Before the holidays arrived and political strife caused another federal government shutdown, Kerrigan Advisors released its third quarter report that highlighted dealership buy/sell transactions increased 20 percent year-over-year. The Blue Sky Report generated by the firm also pointed out that 2018 will be the fifth consecutive year of more than 200 buy/sells transactions and among […] [Read More]

Along with analyzing how dealership values are changing, one transaction involving the Ken Garff Automotive Group highlighted the Q3 edition of The Haig Report released this week by Haig Partners. The report indicated the number of private dealerships that sold in the U.S. increased 26 percent year-over-year, rising from 84 to 106. In one large […] [Read More]

Hearst Autos has a new chief executive officer. Named to the post was Matt Sanchez, who comes over from Say Media, a company he co-founded and served as CEO. Hearst Autos includes such properties as Jumpstart Automotive Media, Car and Driver, Road & Track and the Blend Line. Hearst Magazines president Troy Young made the […] [Read More]

The AutoSource group of branded title vehicle dealerships announced its new chief executive officer late last week. The company’s board of directors named former Santander Consumer, QCSA Direct and ADESA Impact executive Bradley Walsh to the CEO post, a move that was effective Oct. 15. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as founder […] [Read More]

Last time Sonic Automotive expanded its line of EchoPark Automotive used-car stores, it added a location in the dealer group’s hometown of Charlotte, N.C. This time, Sonic added an EchoPark location in the hometown of its president. “I am excited to open the next EchoPark Automotive store in my hometown of Houston.  We have spent […] [Read More]

With some shoppers looking to make quite an impression via a holiday gift purchase, Autotrader found a half dozen luxury brands are ramping up their certified pre-owned offerings in hopes of capturing some of that consumer zeal. “Dealerships are highly motivated in December to close sales across their entire inventory, both new and used,” said […] [Read More]

A new company called DealerStrip has added its twist to online used-car sourcing. Similar to Chicago-based Swap Motors and others, DealerStrip is a consumer-to-dealer auction channel. Aaron Fruge, DealerStrip executive vice president, said the company is a listing service where consumers can post vehicles for sale for no charge, inventory for which only subscribing dealers can […] [Read More]

The Jim Ellis Automotive Group wants everyone who comes to one of their showrooms to be in a giving mood like company leadership. Jim Ellis is again partnering with the Marine Toys for Tots program, but the relationship has been amped up a few notches with the automotive group offering the chance to win gas […] [Read More]

Franchised dealerships with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac stores in their groups now can leverage help from a pair of advertising agencies. Both Naked Lime and Dominion Dealer Solutions recently announced they have completed all requirements to participate in the digital advertising program under the GM Dealer Digital Solution. This program allows dealers the opportunity […] [Read More]

Group 1 Automotive's store footprint is growing in both the U.S. and Brazil. This week, Group 1 announced three new dealerships have been awarded to the company as open points by American Honda Motor Co., Porsche Cars North America and Toyota do Brasil. In Texas, the company opened Sterling McCall Acura Sugar Land, an add […] [Read More]