In Kelley Blue Book’s rankings of car brands with the lowest five-year ownership costs released Monday, two Korean brands, in particular, received some encouraging news. KBB ranked Kia as the top-rated non-luxury brand for lowest total cost of ownership, and Hyundai came in second. The average five-year ownership cost for Kia is $38,884, with Hyundai […] [Read More]

Allied Finance Adjusters handed out a half dozen awards during its annual convention, honoring various categories of repossession achievement. Presented by president George Badeen, this year’s winners included: —Paul J. Leleu Achievement Award: Carl Purvis, Federal Auto Recovery of Atlanta. Allied officials explained this award exemplifies a member’s loyalty, harmony and integrity to the organization, its […] [Read More]

Earlier this year, Time Finance Adjusters conducted its annual convention at the same place and city as the National Alliance of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers Conference. That development wasn’t just a coincidence. TFA executive director Ron Brown explained why. “These buy-here, pay-heres have become very legitimate,” Brown insisted to Auto Remarketing. “They’re very big. Most of […] [Read More]

The used-vehicle supply pipeline has dried up immensely and according to analysis from NADA Used Car Guide, it will likely get even more challenging as the market is close to being three years out from the leasing erosion that started in late 2008. It likely also doesn’t help dealers of Japanese brands, in particular, that […] [Read More]

In light of the economic and fiscal fiascos of recent weeks — the U.S. credit downgrade and the stock market swooning, along with the debt-ceiling crisis — it may seem like blood is in the water and the sharks of economic turmoil are circling. But the impact on auto sales might not be as bad […] [Read More]

AutoBuying101.com recently announced its 2011 selection for the 10 most useful online tools for consumers considering buying a new car. The list highlights websites that deal with critical aspects of the vehicle purchase process, such as car reviews, safety ratings and dealer background checks. “The sheer volume of online tools for new-car buyers can be […] [Read More]

Mazda Canada has struck a deal with LGM — which provides OEM-branded extended warranty credit insurance, wear protection and vehicle theft deterrent products — to allow its dealers to offer lease customers an added layer of protection and perhaps lead to a better-conditioned vehicle upon return to the dealership. The companies have rolled out Mazda […] [Read More]

Dealers are already feeling the pinch of diminishing used-vehicle supply circulating back into their stores, but they might want to brace themselves, as it’s about to tighten even more, according to NADA Used Car Guide. This company reports that off-lease supply of three- to four-year-old vehicles, in particular, will likely be “bottoming out” late next […] [Read More]

DrivingSales has opened up the application process for its 2011 DrivingSales Dealer Best Idea Award program and is encouraging dealers to submit their entries. There will be five finalists for the award, which is sponsored by ADP/Cobalt. These finalists will get the opportunity to vie for more than $10,000 in cash and to demonstrate their […] [Read More]

Used-truck values were initially expected to climb 6 percent in the upcoming quarter, but that surge may end up being even higher, according to NADA Used Car Guide automotive analyst Jonathan Banks. How? The current gas-price dynamic, he indicated. “Looking ahead, we anticipate that light truck values will do well during the upcoming quarter primarily […] [Read More]