The key drivers to such strong growth in the new-car sales environment have more to with healthier economics than simply a carryover of pent-up demand — and one example of such a fortuitous sign has to do with leasing and lease returns. That’s according to prepared comments by Toyota executive Bob Carter at 2014 J.P. Morgan […] [Read More]

Car prices are on the way up, but there’s one problem. Income isn’t following the same path. Requisite Press LLC — after releasing its new Auto Buyer’s Affordability Index (ABAI) earlier this summer — recently reported car prices have outpaced incomes since the recession. The July 2014 ABAI reading of 53.5 indicates that median-income family […] [Read More]

Ninety percent of a successful used-car dealer’s time, money, energy and efforts typically go into the processes that take place before a customer ever contacts the dealership: buying, reconditioning, photography, etc. When I was in sales, many years ago, my first manager would always say, “Let’s go take our unfair share of the market!” At […] [Read More]

Chrysler Group made several announcements today, including the establishment of a new office and the appointment of new leadership. The new office of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance will be responsible for its namesake (the company’s vehicle safety and regulatory compliance), responsibilities that had previously been held by Chrysler’s global engineering group. The group will […] [Read More]

Pick an automaker, domestic or import, and they’ve probably recalled thousands of vehicles so far in 2014. In light of this year setting a new record for recalled vehicles, Potratz Partners Advertising shared two separate recommendations aimed at helping dealerships use recalls to improve both the service and sales departments. “Despite the negative aspect of […] [Read More]

Millennium Capital and Recovery Corp. recently achieved the SSAE 16, AT101 Service Organization Controls (SOC) 2 report representing the third consecutive year in which the recovery management service provider attained this coveted certification as recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).  Executives highlighted a SOC 2 examination is widely recognized because it […] [Read More]

The American Recovery Association recently reached a partnership with Harding Brooks Insurance and Northern Star Management to offer new benefits exclusively to all ARA members. Through this partnership, members will have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of unique offerings, including performance-based dividend returns, interest-free payments and voluntary employee benefits such as life, […] [Read More]

The Charleston Auto Auction presented the Berkeley County Habitat for Humanity with a $5,000 check on Aug. 1 along with a commitment to assist in building a house. The check was given in the company of 500 dealers present prior to the start of the business’ weekly Friday auction. Laura Taylor, the general manager of […] [Read More]

Bankrate Inc. released its list of least and most expensive states to own a vehicle this week — with results that may surprise you. Although it has below-average repair, fuel and insurance costs, Wyoming marked the list as the most expensive state to own a vehicle. Why? Everything is so far apart — Wyoming residents […] [Read More]

During an early August conference call with the media, Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Alec Gutierrez said that leasing was accounting for a little more than 25 percent of all new-vehicle retail sales year-to-date, calling it a “key driver” behind the new-car market’s strength. That level beats 2013 lease penetration figures that averaged between 22 […] [Read More]