Announced Monday, Nissan Americas revealed some changes within its newly formed customer quality and dealer network development (CQ & DND) leadership structure. The company explained that these appointments are “intended to further strengthen Nissan Americas’ support of the company’s ‘Power 88’ business plan.” All changes are effective May 1. First up, Leon Dorssers, currently managing […] [Read More]

Do Cars.com and AutoTrader.com make up the majority of your used-car marketing strategy? If so, you are selling yourself short! While both of these properties are a great way to market your vehicles, there is so much more you can do that will double or triple your used-car sales numbers. [Read More]

Now that sales lead provider Autobytel posted its first profitable year since 2004, the company retained the services of Capital Markets Consulting Group this week. Autobytel explained CMC Group is being asked to work in concert with the company’s existing investor relations firm, PondelWilkinson, to augment the company’s investor relations activities and Wall Street profile. […] [Read More]

Researchers with the Union of Concerned Scientists pinpointed just how much an electric vehicle owner could save in operating costs compared to an average compact model. Study findings revealed owners of models such as the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt can save $750 to $1,200 a year compared with operating an average new compact gasoline […] [Read More]

Dataium’s latest Automotive Shopper Intensity Index showed potential buyers flocked to websites operated by Toyota dealers in March. Analysts found the brand secured the highest ASI ranking of all nameplates as vehicle searches on dealership websites rose 10 percent above the previous month. Coming in behind Toyota in Dataium’s breakdown was Ford, followed by Chevrolet. […] [Read More]

The RVI Group spotted the same wholesale price climb other analysts noticed in March as the RVI Used Car Price Index moved higher both month-over-month and year-over-year. Analysts determined the March index reading ascended to 1.454, up 2.3 percent from the previous month’s level of 1.422. The March reading also marked a 7.9-percent jump from […] [Read More]

Financial services technology solutions provider Fiserv revealed its new executive vice president and chief information officer is a former Ally Financial executive. Taking on the role is Cliff Skelton replacing Maryann Goebel, who will serve as an adviser to the company until her retirement on July 1.  In this role, Fiserv indicated Skelton will be […] [Read More]

While pinpointing the states with the most vehicles with open recalls for sale, Carfax declared in a study released Monday that choosing to ignore recalls “threatens the safety of consumers everywhere.” Carfax counted more than 2.7 million used vehicles for sale online in 2011 with safety recalls that were never fixed.  The company contends both […] [Read More]

 Asbury Automotive Group announced Monday it has appointed a new vice president and general counsel. Tapped for the position is George Villasana, who was most recently senior VP and general counsel at Swisher Hygiene Inc. The appointment is effective immediately. Highlighting his background further, before working with Swisher Hygiene, he served as executive VP and […] [Read More]

Rooftop review site DealerRater revealed Monday that the preview of it new online reputation management and social monitoring platform was a “huge success," with more than 150 dealers signing up for the product. The program, 360Certified — which will be officially launched in May — was offered at the recent Digital Dealer conference. [Read More]