Haig Partners said Tuesday it has hired former AutoNation executive Pete Thiel as managing director. Thiel was most recently vice president of corporate development for the publicly traded retailer, where he headed up AutoNation’s acquisitions and divestitures. He was with AutoNation for more than 20 years. “As the leading buy-sell advisory firm to dealers, we […] [Read More]

Karma Automotive said last week that Velocity Motorcars, serving the greater Nashville, Tenn., metropolitan area, is the latest addition to its dealer network. Karma said the opening supports the continuing expansion of its dealer network into new and emerging markets. Velocity Motorcars, also known as Karma Nashville, brings Karma’s North American retail presence to 27 locations.  […] [Read More]

While we’re only a couple of weeks into the new year, some 2021 vehicles might already be in your used-vehicle inventory — or at least soon will be. Kelley Blue Book recently compiled a list of what analysts think are the 10 best automotive technologies of 2021 to help consumers make sense of what to […] [Read More]

New leadership is set to guide FordDirect beginning on Feb. 1. In a move cheered by an Ohio dealer and chairman of the FordDirect board of managers, the joint venture between Ford and its franchise dealers announced on Friday that it has been appointed Matt VanDyke as chief executive officer. And also effective at the […] [Read More]

Perhaps not since the Great Recession has the auto retail industry had a challenging year as it did in 2020. But amid all the turmoil in the industry, last year “ultimately ended as the most profitable year on record for dealers,” says Erin Kerrigan, founder and managing director of Kerrigan Advisors. Just consider the stock valuations of […] [Read More]

With its president saying that people have experienced extreme challenges over the past year, Sheehy Auto Stores is donating $115,500 among 22 charities throughout the communities they serve in several locations. Those areas include Washington, D.C.; Baltimore and Hagerstown, Md., and Richmond, Va. The donations are part of Sheehy’s Annual Giving Program. Through that program, each […] [Read More]

Last year, the Toyota Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association, or TLMODA,  teamed up with The Salvation Army to create a National COVID-19 Day of Service, supporting families that have become vulnerable because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Since then, the demand for food has multiplied,” TLMODA board president Carlos Liriano said in a news release. On […] [Read More]

The Empty Stocking Fund, or ESF, provides toys and gifts to disadvantaged children during the holiday season, and each year the organization distributes nearly 200,000 gift items to tens of thousands of metro Atlanta children in need. On Tuesday, Jim Ellis Automotive Group said it donated $65,000 to ESF, raised through its annual Holiday Giving […] [Read More]

Stating that the program allows customers to experience a day in their life with a new ride, CarMax launched a new offering in which customers can take 24‐hour test drives before committing to purchase. CarMax said the program, called the “Love Your Car Guarantee,” provides increased peace of mind and buyer confidence. CarMax has also […] [Read More]

CarLotz said Monday it is launching a national hub network and will start with locations in the Seattle and Orlando, Fla., markets. The consignment-to-retail used-car marketplace aims to have both hub locations open by Feb. 1. CarLotz plans to open three to four hubs each quarter of 2021, including locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, […] [Read More]