July’s certified pre-owned sales narrowly edged up from year-ago figures, but the daily selling rate was the strongest of all time (for July or any month), according to Autodata Corp. There were 151,055 CPO sales in July, compared to 150,831 certified units moved in July 2011, Autodata noted. The best-ever daily selling rate of 6,294 […] [Read More]

As a slow job growth rate, failing consumer confidence and a stalling economic recovery perhaps contributed to weaker-than-expected July auto sales, one group of OEMs bucked the trend. The America International Automobile Dealers Alliance reported that international brands “managed to gain ground during the month.” In fact, import brand sales grew by 18.9 percent in […] [Read More]

More than three quarters of a million units are associated with the newest recall by Toyota Motor Sales USA, a campaign mostly for the automaker’s compact SUV, the RAV4. Officials said this week they will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving 2006 to early 2011 model-year RAV4 and 2010 model-year Lexus HS 250h vehicles sold […] [Read More]

Used-car consumer data took a big step this week as U.S. News & World Report announced the expansion of its Best Cars rankings to include some 600 used cars, SUVs and minivans from the 2009–2011 model years. Top-ranked vehicles in the study include the 2010 Nissan Versa as best used small car under $12,000; the […] [Read More]

The summer continues to be a hot one for several automakers in Canada. Following about 3-percent year-over-year growth in June, Canadian new-vehicle sales last month improved 4.7 percent, according to data provided by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. Specifically, automakers moved 148,184 new vehicles in July, with year-to-date sales coming in at 1.01 million units for a […] [Read More]

July used-vehicle sales data from CNW Research showed why it can be challenging for  an independent dealer nowadays. Not only are franchised stores holding on to as many trade-ins as they possibly can retail, CNW president Art Spinella explained why independent lots also are being pinched by private-party sales. Overall, last month’s used-sales volume moved […] [Read More]

Thanks to a partnership announced Wednesday between Motor Trend Certified and Carfax, all vehicles in the national certification program must now come with a Carfax Vehicle History Report and quality for the Carfax Buyback Guarantee. These, of course, are on top of the requirements under the Motor Trend Certified national guidelines. “Combining Motor Trend Certified […] [Read More]

In releasing its second-quarter results, Penske Automotive Group revealed record-breaking revenue growth, as well as double-digit rises in new and used retail sales. And some of these trends may be a direct result of improved inventory levels, which also spiked since the beginning of 2012. For the second quarter of this year, revenue increased 19.2 […] [Read More]

In looking back at the first half of this year, as well as the second quarter, specifically, Penske Automotive Group had double-digit revenue rises to report, along with significant growth in both new and used sales. For the second quarter of this year, revenue increased 19.2 percent to $3.4 billion, and for the first half […] [Read More]

This week, a couple of dealer groups announced new ways they are working to give back to the their communities. First up, Atlanta-based Jim Ellis Automotive said it will be sponsoring the 2012 Jim Ellis Charity Golf Tournament on August 26, at the Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Ga. The event will benefit various […] [Read More]