If lately you’ve noticed faster performance by your smartphone on Verizon’s mobile network, you might also be encouraged if your collateral is monitored by PassTime. GPS solutions provider PassTime recently highlighted its all-new TRAX 6 device, what the company said is the industry’s first LTE Category M GPS tracking device serving franchised, independent and buy-here, […] [Read More]

Along with its monthly update on the specialty markets, the latest Black Book Market Insights report showed that cars are seeing gains they haven’t reached in a while. Editors noticed only two car segments — luxury and premium sporty — declined this past week. Editors added that a few truck segments also saw gains, but […] [Read More]

Dealership buyers who are seeking economies of scale and scope for their businesses and dealership sellers bent on getting as much as they can for their stores while the getting is good, are strengthening an already active buy/sell market. Erin Kerrigan, managing director of Kerrigan Advisors, a dealership buy/sell advisory firm in Irvine Calif., said […] [Read More]

Darwin Automotive announced Monday that ELEAD1ONE will integrate Darwin's F&I software with both its DealBuilder Showroom and DealBuilder Online solutions. Salespeople can use ELEAD1ONE's DealBuilder Showroom to manage the test drive process and map routes. Along with providing customers with turn-by-turn directions, the solution can also track distances, route information and average speed for dealerships. Meanwhile, the DealBuilder solution is designed to calculate vehicle […] [Read More]

In an effort to help dealers connect with their customers in an automated way, AutoAlert has teamed up with artificial intelligence-powered sales assistant Conversica, the company announced Monday. This new venture has brought together two former VinSolutions executives: Mike Dullea, former VinSolutions chief executive officer and current CEO of AutoAlert; and David Marod, a former sales […] [Read More]

Car Keys Express announced Monday that it has expanded into the reconditioning business with the launch of Car Care Express, a new division that offers mobile vehicle reconditioning services. This follows news from late March that the company has introduced a new affiliate program for consumers and business. Along with paintless dent repair, paint touch […] [Read More]

As the industry counts how many used vehicles were retailed during March, the dealer survey orchestrated by KeyBanc Capital Markets in February gauged how stores continue to have some struggles despite rising turns in their used departments. Survey orchestrators reported that gross-profit trends continued to reflect competitive pressure in new and used segments, which should […] [Read More]

SiriusXM and Enterprise Car Sales announced Monday the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand is the latest to join the SiriusXM Pre-Owned Program made up of nearly 30,000 dealers. Enterprise Car Sales pre-owned customers who purchase vehicles factory-equipped with SiriusXM can now receive three-month subscriptions to the SiriusXM All Access audio package that includes any available SiriusXM Infotainment services. […] [Read More]

According to a news release issued on Monday, Floorplan Xpress, a nationwide auto dealer floorplan company serving 26 states across the country, is now servicing the accounts for Alliance Auto Auction’s Dealers Credit Express, a Texas-based floorplan provider. Officials highlighted this development should greatly enhance the footprint of both companies. Floorplan Xpress has since provided […] [Read More]

Industry associations and private and publicly traded companies aren’t the only entities replying to a request for information issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) filed a comment to the CFPB in response to that agency’s request for information to help it assess the […] [Read More]