IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book on Monday shared its Web traffic pattern analysis comparing consumer behavior displayed this past May with sentiment from May 2009. According to Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence, brands that have climbed the most in consumer interest for new vehicles include Hyundai, Ford, GMC, Kia and Subaru. Conversely, Toyota led the way […] [Read More]

MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz USA on Monday highlighted the four purposes of its new customer- and dealer-support facility in Jacksonville, Fla. Executives explained they plan to take occupancy in July with four business units operating from the location, including Sales Operations Southern Regional Office, Parts Distribution Center, Quality Evaluation Center, and Learning & Performance Center. The […] [Read More]

PRINCETON, N.J. — The NAFA Fleet Management Association and the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators will hold their respective annual conferences together next spring. Both the NAFA 2011 Institute & Expo and the NCSFA annual conference will be held from April 9 through April 12 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. NCSFA had […] [Read More]

DULUTH, Ga. — Asbury Automotive Group recently revealed the companies it chose to handle technology needs of 80 dealerships following an extensive IT strategic review. In order to deploy a common dealer management system, Asbury executives decided to go with Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing. Additionally, Asbury's management highlighted a partnership with DealerTrack Holdings. […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com predicts that rises in automaker incentive spending won't translate into month-over-month gains in new-vehicle sales for June. Site analysts computed the industry average incentive spending per unit will be approximately $2,870 in June. They indicated the sum represents a 1.1-percent increase from May and a 6.2-percent jump from this time last […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — J.D. Power and Associates doesn't believe an increase in fleet sales in June is strong enough to fully offset weaker-than-expected retail sales. As a result, firm analysts expect a decline in the total new-vehicle selling rate from May after gathering real-time transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees throughout the United […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford said Thursday that its franchise dealers will do much more than just hand the keys off to the new owners of a 2011 Fiestas. All kinds of new technology mediums are being utilized as a part of the Ford Retail Movement, a dealer campaign intended to help these new owners learn more about their vehicle […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — By and large, arbitrators are finding in favor of Chrysler instead of the dealers seeking reinstatement. Auto Remarketing reached out to the automaker for an update Wednesday and, according to a spokesperson, Chrysler has prevailed in a total of 41 cases, while 14 decisions have gone on behalf of arbitrating dealers. Mike Palese also indicated that […] [Read More]

ERLANGER, Ky. — Toyota revealed Wednesday that it has made several changes at its North American plants to give them more "local leadership." "These changes allow us to move faster and more efficiently in key decision-making," explained Tetsuo Agata, president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. "This is a natural progression for a global […] [Read More]

HOUSTON — Group 1 Automotive revealed Wednesday the company gained a franchise dealership located within the market of its headquarters while selling off another franchise operation in Florida. Executives announced they've been awarded a Mini franchise to complement BMW of Clear Lake, an existing dealership near Houston. They expect to begin selling Mini vehicles out of […] [Read More]