When it comes to how reliable consumers view certain brands, a slew of Big 3 and import automakers are showing gains from a year ago, J.D. Power and Associates reported Tuesday in its 2010 Avoider Study. The study delved into why shoppers either don’t consider a certain vehicle or why they steer clear of certain models altogether. [Read More]

ADESA revealed its new executive sales director on Tuesday, and stepping into the role is Kara Paciorek. The move was immediately effective. She has been with parent company KAR Auction Services since 2004 and her most recent post was serving as ADESA’s financial controller. Paciorek’s first role with KAR was serving as an Automotive Finance […] [Read More]

After six years of managing captive programs for Porsche, Saab and Jaguar at Midland Automotive Finance Corp. (now HSBC), and 11 years as vice president of business development and marketing for Remarketing Services of America (now a part of Fiserv), Cindy Heximer has returned to the auto sector. [Read More]

On Tuesday afternoon, Ford revealed the leader who will assume the role of chief financial officer for Ford Motor Credit at the start of 2011 when K.R. Kent moves into the position of executive director of investor relations for Ford. The captive’s new CFO, effective Jan. 1, will be Michael Seneski, whose current post is Ford’s controller […] [Read More]

There have been “some positives” spotted in the wholesale arena as of late, and while the market last week showed a relatively high average number for  daily value adjustments, the degree of change in wholesale prices was the lowest in almost three months, according to Black Book’s Ricky Beggs. [Read More]

Triggered by a strategy change for transmission manufacturing, Chrysler confirmed Tuesday that it’s looking to pour another $85 million into its facilities in Kokomo, Ind. The company plans to modify the Kokomo Transmission Plant (KTP) for a variety of powertrain improvements. Chrysler explained that it notified city officials of the potential new investment during Monday’s […] [Read More]

Recognizing Google’s importance to the auto industry, the National Automobile Dealers Association has enlisted Michelle Morris, director of Google’s automotive industry division, to share insights into online car shopper behavior at its upcoming convention. And with about 84 percent of shoppers leveraging the Web to help make purchasing decisions, Morris said it’s important that dealers have a […] [Read More]

Thanks in large part to the ever-improving quality many brands have shown over the years, dealers are apparently witnessing more of a consumer appetite for older models that traditionally might have been sent to auction. And especially while volumes of late-model vehicles remain down in the lanes, NADA Used Car Guide’s Jonathan Banks says that selling older models is a growing opportunity for dealers. […] [Read More]

The latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch study provided Toyota with some positive news as 2010 draws near a close. The embattled automaker that has seen recalls and litigation throughout the year is now again the most-considered auto brand among new-car shoppers, according to Kbb.com. Site officials noted Toyota held the spot from the first quarter […] [Read More]

After reaching an initial goal of 100,000 new-vehicle sales, TrueCar.com officials discovered Monday that consumers have now used their site for more than 200,000 sales. Officials revealed that it took 48 months since the company’s inception in 2006 to reach the 100,000-sales mark; however, the second milestone took less than a year. TrueCar reported a growth rate […] [Read More]