Dealers looking for used vehicles from non-smoking owners now have another source for units that might be coming down the auction lanes. Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced Tuesday that Dollar and Thrifty rental vehicles are now 100-percent smoke-free as a result of the company’s new policy prohibiting smoking by renters at all U.S. corporate stores […] [Read More]

vAuto revealed recently that dealers can now tap into the company’s used-vehicle management system through their Android mobile devices, giving them another avenue to access the company’s services while on the go. “We are excited to offer our dealers the vAuto mobile app for the Android platform,” says Keith Jezek, vAuto’s president. [Read More]

Auto Remarketing recently learned that Cadillac has gained a new remarketing manager. Stepping into the position of Cadillac remarketing manager at General Motors’ global sales office in Detroit is Jeff Maes. Maes joined GM in 1991 in the corporate research and planning division. He has held various positions over the years within the company, covering […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book recently announced the new vehicles that generated the most consumer traffic via Kbb.com in 2010, in addition to revealing the brands that commanded the most market interest for the year. Topping the list of most-researched rides is the Honda Accord, with the Honda Civic coming in second. As far as the brand that generated the strongest proportion […] [Read More]

In a look back at some of 2010’s most revealing industry trends, Edmunds.com attributed rising used-vehicle prices to high demand caused by the “substitution effect.” Site analysts outlined this condition as a reaction to the economic downturn. They said shoppers who had traditionally been new-vehicle buyers ultimately bought used units. Based on December 2010 data, […] [Read More]

Based on early indications, used-vehicle prices continued to be robust during the first few weeks of December, which appeared to be “another strong month, although leveling off a bit,” according to RVI Group vice president Rene Abdalah. Looking at the first three weeks of December, there was a 0.5-percent month-over-month increase in used-vehicle prices, Abdalah […] [Read More]

Dealer.com strengthened its leadership team by promoting five executives to the role of vice president in a wide array of departments. The five executives who now hold this position are: —Kristin Halpin, VP of human resources. The company indicated Halpin joined Dealer.com in 2009 and has more than 20 years of experience in dynamic human […] [Read More]

The National Automobile Dealers Association broadened its scope of NADA University partners by bringing in a new one to boost its human resources offerings. The newest partner aimed at providing comprehensive education and training resources for dealers and their staffs is EZ-HR, an online human resources trainer. The association emphasized NADA University now offers dealers a […] [Read More]

Penske Automotive Group recently acquired a pair of franchise dealerships in the Cleveland metropolitan area consisting of Fred Baker Porsche and Audi franchises in Bedford, Ohio. The company plans to rename the showrooms Porsche of Bedford and Audi Bedford. Other terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Penske did explain the acquisition is meant […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — While Standard & Poor's and Experian noticed defaults rising for first and second mortgages, officials spotted continued positive gains for auto loans. Based on data through November 2010, the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices showed auto-loan defaults dropped 8.07 percent to an index reading of 1.76 percent. A month earlier, it stood at […] [Read More]