One segment of the pre-owned market that rose to unprecedented levels in 2013 was certified pre-owned. With CPO sales representing about 19 percent of all franchised dealers used-vehicle sales as reported in December, according to Edmunds.com, it seems the certified vehicle is becoming a more integral part of a dealership’s used-car department. What’s more, the […] [Read More]

CarMark Certified, which changed to a new administrator earlier this month, announced recently that it is revamping its certified warranty program, adding new features and benefits that will make the program more appealing to dealers and consumers alike.  This new program is to be announced by the end of 2014’s first quarter, said Bill Zadeits […] [Read More]

Holman Automotive and fleet services provider ARI raised almost 30,000 this fall through a variety of charitable efforts. Officials explained the two partnered to raise $29,000 through October, November and December of last year. These initiatives included a variety of charity walks, participation in the global “Movember” movement and donations to the Food Bank of […] [Read More]

Toyota sold more than 370,000 certified pre-owned vehicles in 2013. One sale in particular, however, was fairly momentous for the automaker — and for the lucky customer. In December, Jose Ortiz of Ypsilanti, Mich., bought a certified 2010 Toyota Matrix from Dunning Toyota in nearby Ann Arbor.   This marked the 4 millionth CPO vehicle […] [Read More]

Volvo Cars of North America has a new president and chief executive officer. In a move that was effective immediately, Volvo Car Group announced Monday that its new North American chief is Tony Nicolosi, who was most recently president and CEO of Volvo Car Financial Services. Nicolosi will keep his position as president and CEO […] [Read More]

Women’s Automotive Association International has named its 2014 Spirit Leadership honorees. Among the four honorees is Christina Schrank. Shrank is also the president of National Auto Care (NAC) — the administrator of the CarMark Certified program. NAC has been providing vehicle service agreement programs to the industry since 1984. The WAAI award recognizes outstanding professional […] [Read More]

If I were still a dealer, here’s how I would address the “race to the bottom” that every dealer complains about these days. First, I’d recognize the “race” as an inevitable outcome of two converging forces: the vehicle buyer’s desire to get the best deal, using every technique and technology to know the market for […] [Read More]

AutoSoft dealer clients now have a new option for automated marketing programs. SimplyCast announced Wednesday a new partnership with AutoSoft Dealer Management System. Through the new partnership, SimplyCast will offer its marketing automation solution to AutoSoft’s dealer customers. And SimplyCast will be a part of the newly launched AutoSoft Connect Data Services program, which is […] [Read More]

Parago, provider of incentives and consumer engagement tools, shared study results this week that show dealers might be bypassing some incentives “consumers really want.” According to the results, consumers may be more interested in leaving with cash in hand than a lower price tag. The study revealed that of the 1,300 shoppers — who were […] [Read More]

For the third time, a former racing duo has teamed up to open an auto dealership in Tennessee. Late last week, Hendrick Automotive Group officials announced that the company will manage the new Darrell Waltrip Buick GMC in Franklin, Tenn., the third dealership the duo has opened in this Nashville suburb. Joining Chairman Rick Hendrick […] [Read More]