Karma Automotive, a Southern California-based “ultra-luxury” electric vehicle manufacturer, has acquired the technology assets and IP of software company Airbiquity, based in Seattle. Karma said it has also hired Airbiquity’s key technical employees and assumed its OEM contracts. The acquisition gives Karma access to Airbiquity’s connected vehicle systems, including over-the-air updates, software development tools, data […] [Read More]

While one-third of Americans say they have experienced issues such as deceptive selling, hidden fees or dishonest salespeople at car dealerships, more than three-fourths don’t trust dealerships to be honest about their prices, according to a survey released by KPA, a provider of compliance consulting and training for auto dealerships. The 2024 KPA Dealership Trust […] [Read More]

Automotive BDC software provider Volie has become the latest industry vendor to join FordDirect’s The Shop. The Shop, launched in January, is an e-commerce platform created by FordDirect — a joint venture between Ford and Lincoln dealers and Ford Motor Company — to offer dealers access to vetted vendors with pre-negotiated prices for products and […] [Read More]

Edmunds announced the winners of its 2024 Edmunds Five Star Dealer Awards, honoring 133 dealers nationwide for outstanding customer satisfaction ratings. The company said 11 of those dealers earned the Edmunds Five Star Premier Dealer designation. Five Star Dealer Awards were presented to dealers who actively participate in the Edmunds Dealer Partner program and earned […] [Read More]

When it comes to responding to customers online, Infiniti dealers are No. 1, according to Pied Piper’s latest research. The luxury brand topped Volkswagen, Cadillac, Subaru and Polestar in the 2024 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness Study, which measured responsiveness to customer Internet leads coming though dealership websites. Pied Piper submitted mystery-shopper customer inquiries […] [Read More]

The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association has partnered with inSearchX’s AskOtto.AI generative artificial intelligence platform for its 2024 Denver Auto Show, coming up April 4-7 at the Colorado Convention Center. The collaboration is designed to strengthen auto buyer engagement and accelerate auto purchases, providing personalized vehicle recommendations, proprietary car analyses and access to vehicle services such […] [Read More]

The vast majority of car buyers say the dealership experience affected their decision to buy and made them feel confident in their choice, according to a survey by experience agency ChangeUp. The company’s report, “Why the Dealership Experience Still Matters,” showed 84% of the more than 1,200 recent car purchasers surveyed agreed that their dealership […] [Read More]

Electric vehicle manufacturer Fisker continues building its new dealer network with the addition of two dealer partners set to open three locations in the U.S. The new dealers are Bul Auto Sales, which plans to open Fisker Albany (N.Y.) and Fisker Jacksonville (Fla.), and Karma Indy, which will open Fisker Indianapolis. The company has now […] [Read More]

Used-car retailing giant CarMax has ramped up its efforts to promote women’s sports, teaming with reigning National Women’s Soccer League champion Gotham FC as the club’s marquee partner and official automotive retailer. The new multi-year agreement includes the CarMax logo on the front of the team’s jerseys. “CarMax is proud to build on our partnership […] [Read More]

Lithia & Driveway added one more state to its ever-expanding footprint with the acquisition of Minnesota-based Carousel Motor Group. The purchase includes Carousel’s nine dealerships in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, including one just across the state line in Hudson, Wisc. — Hudson Ford, one of the state’s largest operations. The group of mostly luxury brand […] [Read More]