Group 1 Automotive enjoyed more than a 48-percent increase in its adjusted net income during the first quarter, and officials seemed relatively optimistic about the dealer group’s ability to weather potentially significant disruptions in the supply chain stemming from the Japanese disaster’s aftermath. Announcing its first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, Group 1 said its adjusted net […] [Read More]

To drive service dollars, Hyundai’s Chicago dealers recently held a weekend-long Groupon promotion where shoppers could receive an oil change, inspection and tire rotation for $29. Customers could take advantage of the deal at 10 different stores in the Chicago area. Hyundai revealed that 1,323 shoppers utilized the Groupon, meaning the average number of new-service […] [Read More]

Chevrolet announced Tuesday it will celebrate National Military Appreciation Month by expanding the GM Military Discount to military spouses and retirees. During the month of May, the GM Military Discount program will be extended to spouses of active and reserve members, as well as retirees of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard […] [Read More]

Apparently, Toyota and Honda are getting a better handle on where their suppliers stand in quake-jolted Japan. Both companies are now reporting that normal worldwide production is unlikely to resume until almost the end of this year. After an in-depth analysis of its suppliers affected by the earthquake and tsunami, Toyota announced global production will begin to ramp up as soon […] [Read More]

As the automaker sets its sights on ramping up worldwide sales to catch Toyota, Volkswagen of America looked to Subaru for its new chief product and marketing officer for the Volkswagen brand. Tapped for the job was Timothy Mahoney, who will report to Jonathan Browning, president and chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group of America and […] [Read More]

Prices in the wholesale market continued to move upward this past week, though the pace of increase was not as drastic as it had been in weeks before, according to Black Book managing editor Ricky Beggs. Specifically, 58 percent of value adjustments Black Book made last week were upward changes. While this is certainly a […] [Read More]

The effects of the Japanese disaster and skyrocketing gas prices are among the topics vAuto’s Dale Pollak is tackling in an online seminar this morning that features a Q&A with the company’s founder. The “General Market Update, a Q&A with Dale Pollak” begins at 11 a.m. (CDT) and runs until noon. Officials are asking participants to […] [Read More]

Nissan North America recently launched a recall of nearly 196,000 models of the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4, concentrated in wintry weather areas in the U.S. and Canada. The recall stems from the need to make a repair in the steering column for effected units originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, […] [Read More]

Three models were recognized last week in New York by the 2011 International Car of the Year Awards for being top-notch within their respective segments. Honored during a private ceremony were: —2011 International Sedan of the Year: Volvo S60, which was voted “Most Dependable.” —2011 International Luxury Car of the Year: Jaguar XJ, which was voted […] [Read More]

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers recently made another step forward in its plans for a new facility in North Carolina, located just outside the Raleigh-Durham area. The auction company closed on 107 acres of property 24 miles north of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and plans to break ground on an auction site there in June. The facility, […] [Read More]