Spring is under way, and the American International Automobile Dealers Association is gearing up for the AIADA 7th Annual International Auto Industry Summit in the nation's capitol later this season.  And Jenell Ross, AIADA chairwoman, highlighted a few reasons why she never misses this event on her blog, noting she considers AIADA’s spring meeting to […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — A new survey from TransUnion showed approximately two in three credit union executives see loan growth as the critical business issue facing their industry in 2013, and auto loans may be the main focus of that growth. The survey found that more than half of credit union respondents believe auto loans are their […] [Read More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — For the second time in three years, Nicholas Financial retained a financial adviser to assist the specialty consumer finance company's board of directors with consideration of a possible sale. Last week, Nicholas Financial officials said their board retained Janney Montgomery Scott as their independent financial adviser to assist the board in evaluating […] [Read More]

DALLAS — Comerica Bank's latest Auto Affordability Index indicated the purchase and financing of an average-priced new vehicle took 23.6 weeks of median family income in the fourth quarter of 2012. Bank analysts determined consumers on average spent $900 more on new vehicles in the fourth quarter than they did in the third quarter of […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — Due to an overwhelming response to their second annual "GoGreen" campaign, Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services announced the organizations are doubling their commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The captives now are willing to donate up to $200,000 to the non-profit organization. The environment-friendly campaign, which runs […] [Read More]

When we talk about human nature, we’re talking about conditions that are basic to all of us, so what we’re really talking about is a tremendous natural resource that can be studied and used to further our own purpose. Once you have a basic understanding of the prey you are hunting, the task becomes not […] [Read More]

After reviewing data from the fourth quarter of last year, Experian Automotive said today that Ford took the top spot in corporate loyalty. It’s the first time the Blue Oval has secured this achievement since the closing quarter of 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2012, analysts determined 47.9 percent of the customers who own […] [Read More]

Used-vehicle sales will approach 2.9 million units this month, according to estimates from TrueCar.com released this morning. The site is projecting a new-to-used sales ratio of 1:2 for March. This prediction follows the forecast of CNW Research earlier this month, which called for 2.95 million used sales. Each forecast includes numbers for franchised and independent […] [Read More]

The fewer problems a buyer has with a vehicle purchased, the more likely he or she is to return to a dealer’s lot. The bottom line: Selling dependable rides can help dealers foster customer loyalty. To show dealers what units customers should be looking for to find a safe, reliable ride, J.D. Power and Associates […] [Read More]

Black Book noticed average-condition units gaining extra attention in the lanes last week. Why are dealers more interested in these vehicles? Black Book editorial director Ricky Beggs explained why during his weekly online video commentary, “Beggs on the Used Car Market.” Before delving into a comparison about average- and clean-condition unit activity, Beggs pointed out […] [Read More]