Along with announcing a new date for its annual convention, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association revealed the next opportunity to attend the Certified Master Dealer Class. The class featuring Joe Lescota, automotive department chair for Northwood University, will be Oct. 20–22. NIADA highlighted that participants can learn how to sharpen management skills, analyze financials […] [Read More]

Volkswagen has recalled more than 168,000 VW Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf  and Audi A3 models to fix a condition that could potentially lead to fuel-line cracks and fuel subsequently leaking out of the vehicles. The Jetta and Jetta SportWagen models being recalled were built from May 2008 through September of this year, while VW built […] [Read More]

For dealers looking for advice on how to close 2011 strong, Auto Remarketing is again bringing together three of the used-vehicle industry’s top dealer trainers for a free Webinar. Experts from Carfax, DealerTrack and OPENLANE are set to be a part of the next Auto Remarketing Training Series Webinar beginning at 2 p.m. EST on […] [Read More]

Cherokee Automotive Group recently announced that the agendas for its Used Car Week Conferences — the CPO Forum, Re3 Conference and the National Remarketing Conference — have been largely finalized, and they include an outstanding lineup of top dealers who have agreed to share their knowledge and best practices during a variety of sessions during […] [Read More]

With multiple family members who are survivors or involved in treatment, Smail Auto Group is making clear its support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The group used more than 5,000 square feet of pink vinyl to cover a section of each of the group’s eight franchised rooftops. It is part of the “Smail Auto […] [Read More]

Mercedes-Benz USA revealed Tuesday that it has set down roots in the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome — formerly the Louisiana Superdome — and is now the vehicle of choice among the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. The 10-year agreement provides the OEM with official naming rights to the stadium set to host the 2013 Super Bowl […] [Read More]

AutoNation enjoyed a 3-percent year-over-year hike in its retail new-vehicle sales during September, and leading the increase for the dealer group were domestic sales, which improved double digits. Overall, AutoNation sold 18,670 new cars last month, up 3 percent from September 2010. The retailer has seen a year-to-date increase of 6 percent through the first […] [Read More]

The Office of Defects Investigation within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is ramping up its efforts to examine the Saturn Ion after complaints continue to pour in about the discontinued model. Federal officials explained the complaints are connected with faults in the electric power steering system. These faults may cause the system to suddenly […] [Read More]

NCM Associates recently developed a mystery shopping program to help its clients objectively assess and measure customer experience and implement a road map for improvement.  NCM chose Reality Based Group, a leader in the customer experience measurement and management space, as its mystery shopping provider partner. Officials stressed the strategic alliance was formed to provide […] [Read More]

Auto Remarketing learned Friday that Mazda North American Operations has a new manager of certified pre-owned and remarketing to replace Eric Watson, who moved on to become group manager of retail marketing and incentives early last month. The new CPO and remarketing head at Mazda is Roger Basa, who spoke with Auto Remarketing on Friday […] [Read More]