Podium has a new audience. The provider of artificial intelligence-powered customer engagement tools said its AI BDC tool is now available through FordDirect, giving Ford and Lincoln dealers access to the AI Employee, known as Jerry, with exclusive pricing. The planned integration connects the AI Employee directly with FordDirect’s Customer Journey Platform. “With dealerships navigating […] [Read More]

Work Truck Solutions recently released its Q2 2025 Commercial Vehicle Market Analysis, highlighting continued strength in the new commercial vehicle market and its ripple effects across the used sector. With inventory level stabilization, analysts said the commercial vehicle ecosystem is showing signs of healthy alignment, as robust new vehicle sales are beginning to replenish used […] [Read More]

Group 1 Automotive announced it has named Melkeya McDuffie as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. The dealership group, which owns and operates 259 automotive dealerships and 39 collision centers in the U.S. and U.K., said McDuffie has a proven track record of “developing and deploying strategies to attract, enrich and retain the […] [Read More]

Along with an update from the Federal Trade Commission among other activities, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association identified four issues that will be addressed during its National Policy Conference, which is the organization’s most significant advocacy event. NIADA and member dealers will gather in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15-16 for panel discussions and meetings […] [Read More]

Michelle Bowman, who is the Federal Reserve’s vice chair for supervision, was one of two members of the Federal Open Market Committee who dissented from the majority vote that kept interest rates unchanged when policymakers made their decision at the end of July. Making a public appearance over the weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo., for […] [Read More]

For all the concerns about political and economic turmoil, the first half of 2025 has been pretty good for used cars in Canada. AutoTrader’s Q2 Price Index report shows used sales and prices were up in the second quarter and demand remained strong, building on the “pull-forward” effect that began in Q1, with car buyers […] [Read More]

The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council has appointed Dan Park, CEO of Canadian online used-car retailer Clutch, to its Industry Advisory Council, an addition Clutch said provides “a modern, technology-driven perspective … at a pivotal moment for the automotive industry.” In a news release, Park said digital innovation and consumer demand for transparency are reshaping […] [Read More]

NBB has a new leader. The M&A advisory firm for the automotive sector has appointed longtime investment banking executive Zach Kuzemka as CEO. Kuzemka replaces Brady Schmidt, who has been the company’s CEO since 2004. Schmidt will serve as executive chairman and will continue to work with NBB’s clients while partnering with Kuzemka and the […] [Read More]

Dealer-to-dealer sales within OPENLANE’s marketplace segment climbed a double-digit percentage for the third straight quarter, and while commercial sales slowed, that decline was expected and likely temporary. In the second quarter, there were approximately 182,000 dealer units sold through OPENLANE, up 21% year-over-year and up 6% from the first quarter, the company said in earnings results released last week. That represents a gross merchandise value of $2.5 billion, up from $1.8 billion a year ago. Commercial volumes came in at ... [Read More]

Two dealer groups are putting their money where their heart is with donations to help Texas flood victims and the homeless in Oregon. Pohanka Automotive Group and its pending Honda dealership in Central Texas announced they have established the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and will match all public donations dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 to […] [Read More]