AutoNation chairman and chief executive officer Mike Jackson is confident two of the most important used-vehicle performance metrics — volumes and gross profit per unit — will both improve during the second quarter. According to AutoNation’s first-quarter figures shared on Tuesday, the dealer group reported gains in retail volume but softening in gross. As a […] [Read More]

New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman reached settlements with 104 franchised and independent dealerships, according to an announcement released on Friday. Empire State officials said vehicles were sold to New Yorkers without disclosing that the units were under recall for “dangerous unrepaired safety issues” such as unintended acceleration, airbag problems, vehicle fires, steering and brake […] [Read More]

After articulating various points about what he’s so upbeat about the dealer group’s used-vehicle department current and future performance, Lithia Motor president and chief executive officer Bryan DeBoer staunchly defended how the company is fending off what the investment community is seeing as would-be challengers that operate solely online. During Lithia's latest conference call, when […] [Read More]

Fueled in part by its used-vehicle department performance, Lithia Motors reported the highest first quarter revenue and earnings per share in company history. To get to those achievements, Lithia said on Wednesday that its used-vehicle retail same store sales increased 6 percent as the dealer group turned a total of 30,783 units during Q1, representing […] [Read More]

On Wednesday, Carvana announced its expansion into St. Louis, the company’s first market in the state of Missouri. The online platform for buying used-cars now has a total of 24 markets overall and currently offers free delivery services to more than 3 million residents who live within the St. Louis local delivery area. “We’re so pleased […] [Read More]

Autotrader’s list of the top certified pre-owned deals available this April names luxury brands only; the car shopping site’s picks for the month suggests that it is an ideal time for those interested in a CPO luxury vehicle to shop. "Saving money is key for car shoppers and buying a CPO vehicle ensures you're not burdening yourself with […] [Read More]

Penske Automotive Group said Monday afternoon it has bought Schumacher European, LTD., a Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter store in Phoenix that is next to Penske’s existing 15-franchise Scottsdale 101 Auto Collection.  This purchase represents the retailer’s ninth Mercedes store in the U.S. and is projected to bring in about $250 million in annual revenues, the company said.  "Schumacher […] [Read More]

Car and Driver is now giving auto dealers the opportunity to place their inventory listings in front of an estimated 12 million-plus monthly online visitors through its website’s new inventory listings product that matches its online content and vehicle search capabilities with a dealer’s inventory. “This product marks the beginning of Car and Driver’s evolution […] [Read More]

Three fundamental reasons why auto dealerships find converting leads into buyers an obstacle are: inadequate explanation of the pricing and value proposition, lack of timely follow-up and not using leads' preferred follow-up communication methods, according to recent study results released by AutoLoop. "To increase lead conversion rates, the studies' results shine a spotlight on three […] [Read More]

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA), along with Cox Automotive, will host a free AutoTalk webinar on April 18 to discuss best practices for hiring and retaining dealership employees. The upcoming talk will feature Nicole Ashe, Cox Automotive’s vice president of talent, diversity, and culture. AIADA said Ashe would expound on the following list of topics. […] [Read More]