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]

Dealers who are working with customers on tight budgets now have several vehicle lists assembled by Kelley Blue Book that analysts believe are best suited for a used-vehicle purchase or a new-model lease or purchase. Of the vehicles KBB thinks can best fit the bill for any transaction this month, half are Japanese models with […] [Read More]

The grades are in, and Subaru is at the top of the OEM class in TrueCar.com’s Performance Scorecards for May. Released Friday, the rankings grade each manufacturer and brand on eight different measurements including pricing, sales, incentives, customer loyalty, market share and days in inventory. Subaru earned an A+ to steal the top spot from […] [Read More]

It was announced Thursday that AutoTrader.com has chosen a preferred direct lender for the site, one that the company contends will  provide shoppers interested in a direct lending option with “a seamless way to access financing.” Tapped for the role is online auto lender RoadLoans.com —  owned by automotive finance company Santander Consumer USA Inc. [Read More]