Continuing Auto Remarketing’s coverage of Q1 results from used-car dealer groups across the country, Penske Automotive revealed Monday a series of record results. During the first quarter of 2013, the company experienced the highest income and earnings per share in company history, officials reported. For Q1, income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders increased […] [Read More]

A pair of Japanese automakers announced separate recalls recently — campaigns that cover more than 160,000 units. The larger of the two recalls was issued by Nissan North America, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The OEM is recalling 123,308 Altima sedans from the 2013 model year. These vehicles were manufactured between March […] [Read More]

Following CNW Research’s predictions last week that April would finish up with 3.85 million used vehicles sold for the month, two other firms have released their respective forecasts, both of which are targeting a lower sum than CNW. At TrueCar.com, analysts are calling for 2.94 million used sales for April, with a new-to-used ratio of […] [Read More]

As the retailer continues to move forward with Phase II of its 121 Program, Asbury Automotive Group said it’s quite clear the program has helped lift the company’s used-car operations. Just look at the dealer group’s used-to-new sales ratio today in comparison to where it stood five or six years ago. The program’s imprint certainly […] [Read More]

Lithia Motors is loving the results its used-vehicle division is generating — production such as used-model retail same store sales increasing by 22 percent during the first quarter. But top executives are quick to point to the managers and personnel doing the day-in, day-out work to make each part of Lithia’s used department move on […] [Read More]

The NCM Institute at NCM Associates has added several new training classes to its auto retail management training portfolio. Included are six classes in disciplines new to the Institute. These areas cover: —Express Service Management Levels I & II —Parts and Accessories Management Levels I & II —Collision Center Management —Sales and Management Compensation [Read More]

Sonic Automotive president Scott Smith pointed out the company has posted 14 consecutive quarters of revenue growth without adding any dealerships to its network. Could Sonic be ready to add some stores in hopes of boosting the bottom line even more? Smith reiterated Sonic’s position Tuesday when the company reported its first-quarter performance and conducted […] [Read More]

Based on market indications thus far in April, it appears the springtime “shift toward private-party sales” in the used-car business has begun to accelerate. In fact, CNW Research said in its Retail Automotive Summary released Tuesday that casual sales will drive the bulk of the expected growth in used-car sales this month (which, by the […] [Read More]

Along with sharing an update on the possibility of a Tesla dealership in Virginia, the National Automobile Dealers Association cheered the recent decision by the Federal Trade Commission regarding labels for new alternative-fueled vehicles. NADA officials highlighted that effective May 31, the FTC will no longer require a special label for new alternative-fueled vehicles (AFVs). […] [Read More]

In the first installment of our “How to sell to Gen X and Y” series, we examined the dramatic shift from cars to tech as the hot interest among young people — and the resulting decline in younger drivers and car shoppers. As we mentioned last time, effectively selling to these younger, automotive-apathetic consumers requires […] [Read More]