A new Web-based presentation from NCM Associates featuring vAuto’s Dale Pollak aims to offer the secrets behind “unlocking” a dealership’s true potential. Through the complementary presentation available to NCM’s dealer clients, Pollak will demonstrate how using online advertising can potentially lower a dealer’s costs and increase used-car sales opportunities. [Read More]

Harris Interactive acknowledges consumer consideration for vehicles with alternative powertrains is on the rise. However, its latest study shows concerns regarding infrastructure, price, driving range and maintenance continue to dampen enthusiasm about these technologies. Those assertions are according to the 2011 AutoTECHCAST Study, released by Harris this week. Study orchestrators believe basic barriers continue to […] [Read More]

The tentacles of the Japanese disaster’s impact on vehicle production continues to have a far-reaching effect on the auto industry, and a prime example of this is the downswing in May leasing. Lease penetration in May dropped 1.6 percentage points month-over-month to 18.6 percent, according to the latest Industry Health Review from J.D. Power and Associates. Thomas […] [Read More]

Auto Remarketing learned Wednesday that JP Morgan Chase & Co. has revamped its sales scripts and marketing materials for its payment protection products under the Chase Auto Finance brand after the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency raised some challenges. In working with the OCC, Chase agreed to a penalty of $2 million and […] [Read More]

TrueCar handed out report cards on Wednesday to OEMs and brands, with one particular automaker being honored with a “perfect score.” TrueCar uses eight measurements — for example, pricing, sales, incentives, customer loyalty, market share and days in inventory — to rate companies in its Performance Scorecards. With an “A+” score, Hyundai topped the list […] [Read More]

Earlier this week, Cars.com revealed the winning model of its Best Value: Price to Pump Award as the champion of its Under 20/Over 35 Shootout. Coming out on top was the 2011 Hyundai Elantra because of its exterior and interior design as well as its smooth ride. Site editors evaluated five compact cars that seat […] [Read More]

More than 700 dealership managers and auto finance professionals registered for the latest free Auto Remarketing Training Series Webinar, which gave participants the opportunity to gain fresh strategies for a host of store operations. The Webinar panel included top trainers from AutoTrader.com, Carfax, OPENLANE and DealerTrack, who all delved into best practices that can help […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book offered a word to the wise on Tuesday for dealers looking around for fuel-friendly rides: “shop with caution.” And wait. The wave of rising used values for compact, subcompact and hybrid cars has finally crested and some softening is beginning to show up, according to Kbb.com, which suggested the declines will likely […] [Read More]

Avis Budget Group will purchase Avis Europe for about $1 billion in a deal slated to close later this year, the companies announced Tuesday. Avis Budget also offered an update with regards to its pursuit of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. Avis Budget said that its talks with the Federal Trade Commission on the DTAG matter […] [Read More]

New-vehicle sales should improve during the second half of 2011, according to Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Why? Taylor believes the gains should begin in July as inventory levels increase and gasoline prices drop. “Gasoline prices are currently falling, and that will allow dealers to sell a full mix of […] [Read More]