What might sound like depressing economic news for consumers actually could be uplifting topics for used-vehicle dealers. Jonathan Banks, executive automotive analyst for NADA Used Car Guide, explained why the recent drumbeat of faltering employment levels and wavering consumer confidence will likely only continue to push potential buyers over to the used department rather than new-retail showrooms. […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book is turning to consumer-generated “diary” blogging for a new study that it hopes can shed some light on what makes car shoppers tick and how technology may need to adapt to their needs. KBB is looking for as many as 16 prospective new- or used-car buyers to keep a virtual diary of their […] [Read More]

Hertz Global Holdings still wants to make a deal with Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. So late last week, Hertz again announced it extended the expiration date of its exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Dollar Thrifty. The offer is for $57.60 in cash and 0.8546 shares of Hertz common stock. Hertz indicated the exchange […] [Read More]

The brand-new Re3 Conference — Recovery, Repossession and Remarketing — will tackle a key topic for the repossession industry with its second panel discussion. The session, titled “Selling Repos Directly from Agent Lots: The good, the bad, and the opportunity,” will feature: —Brent Huisman, vice president, asset remarketing, Santander —Zach Hallowell, business line director, OPENLANE […] [Read More]

Streamlining data analysis for an industry not accustomed to such a process is taking the American Recovery Association and Subprime Analytics a little more time than they originally anticipated. But what’s being organized — ARA’s second-ever Industry Scorecard — has executive director Les McCook and Subprime Analytics president Ken Shilson greatly excited about the project’s […] [Read More]

Digital Recognition Network recently gained a new director of client development. Tapped for the position is Jeremiah Wheeler, who will be will be responsible for developing and managing the company’s relationships with auto lenders and LPR2.0 service partners. DRN highlighted Wheeler has considerable industry experience, most recently as senior manager of business development for Recovery […] [Read More]

A Des Moines, Iowa, teenager buys old cars, bangs out the blemishes and finds some willing buyers among his pals looking for rides. Such was the start for Carl Moyer in the auto industry. And now, decades later, he is the Auto Remarketing 2011 CPO Dealer of the Year. Moyer — who owns Karl Chevrolet […] [Read More]

The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance revealed Friday that it has welcomed a new member. Joining the alliance is Dealer Services Corp. of Indiana. Other companies to have joined IARA recently include U.S. Bank, Remarketing of America and GE Commercial Finance and Fleet Services, among others. Meanwhile, DSC of Indiana made another big move a few weeks […] [Read More]

As long as it gains the necessary approvals, Canada’s Carfinco Income Fund will become a corporation at the start of next year, the company revealed Thursday. Carfinco’s board of trustees approved the proposal that would change the company to a corporation instead of being an income fund. The conversion must first be green-lighted by the […] [Read More]

UPDATED: Dealer Jim Smail was meeting with his fellow Pennsylvania Automotive Association board members at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort 70 miles outside Pittsburgh on Thursday when several directors had to leave immediately. As these dealers were finding out, the wrath of the recent storms — which some project may have flood-damaged tens of thousands of vehicles — is […] [Read More]