NEW YORK — The S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices all climbed based on data through September, except one category — auto loans. The auto loan default reading actually dipped from 1.31 percent in August to 1.29 percent in September, S&P and Experian revealed this week in their monthly report that assembles a comprehensive measure of […] [Read More]

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — To assist high-end luxury vehicle buyers, Chase Auto Finance and Aston Martin the Americas announced this week an expansion of their relationship, with the lender becoming the exclusive provider of financing for the brand's first U.S. retail subvention program. Officials explained Chase's arrangement with the British luxury automaker to provide retail subvention financing now allows Aston […] [Read More]

Analysts from Edmunds’ AutoObserver.com stand convinced smaller engines are taking over the new-vehicle market. They point to two reasons for the shift: improved technology and a push for better fuel efficiency. According to Edmunds.com’s data, the proportion of vehicles sold in the United States with four-cylinder engines has climbed from 32 percent in 2007 to […] [Read More]

Now all members of the Big 3 and the UAW have their negotiations settled. Ford confirmed this morning a new national labor agreement has been ratified by UAW-represented employees in the U.S. The automaker believes the agreement covering approximately 41,000 employees improves its competitiveness in the U.S. The OEM indicated it is adding 12,000 hourly […] [Read More]

Less than a year after AutoTrader.com acquired Kelley Blue Book, the industry is beginning to see the results of how these two companies can complement each other through services.  The companies revealed Wednesday that AutoTrader has brought its Trade-In Marketplace tool to Kbb.com, a move that can give subscribing dealers significantly greater exposure to online […] [Read More]

With today’s launch of VroomGirls.com — an automotive site created by and for women — creator Tara Weingarten aims to address the needs of women in the market for a new car.  “The industry is male-driven, yet women buy the lion’s share of new cars in America,” said Weingarten, who also serves as editor in […] [Read More]

Perhaps not surprising, Auto/Mate Dealership Systems’ recent study found that social media and mobile apps are gaining popularity among dealers at a significant rate, as well as becoming an integral part of the consumer/dealer relationship. President and chief executive officer of Auto/Mate Mike Esposito offered his opinion, noting, “We are getting more requests from our dealer […] [Read More]

Although used-vehicle values still decreased on a week-over-week basis, wholesale pricing moved in a positive direction last week, according to Black Book’s Ricky Beggs. The executive said the overall change in prices was the most moderate decline the market has seen in more than four months. More specifically, the overall change in wholesale values last […] [Read More]

Media network and publisher for women BlogHer Inc., announced Monday the results of a survey that delved into how women feel and where they turn for advice while buying a car. The company explained that the survey results — which were revealed at the J.D. Power & Associates 2011 Automotive Internet Roundtable in Las Vegas […] [Read More]

Saab’s parent company has been in and out of the spotlight lately, battling to keep operations going while it staves off creditors. However, one Cleveland-area dealership has set its sights on bringing some new consumer awareness to the brand and its models. In what is perhaps a bit of a novel idea, this dealership is […] [Read More]