In the midst of used-car prices moving upward in the past year, there is some question as to whether this trend is like a “bubble” that will suddenly burst or — as CNW Research president Art Spinella put it — “more like a slow leak in an air mattress,” deflating gradually. To shed some light […] [Read More]

Analysts from J.D. Power and Associates and Edmunds.com each gave their latest projections about where June’s SAAR might land, touching on how incentive levels greatly swayed their estimations. J.D. Power indicated Thursday the pace of new-vehicle retail sales cooled during the third week of June, after exhibiting a stronger pace during the first two weeks […] [Read More]

Incorporating a host of new features aimed at connecting dealers with potential buyers, Autobytel on Thursday launched its revamped website, emphasizing the tagline, “Your Lifetime Automotive Advisor.” Developed with extensive consumer input, Autobytel highlighted the redesign incorporates bold colors, updated graphics, nearly 1 million rich vehicle images, user-friendly navigation and new, innovative tools for consumers […] [Read More]

Developing more vehicle technologies and enhancing corporate synergy were among the topics discussed this week by Toyota Motor Corp., president Akio Toyoda and the automaker’s other top executives who gathered for the annual national dealer meeting. The private meeting was attended by representatives from Toyota’s 1,233 U.S. dealers, as well as Toyota Motor North America […] [Read More]

As its peers prepare to rev their facilities back up to 100-percent capacity, Mazda Motor Corp. also plans to return to normal production at its Japanese assembly plants in June. Fiscal 2012 production output in Japan for the automaker is expected to reach 900,000 units. Not only that, the automaker has said it will be profitable across the […] [Read More]

The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance will commemorate its 10th anniversary when it convenes next month in Dallas for the annual IARA Summer Roundtable, which will include a host of industry leaders, such as Manheim Consulting’s Tom Webb and longtime General Motors executive Bob Lutz. The event is scheduled for Aug. 16-17 at the Westin Galleria […] [Read More]

Larry H. Miller Group announced Thursday that its founder’s first dealership has a new home. The Toyota dealership that was the first to be bought by Larry Miller back in 1979 will be open to the public again this Wednesday at 11 a.m. at its new location, 5650 South State St. in Murray, Utah, announced […] [Read More]

Is the Prius really so valuable? A Toyota dealership recently announced it bought one of these used models back from a customer after more than a year for $1,500 more than it was originally sold for. Is this the result of high gas prices, the impact of the Japanese quake on supplies or what? The supply level of […] [Read More]

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]