Westlake Financial Services recently recognized its top auction partners and earning designation as its overall 2011 Auction of the Year was Norwalk Auto Auction. “Norwalk Auto Auction is the little auction with big results. A two-lane sale just 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Norwalk produces high scores for sale and service standards on a […] [Read More]

As Ray Mungenast took over as the American International Automobile Dealers Association chairman last week in Las Vegas, he promised that he would represent members to the best of his ability. And in an effort to maintain open lines of communication with members and dealers, he will now be establishing a regular blog “Ray on […] [Read More]

Volunteers from Nissan are working hard to ensure that one single mother of two has a solid roof over her head and a new home. As a result of a sustainable building grant from Nissan, Kenya Bouie’s new home in Jonesboro, Ga., is one of 10 Habitat for Humanity homes that will be built around […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book announced late Tuesday that president Paul Johnson has resigned from his position effective immediately. Taking on the role as president for KBB will be AutoTrader.com vice president Jared Rowe. Rowe is currently vice president of product management for AutoTrader.com in Atlanta, Ga. Rowe’s new role is effective immediately. Kelley Blue Book was […] [Read More]

After years of dwindling, Urban Science is reporting that franchised dealership ranks grew in 2011. The company revealed that last year saw a slight jump in the number of dealerships, climbing to 17,767 in the U.S., a 0.6 percent increase from 17,659 in 2010. “In a ‘normal’ year, there is a 2 percent decline in […] [Read More]

It appears Honda may be facing a serious monkey wrench to the proposed class-action settlement in a case involving hybrid vehicle owners suing the automaker for allegedly misleading them about fuel efficiency. After a small claims case judgment just shy of $10,000 was won by Heather Peters — who elected not to participate in the […] [Read More]

While attorneys contest that six parties are considering buying Saab Automobile, the road ahead may be difficult for any potential suitor, given what is occurring with Saab’s dealer base, says Bloomberg in a recent report. Bloomberg indicates that the number of Saab dealers choosing to close up shop during the last two years is roughly […] [Read More]

El Paso Independent Auto Auction recently commemorated its first year in business with a special anniversary sale which followed a celebratory party the preceding evening. EPIAA hosted customers and their guests at Rosa’s Cantina — a famous local Mexican restaurant — for dinner, drinks and a performance from The Cronkites on Feb. 7 then held […] [Read More]

The National Automobile Dealers Association has serious concerns about the proposed fuel economy rules for model year 2017–2025 passenger cars and light trucks and the potential negative effects they might have on consumers and dealers. Officials voiced these worries in comments filed late Monday with the Obama administration. In this statement, NADA highlighted concerns including […] [Read More]

DALLAS — With auto affordability improving in the fourth quarter of last year, dealers may see an influx of shoppers on their lots who had held off buying a new vehicle due to rising prices. According to Comerica Bank, the purchase and financing of an average-priced new vehicle took 23.1 weeks of median family income […] [Read More]