Describing his findings in Black Book’s latest look at the wholesale marketplace, managing editor Ricky Beggs shared how a pair of distinct dealer sentiments are showing up in the lanes nowadays. Included in his weekly video report, “Beggs on the Used Car Market,” the Black Book veteran  indicated the majority of the comments from dealers […] [Read More]

For the second month in a row, the Kelley Blue Book Market Report recommended dealers remain cautious about going overboard in terms of stocking their inventory with fuel-efficient models. Granted, consumer demand has sent wholesale prices for these units soaring higher, but this surge won’t last forever, KBB stressed. Alec Gutierrez, KBB’s manager of vehicle […] [Read More]

With an imminent launch of four new models, Saab Cars North America brought in a veteran from another import automaker to be its new president and chief operating officer. Tapped for the role Monday was Timothy Colbeck, who joins the automaker from Subaru. This news comes as Saab embarks on what it calls its biggest-ever […] [Read More]

Underscoring the importance of including photographs and prices with their online new-vehicle listings, AutoTrader.com shared research results Monday that illustrate how much dealers can benefit from including these kinds of details. In particular, AutoTrader.com shed some light on how its new inventory listing format has helped dealers achieve substantial gains in their online traffic. [Read More]

AUL Corp., provider of used-vehicle service contracts, announced Monday that it is partnering with auto software solutions companyOptionSoft Technologies. Both companies aim to utilize this partnership to ensure their dealer networks are equipped with the most advanced electronic business solutions possible.  Regarding the alliance, Jimmy Atkinson, chief operating officer of AUL said: "Partnering with OptionSoft […] [Read More]

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. — Triggered by significant income and revenue turnarounds, DealerTrack Holdings raised its revenue and earnings guidance after releasing its first-quarter financial performance. Company executives said Monday their GAAP net income for the quarter came in at $24.7 million as compared to a GAAP net loss of $2.5 million for the first quarter […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Equifax announced this morning that it is continuing to see auto lending increase with average loan amounts generated through auto finance companies up 88 percent over 2009 levels. The total number of auto loans originated in January 2011 is up nearly 24 percent over January 2010 originations. Those sourced through auto finance companies grew […] [Read More]

MINNEAPOLIS — Wolters Kluwer Financial Services is looking to help dealerships connect with more lending sources through its new Indirect Lending Directory. The listing contains lenders that accept and use the company's retail installment contracts to document the financing of automobiles, boats, RVs and powersports units. Officials explained the directory of more than 600 lenders, […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — Several industry veterans behind Triad Financial recently banded together to launch a new non-prime auto finance lender, CarFinance Capital. Based in California, the company will first launch on the West Coast, expand to Texas in June and then continue the roll out throughout the country for the rest of the year. Jim Landy, Triad's […] [Read More]

Plaza Auto Auction revealed recently that it has a new national accounts sales manager. Appointed to the post was Bill Nutkins, whose experience in the retail and remarketing environment goes back more than 35 years. Nutkins previously served as the sales manager/national accounts at Manheim/Remarketing Solutions. He worked in the areas of credit unions and […] [Read More]