As summer travel season gets under way, including the family road trip, dealers may want to push affordable SUVs — and new SUV rankings by Kelley Blue Book could help that sales initiative. KBB.com released its inaugural listing of experts’ recommendations this week, as the 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000 in 2013. Coming in on […] [Read More]

Opposing legislation that NADA contends would add new penalties, inspections and reporting requirements for franchised dealers, the organization’s president Peter Welch testified Tuesday before a Senate consumer protection subcommittee on S. 921, a bill concerning rental car recalls. If this bill passes, a rental vehicle would have to be put “out of service” if the […] [Read More]

For years now you’ve heard everywhere that you can’t measure Social Media ROI (return on investment). I’m not sure if it’s been an excuse to discount Social Media’s value or a fear of adapting to a new marketing model. Perhaps a little bit of both. Marketing Charts recently outlined on a new report by the Platt […] [Read More]

For the second year in a row, Ford Motor Co. has announced it will increase capacity to meet strong demand for its products on dealership lots. The increase will come in the form of an additional 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year, along with production of an extra 40,000 units by idling select […] [Read More]

Earlier this week, the nation was shocked by the destruction that tornadoes wreaked upon Oklahoma. And the automotive industry is wasting no time in comnig to the aid of victims of the storms. The GM Foundation is pledging $50,000, and Chevrolet is donating a 2013 Chevy Silverado to nonprofit Forgotten Harvest to assist with the […] [Read More]

Dealers are used to seeing an uptick in auction prices come spring, but this year, prices stayed relatively flat. Why? Kelley Blue Book’s Alec Gutierrez said this flatness can be attributed to “mild fuel prices and increased supply.” In fact, wholesale values increased only 2 percent in the first quarter, said Gutierrez, who is the […] [Read More]

Manheim has announced the promotions of two leaders into key roles, in what the company calls a move to position top talent to drive business strategy within its market operations. Named as market vice president for Manheim’s Florida Market is Mark Ford, while Rich Coutu has been named market vice president for the North Central […] [Read More]

The Westlake Financial Services remarketing department announced its first-quarter top regional auction performers on Tuesday. Executives from Westlake also offered commentary on what makes the following auctions stand out.   The winners are as follows: •    Eastern Region: Sanford Auto Dealer Exchange (Orlando, Fla.) Bill Walters, vice president of remarketing, said that despite being one […] [Read More]

From free barbecue and boxing to legendary rock bands in concert, ServNet auctions are preparing for this summer’s sales. R. Charles Nichols, ServNet president, said: “The summer’s market does not cool down in the ServNet world. In June, July and August, ServNet auctions hold huge events that set the bar for innovation and impact on […] [Read More]

Southeast Toyota Distributors announced seven senior-level promotions on Tuesday, all of which become effective June 1.  The appointments are as follows: — Hank Grooms takes on the new role of vice president, marketing and field operations. Prior to this position, Grooms was vice president of marketing. — Michael Brennan will be promoted to vice president, […] [Read More]