As the wave of second quarter reports ring out from various automotive retailers, several commonalities have emerged. Sales are up. Profits are up. Conditions are ideal, and many are poised for further expansion. However, there was one key limiting factor that has come up in at least two of the groups’ conference calls: finding well-qualified […] [Read More]

To get an inside perspective on what digital tools dealers find most helpful to their business, Auto Remarketing Canada turned to Josh Hatton, quality pre-owned car and truck manager at Midland Honda in Midland, Ontario; and Doug MacIver Jr., inventory and Internet manager at RideTime in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Hatton shared insight on Web-based marketing and […] [Read More]

As Chrysler announced two recalls covering more than 800,000 units, General Motors made six additional recalls on Wednesday, raising its total for the year to 60 campaigns connected with more than 28 million vehicles worldwide. The newest GM campaigns cover 717,950 recent model vehicles in the U.S. Here is a breakdown of units included in […] [Read More]

To win today’s car shopper, it takes more than your sales team to be on its “A” game. The reputation of the entire dealership plays an important role in each car sale. More and more, the service department influences whether a shopper purchases a car from you or another dealer. Increasingly, consumers learn about your […] [Read More]

Ens Lexus has moved to a larger location in Saskatoon Auto Mall — and is also working toward becoming the first Saskatchewan dealership to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) recognition for its new facility. The dealership traded out its old 5,000-square-foot location for a new $8-million, 22,000-square-foot facility. “For the past 24 […] [Read More]

Used-vehicle sales are expected to fall more than 4 percent for both franchised and independent dealers this month, making up the entirety of the 0.4-percent overall decline CNW Research is predicting for July’s used-car numbers. Such declines may give credence to one of two theories CNW laid out to explain another used-car phenomena being spotted […] [Read More]

Lithia Motors reported its second-quarter results Wednesday, revealing an 11-percent increase in same-store used retail sales. And much of the company’s conference call to discuss Q2 financial results was spent outlining the recent DCH Auto acquisition and what it means for Lithia going forward. And overall used retail sales were up a significant 14.3 percent […] [Read More]

GPS-based technology provider PassTime and customer referral program SendMeAFriend.com formed a strategic partnership this week.  Under the partnership, customers, including buy-here, pay-here dealers, will have access to PassTime’s new 3G device solution — the Elite 3 — as well as all of its GPS tracking and automated collection technology solutions and the streamlined SendMeAFriend referral […] [Read More]

A former chairman of the Federal Trade Commission joined the advisory board this week of an operation that strives to support digital privacy and design online reputation management technology. Coming on board with Reputation.com is Jon Leibowitz, who currently is a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell in the firm’s antitrust group. The site tapped […] [Read More]

In the recruitment profession, we look for what are called career seekers, not job seekers.  There is a world of difference.  I teach my recruiters and my clients to look for career seekers for several reasons. Career seekers are looking to “become something more” and “add career value” when they seek a new position.  Career […] [Read More]