Strong prices for trucks in the lanes — or so the story goes for the  first half of 2013. But the tides have turned, with the past few weeks showing trucks having greater declining values than their smaller counterparts. Overall, last week’s market activity brough an average depreciation level for car and truck segments of 0.3 […] [Read More]

This past February, I raised a cautionary yellow flag about dealers making speculative bets with their used-vehicle inventory decisions. I was concerned that dealers would have trouble resisting the urge to “stock up” in anticipation of a strong spring selling season — especially amid signs that incoming supplies of wholesale vehicles and other market variables […] [Read More]

American Honda announced last week that it issued a voluntarily recall of 143,083 units in the United States — the Fit from the 2007 and 2008 model-years. The campaign stems from the need to replace the master power window switch, which will be done at no charge to vehicle owners. Honda explained that under severe […] [Read More]

As the last weekend in June just passed, dealers are busy assessing the  month's performance. Which brands were hot on the lots this past month? Dataium’s Automotive Shopper Index for June indicates  that Japanese brands proved to be particularly popular with consumers, with the Honda Accord coming in as No. 1 in the ASI new-vehicle […] [Read More]

Through two separate campaigns, KAR Auction Services raised more than $69,000 in fundraisers associated with the American Diabetes Association and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Foundation. The company generated the larger of the two fundraising totals through the Indiana Tour de Cure, which resulted in a donation of more than $50,000. The Tour de […] [Read More]

A leadership transition for the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association is set to take place today, following the conclusion of the association’s annual convention. Michael Linn, who has been chief executive officer for 14 years, becomes CEO emeritus. As part of the transition, promoted to the role of executive vice president of NIADA is Steve […] [Read More]

Compliance experts from Reynolds and Reynolds and Dealertrack Technologies explained how the first enforcement action against the vehicle financing industry by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau might give more detail about the agency's regulatory agenda. To begin his assessment of what the CFPB ordered U.S. Bank and Dealers' Financial Services to do, Terry O'Loughlin, the […] [Read More]

Along with taking a longer look at employment data and trends, Manheim chief economist Tom Webb examined mileage changes by wholesale price tiers to find the weakest segment of the wholesale market in May relative to a year ago. Webb’s analysis determined vehicles in the $11,000 to $13,000 price range fell into that segment. “This […] [Read More]

HookLogic announced on its blog late last week that it has been chosen to be the newest addition to the Chrysler Digital Program.   With this deal, Chrysler Digital will provide the company’s HookLogic Web2Show and HookLogic Lead2Show products to the entire Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat dealer body. [Read More]

Ford announced last week it is issuing a safety recall for approximately 13,100 Ford Explorer, Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles from the 2013 model year in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the federalized territories. The reason for the campaign is rear door latches may contain an improperly formed component. Ford safety communications manager Kelli Felker […] [Read More]