AutoNation said the J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Program, which recognizes U.S. retail dealerships that provide a strong customer sales experience, certified 78 of the retailer's stores for 2021. AutoNation president and chief operating officer Jim Bender described the certification as an outstanding accomplishment for the company’s teams, noting that 54 of the company’s stores […] [Read More]

HGreg.com said two of its dealerships have earned the distinction of best-selling Nissan dealership in the U.S. and Canadian markets. HGreg.com is part of HGregoire, a network of 17 pre-owned and 13 new car dealerships throughout Canada and the United States. HGreg Nissan Kendall in Florida, and HGregoire Nissan Chomedey in Quebec have earned the […] [Read More]

A new CarMax program invites people to “do donuts” during their 24-Hour Test Drive experience. Only these donuts are the delicious kind, with frosting and sprinkles. Dunkin’— the all-day stop for coffee and baked goods — is participating in a program in which CarMax customers who participate in the 24-Hour Test Drive through May 16 […] [Read More]

In what the retailer says is one of the largest purchases ever in terms of franchise count, Lithia Motors & Driveway announced Tuesday that it has purchased The Suburban Collection. The Troy, Mich.-headquartered Suburban Collection includes 56 franchises, with 33 brands across 34 locations. It is also Lithia's first major entry into the North Central […] [Read More]

Sonic Automotive has opened its newest EchoPark specialty pre-owned vehicle store in Birmingham, Ala. The 27,000-square-foot facility is the company’s 22nd location to date and its first in Alabama. David Smith, chief executive officer of Sonic Automotive and EchoPark Automotive, said Birmingham has long been a strong market for Sonic’s new-vehicle business. “More and more […] [Read More]

AutoNation said its new partnership with a Major League Soccer club shows its and the club’s commitment to fighting cancer by using the power of soccer and its strong fan base. The soccer club is South Florida-based Inter Miami CF, and as part of the partnership, AutoNation will be the official and exclusive automotive partner of […] [Read More]

Performance engagement software company Arcade is now an affinity partner with the American International Automobile Dealers Association, with the association’s leader saying the partnership could help shift the dealer’s culture to address a younger buyer base. Arcade’s product is designed to strategically motivate, engage and incentivize employees through gamification. AIADA members through the partnership will receive […] [Read More]

What a difference a year makes.  According to analysis from Cox Automotive, the seasonally adjusted annualized rate of total used-vehicle sales was 40.5 million last month, which is 117% stronger than March 2020, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and the impact to markets quickly escalated.  In addition to soundly beating the year-ago used-car SAAR […] [Read More]

Like many of their retail contemporaries, Zeigler Auto Group is in growth mode. But in this case, the Kalamazoo, Mich.-based group is expanding via what’s already in place at its one of its Illinois luxury rooftops. Zeigler recently announced that it has purchased four acres of property adjacent to its existing BMW of Orland Park […] [Read More]

Robin Hill has worn, and wears, a number of hats. Hill, who was an honoree in Auto Remarketing’s inaugural Women in Retail program in 2019, is an ordained minister, motivational speaker and is a client advisor at Hendrick Lexus Charlotte. She’s also an author, with one book, titled “Urban Joy,” published in 2013 and another, […] [Read More]