Pushed by a significant uptick in its sales for Big 3 brands, AutoNation improved both its March and first-quarter new-vehicle sales by double-digits, the company said Tuesday. AutoNation closed the first quarter by moving 25,489 new vehicles in March. This marked a 15-percent year-over-year uptick. Sharing the results broken down by its three operating segments, […] [Read More]

With an economic rebound still tenuous, recovery efforts by finance companies, credit unions and buy-here, pay-here dealers remain a critical part of doing business nowadays. As the industry ventures deeper in 2012, sister publication SubPrime Auto Finance News reached out to several recovery executives to gather their thoughts on how recoveries are evolving. To set […] [Read More]

Since ACA International members approved bylaw amendments and a transition plan for the association’s new governance structure late last month, the collection organization is seeking applicants for 12 available seats on the restructured board of directors. Officials indicated interested candidates should review the application form and campaign rules. ACA’s corporate secretary must receive completed applications […] [Read More]

Pushed by easier credit conditions and other factors, used-vehicle sales climbed by more than 8 percent year-over-year in March, according to CNW Research. Specifically, there were 2.71 million used sales in March, compared to 2.50 million in March 2011 and 1.99 million in February, CNW indicated. Year-to-date, there have been 6.90 million used sales, compared […] [Read More]

Consumer-reported fires in a pair of late-model domestic vehicles triggered an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal officials explained they are examining the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2011 Jeep Wrangler to determine the cause of consumer complaints they have received recently. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received two complaints of […] [Read More]

When Ricky Beggs and the rest of the team at Black Book looked to recap wholesale market activity from the past week, one element jumped out quickly. In beginning his latest installment of “Beggs on the Used Car Market,” he shared, “As the survey reports and summaries arrived at the editorial offices, there was a […] [Read More]

This is the headline from a New York Times article that discusses how brick-and-mortar retailers like J.C. Penney are re-thinking their pricing due to the increasing smarts of their Internet-powered customers. The article’s relevant for dealers because it underscores two new realities of today’s business: 1. Pricing is a means to drive traffic, not make […] [Read More]

On Monday, TrueCar unveiled a 21-member National Dealer Council — made up of dealers and auto retail experts — that, essentially, enables the company to have a better understanding of the dealer perspective. This council will advise TrueCar on addressing dealer feedback and serve as a sounding board before the company releases “major product, process and policy […] [Read More]

Dataium has rolled out a redesigned version of its VisiCogn INSITE business intelligence and data reporting tool, and this enhanced solution is now available for dealers to use. The revamped INSITE tool has been integrated into the VisiCogn Knowledge Center platform and is designed to bolster overall performance and usability for dealers, the company explained. […] [Read More]

Offerings from Toyota and Lexus constituted half of the vehicles highlighted by Cars.com when site editors picked their best “Hybrids for the Money.” In ranking each hybrid, the site’s editors looked at a vehicle’s average fuel economy and base sticker price.  “We don’t account for equipment levels, quality judgments, cost of ownership or any variances […] [Read More]