What are a dealership’s most effective weapons against identity theft crimes? Terry Dortch, CEO of Automotive Risk Management Partners and a longtime expert in dealership compliance, says it’s human eyes, hands and experience. “No dealership can be 100% secured from compliance lapses and data breaches, even when computer systems oversee digital networks,” he said. “But […] [Read More]

Wheels just got a big push forward — in part from one of America’s largest dealership groups. The fleet management company last week received what it termed “a significant minority investment” from mega-retailer Lithia & Driveway and Japan’s Marubeni Corp. Marubeni has been investing in the U.S. automotive sector since 1958, the companies said in […] [Read More]

As President Joe Biden and Donald Trump had their first debate last week, LegalShield used its latest Consumer Stress Legal Index (CSLI) to take a closer look at what’s happening with consumers in battleground states as well as providing an analysis of overall consumer financial status. Nationally, LegalShield’s benchmark CSLI remained almost flat in May […] [Read More]

Last week, Carleton announced the promotion of Sarah Way Milovich to general counsel and vice president of compliance following Jeff Buysse’s retirement after nearly a 40-year career managing Carleton’s compliance services. The provider of compliant financial calculations and lending document generation software said Buysse has been advising finance companies, lenders and regulators nationwide on the […] [Read More]

Electric vehicles have become extremely polarized along political lines, said participants on “The Charged EV Debate in the 2024 Election” panel during Industry Day at the Electrify Expo in May. To overcome that polarization, EV marketing should focus strongly on ... [Read More]

Central Dispatch has taken the first step in its coming “transformation.” Cox Automotive’s logistics marketplace has launched Central Dispatch Enterprise, which it calls “a customizable package of end-to-end capabilities” aimed at large automotive shippers and brokers. That package, the company said in a news release, includes a private marketplace structure, market intelligence powered by an […] [Read More]

The downward trend in wholesale used-vehicle prices continued through May and the first half of June – but there are signs the rate of decline in the coming months could be slower than the steep drop of last summer. In his latest Kontos Kommentary, ADESA chief economist Tom Kontos said wholesale prices averaged $14,329 in […] [Read More]

CARS Recon founder Ron Hope, a veteran of more than 50 years in the auto auction industry, died last week at the age of 80. Hope, who passed away June 21 at his home in Franklin, Tenn., formed Capital Automotive Reconditioning Services in 2002, growing the operation from a single location with 12 employees to […] [Read More]

Things are changing at CarMax. With retail used-vehicle sales and gross profit down 3.1% year-over-year for the quarter ending May 31 – the first quarter of the company’s 2025 fiscal year – CarMax’s emphasis has turned to making the most of what it brings in through cost reduction. “What we’re focused on is ... [Read More]

McConkey Auction Group is going all in on EBlock. The Spokane, Wash.-based group, which has been using EBlock’s dealer-to-dealer auction platform and Live Auction channel in its MAG NOW digital auction, is expanding that platform’s range into Northern California “from Fresno to the Oregon border,” according to MAG’s website. In a news release, EBlock said […] [Read More]