Assurant continues to be in long-term growth mode via acquisitions. On Tuesday, the firm that offers F&I products, training and other educational services announced it has acquired American Financial & Automotive Services (AFAS), a provider of F&I products and services, including vehicle service contracts, guaranteed asset protection insurance and other ancillary products sold directly through a […] [Read More]

Dasceq gathered a variety of recent data points about how collections and call-center activities have evolved during the coronavirus pandemic. The company’s vice president of sales Randy Spradlin joined senior editor Nick Zulovich for this episode of the podcast to discuss that information, as well as the most important collection trends to watch as the […] [Read More]

Michele Noblitt is retiring from her position as executive vice president of Dealers Auto Auction of the Rockies, and the company says that since she started in 1999, the auction and its stakeholders “have enjoyed the velvet-gloved service Michele and her team delivered.” The company said Noblitt’s influence was widely felt “as the little auction […] [Read More]

AutoNation says that under the best of circumstances, a cancer diagnosis can be frightening and devastating. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the American Cancer Society and its partners such as AutoNation want to ensure that programs supporting cancer patients will continue through the pandemic and beyond. On Tuesday, AutoNation said it will partner […] [Read More]

The National Auto Auction Association’s safety committee is working with ADESA and Manheim to develop a “playbook” for auctions on how to safely re-open a physical sale amid COVID-19, as some restrictions begin to loosen. NAAA aims to distribute the playbook in the next seven to 10 days, chief executive officer Frank Hackett said in a […] [Read More]

On-demand car care, technology and services company Get Spiffy has acquired Carmacy, which provides preventive fleet services such as oil changes, tire rotations and repair. In 2015, Tyler Burns, JD McDonnell and Nancy McDonnell founded Carmacy, which says it is one of the first U.S. national mobile fleet maintenance providers. Carmacy services thousands of trucks and cars […] [Read More]

Just like finance companies are working with consumers about modifications to their vehicle installment contracts, Hertz secured similar considerations since the travel industry is nearly nonexistent because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission posted on Monday, Hertz acknowledged that it did not make certain payments in accordance […] [Read More]

The Costco Auto Program and American Honda Motor Co. are teaming up on a program that offers a $500 Costco Shop Card for eligible Costco members buying or leasing specific Honda vehicles, in addition to compatible Honda incentives for which they qualify. Costco Auto Program and American Honda Motor Co. are working to “provide added […] [Read More]

Perhaps some used-car managers filled a void left with no live sports to watch on television with observing activity during online sales. The newest Black Book Market Insights report released on Tuesday indicated managers aren’t just watching; they’re starting to bid and buy a bit more, too. Black Book vice president of automotive valuations Laura […] [Read More]

The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance is beginning a three-part informational webinar series on Friday titled, “IARA Road to Recovery 2020.” The opening segment is scheduled to feature KAR Global chief economist Tom Kontos and Cox Automotive chief economist Jonathan Smoke, who plan to discuss six topics, including: • Status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the […] [Read More]