Dealers realize every wholesale auction transaction whether in-lane or online centers on one key question: What’s the value of this unit? To give more clarity to that issue, Manheim recently introduced a new feature on OVE.com, allowing buyers to “make an offer” and suggest the value they think a vehicle is worth on designated Buy […] [Read More]

Chicago-area dealer John Nelson says he’s not sure whether or not this new gas promotion from Wal-Mart will actually lead to increased sales at his store or help give his customers more spending power, but he definitely sees it catching consumer attention. The business operations manager at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates said this new promotion can’t hurt sales […] [Read More]

A decision made this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is particularly important to dealers who handle vehicles from the 2000 model year and older. The EPA issued fuel pump labeling and other requirements for gasoline blends containing more than 10 percent and up to 15 percent ethanol, known as E15. These requirements will help […] [Read More]

Saab’s parent company Swedish Automobile announced Wednesday that it has paid its employees’ wages for June, secured a 25 million euro loan and expects to resume full production within two weeks. The convertible bridge loan agreement providing the automaker with more short-term funding was made with Bahamas-based Gemini Investment Fund Limited. The loan agreement, with […] [Read More]

ShipCarsNow aims to offer dealers and remarketers the ability to access auto transport quotes from their smartphones via its new mobile application. ShipCarsNow Mobile provides shippers with the ability to make quick, informed purchase decisions when buying wholesale inventory, noted the company. The application is available free of charge for iPhone and Android smartphones and will […] [Read More]

NASHVILLE, N.C. — The federal and state rules, regulations and statutes for operating as an independent automobile dealer are constantly evolving. The risk of not adapting your business practices to those changes exposes you to ever-increasing liability. Simply stated, there are several previously acceptable methods of doing business that are now considered "unfair and deceptive." […] [Read More]

HANOVER, Md. — With data from additional participants revealing trends about funding availability and more, the National Automotive Finance Association recently announced its 2011 Below-Prime Automotive Financing Survey has been published. Officials highlighted the survey — conducted by outside consultant BenchMark Consulting International — presents aggregated data from 28 participants, up from last year. Of […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Effective July 25, a new inspector general of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection will take charge. Officials on Thursday appointed Mark Bialek, who will lead the office of inspector general staff in promoting the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the board's […] [Read More]

BANDON, Ore. — Instead of looking at the full contract and interest costs, many consumers appear more concerned with how a monthly vehicle payment will fit into their budget. While this has been something dealers and F&I professionals have seen for some time, apparently this trend has grown since 2008, according to CNW Research. The company […] [Read More]

The Specialty Equipment Market Association recently gave the SEMA Educational Institute eLearning Center an upgrade, giving SEMA members and other professionals in this segment of the auto business the opportunity to tap into more than 200 online business courses. And for a limited time, visitors can download these classes for free. Once the trial period […] [Read More]