Asbury Automotive Group increased its used retail sales by 4 percent and pushed used-vehicle revenue up 5 percent during a period that saw that company achieve its best-ever quarterly earnings per share from continuing operations. Releasing its third-quarter results this morning, Asbury sold 14,585 used retail units during the period, compared to 14,053 used sales […] [Read More]

Reporting its third quarter results this morning, Sonic Automotive said it saw increases in sales, earnings and revenue. Highlighting its pre-owned results, Sonic’s used-vehicle retail unit sales were up 6.6 percent year-over-year. New-vehicle retail unit sales were up a significant 25.2 percent over the same quarter last year. Combined, total retail unit sales increased by […] [Read More]

Nissan is recalling just under 14,000 Altimas built this spring and summer to correct a potential issue with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts. According to a notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, there are potentially 13,919 units from the 2012 and 2013 model-years that could be affected. The recalled […] [Read More]

The used-car business had two of its best years ever in 2011 and 2010, with record sales of 15.6 million reported last year at franchised dealerships. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, 8.7 million were retail sales made at dealerships, and 57 percent of them came from trade-ins or from the ever-increasing inventory of […] [Read More]

In an effort to provide greater dealer support nationwide, Audi of America revealed late last week it will be creating a new Central Region, which will represent 22 percent of the company’s U.S. dealerships.  The fourth region in the country for the OEM will be based near Chicago and is set to open for business […] [Read More]

Asbury Automotive Group made a new appointment to its board of directors last week, adding executive vice president and chief operating officer Michael Kearney. With Kearney’s appointment, Asbury’s board of directors now consists of nine members. “I am pleased to welcome Michael as a member of our Board,” Asbury chairman Thomas DeLoach Jr. said. "Michael […] [Read More]

Under an agreement announced Thursday, Carfax Vehicle History Reports will be provided in the Ford and Lincoln certified pre-owned programs beginning Jan. 1. Ford will provide a free Carfax report with each CPO Ford or Lincoln model sold, officials said. “Carfax proved to be one of the key enhancements Ford wants for its certified programs,” […] [Read More]

HGrégoire has announced the opening of yet another franchise to serve the Lower Saint Lawrence area. HGrégoire Canada's Car Superstore of Rimouski — which opened Monday — has set up shop at 140, Montée Industrielle et Commerciale in Rimouski, the company said, and represents an investment of more than $2 million and the creation of […] [Read More]

Officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Ford is recalling certain model-year 2011–2013 Fiesta vehicles for an air-bag issue. NHTSA indicated the passenger side curtain air bag on 154,604 units will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air […] [Read More]

Joe Balbi, owner-operator of two Pennsylvania Thrifty Car Sales franchises, says the key to success is all about having the right team and knowing your customers. “It is our team, ownership and our franchise that makes us successful. Anybody can open a Joe's used-car lot, but with Thrifty Car Sales there is branding and accountability, […] [Read More]