The McConkey Auction Group named a national accounts director last week, and appointed to the position for the group that includes DAA Northwest, KCI Kansas City and EPI El Paso was Mike Mikkelsen. Having started his career with South Seattle Auto Auction in 1980, Mikkelsen has been with DAA Northwest since its 1992 inception. The […] [Read More]

When Kelley Blue Book assessed January wholesale prices, analysts found an unusual situation. KBB noticed 2011 models being more valuable a year after their introduction than where 2012 units stand 12 months following their roll out. To be exact, analysts determined that 2012 model-year vehicles are actually worth 4 percent less than a used 2011 […] [Read More]

I had mixed feelings as the curtain closed on the 2013 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention. Like many dealers, I felt a mixture of exhilaration and exhaustion as the time came to focus on the return trip home. Here are four top takeaways from convention conversations, meetings and workshops: Softer Used Vehicle Values As regular […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book contends consumers shopping for a used car in January had practicality on their minds, as the start of the New Year means a return to work and school. KBB’s Arthur Henry explained shoppers displayed “an increased interest in the full-size crossover, hybrid car and compact car segments,” as 2013 got underway, according […] [Read More]

Thousands of dealers have spoken, and the results are in. Honoring leaders in innovation, performance and customer service, DrivingSales recently announced its dealer-selected 2012 Dealer Satisfaction Awards. Awards are given based on ratings and reviews by the company’s dealer participants of their vendor partners, who use the Vendor Ratings platform to declare which industry vendors […] [Read More]

Revealed late last week, NADA’s vice chairman for the new year has taken office. Taking the position for 2013 is Forrest McConnell, III, owner of McConnell Honda and Acura in Montgomery, Ala.. Commenting on his appointment, McConnell said, "I'm honored to lead a group of entrepreneurs that drive the American economy. It's a privilege to […] [Read More]

Toyota Motor North America announced last week that it has reached a settlement agreement with the attorneys general of 29 states and one U.S. territory to resolve issues related to recalls conducted by the company from 2005 to 2010. As part of this settlement, which Toyota’s board approved last December, the automaker will pay $29 […] [Read More]

As Subaru reached a new milestone with its annual “Share the Love” charity campaign, Chrysler Group revealed it took less than a week to hit a target necessary to trigger a donation to the National FFA Organization. Ram pledged to make a donation to the National FFA Organization for every view of its two-minute “Farmer” […] [Read More]

MINNEAPOLIS — With regulatory compliance becoming even more urgent these days, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services reiterated that its professional services can help lenders, captive finance companies and loan servicing organizations obtain the information they need to understand U.S. regulations applicable to consumer default documents affecting auto lending. The company highlighted Wolters Kluwer Financial Services' compliance […] [Read More]

HANOVER, Md. — Hudson Cook recently announced a partner is returning to the firm to focus his practice on federal and state consumer financial services laws with particular emphasis in automotive financing. Coming back after a most-recent stint as counsel at Ally Bank is Thomas Buiteweg, who will be a partner at the Hudson Cook's […] [Read More]