Retail

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford's string of quarterly financial improvements continued late last week, as the automaker reported that it beat income and revenue performance expectations again, reaching levels not seen in more than five years. Ford revealed that its second-quarter net income totaled $2.6 billion, or 61 cents per share. The company calculated the figure to be a $338 million […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — Rumors are apparently starting to circulate that General Motors could file its registration for an initial public offering as soon as the week of Aug. 16, which, perhaps not surprisingly, will be soon after the automaker reveals second-quarter results. A filing with the SEC would be the first move toward an IPO, and […] [Read More]

PITTSBURGH — When it comes to the meeting the needs of female shoppers, the auto brand whose dealers women rate as being the best overall is Mercedes-Benz, according to a semi-annual report from Women-Drivers.com. The website gathers data for its Women Satisfaction Index based on thousands of audited consumer reviews based on experiences at specific dealerships in the […] [Read More]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Pushed up heavily by substantial improvement in both the used and new sides of its business, AutoNation posted a sizable gain in second-quarter income, the company said Thursday. Specifically, AutoNation tallied net income of $47.2 million, up 28.6 percent year-over-year. The company's adjusted net income from continuing operations was $62 million, compared […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — A slew of influences appear to be pushing July's new-vehicle retail sales ahead of rather sluggish numbers from May and June, but it would be a bit premature to celebrate, according to J.D. Power and Associates. The company has moderately lowered its full-year guidance for both retail and total new-vehicle sales and one official said […] [Read More]

TURIN, Italy — Fiat's plans to demerger its capital goods businesses that were announced in April were approved by the Italian company's board of directors Wednesday. It was also revealed that Fiat Group posted euro 113 million in net profits during the second quarter, compared with a net loss of euro 179 million in the same period a […] [Read More]

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Hyundai Motor America on Wednesday rolled out the first of a three-phase program aimed at helping customers plan and schedule vehicle servicing at franchise dealerships. Beyond making it easier for the consumer, automaker officials believe the dealer benefits of the Hyundai Online Service Scheduling Program include improved scheduling and resource utilization, resulting […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota officials applauded a decision by the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California that's involving their multidistrict litigation stemming from vehicle recalls and safety concerns. The automaker agreed with the court's choice to approve a joint Phase I discovery plan it previously submitted. "We are pleased that the court has […] [Read More]

McKINNEY, Texas — The owner of two franchise dealerships in McKinney, which is north of Dallas, is out to prove he can take the heat — literally. Beginning Monday, Chris Godwin, who owns Nissan of McKinney and recently acquired McKinney Buick GMC, will spend six days on the roof of his Nissan dealership. The campaign is meant […] [Read More]

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. —  The Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing has rolled out a new program designed to help dealers make the best decisions when it comes to hiring employees. ADP'S Hiring Services is an online tool that allows for: —Ordering and managing candidate background, which includes candidate assessment tools such as job fit assessment […] [Read More]