BMW of North America informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the automaker is recalling 76,565 vehicles to correct a seat issue that might make the airbag malfunction. Included in the campaign are: —2006: 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons —2007: 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons […] [Read More]

Along with updating store principals about important tax benefits that expire at the end of the year, the National Automobile Dealers Association named a new chief economist on Tuesday. Taking on the role is Steven Szakaly, who arrives with more than 10 years of forecasting and industry analysis experience to NADA. Previously, Szakaly led economic […] [Read More]

CNW Research is predicting that both franchised and independent dealers will finish the year with used-vehicle sales on the upswing. Analysts pegged the prospects to be especially good for franchised dealers, which CNW said are set to sell more than 1.24 million used vehicles this month. Should those stores hit that target, it would mark […] [Read More]

As he often does during his series, “Think Tank Tuesday,” the chief operating officer and founder of Potratz Partners Advertising started the video off with a few questions for viewers: “Do you have a dealer in your market that’s spending a whole lot of money? Don’t know how to compete?” he asked. This week’s video […] [Read More]

In an effort to better connect dealers with car lease shoppers, a new online marketplace was launched this week. The creator of www.WantALease.com — Cincinnati-based Joseph Automotive Group, which also founded Swapalease.com — contend that although dealers already offer lease deals on a variety of platforms, the site helps them to sell locally as well […] [Read More]

“Good things come to those who wait,” Edmunds.com chief economist Lacy Plache wrote in a blog post last week. And it seems the automotive industry has waited long enough. In highlighting industry expectations for 2014, Plache touched on a plethora of positive points, including expected boosts in new sales, lease returns and more selection for […] [Read More]

Two import automakers are conducting a total of three recall campaigns covering a little more than 80,000 vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two recalls are from Volkswagen Group of America. The German OEM is recalling 62,155 units, the Tiguan from the 2009 through 2011 model years and manufactured in July 2007 […] [Read More]

NCM Associates announced late last week the company’s newest executive conference moderators for its 20 Groups division.  Named to the roles are Michael Antzas and Lycia Jedlicki, both former car dealership operators before making the decision to serve their former retail dealership peers via NCM’s dealer-to-dealer Benchmark for Success 20 Groups program.  Jedlicki comes to […] [Read More]

The National Automobile Dealers Association highlighted that the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee this week approved by voice vote a bipartisan bill, H.R. 724, which the association said would eliminate some red tape required by the Environmental Protection Agency when buying a new vehicle. NADA officials explained the bill would repeal a 1977 mandate, […] [Read More]

Online marketplace MaxTradeIn revealed this week it has expanded its range adding locations in Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee. The website, which allows car owners to trade in or sell their used vehicles by selecting local dealers to compete for their business, also reached a milestone, surpassing $155 million in offers. These offers came from nearly […] [Read More]