BOCA RATON, Fla. — In an effort to cut down the amount of time customers need to spend in the F&I office, as well as generate stronger leads for dealers, Black Book this morning announced a new Credit Activator offering that supplies online Web surfers with a four-step process to get a general idea of their […] [Read More]

Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Daimler AG board and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, told shareholders today that his company has emerged from the financial crisis and has now turned the corner to growth. "We are on a path of profitable growth," Zetsche told about 5,200 shareholders at the International Conference Center in Berlin. "We announced […] [Read More]

DealerRater recently revealed the winners of the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award Program, which hands out honors for distinction in outstanding customer service based upon reviews of dealership experiences shared on the company’s website. The highest honor went to Russell & Smith Honda of Houston as 2011 Dealer of the Year. Managed by Jack Carney, […] [Read More]

Reynolds and Reynolds announced this week that the company has launched a new, live chat system developed to work in concert with dealer websites developed by Reynolds Web Solutions.   This new solution is created to give dealership personnel the opportunity to chat online in real time with consumers browsing the dealership’s website. Called Click-Chat-Buy, […] [Read More]

The Pre-Owned Automobile Dealers Alliance is giving used-car managers another chance to ask three inventory experts directly about how to size up what buyers want in their particular market. The POADA’s next free Webinar in its ongoing training series, Pre-Owned Live!, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday. This one, titled “Understanding and Evaluating Your Market,” […] [Read More]

If you thought managing your used-vehicle inventory was difficult during the 2008 gas-price spike, Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation at Kelley Blue Book, is advising dealers they should be even more aware of current rising fuel costs when considering what to choose at auction. By looking at recent and historical data contained in the […] [Read More]

In addition to pointing out the most-recent reasons for climbing wholesale prices — escalating fuel costs and problems stemming from the disasters in Japan — ADESA’s Tom Kontos tried to frame the current market situation in reference to a climate veteran dealers might remember. Kontos turned back to how dealers reacted during the late 1990s […] [Read More]

What chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne predicted would happen “in a matter of days” came to fruition Tuesday as Chrysler Group announced Fiat’s ownership interest in the company has increased from 25 percent to 30 percent. Chrysler indicated the increase is the result of the company’s achievement of the second of three performance-related milestones outlined […] [Read More]

Edmunds.com recently encouraged consumers considering purchasing another vehicle to move more quickly rather than waiting until the summer when deals usually go into full swing.   The company cautions shoppers that the typical summer deals may not be available this year due to supply shortages from the Japan earthquake and tsunami, as well as the […] [Read More]

NADAguides.com recently announced its annual “Must Consider” vehicle list, which includes a variety of brands.   Basically, the list, which was selected by company analysts, includes vehicles that offer “a combination of quality engineering, design and features, great performance and excellent fuel efficiency resulting in noteworthy success for each vehicle’s intended function and overall value (taking […] [Read More]