ATLANTA — In an overall consumer credit environment billed by Equifax to be continually improving, first-quarter auto loan originations climbed double digits, with March being the strongest month in almost three years. More specifically, Equifax said that the total number of auto loan origination for the first quarter was up 20 percent year-over-year. March loan […] [Read More]

Canadian auto superstore HGrégoire recently launched its second franchise in Québec, hosting an official grand opening of HGrégoire Canada’s Car Superstore Estrie. The dealership will service the needs of customers in the Eastern Townships and offers what the company says is the largest  physical pre-owned inventory in the region. [Read More]

Carfinco Income Fund gained a major contract earlier this week, as it agreed to service a U.S. equity fund-owned auto loan portfolio that is worth more than $150 million. And with the addition of the third-party portfolio, Carfinco plans to launch a Quebec service center. The portfolio includes both prime and non-prime Canadian consumers and is seeing […] [Read More]

Canadian fuel costs reached almost a three-year-high in May, hitting $1.31 per liter. This was the priciest fuel in Canada since July 2008, when prices reached $1.39, according to RVI Group. But expensive gas did more than just cause a financial headache at the pump. It also had an impact on wholesale values, driving them […] [Read More]

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]