It was 2009, and the auto industry was reeling from the impact of the Great Recession. Jane Millman was standing in the showroom of what is now Riverhead Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Riverhead, N.Y., when the dreaded letter arrived. She breathed a sigh of relief when it confirmed that the family-owned dealership was not […] [Read More]

The stories continue coming in regarding the auto industry’s efforts to recruit technicians. This time, it’s CarMax pulling out all the stops, with the used-car retailer undertaking what it describes as the biggest technician and detailer hiring effort in its history. To help the company increase its production of vehicles for retail to customers to […] [Read More]

Carvana has been on an expansion streak over the past several months, with recent announcements in California and North Carolina being just two of many examples. Just before Labor Day, Carvana said it will locate a new inspection and reconditioning facility in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, stating that over the next few years, it will invest […] [Read More]

As dealers work on moving into the digital retailing space, they must identify who the consumer is — and understand that customer’s wants and needs. That, according to Equifax Automotive vice president of strategy and marketing Jennifer Reid, “is something we used to do when the customer walked into the dealership.” Speaking in a short video […] [Read More]

The shortage of trained auto mechanics has been the subject of many news articles. Matrix Trade Institute’s 20-week accelerated auto mechanic training program is working to ease that shortage. Noting the great demand for auto mechanics as many mechanics approach retirement and not enough prospective mechanics are looking to enter the profession, Matrix Trade Institute […] [Read More]

Preferred Warranties Inc., also known as PWI, was established in 1992 and offers extended service contracts to more than 3,000 independent automotive dealers. The company, which is a business unit of KAR Auction Services, has expanded into the Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Alabama and Mississippi markets. PWI has also placed dedicated sales consultants in those locations. The company […] [Read More]

HGreg.com president John Hairabedian says his dealership group is committed to Florida. An example of that commitment came on Tuesday, as HGreg.com announced it has acquired a new location in West Palm Beach. Construction has already begun on the 9.7-acre property close to Palm Beach International Airport. The site will become the future home of […] [Read More]

Dealer management system company DealerBuilt appointed long-time automotive sales team leader Keith Baker as chief revenue officer, with his duties including oversight of new business sales and marketing. He will also work to help improve client utilization and product strategy.  Baker said he joined DealerBuilt in part because dealers need a company “that is genuinely […] [Read More]

Part of Autotrader’s new marketing campaign takes the viewer back to the Nordic Bronze Age. At that time, Autotrader says, sled owners felt the same way many do today about overpaying for their vehicle. In the ad, the hero unexpectedly appears, using Autotrader to find the right vehicle at the right price and driving a […] [Read More]

In a few special editions of the Auto Remarketing Podcast, we’re sharing some of the panel discussions and keynote presentations from the recent Automotive Intelligence Summit in Raleigh, N.C. Next up is a fireside chat between Maryann Keller & Associates managing director Jeremy Alicandri and Rick Borg, executive vice president of the Costco Auto Program. […] [Read More]