Automotive Resources International recently wrapped up its first-ever Utility Fleet Forum, which brought together utility fleet managers and decision-makers throughout the country. It was held at ARI’s headquarters in Mount Laurel, N.J. from Feb. 22 through Feb. 24. Discussion leaders included ARI technical experts in the following fields: utility fleet management, strategic consulting, supply chain […] [Read More]

The agenda for the NADA/IHS Automotive Forum 2011 was recently released, and included in the one-day event are seminars and panel discussions featuring several top-level executives in the auto industry. Automaker executives, leaders at auto-related companies and dealer associations, economists and journalists will be among the many presenters and panelists slated to participate in the […] [Read More]

Arguing that consumers have become dulled to rising gas prices because of the 2008 fuel-cost explosion, LeaseTrader.com said it believes drivers will continue to stick with current habits until the price exceeds $4 per gallon. LeaseTrader.com explained that it’s using data and models from 2008 that predict when consumer behavior will turn to action, meaning […] [Read More]

On Tuesday, Vincentric rolled out its seventh annual Best Value in America awards, which for the first time included brand value awards. Winning these top honors are Toyota in the passenger car category, Volvo in the luxury vehicles category and GMC in the trucks category. The awards also recognize winners in 38 segment categories. Vincentric determines Best […] [Read More]

Are automakers engaged in a “pricing war” to move new vehicles? Or is leasing on a continued track higher? TrueCar.com and Edmunds.com weighed in on these points while analyzing February new-vehicle sales expectations. TrueCar.com estimated Tuesday that the average transaction price and incentive level connected with February new-vehicle sales moved only slightly from the previous […] [Read More]

Interestingly, Consumer Reports recently claimed that buying a used vehicle might be better in some cases than buying new. In its annual auto issue to be released next week, Consumer Reports shared the "Best of the Best" used vehicles from model years 2001 through 2010, and dominating the list were Toyota and Honda vehicles. [Read More]

Apparently, many shoppers don’t necessarily have an accurate perception on what kind of profit a dealer gains from a car sale, according to a survey from TrueCar. Apparently, the overwhelming majority of shoppers desire to know what others paid for vehicles they are considering, as well. In fact, more than half (55 percent) of shoppers said […] [Read More]

Thanks to stronger payment performance, commercial banks and captive finance companies found it less necessary to go after assets in the fourth quarter. Basically, the quarterly repossession rates pushed downward as 2010 closed. According to Experian Automotive’s analysis of the vehicle credit market, fourth-quarter repossession rates edged 6.1 percent lower. The fourth-quarter rate settled at 0.67 […] [Read More]

The deadline for submitting nominations to help Auto Remarketing honor the top women dealers, remarketers, auto finance executives and more is this week, so act quickly. Auto Remarketing’s April 1 edition is dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to the used-car, remarketing, auction and auto finance industry. No matter what area of the business the female […] [Read More]

The positive new-vehicle sales wave that started late last year appears to be continuing into February, according to Edmunds.com’s latest forecast. In part due to momentum gained during Presidents Day, site analysts think February new-vehicle sales, including fleets, should come in at 937,000 units. The figure would represent a 20.1-percent increase from February of last […] [Read More]