Sonic Automotive announced late last week an upcoming expansion in its network of stores. The retailer has entered a deal to purchase two franchises from Denver-based Murray Motor Imports Co. With the eventual purchase of Murray BMW of Denver and Mercedes-Benz of Denver, Sonic will have four stores in the Denver market. It already owns […] [Read More]

In an effort to cut down on U.S. veteran unemployment rates, Audi announced late last week it is beginning its “Veterans to Technicians Program.” The company contends this program immediate needs for both U.S. veterans and Audi retailers “who expect higher demand for service technicians, shop foremen and service consultants as the brand continues its […] [Read More]

Hendrick Automotive Group saw an opportunity for change. As president and chief executive officer Ed Brown put it, the retailer was wholesaling “too many” of its used cars. There were potential bottom-line benefits for the dealer group if it were to take units that it would ordinarily wholesale and sell them retail instead. Thus, as […] [Read More]

Avis Budget Group’s Ultimate Test Drive — the company’s car sales initiative — is now accepting trade-in vehicles.   Avis Budget has collaborated with AutoNation for Ultimate Test Drive, which “offers consumers a no-haggle, no-hassle process and features a wide selection of late-model Avis and Budget rental vehicles for purchase at competitive prices.” [Read More]

As relief efforts for victim’s of the tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma earlier this week ramp up, companies in the auto space continue to lend a hand. Among those joining the fight and helping out were Cox Enterprises (parent company to Manheim), Ford, Mazda and Toyota. For example, Cox, in partnership with The James M. […] [Read More]

When searching for a new ride, which models are catching the eyes of Canadian consumers? This past April, the most popular passenger car in Canada was the Hyundai Elantra, which notched 5,535 sales, DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. reported. This marks a 3-percent year-over-year improvement for the No. 1 passenger car in the country. Coming in […] [Read More]

As summer travel season gets under way, including the family road trip, dealers may want to push affordable SUVs — and new SUV rankings by Kelley Blue Book could help that sales initiative. KBB.com released its inaugural listing of experts’ recommendations this week, as the 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000 in 2013. Coming in on […] [Read More]

For the second year in a row, Ford Motor Co. has announced it will increase capacity to meet strong demand for its products on dealership lots. The increase will come in the form of an additional 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year, along with production of an extra 40,000 units by idling select […] [Read More]

Earlier this week, the nation was shocked by the destruction that tornadoes wreaked upon Oklahoma. And the automotive industry is wasting no time in comnig to the aid of victims of the storms. The GM Foundation is pledging $50,000, and Chevrolet is donating a 2013 Chevy Silverado to nonprofit Forgotten Harvest to assist with the […] [Read More]

Southeast Toyota Distributors announced seven senior-level promotions on Tuesday, all of which become effective June 1.  The appointments are as follows: — Hank Grooms takes on the new role of vice president, marketing and field operations. Prior to this position, Grooms was vice president of marketing. — Michael Brennan will be promoted to vice president, […] [Read More]