To generate some buzz for its new CarMax EasyShop program, the dealership group is turning to consumers in the Raleigh-Durham and Fayetteville areas of North Carolina for a grassroots video contest. CarMax EasyShop is a new aspect of www.carmax.com that lets consumers conduct more of the car-shopping online prior to visiting a store, ideally saving […] [Read More]

A person who has served as a catalyst for the growth of FordDirect — a joint venture between the automaker and its franchise dealers — has been elevated to be the company’s chief executive officer. On Monday, FordDirect revealed its new CEO is Stacey Coopes, who previously served as executive vice president of marketing and […] [Read More]

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association and GigglePop.com recently launched NIADA Mobile, an iPhone and Android-based wireless application to assist members with their mobile used-vehicle management needs while working on the lot at the auction or at industry events. NIADA Mobile is designed to provide association members with used-vehicle appraisal tools from Black Book, NADA […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book announced Monday that the company will be offering dealers and other service industry companies a free 30-day trial of its new valuation product, Quick Values. KBB’s new product is a solution which delivers new- and used-car values to banks, governmental agencies, auto dealers and insurance companies. Quick Values is a simple, faster, […] [Read More]

OPENLANE has rolled out a Canadian mobile site that will allow dealers to use their Apple iPhone/iPod touch and Google Android-based smartphones to tap into their accounts. And in celebration of the new site, there is a drawing for dealers to win an iPad 2. Dealers can visit the mobile site and log-in to enter […] [Read More]

In light of the news this week that AutoTrader.com will purchase VinSolutions, vAuto founder Dale Pollak — whose company was also purchased by AutoTrader recently — stressed a message of reassurance in his blog on Thursday, emphasizing that the goal of an acquisition like this is to ultimately help dealers. He said the industry must “understand that AutoTrader […] [Read More]

Officials from eBay Mobile launched a free eBay Motors iPhone app this week in hopes shoppers can bid on or buy anything from rare parts to the latest in-demand model virtually anytime, anywhere. The company went on to highlight the free eBay Motors iPhone app is meant to make shopping for vehicles or parts and […] [Read More]

AutoTec announced Thursday the release of a new quick-start guide that focuses on the importance of place-based social media and how to use it in the auction industry. The company’s management stressed that “it’s a great time for auctions to get on the social media bandwagon.” AutoTec, the developers of AuctionACCESS, recently released its Foursquare Quick-Start […] [Read More]

On Tuesday, General Motors broke ground for a new electric motor plant, which it said will be the first plant dedicated to making the critical components for vehicle electrification by a major U.S. automaker. The plant scheduled to open in 2013, is an addition to GM’s Baltimore Operations Complex, which houses the company’s two-mode hybrid […] [Read More]

ADESA and Toyota Financial Services unveiled their new online auction platform on Tuesday, giving Toyota and Lexus dealers a new version of Dealer Direct that includes a slew of new features and upgraded functionality. Dealer Direct lets Toyota and Lexus dealers buy off-lease units prior to them being sold at physical auctions. [Read More]