October represented a record month for used-vehicle prices, which climbed double digits from a year ago and also showed the third-strongest month-over-month upswing this year, according to RVI Group. Not only that, but it marked the first time since April that the year-over-year upswing did not slow down from the previous month. [Read More]

Chrysler — which recently celebrated a year-over-year sales improvement for the seventh straight month — announced it is rolling out a new advertising message and campaign for dealers across all four of its brands that it says can “keep our momentum rolling” and finish 2010 in a strong way. [Read More]

A service program that Lincoln rolled out this summer — giving its dealers another strong avenue to attract customers — has been made permanent by the luxury automaker. The Lincoln Complimentary Maintenance Program acts as supplement to the automaker’s 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Also included under the program are oil and filter changes, tire rotations and […] [Read More]

Toyota Motor Sales revealed Monday that it’s broadening the entertainment capability of future vehicles through a new relationship with Clear Channel Radio’s iheartradio mobile application. Executives said more than 750 of America’s favorite radio stations and other exclusive content are scheduled to be incorporated into select Toyota vehicles beginning in 2011.  The automaker mentioned this is […] [Read More]

Guardian Warranty Corp. recently reached a working agreement with Assurant Solutions to provide dealers with four new vehicle protection products. The line of products is backed by American Bankers Insurance Co. of Florida, an Assurant Solutions company, and includes: —GWC backed by American Bankers Insurance Co. of Florida: rated “A” excellent by A.M. Best Co. […] [Read More]

The former Phelan Dodge dealership in this Chicago suburb is about to undergo major remodeling and rebranding with the assistance of government officials. The Berwyn Development Corp. and the city of Berwyn joined forces to assist Kia with a project officials estimate should cost more than $2 million. Local leaders said Kia will purchase and […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Ally Financial announced it has been selected as the recommended provider of F&I products and services for U.S. Saab dealerships. Ally Financial will offer its Repair Advantage line of vehicle service and maintenance contracts to customers via Saab dealers, in addition to a comprehensive suite of ancillary F&I products, which includes guaranteed asset protection […] [Read More]

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Daimler Financial Services announced this week that it officially changed its legal name. The company now will be known as Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA and will continue to serve as the captive finance unit for an array of segments. That group includes Mercedes-Benz USA and its dealers and retail customers, smart USA dealers […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — A significant drop in third-quarter total operating expenses wasn't enough to offset a sharp decline in revenue, sending Consumer Portfolio Services to another pretax and net loss. The company indicated this week its pretax loss for the third quarter was $3.5 million. In the year-ago quarter, CPS shared its pretax loss settled at […] [Read More]

DALLAS — More than 500 attendees from throughout the nation and Canada gathered for the National Alliance of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers Underwriting and Collection Conference held in Dallas. Ken Shilson, CPA and conference chairman, stressed that this was the largest underwriting and collections conference in BHPH history. "The conference included several interactive panels covering collections, underwriting, […] [Read More]