TransUnion recently discussed significant opportunities percolating for auto refinancing, potentially involving 18 million individuals. Caribou got even more specific about the topic, saying lenders appear to be doubling down on electric vehicle owners by offering them greater monthly savings through refinancing than traditional gasoline vehicle owners. The developments are surfacing as the federal EV tax […] [Read More]

While some troubling findings surfaced, too, the Q2 2025 Paths to Prosperity report from Santander Holdings USA contains some upbeat information for dealerships and auto-finance providers. According to the bank’s research, 55% of middle-income Americans are considering buying a vehicle, a new survey high. That’s up from 47% in Q1. Santander pointed out that 52% […] [Read More]

Next up on our Auto Remarketing Podcast series from the Canada's Used Car Week Live Stage, presented by SYCN Auto Logistics, is a conversation with Erin Richmond, CEO of sMedia, and Rhys Albrecht, head of customer success at sMedia. They talk with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Joe Overby about solving pain points in the automotive digital marketing space, why cutting marketing spend is not always the wisest move for dealers, managing ad spend effectively, reaching car shoppers and much more. Listen to the episode ... [Read More]

Coinciding with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York tabulating that total consumer debt surpassed $18 trillion during the second quarter, personal financial management platform Vola Finance rolled out a new loan management dashboard designed to help consumers take control of personal debt and increase their credit scores. According to a news release, the Vola […] [Read More]

While student-loan metrics are deteriorating because of changes in federal policies, auto-loan trends are staying stable. That’s two of the primary findings from the Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit released on Tuesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data. The report showed total household debt increased by $185 […] [Read More]

Vehlo’s reconditioning platform has gone through a recon of its own. The result is RapidRecon Pro, a new version of the RapidRecon platform designed to accelerate vehicle turnaround and boost dealership profitability. The provider of integrated software and financial services for the auto repair industry said RapidRecon Pro includes improvements such as integration with CDK […] [Read More]

A dealership near and dear to Mercedes-Benz USA has been sold. Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead in Atlanta, located just nine miles down Georgia 400 from the company’s U.S. headquarters in suburban Sandy Springs, has been acquired by Group 1 Automotive from Gregory and Juanita Baranco. Group 1 said the deal, which included all dealership real estate, […] [Read More]

DAA Northwest’s 30th annual Rock & Roll Sale turned out to be more than a gathering for dealers and the auto remarketing industry. It was a rock reunion. In addition to the more than 1,350 customers and industry guests from across the U.S. and Canada, a surprise guest joined the festivities July 16-17 at the […] [Read More]

FRIKINtech has a new name — and a new platform to go with it. The provider of automotive dealer engagement technology is now VehicleLyfe, an “evolution” the company said signifies its “strategic shift” to focus on actively engaging customers throughout their entire vehicle ownership journey and establishing dealers as long-term partners. In a news release, […] [Read More]

Cherokee Media Group has announced the launch of Used Car Brief, a new bi-monthly series designed to deliver fast, focused insight into the trends shaping the used-car industry. Each edition highlights key developments, emerging challenges, and fresh opportunities across retail, wholesale, and finance — giving you the intel you need to stay ahead. In the debut brief ... [Read More]