As the Federal Reserve discovered total consumer borrowing — including auto loans — accelerated by 8 percent in August, Fitch Ratings cautioned that industry enthusiasm should be tempered, as meaningful near-term risk remains as long as the U.S. fiscal cliff remains unresolved. Fitch highlighted that improving consumer confidence, pent-up demand and widespread availability of financing […] [Read More]

American Honda has issued a voluntary recall of some 268,000 CR-V vehicles in the U.S., due to a potentially faulty power-window master switch that has caused at least four vehicle fires. The recall affects CR-V vehicles of model years 2002-2006, for inspection and repair or replacement of the switch. In a corporate statement, Honda said, […] [Read More]

Improved marketing resources — in not one but two languages — is the goal of Strategic Marketing Alliance in announcing a new satellite office to open this quarter. SMA Alliance Inc. announced on Monday that it will open a satellite office in Tampa, Fla., in the fourth quarter of 2012, to focus on the company’s […] [Read More]

After sharing where the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index settled for September, chief economist Tom Webb explained what he called a “continued healthy market realignment,” which produced the steepest quarterly wholesale price drop since the close of 2008. During his quarterly conference call last Friday, Webb indicated that Manheim’s data showed wholesale prices softened by […] [Read More]

Have you ever wondered how a customer feels when they walk into your dealership? For dealers who are curious just how “customer-centric” they really are, Women-Drivers.com revealed an interactive quiz that enables dealers to evaluate just how shopper friendly their store is and where they have room for improvement.   [Read More]

Manheim has announced the launch of a mobile application that gives dealers the ability to create listings straight from their lots. Dealers can tap into myMobileListing from their iPhone or iPad device, and use the app to list vehicles in the Manheim marketplace and disclose vehicle condition information. Through the app, dealers can also post […] [Read More]

DealerTrack Holdings and RouteOne last Friday announced that they have settled patent infringement litigation that DealerTrack commenced against RouteOne in 2004. Under the terms of the settlement, DealerTrack and RouteOne filed a stipulation of dismissal with Judge Andrew Guilford of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by which all claims raised […] [Read More]

Late last week, Hertz Global Holdings announced that it extended the expiration date of its previously announced cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group for $87.50 per share. Officials indicated the tender offer is now scheduled to expire at 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 22 unless […] [Read More]

Gas prices are nearing $4, but shoppers still remain cautious when it comes to alternative-fuel vehicles. And according to Kbb.com, consumers don’t think the fuel rate spike is over — a worry that is still not causing them to consider alternative-fuel vehicles, site officials explained. [Read More]

Jeep brand officials announced late last week the winners of the nameplate’s recent photography contest.  Recently, Boys & Girls Club members located within a 100-mile radius of seven U.S. cities were challenged by the Jeep brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to enter the "Your Jeep Quest" photography contest, “a partnership that rewards […] [Read More]