BMO Harris Bank announced this week that it is partnering with AutoGravity in an effort to streamline and simplify the vehicle-buying and financing process for consumers nationwide. AutoGravity can connect potential buyers with finance companies and dealerships to provide consumers with pre-qualified finance offers for their vehicle of choice. Using the AutoGravity app available on […] [Read More]

Sagent Lending Technologies recently announced the appointment of Robert Johnson to the executive leadership team as VP and chief sales officer with the responsibility to lead sales and account management for the full suite of Sagent auto finance solutions. Johnson brings more than 25 years of automotive finance and financial technology expertise to this role […] [Read More]

Zanchin Automotive Group is looking for its customized app to be used by customers as much as those individuals might hit their smartphone button to access Amazon or Instagram. Mobile Einstein, a provider of geo-mobile sales solutions for dealer groups, recently announced that it has partnered with Zanchin Automotive Group, one of the largest dealer […] [Read More]

Black Book’s representative watching a sale in California as November closed shared this observation: “The most common complaint from the dealers was the continued high prices paid to secure inventory.” Reinforcing that dealer claim is the fact that Black Book’s Used Vehicle Retention Index climbed for the seventh month in a row. The November reading […] [Read More]

KAR Auction Services announced two major purchases in November. In this conversation at Used Car Week, we talk with three folks involved in the first of those two: KAR's purchase of Clearplan, which was announced on Nov. 12.  Clearplan is a digital platform for recovery agents, drivers, forwarders and lenders that acts as a centralized, […] [Read More]

When it comes to international expansion strategy, KAR Auction Services has typically emphasized “being asset light,” says chief executive Jim Hallett. But even in its latest international purchase — the planned acquisition of Belgium-based CarsOnTheWeb that was announced late last month — there are parts of KAR’s existing business that it can “layer on” to […] [Read More]

The relentless drive to reduce repossession related costs while, at the same time meeting the demands/expectations of regulators, may be catching up with us. As one of the largest repossession management firms, we stay very close to the dynamics of the marketplace and we have become concerned about the current situation and even more concerned […] [Read More]

This week, F&I Express announced that it has added Zurich North America’s F&I products to its platform of digital solutions. The company highlighted the move can provide dealerships across the country with broader technology and innovation options for accessing Zurich’s menu of insurance solutions. F&I Express integrates with more than 3,000 dealerships and 160 aftermarket […] [Read More]

At a typical dealership, the finance office might only be a few paces from the service drive. But if stores large and small want to improve their performances in 2019 and beyond, EFG Companies emphasized that personnel in both dealership departments must be aligned shoulder to shoulder and proceed in lockstep to generate enhanced customer […] [Read More]

The list of companies that have joined Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) — a global consortium of industry leading automakers, technology-based startups and other mobility players — grew again on Wednesday. F&I solutions provider RouteOne is now part of MOBI, adding to the collection that already includes companies such as BMW, Ford, General Motors and […] [Read More]