DealerRater kicked off its 2012 Dealer of the Year Award Program on Thursday with the campaign climaxing during next month’s National Automobile Dealers Association Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas. Officials recapped that DealerRater’s program highlights a select number of dealerships throughout the United States and Canada. These stores will be awarded for outstanding customer […] [Read More]

After setting a best-ever yearly sales record  for 2011, Kia revealed Thursday its Optima has been named the Autobytel 2012 Sedan of the Year. Recognized by the automotive research website for "setting the bar" in the sedan category, Autobytel editors noted they chose the Optima because of its “head-turning design, roomy interior and outstanding fuel […] [Read More]

PHILADELPHIA — VINtek recently highlighted Valley First Credit Union selected the company as its technology provider to better manage members' vehicle titles. Valley First Credit Union is based in Modesto, Calif., and serves nearly 53,000 members through eight locations in California. In 2006, officials recapped the credit union first implemented ELT to reduce the amount of […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Direct auto loan delinquency levels continued on an unprecedented stretch of low readings during the third quarter, according to the American Bankers Association's Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin. The auto loan category dropped below its previous low-water mark established during the first quarter of 2011. The third-quarter reading came in at 1.15 percent. […] [Read More]

LAS VEGAS — Those planning to head to the American Financial Services Association’s 16th Annual Vehicle Finance Conference and Exposition might want to make hotel reservations this weekend, at the latest. AFSA reminded attendees this week that the Las Vegas Bellagio, the site of the conference, will no longer offer the special group rate after this coming […] [Read More]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Veteran repossessor and Time Finance Adjusters executive Patrick Altes believes there has been an industry myth circulating for years about how voluntary repossessions are expected to unfold easier for both agents and lenders. However, Altes takes a cautious approach about voluntary repossessions saying, "The reality is that the chances of finding […] [Read More]

In a year that saw the overall Canadian new-vehicle market climb about 2 percent, Ford notched its second straight title as Canada’s No. 1 seller while European automakers appeared to have turned the corner in 2011, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. There were 1.59 million new vehicles sold in Canada during 2011, up 1.8 percent […] [Read More]

After a successful 2011 event that put a greater emphasis on Canada’s top pre-owned dealerships, the 2012 edition of the Auto Remarketing Canada conference will continue to build on that momentum and offer even more for dealers, organizers said this week as dates and location for the event were unveiled. Auto Remarketing Canada 2012 will […] [Read More]

Carfinco Income Fund’s transition to becoming a corporation has officially been completed. Earlier this week, Carfinco Financial Group — which is the new corporation — announced the completion of the court-supervised plan of arrangement for the conversion, meaning Carfinco Financial Group will continue the business previously run by the income fund and its subsidiaries. The […] [Read More]

Just a few years ago the nation watched as Chrysler and General Motors struggled to survive, while Ford appeared to leverage itself to the hilt to stick it out. However, turn forward a few years and 2011 paints a very different story for the Big 3. With OEMs consistently releasing high sales numbers to cap […] [Read More]