SAN DIEGO — A former executive with AutoCheck, Experian Automotive's vehicle history reporting service, recently has taken on a role with MobileTrac, the provider of instaVIN. Now serving as the director of data development with MobileTrac is Edie Hirtenstein. MobileTrac's instaVIN is newcomer to the vehicle history provider segment, having gone through an initial launch earlier […] [Read More]

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Executives from TPC Management this week announced the latest auction operation to retain its services for strategic consulting in national fleet/lease business development. That facility is South Florida Auto Auction of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., an operation that's been in business for more than 10 years. "Over the past 10 years we have focused on […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Ford president and chief executive officer Alan Mulally praised President Obama's target for U.S. export expansion on Wednesday in a statement discussing the appointment of the Detroit automaker's leader to the President's Export Council. Obama revealed Wednesday that Mulally will be part of the council that offers the commander-in-chief guidance related regarding export enhancement. […] [Read More]

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — smart USA Distributor LLC has introduced a new program that lets fortwo owners customize their rides through an "unlimited palette" of paint color options and various body wrap designs. Through the smart Expressions offering, which was rolled out Wednesday, the entire smart USA network of dealers can help customers order custom exterior colors […] [Read More]

BATON ROUGE, La. — Wolters Kluwer Financial Services revealed this week that it received notification from the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding one of its solutions. Federal officials gave a U.S. patent to Wolters Kluwer for its AppOne solution. The company explained AppOne can automate indirect lending, credit approval and compliance processes for independent […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Both direct and indirect auto loan delinquencies showed improvement for the quarter, according to the American Bankers Association. ABA reported that direct auto loan delinquencies dropped from 1.94 percent to 1.79 percent. Meanwhile, indirect auto loan delinquencies fell from 3.15 percent to 3.03 percent. Reviewing credit trends across the board, ABA said delinquencies […] [Read More]

GARDEN CITY N.Y. — After Chase Auto Finance unveiled new offices in the Midwest and the Northeast earlier this year, this week the company expanded its presence in the Southeast. Executives announced the opening of a full-service Custom Finance Business Center in Richmond, Va. They emphasized the office is geared to help area dealers provide financing […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In addition to announcing that most 2010 vehicles financed through GMAC are eligible for zero-percent financing, Chrysler also said today that it is allowing customers the option of returning a new vehicle within 60 days. More specifically, if a customer is not happy with a vehicle purchase, he can return the model […] [Read More]

TULSA, Okla. — Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group is likely to take in significantly improved corporate adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter, which would mark the sixth straight time the company has seen its year-over-year gains in this metric reach double digits, according to updated preliminary estimates for the period and an updated full-year outlook released Wednesday. Specifically, […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — Cars.com is hosting a free online seminar Friday that is designed to show dealers how they can best use video in selling vehicles via the Web. The workshop — which starts at noon (EST) — will include a panel of experts who will delve into their tips for helping dealers succeed in this arena. Serving as […] [Read More]