These days, a dealer can assume that most every customer that comes through the store’s doors has searched the Internet once or twice before deciding on a dealership to try out. But how and when are shoppers turning to search engines, dealership websites and third-party sites during the shopping process? For a special "Advertising Ideas […] [Read More]

Independent auction network ServNet revealed Tuesday a new member on its board of directors. Tapped for the position is the owner and general manager of Pittsburgh Independent Auto Auction: Dave Angelicchio. [Read More]

GE has taken a big step in its alternative-fuel vehicle goals. In a collaboration announced Tuesday, GE is buying 2,000 new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids for its fleet, which would put GE a fifth of the way toward its alt-fuel target. With the 2,000 C-MAX Energi units coming into the fleet, GE will have […] [Read More]

Naked Lime Marketing has announced that its digital reputation management service for dealers has been approved by General Motors for the 2013 Standards for Excellence program. Moreover, dealers using its marketing services may be eligible for reimbursement for these services under the GM iMR (In-Market Retail) Turnkey Program in which GM reimburses dealerships for a […] [Read More]

A behind-the-scenes look at one of the nation’s largest auto auctions and its processes was the latest course of study for students of the Auction Academy. The Academy’s inaugural class, dubbed the Next Generation/Sons and Daughters, took part in a two-day curriculum offering insights into the detailed preparations and processes used by Southern Auto Auction. […] [Read More]

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Citing increased competition from dealers and lenders dipping deeper into the subprime customer pool as well as a comparison to a sterling performance a year ago, America's Car-Mart watched its net income, revenue and retail units sold all soften during the second quarter of its current fiscal year. The buy-here, pay-here dealership […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif., and SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The fiscal cliff is all the talk in Washington, D.C., since lawmakers must decide if the Bush-era tax cuts and a 2-percentage point payroll tax deduction among other elements will be extended by Jan. 1. Kelley Blue Book did some calculations recently to find out exactly what these […] [Read More]

SARASOTA, Fla. — Leedom and Associates is closing out the year with one more event for training, networking and more  — the 2012 Buy-Here, Pay-Here Credit & Collections Conference. The conference that's scheduled to include skip-tracing expert Alex Price, AutoStar Solutions president and chief executive officer Allen Dobbins and others is set for Dec. 4–6 […] [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is a good time for me to take a step back from politics and industry news, and focus instead on the larger picture. After all, dealers have a lot to be thankful for this year. Since the Great Recession began four years ago, our industry […] [Read More]

A deal long in the making has come to a close. Hertz Global Holdings announced this morning that it has successfully completed its previously announced acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. As a result of the transaction, Dollar Thrifty has become a  wholly owned subsidiary of Hertz. [Read More]