Meant to engage customers in new and innovative ways, Fiat aimed to put even more electronic information at potential buyers’ fingertips with a new free Apple iPad application. The brand explained the “FIAT Source” touch-based application can digitally showcase the new 2012 Fiat 500 vehicle line. The app’s features include detailed 360-degree images, colorizer, videos […] [Read More]

It was announced late last week that 31-year-old Joseph Mast has won the coveted title of International Auctioneer Champion. The co-owner of Real Estate Showcase Real Estate & Auction Services and youngest ever to be awarded the title of IAC, began his career selling personal property but expanded his focus to auto auctions soon after. […] [Read More]

WomenCertified is calling for dealers throughout the country to nominate their respective stores for an upcoming listing that will honor those that show the most remarkable customer service. To vie for a spot on the list of Top Dealerships for Outstanding Customer Experience by WomenCertified, dealers can go to www.womencertified.com/topdealerships and fill out the form. WomenCertified […] [Read More]

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced late last week that one of its subsidiaries has priced a group of rental car asset-backed notes to raise more capital. Oklahoma based Rental Car Finance Corp. priced $500 million in aggregate principal amount of medium-term Series 2011-1 rental car asset-backed notes. Company officials state that the notes will be […] [Read More]

Ontario dealer Al Revell no longer buys any vehicle at the physical auction. Instead, the co-owner of Revell Ford Lincoln in Verona, Ontario takes care of all his store’s wholesale buying needs through OPENLANE. A case study on Revell’s store from OPENLANE revealed that a few years ago, Ford was steering its dealers to utilize […] [Read More]

Manheim Canada revealed its new director of business/product development this week, appointing longtime industry veteran Don Wallace to the role. When he officially begins his tenure on Monday, Wallace takes the spot previously held by Cheryl Munce. Munce recently moved over to serve as general manager at Manheim Toronto. [Read More]

TRADER Corp. and Yahoo Canada formed an alliance this week, making autoTRADER.ca the official automotive partner powering the used car section of Yahoo Canada Autos. The companies believe the alliance creates a seamless user experience for autoTRADER.ca and Yahoo consumers in Canada. They contend potential buyers can find the best deals on used vehicles through […] [Read More]

Penske Automotive Group’s significant uptick in used sales helped overcome what was a modest drop in new sales, as the company enjoyed a “solid quarter” despite the inventory pressures it faced in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake. Reporting second-quarter results Thursday, Penske said it achieved $39.9 million in income from continuing operations attributable to […] [Read More]

Acknowledging it won’t recoup the full amount owed by the Old Chrysler, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said Thursday it received $560 million in proceeds from the sale of its remaining stake in Chrysler Group to Fiat. With the closing of this transaction, the Treasury declared that it has fully exited its investment in […] [Read More]

So far this month, although new retail sales have picked up the pace from June and May, various downward pressures appear to be keeping sales at bay. The market still hasn’t returned to the strength it saw during the first few months of 2011, according to J.D. Power and Associates. The firm is forecasting July […] [Read More]