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]

More than 200,000 Hyundai crossovers and sedans are being recalled, according to announcements from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The separate recalls are both associated with the models’ air-bag systems. Federal officials indicated Hyundai is recalling the Santa Fe from the 2007 through 2009 model years for a total 199,118 units. These vehicles manufactured […] [Read More]

The amount of profit that a franchised dealer pulled out of his or her used-vehicle department in 2011 was the highest it had been in four years. That’s according to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association, which indicates that the average used-car department net profit at franchised dealerships last year was $110,618. The last […] [Read More]

What first began as an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration turned into a recall last week for the Ford Escape from the 2001 through 2004 models years. Officials said the Blue Oval is recalling 423,634 Escapes equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. These units manufactured from Oct. 22, 1999 through […] [Read More]

Contained within a wide-ranging discussion, Group 1 Automotive highlighted how a 27.9-percent jump in the number of used vehicles retailed made up for a 12.1-percent dip in the gross profit per used model sold during the second quarter, a span that included a new company record for adjusted net income. Executives indicated during a conference […] [Read More]