Bill Berman has been named president of AutoNation, the retailer said in a news release. In a move that was effective Wednesday, Berman — who had been executive vice president and chief operating officer — becomes president and COO. Mike Jackson, who had held the title of president, continues at AutoNation’s chairman and chief executive […] [Read More]

In an interview here at the NADA Convention & Expo, Cars.com director of product marketing Brendan Dougherty brings up this bit of ecommerce irony. The Internet allows consumers to make purchases from places like Amazon without ever interacting with another human. However, it’s also somewhere where they can go to learn as much as possible […] [Read More]

Success in certified pre-owned can help dealers generate additional new-car sales, retain service customers and manage excess off-lease inventory, JM&A Group’s Brian Walwyn says in an interview here at the NADA Convention & Expo. And that, he said, more than makes up for the additional monetary investment dealers have to make in certifying the cars. […] [Read More]

While multiple projections have new-vehicle sales off to a somewhat sluggish start, the forecasts for used-vehicle sales in the opening month of 2017 offer much more upbeat expectations. Edmunds estimated 3.1 million used vehicles will be sold in January, which could computed into a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 38.4 million. Both of those […] [Read More]

Swickard Auto Group recently announced that it acquired Brien Ford of Everett, Wash., the company’s second dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle-area Ford dealership has been renamed Epic Ford but will continue to sell and service both new and used Ford cars, trucks and SUVs. “This purchase is an ideal platform for growth in the […] [Read More]

Autotrader recently named its "Must-Shop CPO Cars," a list of the 10 top luxury and 10 non-luxury certified pre-owned vehicles shoppers should consider if looking to purchase a CPO this year. Autotrader said nearly one in four car shoppers are considering purchasing a CPO vehicle, according to its 2016 CPO study. "With a certified pre-owned […] [Read More]

On Thursday, Carfax announced that Sears Auto Center has joined the company's myCarfax Service Shop program, which connects service shop coustomers nationwide to the services offered on myCarfax.com for free. “Through our partnership with Carfax and the myCarfax Service Shop program, we are able to provide our customers with unrivaled information to help them keep their vehicles safe and well-maintained […] [Read More]

As we flipped the calendar into 2017 this month, it was time for New Year’s resolutions once again. Maybe this year you’re planning to finally buy that gym membership or cut out fatty foods. Or maybe you’ve resolved to step up your game at work and improve your close percentage. These are all noble goals […] [Read More]

Al Katz has been with Mercedes-Benz USA for 18 years and served in various managerial roles throughout his nearly two decades with the company. And on Jan. 1, he became the new general manager of pre-owned, remarketing & fleet operations for Mercedes.   That includes the popular certified pre-owned segment, and in an emailed Q&A, […] [Read More]

Given the gains in available inventory — particularly the flood of off-lease units hitting the market — used-car sales are likely to continue rising, says David Lim, vice president and equity analyst at Wells Fargo Securities. In other words, supply begets sales opportunity. And that opportunity is particularly evident, he said, in the standalone used-car […] [Read More]