Japanese brands usually make up most of the honorees in Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability rankings, but the 2013 edition includes a good representation from domestic and European automakers. In fact, three of the Top 10 spots went to those other OEMs as Audi, Volvo, and GMC captured accolades in the survey released on Monday […] [Read More]

Online service AskPatty.com Inc. has named a veteran of the automotive industry as president of its sales and marketing. The company, which offers automotive advice and helps connects women with its Certified Female Friendly auto retailers, has announced Cherie Watters has been chosen for the role. With a degree in finance, Watters began her automotive […] [Read More]

This morning, Auto Remarketing and SubPrime Auto Finance News announced the last of a total of four honors to be handed out during Used Car Week, highlighting the inaugural winner of the Auto Finance Executive of the Year, presented by Black Book Lender Solutions. Earning this award from a group of talented executives who specialize […] [Read More]

With leasing levels ramping up to above pre-recession levels, the potential impact this trend could have on residual values is top-of-mind for manufactures, and it would seem, dealer groups, as well.   During AutoNation’s third-quarter earnings conference call last week, the topic came up as a question from Credit Suisse AG’s Research Division during the […] [Read More]

Off-rental volume will likely climb moderately next year, says Manheim’s Tom Webb, and there will likely be a greater percentage of these units that will be sold in a different fashion than perhaps what has been the traditional route for these vehicles. “There should be a modest increase overall (less than 5 percent), and an […] [Read More]

Unfortunately, more options for advertising and digital marketing also leaves more room for mistakes. In an effort to help dealers avoid what he calls the “common mistakes” of vehicle advertising, Potratz Partners Advertising chief marketing officer Dennis Galbraith covered this very topic in his latest “Hard Facts” video report. Galbraith starts off by breaking advertising […] [Read More]

Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest said last week that the auction is expanding. In announcing the news, general manager Stephanie Gringas said, “Our owners have just obtained the property adjacent to us, and we are in the process of creating a new recon area where our mechanics, CR writers and repo inventory will be processed, […] [Read More]

Toyota partner Southeast Transportation Systems has earned a SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizing the company as an industry leader in environmental performance and energy efficiency. STS received a SmartWay Excellence Award in the large fleet category of the auto segment for 2013, for its use of advanced technology to reduce […] [Read More]

SAN DIEGO — This morning, SubPrime Auto Finance News and Auto Remarketing announced the last of a total of four honors to be handed out during Used Car Week, highlighting the inaugural winner of the Auto Finance Executive of the Year, presented by Black Book Lender Solutions. Earning this award from a group of talented […] [Read More]

MEDFORD, Ore. — Lithia Motors attempted to explain why its origination level of financing to subprime customers fell below what company executives cited as the national penetration reading for the third quarter. During its quarterly conference call last week, Lithia reported that 11 percent of its sales went to subprime customers. The company believed the […] [Read More]