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Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, 03:52 PM
AutoNation earnings highlight uncertainty, used-vehicle optimism
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Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, 03:59 PM
Premium Articles
Dealers likely to obtain off-lease EVs more easily in second half
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
With the second half of the year underway, one of the used-car metrics that CarGurus is watching is the expected surge in off-lease volumes of electric vehicles. And it could be a double-edged sword. “A wave of off-lease EVs is heading into a market where demand is rising, which could be a welcome supply boost,” […] [Read More]
In this used-car environment, ‘margin management’ more critical than boosting sales
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
The fact that public auto retailers saw their gross profit per used vehicle retailed dip only about 1% in the first quarter — while used-car profit margins inched downward — isn’t “alarming.” However, Haig Partners says in a report, the used-car market is leveling off a bit. “Dealers who expanded used-vehicle operations during the post-pandemic […] [Read More]
Now united, Cox Automotive & Fullpath look for ‘friction points’ in car-shopping to help dealers solve
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
Last week, Cox Automotive closed its acquisition of customer data platform and marketing automation company Fullpath. It’s a move that Cox Automotive president Steve Rowley has said, “supercharges our data and AI advantages and brings our dealers the most advanced technology inside of our industry-leading connected retail platform.” So, what next? There’s a roadmap, says […] [Read More]
Marketing for car dealerships in the age of AI
Kenya McCullum, Correspondent
There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way companies do business — and the automotive industry is no exception. In fact, most dealers have already embraced AI models and incorporated them into their daily operations. From analyzing data to streamlining processes, leaders are thinking about the ways AI can help their businesses. But […] [Read More]
Amid out-of-reach new vehicles, flood of consumer interest drives up used-car prices
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
It’s a bit of Catch-22. With new cars out of reach for many, car shoppers are turning to the used-car market to find affordable options. But that rush of interest is driving up prices in pre-owned, too. Retail prices of used vehicles this month increased an average of more than $870 from April, according to […] [Read More]
AutoCanada focused on building used-car margins over immediate results in soft market
Andrew Friedlander, Associate Editor
The current state of auto retail in Canada is … not great. For AutoCanada, still navigating the final stages of a two-year-long transformation journey out of rough financial seas, that means the first quarter of 2026 was anything but smooth sailing. “The Canadian automotive market remains soft,” CEO Sam Cochrane said. “Industry demand for new […] [Read More]
Not just high gas prices: ‘Supply story’ helps drive surging used EV & hybrid market
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
The used electric and hybrid vehicle market was already set to benefit from a boost in supply. Now, the recent surge in fuel costs has led to greater demand, higher prices and quicker turn times for these vehicles. And significant increases in sales. Citing the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Cars Commerce said in its April […] [Read More]
Commercial & dealer sales soar at OPENLANE in Q1
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
Along with the company reporting double-digit-percentage gains in overall revenue, net income and adjusted EBITDA, OPENLANE’s marketplace unit sold 19% more vehicles in the first quarter than it did a year ago, with both dealer and consignor sales thriving. OPENLANE is already seeing a lift from increased lease returns, a trend it expects to continue […] [Read More]
Dealer group C-suite executives examine role of AI at auto retailers
Joe Overby, Senior Editor
Artificial intelligence in auto retail, says Zeigler Auto Group chief operating officer Sam D’Arc, is in a similar place as digital retail was 4-5 years ago. There’s a lot of excitement, but perhaps not a complete understanding of how AI should be deployed at dealerships. “There is a ton of solutions out there. There are […] [Read More]
Dealers look to AI for customer experience boost
Daryl Lubinsky, Correspondent
Sam D’Arc doesn’t remember what his query was when he first used ChatGPT, but the response was fast and accurate. “It caused a little bit of awe and surprise in how well it extracted information into the answer to the question,” said D’Arc, who is chief operating officer of Zeigler Auto Group in Kalamazoo, Mich. […] [Read More]
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