U.S. Department of the Treasury officials recently hired a pair of experts in economics and civil rights to serve in senior leadership roles for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Tapped for the spots were Sendhil Mullainathan, who will serve as assistant director for research, and Patrice Alexander Ficklin, who will be assistant director for fair […] [Read More]

Even though production for several automakers remains below full steam due to the Japanese quake effect, new-vehicle sales essentially picked up right where they left off at the end of April and are continuing to gain ground, Edmunds.com pointed out Friday. The company also spotted a $350 increase in the average new-car price during the […] [Read More]

In the latest development involving the pursuit of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, the Tulsa, Okla.-based rental company and Hertz Global Holdings said late last week they will cooperate as Hertz seeks the regulatory green light from the Federal Trade Commission regarding its offer to purchase Dollar Thrifty. Hertz proposed an exchange offer for all outstanding […] [Read More]

Altamont Capital Partners’ recent purchase of J.D. Byrider recently gained more financial support through a debt investment by Prospect Capital Corp., a closed-end investment company that lends to and invests in private and microcap public businesses. Prospect Capital is injecting $25 million into the deal. Altamont plans to provide Byrider with strategic direction, experienced resources […] [Read More]

Chrysler said Wednesday that it is extending its Minivan Month promotion as well as its RamBox and no-charge HEMI engine promotions through the end of May, while also revealing a few new incentives for the month. Back in April, Chrysler had revived its 60-day “Minivan Pledge” to kick off Minivan Month. The pledge — which […] [Read More]

When it comes to voicing their most pressing concerns, the issue cited more often by fleet managers than any other is the rising and often topsy-turvy gas prices, according to GE Capital Fleet Services. The company surveyed 105 fleet managers at the recent 2011 NAFA Institute & Expo in Charlotte, N.C. After collecting this data, […] [Read More]

Following a move from its old site in Avoca, Pa., GWC Warranty recently showed off its new corporate headquarters in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local officials, project developers and company employees. The 16,500-square-foot facility includes 60 open office workstations and 12 private offices. It features a reception lobby, boardroom and […] [Read More]

Penske Automotive Group announced its new executive vice president and chief financial officer on Monday to replace Robert O’Shaughnessy. The company appointed David Jones to the position. Jones — who had been serving as the president and CFO within Penske’s European operations — stepped into the role immediately. As for O’Shaughnessy, this executive stepped down to take […] [Read More]

Management at Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group was tight-lipped Monday regarding the latest offer from Hertz Global Holdings to purchase the company. Hertz laid out an offer Monday morning for the country’s fourth-largest rental company that would pay Dollar Thrifty shareholders $72 per share. Comprising that $72 per share amount would be $57.60 in cash and […] [Read More]

For the second month in a row, the Kelley Blue Book Market Report recommended dealers remain cautious about going overboard in terms of stocking their inventory with fuel-efficient models. Granted, consumer demand has sent wholesale prices for these units soaring higher, but this surge won’t last forever, KBB stressed. Alec Gutierrez, KBB’s manager of vehicle […] [Read More]