CU Direct Connect announced last week that it has signed an agreement with Sonic Automotive to be a preferred lender for the dealer group's stores in Colorado. Officials indicated the agreement became effective on Aug. 1. CU Direct Connect, through its more than 34 member credit unions, is collectively one of the largest auto lenders […] [Read More]

An increased demand for services has Insurance Auto Auctions expanding and relocating one of its facilities in the Midwest. IAA late last week announced the relocation of its Oklahoma City site to a larger facility in the region.  This relocation significantly expands IAA's capacity and fits with the company's strategic vision of growth among key […] [Read More]

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — National Auto Care Corp. and Family First Dealer Services recently announced an agreement to merge through a transaction they said will provide the platform for a combined company to excel as one of the leading finance and insurance providers in the industry. The companies highlighted the merger will bring together […] [Read More]

ONTARIO, Calif. — CUDL recently completed dealer management system integration of its lending system with Open Dealer Exchange along with its parent companies' DMS from ADP and Reynolds and Reynolds. As a result of the integration, officials highlighted CUDL now can offer direct credit application integration for ADP and Reynolds users from the dealer's DMS […] [Read More]

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — GWC Warranty, a marketer, administrator and underwriter of vehicle service contracts, has been named Motor Trend Recommended Best Buy for independent Dealers. Officials pointed out GWC Warranty is the only vehicle service contract provider to be named a Motor Trend Recommended Best Buy for independent stores. To be awarded this designation, the […] [Read More]

With leasing volume rising, prices on those monthly lease contracts are moving upward, too, potentially boosting the equity left in those vehicles. Swapalease.com reported that average lease prices increased 2.1 percent year-over-year based on listings entering the market during August. The site found that prices on leases averaged $590.38, up from $578.06 at the end […] [Read More]

Edmunds.com on Thursday unveiled its 17 Best Used Cars for 2013, which hail from nine different brands and represent some of the most popular vehicles on the road. Leading the list with four vehicles each are Honda and Toyota, followed by Ford with three vehicles that earned the accolade. “There are a lot of popular […] [Read More]

One of the prominent focuses of the Obama Administration has been its efforts to increase fuel efficiency and work on reducing the carbon footprint. These efforts have now turned toward the used-car market once again, following the 2009 Cash for Clunkers program. The U.S. Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency released Thursday a new […] [Read More]

The adjustments in trade-in values for cars and trucks in September’s Official Used Car Guide were fairly typical to recent editions, according to the latest Guidelines report from NADA Used Car Guide. However, despite the value decreases being “predominantly mild overall,” a few segments were found to have had a steeper downhill slide. One was […] [Read More]

Most dealers now accept that the Internet is today’s prevailing mode of discovery for new- and used-vehicle buyers. The sharper dealers have taken this recognition a step further, addressing what’s been termed a “disconnect” as vehicle buyers visit dealerships. For example, the sales associates at these dealerships don’t really consider customers as “fresh ups.” The […] [Read More]