Based on the healthy results from new-vehicle dealers during the first quarter, the auto industry appears to be “well into recovery,” according to Paul Taylor, chief economist with the National Automobile Dealers Association. Total sales for new-car dealers in the first quarter climbed 22.5 percent on a year-over-year basis, the association’s latest Dealership Financial Profile […] [Read More]

With energy and food costs rising and the economic outlook remaining murky, auto shopping activity fell sequentially for the first time in six months during April, according to Dataium, which said it hopes this decline is just a blip on the radar. The company’s Auto Shopper Intensity index had tapered somewhat in February before becoming […] [Read More]

In some good news for the auto industry, the Federal Trade Commission said this week that dealers have been doing a good job adhering to a rule that deals with consumer protection in credit contracts. The FTC examined 50 dealerships throughout the U.S. to see how well they complied with the commission’s Rule Concerning Preservation […] [Read More]

It appears that brands known throughout the years for luxury and status are now being equated with fuel efficiency and economic value, according to a report on Forbes.com. In light of this emerging trend, Forbes.com offered a list of luxury rides with fuel economies of 30 miles per gallon or higher. The number of luxury […] [Read More]

The new-vehicle market will likely hit the pre-recession norm of 16 million annual unit sales the year after next, according to a study from  the A.T. Kearney consulting firm, which is projecting 2011 new-vehicle sales will reach 13.2 million units. Furthermore, the firm suggests that the new- and used-vehicle markets are apt to benefit from […] [Read More]

Earlier this week, Auto Finance Big Wheels spotlighted the 10 largest auto lenders in the U.S. for 2010 and at the top of the rankings was a finance company that certainly had some challenges to hurdle during the year: Ally Financial. According to the report — which is published by the Auto Finance Advisors consultancy […] [Read More]

AutoTrader.com thinks its April traffic data backs up why the majority of potential buyers are likely looking closely at the fuel-efficient segment of dealers’ inventories. Furthermore, a study conducted by AutoTrader.com in March and April showed that 62 percent of shoppers are considering purchasing a vehicle that is more fuel efficient than the unit they […] [Read More]

TrueCar.com announced Tuesday its April Performance Scorecard results, ranking manufacturers and brands on various criteria, including sales and customer loyalty. Though luxury brands were in the mix at the top,  a couple of non-luxury automakers found themselves on equal footing.   Porsche recieved the highest grade by manufacturer with an A+, with Hyundai and BMW […] [Read More]

Dealers might need to keep a deep pool of fuel-efficient models in inventory no matter how much gas prices climb or fall. The Consumer Federation of America said Monday that its recent survey reinforced the belief that consumers are growing more aware that higher fuel economy offsets higher vehicle costs. CFA’s assertions showed that based […] [Read More]

Nevada-based repossession agency Zane Investigations recently decided it will begin offering its volume and prime customers service throughout the state, without mileage charges in excess of the standard repossession fee. Zane is calling the program “No Mileage Nevada” and believes it’s the only one of its kind in the state. The company said customers can […] [Read More]