CNW Research said August used-vehicle sales slipped 3.3 percent versus the same month a year ago, but the drop had nothing to do with activity at franchised or independent dealerships. So what triggered the August drop? CNW president Art Spinella attributed the decline to a softer private-party market, which tumbled down more than 18 percent […] [Read More]

The “virtual freeze” in dealership merger and acquisition activity in the preceding three years has thawed in dramatic fashion during 2011, according to the automotive wing of The Presidio Group financial services firm. Presidio’s report says it is an ideal time to buy dealerships — which are currently enjoying record per-store profits and healthier sales — and […] [Read More]

In a departure from what is typical for the Labor Day holiday at dealerships, Kelley Blue Book believes that leasing incentives and low APR finance deals may be the name of the game this weekend instead of the usual cash rebates that automakers pile on this time of year. Ordinarily, automakers use Labor Day weekend […] [Read More]

Contained within its latest update to the Securities and Exchange Commission, CarMax shared details of a new unsecured revolving credit facility with Bank of America. Officials said CarMax, CarMax Auto Superstores and certain other subsidiaries of the company terminated the previous credit agreement with Bank of America, the lender and administrative agent. The event came […] [Read More]

CarWoo discovered this week that site data showed the rigor of negotiation appears to be lessening as new-vehicle prices begin to return to first quarter levels after peaking in July. Back in March, the site indicated online new-vehicle buyers were making their purchase decisions in just a little more than one day. By July, as […] [Read More]

Though Hurricane Irene’s negative impact on car-shopping activity and other downward factors may have led to August being a “lost month for vehicle sales,” September has the potential to show a significant lift, according to J.D. Power and Associates. [Read More]

In light of how gas prices climbed during the first half of the year, pushing up demand for compact cars, Edmunds.com calculated how much more dealers had to charge for these units in July versus January. The site’s data revealed buyers paid about 10 percent more for three-year-old  used compact cars in July than in […] [Read More]

In the wake of Hurricane Irene wrecking havoc along the East Coast last weekend, Automotive Resources International — whose home state of New Jersey was one of the affected areas — is lending a hand to its clients with fleet vehicles impacted in the destruction. ARI has re-opened its toll-free “Hurricane Hotline,” which offers support […] [Read More]

Better Business Bureaus Auto Line — a national program which resolves auto warranty and lemon law disputes — announced Tuesday it is celebrating its 30th birthday. Officials noted the program has helped nearly 2 million consumers find solutions to their automotive-related problems. [Read More]

With the college football season starting up this weekend and the NFL campaign coming soon, both Kelley Blue Book and AAA unveiled their picks as the best vehicles for tailgating. Contained within the list produced by KBB was a mix of 10 models ranging from smaller units such as the Kia Soul and Mini Countryman […] [Read More]