Sonic Automotive went live on Wednesday with its technology strategy to use iPhones, iPads and corresponding apps to boost efficiency throughout the dealer group, especially in the sales and services departments at its franchised dealerships. Sonic president Scott Smith emphasized that iOS devices and in-house apps have helped drive the company’s rapid expansion by streamlining […] [Read More]

The used-car market saw increased interest in a somewhat unusual segment in June, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book Hot Used Car Report: Hybrids. With gas prices holding at relatively steady rates for the month of June, price drops in hybrids are credited for a 4.1 percent growth in shopping activity on KBB.com, month-over-month. […] [Read More]

With women accounting for more than two-thirds of all dealership service visits, Women-Drivers.com notes that it’s wise for dealers to address the specific needs of these customers.    The company, which captures dealer reviews from women about their dealership experience, has released its mid-year report on the top auto brands for service, with scores measured […] [Read More]

Insurance Auto Auctions is participating in a corporate-wide, fundraising event to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). During the month of August, IAA plans to sell lemonade at 142 of its 161 North American branches as well as its Chicago-based headquarters to help generate $125,000 toward supporting the organization’s mission of funding research into new […] [Read More]

Just last October, Superstorm Sandy rocked the Eastern Seaboard, and many emergency responders risked their lives to help communities recover and return to normalcy. In appreciation of the work the firefighters of Brooklyn, N.Y., have shown in the wake of the storm, the American Auto Auction Group has donated a 15-passenger van to the Friends […] [Read More]

ATLANTA and WASHINGTON, D.C. — During the same span in which Equifax indicated new credit for auto loans hit the highest level in more than eight years, the American Bankers Association's Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin showed buyers are doing a better job of keeping up with their payments. The bulletin noted that delinquencies for both […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senate leadership clashed again Thursday during speeches on the chamber floor about confirmation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's director and six other presidential appointees. The Majority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid, threatened to leverage the voting support he believes he has in the Senate to eliminate the chance for a filibuster […] [Read More]

MINNEAPOLIS — This week, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services launched a new comprehensive fair lending training program targeted to the automotive, recreational vehicle, marine and powersports dealer industry, one that's been endorsed by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Developed as a response to increased lender pressure and industry scrutiny of fair lending practices within the […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — White Clarke Group, an end-to-end automotive and asset finance software solutions provider, recently announced that Exeter Finance selected the company's CALMS2 software solution. Officials indicated the launch of the first phase is scheduled for this summer. White Clark highlighted the new originations platform is the next step in Exeter's plans for providing a […] [Read More]

Honda Financial Services reported a milestone this week using its upstream sales platform provided by OPENLANE.  This past June, HFS celebrated the sale of more than 200,000 vehicles through OPENLANE. Commenting on the news, Jean-Marc Leclerc, vice president and chief compliance/risk officer, and secretary at Honda Financial Services Inc., said, “We are very excited to […] [Read More]