its subscribing dealer network came to light as the company filed federal paperwork to become a publicly traded company. According to forms submitted to the Securities & Exchange Commission, AutoTrader generated $1.0 billion in revenues, $334.6 million of adjusted EBITDA and $68.1 million […] [Read More]

Primeritus Financial Services announced Monday that it has acquired The M. Davis Co., Inc., which is the California-based company that includes USA Recovery and Skip Masters. Explaining more about The M. Davis Co., officials noted that the company — located in El Dorado Hills, Calif. — is a full-service firm that offers national repossession management, […] [Read More]

Dealers who use AutoTrader.com to push their vehicles online now can choose to own a piece of the operation as the site is on its way to becoming a publicly traded company. AutoTrader Group — a newly formed entity that includes AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto and VinSolutions — filed paperwork with the Securities & […] [Read More]