Last time Sonic Automotive expanded its line of EchoPark Automotive used-car stores, it added a location in the dealer group’s hometown of Charlotte, N.C. This time, Sonic added an EchoPark location in the hometown of its president. “I am excited to open the next EchoPark Automotive store in my hometown of Houston.  We have spent […] [Read More]

ADESA has a new general manager for its Buffalo, N.Y.-area location. The GM of ADESA Buffalo is now David Fountaine, whose background includes more than two decades in the corporate, educational, non-profits and government arenas — including close to 14 years with Maritz, a company that provides market research, sales incentives and training/development services. According to […] [Read More]

While much of the country currently is gripped by a wintry-like chill, CDK Global is collaborating with J.D. Power’s NADAguides to help dealers turn units especially for times when sunshine and warm temperatures return. On Monday, CDK Global announced the integration of the division of J.D. Power and its NADAguides vehicle pricing data and information […] [Read More]

With some shoppers looking to make quite an impression via a holiday gift purchase, Autotrader found a half dozen luxury brands are ramping up their certified pre-owned offerings in hopes of capturing some of that consumer zeal. “Dealerships are highly motivated in December to close sales across their entire inventory, both new and used,” said […] [Read More]

If Benjamin Franklin worked in auto finance today, he might amend his famous quote about nothing being certain except death and taxes to include “and compliance.” Creditors and auto lenders must adhere to a dizzying array of federal and state requirements designed to defend consumers against predatory business practices. Such mandates are on the rise, […] [Read More]

According to the newest update from the Federal Trade Commission, checks literally are in the mail for customers of a California dealer group that settled with the regulator last year. The FTC said it is mailing 43,456 checks totaling more than $3.5 million to consumers subjected to deceptive and unfair sales and financing tactics by […] [Read More]

BacklotCars, an online wholesale car marketplace for dealers, has secured Series A funding of $8 million, plus $10 million more in an expanded credit facility, the company said in a news release. Origin Ventures led the financing round, and its co-founder and partner Steve Miller will join the BacklotCars board of directors. Also participating in […] [Read More]

An experienced manager with stints at both ADESA and Manheim now is in the independent auction space. Earlier this month, Dealers Auto Auction Group announced the addition of industry veteran Ryan Edwards, who has been named as general manager of Dealers Auto Auction of Murfreesboro in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Edwards brings more than 20 years of […] [Read More]

Dealer Specialties is rolling out a tool aimed at going beyond traditional vehicle history report information such as accidents; looking to provide dealers and consumers with details that can make the difference between that used vehicle rolling over the curb or being passed over for another model — at another store. The division of Dominion […] [Read More]

Data from the Hearst families of companies — including Jumpstart Automotive and Black Book — showed how consumers continue to shift their interest toward used vehicles as new models become more expensive. However, Cox Automotive’s collection of experts reiterated that automakers certainly are not decelerating their efforts to keep new metal turning, using incentives and […] [Read More]