Experian Automotive and Experian Hitwise recently discovered online users have increased their share of overall vehicle make and model searches for the four weeks that ended Oct. 8 as compared to the same time frame two years ago. And the rise is substantial. Analysts say it’s up by 37 percent. Drilling deeper into its findings, […] [Read More]

ADESA thinks one wholesale factor pushed prices higher both month-over-month and year-over-year in October — a greater amount of rental vehicles coming down the lanes. Before economist Tom Kontos explained why, ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis turned up the specific price movements. ADESA found October wholesale used-vehicle prices averaged $9,842 — up 0.9 percent compared […] [Read More]

On Tuesday, Enterprise Holdings began rolling out a QR code campaign across its vehicle fleet to get customers thinking about their next vehicle purchase. The first vehicle brand to get the QR codes is Mazda, but the company confirmed that other automakers, including Toyota (for the Avalon) and Nissan (for the LEAF and NV), will […] [Read More]

Payless Car Sales revealed Tuesday that it has reached a deal with JM&A Group to serve as the administrator of the certified pre-owned program it is rolling out this month. As part of the agreement, JM&A is offering its F&I products to Payless Car Sales dealers, in addition to serving as the administrator of Payless […] [Read More]

Down “severely” in its two biggest markets because of the continuing aftermath of the earthquake earlier this year, Toyota’s global sales fell more than 18 percent during the first half of fiscal 2012, the automaker said Tuesday. [Read More]

Significant year-over-year gains in revenue and income during the third quarter prompted DealerTrack Holdings to raise its 2011 financial performance guidance. This week, DealerTrack revealed its third-quarter revenue came in at $95.8 million as compared to $63.1 million a year earlier. As a result, the company’s third-quarter GAAP net income settled at $5.4 million, up […] [Read More]

After releasing the Foursquare Quick-Start Guide for auctions this past May and receiving considerable interest in the tutorial, AutoTec revealed this week a version for dealers, designed to take an in-depth look at how rooftops can use the social networking site to their advantage. "Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback we got from auctions, we knew […] [Read More]

With wholesale supplies still being pinched by factors dealers are well aware of, the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index moved down only marginally in October. Manheim revealed Monday that wholesale used vehicle prices (on a mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted basis) ticked lower from both the previous month and the year-ago level. The October index […] [Read More]

Ford Motor Credit created a new division Monday to finance consumer purchases of Lincoln models. Officials described Lincoln Automotive Financial Services by stating “the premium customer experience is even more seamless with available financing and exceptional service” from this new company. All customer touch points — contracts, invoices and customer service support — now are […] [Read More]

NCM Associates launched a new, free information and training resource for dealers and their managers Monday. The NCM Institute Center for Automotive Retail Excellence rolled out a new blog and e-newsletter called Up To Speed. Director Garry House explained the online products will feature informational articles from the entire NCMi faculty on topics including merchandising […] [Read More]