Apparently, retail consumers weren’t the only ones buying more cars in 2012. Commercial-fleet sales were booming, as well, ending the year 41 percent above 2011 yearly levels. In 2012, the industry saw 5.7 million commercial-fleet units sold — or 39 percent of total deliveries, according to CNW’s latest Automotive Retail Summary. [Read More]

Manheim on Tuesday announced the appointments of three employees to new roles within the organization, moves the company said are part of its focus on enhancing the customer experience. Appointed to the newly created position of digital general manager is Allan Wilwayco. In this role, he will be responsible for the management and execution of […] [Read More]

The brand might have some of the smallest units on the road, but J.D. Power and Associates determined the badge packs the most effective punch with its website. J.D. Power’s 2013 Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study — Wave 1 revealed that the company with the best site is smart, scoring 845 on a 1,000-point scale. Jeep […] [Read More]

Batman has defeated James Bond. Well, at least when it comes to their cars. Barrett-Jackson announced Tuesday that the original 1966 TV series Batmobile sold for a cool $4.62 million at the company’s 42nd annual Scottsdale, Ariz., auction earlier this month. [Read More]

When the 2013 World Automobile Auctioneers Championship gets underway this spring, the panel of judges will feature some familiar names in the remarketing and auctioneering businesses. Among the judges at 25th annual event are: Jack Neshe  National Auto Auction Association Sandy Schwartz, Manheim Tom Caruso, ADESA Pierre Pons, ServNet Angela Crooke, America's Auto Auction J.J. […] [Read More]

CHICAGO and SAN JOSE, Calif. — As CNW Research noticed subprime auto loan approvals rising year-over-year by at least 40 percent yet again this month, TransUnion and FICO Labs spotted potential trouble on the horizon for lenders and dealers working with customers who absorbed significant debt to fund higher education. A recent TransUnion study revealed […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Credit explained why its pre-tax profit of $1.7 billion in 2012 dropped from $2.4 billion a year earlier. The company said when releasing its fourth-quarter and full-year financial report on Tuesday that the decrease in pre-tax earnings stemmed from fewer lease terminations, which resulted in fewer vehicles sold at a […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Global Lender Services entered into a marketing agreement this week with one of the best professional basketball players ever, Julius Erving. To promote the GLS brand as well as its subprime auto finance products and services, this partnership calls for Erving, better known by the nickname Dr. J, to appear in GLS branded […] [Read More]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — After climbing for two months in a row, the latest RDN Monthly Analytics Update indicated December recovery volumes decreased 1 percentage point from the November level, leaving 2012 closing on a trend of consecutive month-over-month dips. However, the December reading came in flat against year-earlier levels. Countering that downward movement, RDN […] [Read More]

The American International Automobile Dealers Association is reminding dealers they still have time to register for the group’s 43rd Annual Meeting and Luncheon at next month’s NADA Convention and Expo in Orlando, Fla.   In addition to a keynote address from Mercedes-Benz president and chief executive officer Steve Cannon, AIADA’s annual meeting and luncheon will […] [Read More]