Group 1 Automotive president and chief executive officer Earl Hesterberg described a predicament franchised dealerships might be facing as more new trucks and SUVs leave their showrooms. Part of the fallout from those popular new models turning is what’s coming back as a trade — perhaps a sedan that’s not as popular as those trucks […] [Read More]

The nation’s franchised dealership network continued what has been a “new normal pattern of stability” following the auto downturn at the end of the 2000s. Urban Science released its 2015 year-end Automotive Franchise Activity Report on Monday, finding that the 18,087 franchised dealership rooftops at the end of the year beat prior-year figures by 0.7 percent. There were […] [Read More]

If you’re embracing technology as a dealer, you’re likely already swimming in a sea of acronyms. You’ve got your CRM. Your DMS. You’ve got things covered from SEO all the way to F&I. But perhaps a lesser known acronym, VRM, or vehicle relationship management, seems to have a bit more vague definition depending on whom […] [Read More]

Gas prices are low, and shoppers in 2015 turned more and more to SUVs and trucks for their next vehicle purchases. Consequently, the electric-vehicle market hasn’t made the headway in terms of market share that many were expecting. That said, the tides could be turning — and let’s face it, gas prices will most likely […] [Read More]

Penske Automotive Group released its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results on Thursday, claiming 2015 as the most profitable year in company history. This was powered, in part, by an 8.98-percent year-over-year increase in total global used-vehicle sales, which reached 198,459 units. This contributed to the group’s increase in total automotive retail units of 11.9 percent compared to 2014. Excluding foreign […] [Read More]

The good news for Group 1 Automotive’s used-vehicle department: The dealer group turned 12.1 percent more used models in 2015 than its stores did a year earlier. The not-so-good news for Group 1's used performance: Margins on those retail sales softened by 6.3 percent year-over-year. Company officials shared their fourth-quarter and full-year financial report on […] [Read More]

DealerRater highlighted the winners of its annual Dealer of the Year Award program on Wednesday. The dealer review website recognized recipients for distinction in outstanding customer service based upon consumer reviews of dealership experiences shared on DealerRater.com and DealerRater.ca. The highest scoring dealership in the United States was Galpin Honda in Mission Hills, Calif., earning […] [Read More]

Daimler AG and Volkswagen of America have announced this week the separate recalls of several models under their respective umbrellas related to potential issues with Takata airbag inflators. Separate from the airbag issues, General Motors has announced the recall of over 420,000 pickups and SUVs in the U.S. due to a potential issue with their […] [Read More]

Although the automaker recently announced it was transitioning Scion to the Toyota brand and winding down production for its nameplate aimed at a younger demographic — in part because of underperformance — according to data analyzed by Swapalease.com, Scion vehicles have showed a better performance than some Toyota cars. At least in the lease-takeover space. […] [Read More]

Most of the off-lease volume that makes its way to Asbury Automotive Group stores this year will end up as certified pre-owned vehicle inventory. “They’ll come mainly over a six-month period, and we look at that as an opportunity for us,” Asbury chief operating officer David Hult said during the retailer’s earnings conference call last week. […] [Read More]