The CarMark Certified Pre-Owned program, the industry’s most comprehensive independent pre-owned vehicle certification program, is pleased to announce that three new dealers — in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin — have joined its ranks and are gearing up to offer CarMark Certified pre-owned vehicles to their customers. [Read More]

Extended warranties have become an increasingly integral part of the auto business, as they not only serve to protect car owners and foster greater buyer confidence, they can add another selling point for dealers and bring more value to a vehicle. But — like with any business — there can be bad apples that abuse […] [Read More]

Fuji Heavy Industries — maker of Subaru vehicles — recently outlined an aggressive five-year management plan in hopes of ratcheting up North American sales to 380,000 units annually. Should the automaker hit that target in North America, officials contend that mark will ensure further growth by achieving an annual sales volume of 1 million vehicles […] [Read More]

Canada’s new-vehicle sales in June climbed more than 6 percent year-over-year, and while automakers continue to struggle in the midst of production challenges, several companies posted record sales for the month. Overall, there were 164,796 new units sold in Canada, up 6.6 percent from June 2010, according to the Market Snapshot provided by DesRosiers Automotive […] [Read More]

As the automaker continues to search for ways to secure more medium to long-term funding, on Thursday Saab celebrated the approval of a few recent agreements and announced it plans to restart production in early August. Just yesterday, the automaker gained final approval from the Swedish Government, the Swedish National Debt Office and the European […] [Read More]

Infiniti released new television spots Thursday reinforcing what the company believes: the brand is the opposite of “the status quo.” Officials highlighted the series of ads — the first of which includes a 60-second “brand anthem” — are geared to emphasize Infiniti’s designs, engines and technologies.  Infiniti contends it’s also “challenging the status quo” by […] [Read More]

The Pre-Owned Automobile Dealers Alliance recently released a white paper that describes the pros and cons of various non-manufacturer certification programs and helps guide dealers in choosing a certification program for their non-brand, or other makes and models, vehicles. The white paper, “Certified Profit Potential: Increase Your Profits with an OMM Certification Program,” can be […] [Read More]

The production fallout from the Japanese earthquake kept import automakers’ June new-vehicle sales static on a year-over-year basis, but these brands were able to improve double digits from May, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association. What’s more, AIADA suggested that typical levels for production and sales for import brands should soon be upon […] [Read More]

General Motors is rolling out a special offer on 2010, 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicles for consumers in Oregon and Washington. The automaker is now offering insurance for a year included in the delivery of the vehicle. Purchases made from July 5 to Sept. 6 will receive a one-year insurance policy […] [Read More]

NCM Associates recently described how much the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships has significantly improved used-vehicle sales after employing strategies learned in an NCM Institute training program. In fact, one dealership in the group — McCafferty Ford and Kia — more than doubled pre-owned sales after implementing new processes as a result of the NCM […] [Read More]