AutoNation revealed Monday that it has gained a new member to its board of directors, pushing its total number of board member to 10. Called to serve as an independent director was Alison Rosenthal. [Read More]

Scion used a third-party website developer to roll out a series of applications and other online tools to help owners connect and maintain their vehicles. This week, Cie Studios launched a new website in addition to an iPhone app that are geared to provide Scion owners with “a new place to meet, express their enthusiasm […] [Read More]

U.S. lease penetration rates jumped almost 6 percentage points last year and reached their highest level since 2007, according to R.L. Polk & Co. The company went on to report that there were year-over-year leasing gains in all eight regions of the country during 2010. Specifically, the lease penetration rate came in at 18.9 percent in 2010, […] [Read More]

Dealership managers who want more analysis about 2008 model-year vehicles can obtain it this week. J.D. Power and Associates plans to unveil the 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study on Thursday. Firm analysts explained this study measures problems reported by more than 50,000 original owners of 2008 model-year cars and light trucks. They said the study covers […] [Read More]

When it comes to responding to Web inquires, the auto brand whose dealers perform the best is Lexus, followed respectively by Honda and Toyota, according to the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index Internet Lead Effectiveness Benchmarking Study released Monday. Pied Piper Management Co.’s rankings — which included all major U.S. brands — were compiled through […] [Read More]

LeasePlan USA honored eight different auctions with Consignor Recognition Awards during the recent National Auto Auction Association/CAR event. Receiving the accolade as the Top Sales Achievement Award winner was Manheim Georgia. LeasePlan explained the Top Sales Achievement Award is given to the auction with exceptional performance in gross sales retention of LeasePlan vehicles. Five auctions […] [Read More]

OnStar rolled out a sweepstakes Monday that allows all owners of vehicles with digital OnStar — even if they are used models — to vie for the chance to win their pick of an assortment of OnStar equipped Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac model. Basically, if a driver has an OnStar-equipped unit, even if they […] [Read More]

TrueCar.com decided to revisit its analysis of fuel-efficient vehicles Monday, compiling separate lists of just hybrids as well as non-hybrid models. Of the Top 10 hybrids, analysts indicated four have a combined 40 mpg or better while every vehicle in the Top 10 non-hybrids offers a combined 30 mpg or better. TrueCar.com’s lists only looked […] [Read More]

Automotive Internet Media revealed Monday it will offer its search engine optimization services to a select number of dealers in each market. Company executives explained they provide ethical SEO services and adhere to Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. All clients can utilize Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools to track the results of the campaign. SEO strategy can […] [Read More]

MINNEAPOLIS — FICO insists more vehicle lenders are synchronously migrating to the FICO 8 Auto Score — with most companies set to complete the adoption process by May. Officials indicated a number of lenders have already migrated to the FICO 8 Auto Score, including captive, bank and non-prime lenders such as Volkswagen Credit, Santander Consumer […] [Read More]