Attention, sales teams: Customers report higher sales-process satisfaction when you use a tablet device. According to the J.D. Power 2013 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study released late last week, sales satisfaction among new-vehicle buyers is 52 points higher when their salesperson uses a tablet device during the sales process than when the salesperson does not, […] [Read More]

Of course, as a dealer, you look back at the end of each month and put some thought into why your sales have played out the way they have. But, are you concentrating on how you are analyzing your store’s monthly sales results? In an upcoming webinar, founder and chief operating officer of Potratz Partners […] [Read More]

After slimmer gross profits per unit on the used-car side in the third quarter, Group 1 Automotive is forecasting relative stability in its used-vehicle margins going forward. Though this is an area in which the retailer said it would like to improve, management did offer one projection that may prove beneficial in coming months: stronger […] [Read More]

William Cole, Bill Cole Automall, Bluefield, W. Va. “The most rewarding aspect of my automotive career has been the opportunity to continue my family’s legacy of business in an area that my family has called home for generations,” nominee Cole said. And that legacy began at his family’s heavy-duty truck dealership, where at the age […] [Read More]

Toyota has announced a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The announcement, along with a previously announced pledge of 10 million Philippine pesos by TMC, Toyota Motor Philippines and Toyota Financial Services, brings Toyota’s total contributions to nearly $500,000 USD. In addition, […] [Read More]

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Experian Automotive boiled down all of the data the vehicle financing industry generated during third quarter into two words: Good news. Experian found that outstanding automotive loan balances reached a record high since the company began publicly reporting the data seven years ago. According to its latest State of the Automotive Finance […] [Read More]

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Black Book recently rolled out its newest product, the Collateral Insight Engine, what it's calling the industry's most advanced resource for vehicle lenders. Black Book explained the Collateral Insight Engine can compile historical, current and projected vehicle values in an easy-to-use interface. Users can also analyze collateral performance and create custom views […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Ally Financial just launched a new mobile app designed with direct customer input to make managing auto accounts easy and convenient. The Ally Auto Mobile Pay app can offer customers the ability to check payment status and schedule or cancel a pending payment anywhere, anytime with just a few quick taps. "Our customers […] [Read More]

SALT LAKE CITY — Larry H. Miller Management Corp. President Clark Whitworth and Prestige Financial Services president Bryant Henrie jointly promoted an executive within the operation to be the new chief operating officer of Prestige. Taking on the position is Richard Hyde, who most recently served as the company's executive vice president, a position he […] [Read More]

Japanese models once again sweep the No. 1 and No. 2 spots for most researched and purchased used vehicles in the third quarter, according to Edmunds.com’s latest Used Market Quarterly Report. The most researched used vehicle last quarter was the Honda Civic, followed by the Honda Accord. And even though Edmunds.com officials said the most […] [Read More]