FordDirect chief operating officer Valerie Fuller will be stepping down Sept. 1 to pursue other opportunities, the company said Friday. Chief executive officer Mike Jurecki announced the news in a press release, thanking Fuller for her leadership of the company, which included serving as interim CEO for the first half of this year and 11 years […] [Read More]

This week, a broad coalition of business groups involved in the making, selling, servicing, financing and auctioning of vehicles urged Congress to support Senate legislation to preserve a consumer's ability to get discounted auto financing at the dealership. In a letter to U.S. senators, the group of nine trade associations — including four organizations that participate […] [Read More]

A record 9.7 million vehicles will likely be sold at auction this year, with 10 million sales expected next year, according to National Auto Auction Association chief economist Ira Silver. The previous record (9.6 million) was set in 2004. “What’s the major driver there is the commercial consignment,” Silver said during a webinar Thursday. “Because dealer consignment […] [Read More]

For dealers who couldn’t make it to Las Vegas for the national events orchestrated by the National Alliance of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers or the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association earlier this year, DealerSocket is going on a road trip to seven states to participate in more dealer events to showcase its soon-to-be released solutions. DealerSocket […] [Read More]

Alliance Inspection Management (AiM), a national independent third-party inspection company, has hired Scott Reedus as the national sales director for major dealer group accounts. Reedus will lead and oversee AiM’s sales growth and retention within major dealer groups, focusing on developing and fostering relationships with current and potential clients to maintain and grow revenue in […] [Read More]

AutoAlert, a data-mining and trade-cycle management platform, has promoted of Kimberly Cowan to vice president of business operations from director of business development. In her new role, Cowan will oversee operational improvements, content and other strategic initiatives. Before joining AutoAlert in March 2015, she was at Cox Automotive for more than a decade supporting several divisions, […] [Read More]

Porsche Cars Canada  announced the opening of the country’s first Certified Porsche Classic Partner: Porsche Centre Victoria. It will be the fourth of its kind in North America and 39th worldwide, providing owners of Porsche models older than 10 years genuine parts, service and classic car sales. “Porsche Centre Victoria was a natural fit to become […] [Read More]

4 million. According to statistics shared on the Canadian Automobile Association’s website, that’s how many car crashes in North America involve distracted driving annually. Citing 2011 data from Alberta Transportation, CAA says the likelihood of an accident is three times higher for a driver who is distracted. And The Dilawri Foundation — which is the […] [Read More]

AuctionACCESS continued to expand its floor plan platform by successfully integrating with Manheim, according to an announcement distributed this week. Officials highlighted this integration will enable participating finance companies to centralize and automate the transmission of credit availability to Manheim locations through AuctionACCESS. In addition, Manheim auctions can electronically transmit floor plan loan originations to […] [Read More]

Five years ago today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “opened our doors,” a milestone the regulator highlighted on its website. The Dodd-Frank Act that created the CFPB receives its operational funding the Federal Reserve, which literally can print money. As a result, dealerships and finance companies have had to add compliance to their operating lexicon […] [Read More]