Toyota Motor Corp. is apparently warning U.S. dealers that inventories could come up short this summer due to production interruptions in North America and Japan. In a memo to dealers, Bob Carter, Toyota’s general manager, said the automaker is seeing significant production interruptions and has yet to create a May production schedule, according to a […] [Read More]

In an effort to reach the Hispanic community better, Consumer Reports is offering its annual auto issue — the most popular issue of the magazine — in Spanish for the first time. Officials highlighted the issue contains information on the 2011 Top Picks, Automaker Report Cards, Best New Car Values, Used Car Reliability and more […] [Read More]

There is a new operations manager for Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, Auto Remarketing learned recently. Appointed to the position is Sal Berardesco, whose prior role was as marketing planning manager. Berardesco replaces Jason Cropper, who was appointed Lexus dealer advertising manager. In the new role, Berardesco reports to Tom DeLuise, national TCUV/TRAC sales and operations manager. “While […] [Read More]

Exactly one month after the first earthquake and subsequent tsunami rocked Japan, today marks an important day at several manufacturing plants for Toyota and Nissan. It’s when several sites are expected to come back into service in at least partial capacity. According to the latest update from Toyota Motor Corp., the company is going forward […] [Read More]

The cancellation of a popular CBS sitcom paved the way for the National Automobile Dealers Association to push an important safety message. NADA officials explained that for the first time pedestrians walking past the CBS Jumbotron “Super Screen” in Times Square will see child passenger safety messages from the association. The association recounted that a […] [Read More]

A former General Motors executive who orchestrated campaigns for Saturn and Cadillac is coming on board with Hyundai Motor America as its vice president of marketing. The automaker announced Thursday that Steve Shannon will be responsible for all marketing activities in the United States and report to president and chief executive officer John Krafcik. “We’re […] [Read More]

In perhaps another example of how interwoven the supplier industry is, Chrysler confirmed Wednesday that it is trimming overtime production from several of its plants.   Management said it is making this move as a cautionary measure as the Japan quake continues to have a ripple effect on the supply chain.   [Read More]

The Insurance Information Institute reports that more than 25 percent of all businesses close down following a natural disaster and never open their doors again. The American International Automobile Dealers Association wants to know if your dealership is prepared. “A disaster recovery plan can make all the difference between the loss of your business and […] [Read More]

Chrysler has a new head of its certified pre-owned operations, the automaker revealed to Auto Remarketing this week. Taking over for Lisa Way — who has become the automaker’s senior manager of revenue management — is Eric Swanson. According to the latest statistics from Autodata Corp., Chrysler saw its CPO sales climb 9.8 percent on a […] [Read More]

The fleet group at Mercedes-Benz USA has a new national account manager for the South and Mid-Atlantic, the company told Auto Remarketing this week. Joining the automaker is Tedd Meurer, whose area will include Washington, D.C.; Virginia; West Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Georgia and Florida. As national account manager, his duties include heading up […] [Read More]