Social media is a social construct, a relationship, which happens to take place in a public digital space. Many car dealers have begun to look to social media as a cost-effective way to get their messages in front of people who have already done business with them, or who might consider doing business with them. […] [Read More]

Lithia Motors is loving the results its used-vehicle division is generating — production such as used-model retail same store sales increasing by 22 percent during the first quarter. But top executives are quick to point to the managers and personnel doing the day-in, day-out work to make each part of Lithia’s used department move on […] [Read More]

When it comes to vehicle condition, “average” may suit many used-car shoppers just fine — and it appears that dealers have taken notice. Black Book has found that demand for average condition vehicles has climbed in the auction lanes as compared to clean condition vehicles. In fact, Black Book’s Ricky Beggs said in the analysis […] [Read More]

Easing fuel costs are causing asking prices for some used full-size SUVs — the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban in particular — to rise, according to analysis from Cars.com. Among the 10 used models with the biggest price increases this month, the average asking price for Suburbans shot up 19 percent or nearly $7,000 to $43,407 […] [Read More]

The NCM Institute at NCM Associates has added several new training classes to its auto retail management training portfolio. Included are six classes in disciplines new to the Institute. These areas cover: —Express Service Management Levels I & II —Parts and Accessories Management Levels I & II —Collision Center Management —Sales and Management Compensation [Read More]

When the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance regarding the auto finance market in March, many legal observers and dealer principals saw it as a direct attack on dealer participation, a strong income driver for stores’ F&I revenue. However, Dealertrack Technologies associate general counsel Randy Henrick attempted to quell fears that federal regulators were going […] [Read More]

Manheim Pennsylvania played host to potential global partners, as dignitaries from five countries visited the auction on Friday. Fourteen international ambassadors and dignitaries representing Mongolia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Ukraine and Lithuania toured the Manheim Pennsylvania facilities, to learn about the remarketing business and meet with local leaders. As one of the largest employers in […] [Read More]

One ADESA auction location is ready to roll out the red carpet for dealers, with a Derby Spectacular sale set for next week. The annual sale will be held on May 2 at ADESA Lexington, with more than 1,500 vehicles scheduled to cross the block during the event. ADESA also reported that several regularly featured […] [Read More]

Sonic Automotive president Scott Smith pointed out the company has posted 14 consecutive quarters of revenue growth without adding any dealerships to its network. Could Sonic be ready to add some stores in hopes of boosting the bottom line even more? Smith reiterated Sonic’s position Tuesday when the company reported its first-quarter performance and conducted […] [Read More]

Based on market indications thus far in April, it appears the springtime “shift toward private-party sales” in the used-car business has begun to accelerate. In fact, CNW Research said in its Retail Automotive Summary released Tuesday that casual sales will drive the bulk of the expected growth in used-car sales this month (which, by the […] [Read More]