I’ve recently spent a considerable amount of time poring over the 2018 Non-Prime Automotive Finance Survey, which is administered annually by the National Automotive Finance Association. All who review this important survey will see the story of increasing operating expenses, alongside investments in innovation that are yielding fruit. And, while not explicitly part of the […] [Read More]

Specialty financing and associated portfolios certainly are far from elementary, which is why the topics are now going to be examined within the world of higher academics. FLOCK Specialty Finance has partnered with Kennesaw State University to create a new research lab that will analyze and interpret traditional and alternative consumer borrowing data to improve […] [Read More]

Dent Wizard International has brought aboard a former transportation company president and chief executive officer to serve as its new chief financial officer. Chosen for the position is Jim Powers, who most recently led UniGroup and its subsidiaries, United Van Lines, Mayflower Transit and other relocation and logistics-related entities, the automotive reconditioning services company announced early this […] [Read More]

When it comes to the role of mobile technology and its use among service departments today, it can help boost dealers' retention rates and help them compete for customers interested in a service experience that provides convenience, says Jim Roche of Xtime. Because of the ease that consumers can expect from their interactions at most retailers today, dealerships […] [Read More]

After taking a look at data from recent shoppers who use their smartphones to visit Cars.com while browsing dealerships lots, the site found that not only are mobile-device shopper visits to dealership lots up, but the data also revealed two other interesting findings: midweek visits are taking traffic from weekend visits from these mobile shoppers, and these car buyers […] [Read More]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows defective Takata airbags still are in vehicles currently in operation, so the regulator wants automakers to take additional steps to make sure these units are repaired. Late last week, NHTSA made an announcement, urging OEMs affected by the Takata air bag recall to make […] [Read More]

Now consumers and dealerships can shop for vehicles on the same website that claims to already have more than 4 million vehicles in its pipeline. Along with offering a virtual-reality experience for consumers, DealerStrip.com said it also can provide wholesale offers to dealers to facilitate trade among stores and unload old inventory. Site officials also highlighted […] [Read More]

Franchised dealerships that include Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac in their portfolio now have an enhanced advertising option. Naked Lime Marketing (NLM) recently announced that both its email and direct mail targeted marketing services are now approved for the General Motors (GM) iMR program, an expansion of the digital marketing company’s previous participation in the program. […] [Read More]

Spurred in part by sales of its Sportage and Forte models, the Kia Motors America certified pre-owned vehicle program has completed its best first half ever. Kia dealers sold 39,954 CPO vehicles in the opening six months of 2018, the automaker said in a news release.  That’s up 0.4 percent from the same period in […] [Read More]

RMS Automotive and Mazda Motors UK have extended their remarketing contract another three years, RMS announced last week. RMS began providing Mazda UK with an online wholesale remarketing platform in 2007. RMS has now transitioned its data-based model to an “experience-focused solution.” With multichannel remarketing, users have flexibility in bidding, purchase and delivery. The system […] [Read More]