Manheim chief economist Tom Webb pointed to a series of summertime reports and other consumer trends that show middle-class and lower-income individuals — the primary potential buyers of used vehicles — are continuing to be pinched by a wide array of economic conditions. In this month’s Auto Industry Brief produced by Manheim Consulting, Webb recapped […] [Read More]

Some important landmarks are being celebrated this year in the auto auction business.  For one, it was 75 years ago that the nation’s first, Rawls Auto Auction, opened its doors. The National Auto Auction Association, meanwhile, is commemorating its 65th year. We showcase these milestones and more in the Sept. 1-14 print edition of Auto […] [Read More]

Millennials — potential buyers between the ages of 16 and 32 — are representing a greater portion of a dealer sales base, so what should managers and salespeople highlight on used models that might appeal to this demographic? AutoTrader.com aims to shed some light on that exact subject. A new study from the site reveals […] [Read More]

A few members of the National Automobile Dealers Association’s leadership met with the board of directors and management staff of General Motors last week, the first time that NADA has ever been asked to address an automaker’s board, the association said Friday. Calling GM’s board “receptive” to the concerns of dealers, NADA chairman David Westcott […] [Read More]

Late last week, Autobytel named its Dealer of the Month for July. The honoree for this past month is Kenny Jakel, general sales manager of Lee Johnson Kia in Kirkland, Wash. The award program introduced earlier this year honors  Autobytel dealers who “employ the highest standards in customer service, Internet automotive retail sales and lead […] [Read More]

Automotive digital marketing company Strathcom Media recently promoted a new way for Canadian dealerships to increase their online exposure. With its new syndicated data service, the company says dealers can  “increase the online exposure of their inventory without increasing their budgets.” The Used Cars Canada (UCC) Network (usedcarscanada.com), allows dealerships to post their vehicle inventory […] [Read More]

Toyota Canada recently announced it has come to an agreement to settle economic loss litigation in Canada related to Toyota recalls in 2009 and 2010 regarding unintended acceleration. The company said “turning the page on this legacy legal issue is in the best interests of the company, employees, dealers and, most of all, customers.” According […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — TransUnion spotted second-quarter trends that ought to make dealers and finance company executives who cater to customers with poor credit smile. Loans to subprime buyers are still being made at a steady pace while delinquencies on those contracts are not spiking. According to TransUnion's Industry Insights Report, subprime borrower vehicle debt has increased […] [Read More]

NEW ORLEANS — NABD is coming to the Big Easy. The National Alliance of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers is having its first major event in New Orleans, and organizers of this year's East Coast BHPH Conference highlighted that early bird discounts are available through Oct. 4. Rates through that date are $495 for a single attendee […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Financial Services Association contends the industry has been faced with a slew of new rules and regulations since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. To help its members prepare for and respond to the vast amount of new regulatory requirements, the association recently rolled […] [Read More]