A holiday fundraiser by Chrysler and the Metro Detroit Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Ram Truck Superstores means a test drive can generate more than just a potential sale. For each test drive between now and Dec. 13, the automaker, dealers and the Detroit Red Wings will donate $10 to Forgotten Harvest. Each test drive has to be logged […] [Read More]

Customers staying for hours in a waiting room fashioned with a couple of chairs and an old television might not cut it in today’s world of luxurious franchise showrooms, which is why Buick and GMC dealers are putting so much effort and resources into a wide array of vehicle-owner services. General Motors believes that if […] [Read More]

The Honda Element will soon meet its end, with the 2011 edition being its swan song. American Motor Honda Co. said Friday that production of the “boxy, bold” crossover will cease after the 2011 model year. “The Element proved that ultimate functionality can often come from thinking inside the box,” stated John Mendel, executive vice president […] [Read More]

New-vehicle sales showed some vibrancy in November, and the coming months are likely to be robust, as well, the National Automobile Dealers Association’s chief economist Paul Taylor said Thursday. The state of the used-vehicle market is one of the factors helping the new-car sales strength, he added. [Read More]

As 2010 draws to a close, apparently questions have arisen about what Fiat needs to accomplish to increase its stake in Chrysler.   Fiat already holds a 20-percent stake in Chrysler under the Chrysler-Fiat Industrial Alliance established as part of the process of Chrysler coming out of bankruptcy. According to the alliance agreements, Fiat can gain an additional 15 […] [Read More]

AutoNation enjoyed double-digit growth in retail new-vehicle sales during November, showing increases across all three of its operating segments. Specifically, the dealer group posted retail new-vehicle sales of 15,511 units. This was up 16 percent year-over-year. [Read More]

Chrysler rolled out a new package of incentives for several 2010 and 2011 models that are valid through Jan. 3. Consumers purchasing the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country or the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans are eligible for zero percent financing for 72 months or up to $2,000 in Owner Loyalty cash. The automaker pointed out […] [Read More]

Dealers are enjoying more robust results throughout much of the country, according to the latest Beige Book report from the Federal Reserve. The Fed reported that nine of the 12 districts showed improvement in auto sales. Moreover, three of those districts (Philadelphia, St. Louis and Kansas City) are projected to see this growth remain for […] [Read More]

The federal judge in Santa Ana, Calif., who is presiding over the class action lawsuits against Toyota has made a final decision regarding the automaker’s call to have the case involving claims of vehicle-value erosion due to unintended acceleration dismissed. [Read More]

The Detroit Auto Dealers Association revealed its new slate of officers for 2010-2011. DADA executive vice president Rod Alberts announced the newly elected officers are: —James Seavitt, president. —Robert Shuman, vice president. —Scott LaRiche, treasurer-secretary. The election came during organization’s annual member meeting this week. President James Seavitt Seavitt currently is president of Village Ford […] [Read More]