Journalism is going virtual, and automotive is along for the ride. Gannett Co. released a virtual reality news show last week as part of its USA TODAY NETWORK titled “VRtuallyThere," and the news show — said to be the first presented in VR — includes a virtual reality “cubemercial” ad from Toyota. Toyota is the show’s premier sponsor […] [Read More]

With some models having as much connectivity as your smartphone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is taking a proactive approach to protecting vehicles from malicious cyber-attacks and unauthorized access by releasing proposed guidance for improving vehicle cybersecurity. The agency within the Department of Transportation explained on Monday that the proposed cybersecurity […] [Read More]

Lithia Motors is challenging 68 stores within its dealership group to improve. Otherwise, change will come — if it hasn’t already. During the company’s conference call to discuss its third quarter results — which included a 13-percent gain in used-vehicle retail sales — Lithia president and chief executive officer Bryan DeBoer indicated the company made 19 […] [Read More]

Ally Financial has announced that 49 U.S. auto dealers have been chosen as nominees for the 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year award. The award, in its 48th year, recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a commitment to community service. The nominees will be honored at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention […] [Read More]

The potential for more vehicle installment contract holders in your portfolio to use their smartphone to make regular payments to keep their auto financing current took another step forward on Monday. Early Warning announced preliminary details of a tool named Zelle, what it’s calling a new, faster payments network that will “revolutionize” how U.S. consumers […] [Read More]

With outstanding auto loan balances reaching a record $1.1 trillion as of June 30 and concern growing about the sector’s health, S&P Global Ratings recently analyzed the resiliency of auto loan asset-backed securities (ABS) ratings through the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Analysts found their ratings on the 2006-2008 vintage transactions “held up well” as the […] [Read More]

Reynolds and Reynolds has made a direct equity investment in The Appraisal Lane as part of a strategic partnership between Reynolds and the real-time used-car trade network/communications platform. The partnership announced Monday also includes a credit facility for car buying and selling, The Appraisal Lane said.   Additionally, there is also a board of managers for […] [Read More]

 As the company continues to “invest significantly in automotive retail digital technology,” AutoNation has hired a chief technology officer to head up the retailer’s technology, IT development and digital platforms. Named executive vice president and CTO, effective Oct. 31, is Tom Conophy, whose background includes time with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotels Group […] [Read More]

SubPrime Auto Finance News has announced the winner of the fourth annual Subprime Auto Finance Executive of the Year Award, which is again sponsored by Black Book Lender Solutions. The honoree — who will receive the award during the SubPrime Forum at Used Car Week in Las Vegas — is Ozzie Ramos, the founder, president and chief […] [Read More]

The used-vehicle department at Lithia Motors turned in another sterling performance during the third quarter as the dealer group reported double-digit improvements in both same-store and overall used-retail sales. On a same-store basis, Lithia indicated the rise came in at 11 percent. Altogether, group stores retailed 29,636 units during Q3, representing a 13-percent jump year-over-year. […] [Read More]