J.D. Power announced the results of its 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study this week, the rankings of which show the growing usage of safety technologies in new vehicles make them more attractive to shoppers and vehicle owners. The APEAL study, which allows owns to evaluate their vehicles across 77 categories, combines […] [Read More]

Westlake Financial Services and Equifax now have more data to support their argument that subprime auto financing can benefit individuals with soft credit histories, rather than create a negative situation some regulators and consumer advocates might believe. Equifax recognized Westlake Financial Services on Tuesday as the national finance company whose customers saw the highest credit […] [Read More]

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau celebrated its fourth birthday on Tuesday. Among the individuals on hand to cheer the occasion were the lawmakers who authored the Dodd-Frank Act, which created the CFPB. Instead of just cake and party hats, bureau officials gave a rundown of their accomplishments since coming into existence on July 21, 2011. […] [Read More]

FICO is offering finance companies strategy recommendations for those who fear that they’re reviewing too many applications for fraud, yet still finding fraudsters on the books. FICO also questioned whether finance companies have a clear definition of what is fraud and what is bad debt. To answer those questions and more, FICO is hosting the hour-long […] [Read More]

After reporting a 15-percent increase in used retail revenue, Asbury Automotive execs delved deeper into the topics of used margins and pre-owned inventory, and also gave an update on the dealer group’s standalone used-car outlet program, Q Auto. Although Asbury dealers were bringing in revenue of $21,238 per used vehicle retailed, up 9 percent from […] [Read More]

As part of the NADA University Online Webinar Series, the National Automobile Dealers Association announced recently it will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday to help dealers learn how to enhance the customer experience during the online retail process. The webinar, entitled “Why Online Retailing Will Keep You in Control,” will be presented by Mike […] [Read More]

If you’ve noticed your finance office contains a steady stream of customers in their 20s signing new-model lease contracts, don’t be surprised or alarmed. New analysis from Edmunds.com indicated millennial buyers opt to lease their vehicles at a higher rate than the overall buying population. And for dealers in certain parts of Michigan, Minnesota and […] [Read More]

The Appraisal Lane (TAL), a trade network and communications platform for used-vehicle dealers, announced Tuesday it has hired TrueCar’s former vice president of dealer development. Taking on the position of vice president of sales for TAL is Kenneth Potter, bringing experience from a variety of other well-known organizations, including positions such as the general manager […] [Read More]

Asbury Automotive Group released its second-quarter results Tuesday morning, reflecting a significant increase in used-vehicle retail revenues. Total revenues were up 12 percent to $1.7 billion while gross profit increased by 9 percent, boosted in part by a 15-percent spike in used vehicle retail revenue. "Our current quarter results demonstrate, once again, the strength and […] [Read More]

Last week in the lanes brought with it price declines for all of the car segments, while once again pickup trucks held their value — a trend that has been witnessed for most of 2015. “Car segment values continue to decline at a steady pace while most pickup and SUV truck segments enjoy strong retention,” […] [Read More]