DealerRater recently revealed the winners of the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award Program, which hands out honors for distinction in outstanding customer service based upon reviews of dealership experiences shared on the company’s website. The highest honor went to Russell & Smith Honda of Houston as 2011 Dealer of the Year. Managed by Jack Carney, […] [Read More]

Reynolds and Reynolds announced this week that the company has launched a new, live chat system developed to work in concert with dealer websites developed by Reynolds Web Solutions.   This new solution is created to give dealership personnel the opportunity to chat online in real time with consumers browsing the dealership’s website. Called Click-Chat-Buy, […] [Read More]

The Pre-Owned Automobile Dealers Alliance is giving used-car managers another chance to ask three inventory experts directly about how to size up what buyers want in their particular market. The POADA’s next free Webinar in its ongoing training series, Pre-Owned Live!, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday. This one, titled “Understanding and Evaluating Your Market,” […] [Read More]

If you thought managing your used-vehicle inventory was difficult during the 2008 gas-price spike, Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation at Kelley Blue Book, is advising dealers they should be even more aware of current rising fuel costs when considering what to choose at auction. By looking at recent and historical data contained in the […] [Read More]

In addition to pointing out the most-recent reasons for climbing wholesale prices — escalating fuel costs and problems stemming from the disasters in Japan — ADESA’s Tom Kontos tried to frame the current market situation in reference to a climate veteran dealers might remember. Kontos turned back to how dealers reacted during the late 1990s […] [Read More]

What chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne predicted would happen “in a matter of days” came to fruition Tuesday as Chrysler Group announced Fiat’s ownership interest in the company has increased from 25 percent to 30 percent. Chrysler indicated the increase is the result of the company’s achievement of the second of three performance-related milestones outlined […] [Read More]

Edmunds.com recently encouraged consumers considering purchasing another vehicle to move more quickly rather than waiting until the summer when deals usually go into full swing.   The company cautions shoppers that the typical summer deals may not be available this year due to supply shortages from the Japan earthquake and tsunami, as well as the […] [Read More]

NADAguides.com recently announced its annual “Must Consider” vehicle list, which includes a variety of brands.   Basically, the list, which was selected by company analysts, includes vehicles that offer “a combination of quality engineering, design and features, great performance and excellent fuel efficiency resulting in noteworthy success for each vehicle’s intended function and overall value (taking […] [Read More]

WomenCertified announced Tuesday it is launching a Dealer Recognition Program with research powered by J.D. Power and Associates. The idea behind the program is to help dealerships to increase customer satisfaction among their female clients through the WomenCertified Dealer Recognition Award. Customer satisfaction research, powered by J.D. Power, will qualify dealerships who meet a higher […] [Read More]

General Motors announced Tuesday it will invest $100 million to add 30 jobs and purchase tooling and equipment to make future automotive components at its GM Components Holdings Rochester Operations. "This investment in our manufacturing operations will enable us to produce a new generation of fuel-efficient small-block car and truck engines," said Cathy Clegg, GM […] [Read More]