OAK BROOK, Ill. — vAuto's used-vehicle management system can now be utilized as a mobile application for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch products, allowing dealers to tap into market information while they're on the go. "We recognize that our dealers need the ability to access our real-time market information wherever they are," explained Keith Jezek, president […] [Read More]

PALO ALTO and TORRANCE, Calif. — Late last week, Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor Corp. revealed extensive engineering, financial and production agreements, all stemming from development of electric vehicles and parts. Toyota also shared more details and a remedy plan about its latest round of recalls connected with several Lexus models. Furthermore, Toyota has agreed to […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Quickly after joining the company, Joel Ewanick, General Motors' new vice president for U.S. marketing, is showing his autonomy by switching up the ad agencies which work on the Chevrolet account. The GM marketing executive has decided that Publicis Worldwide and Campbell-Ewaldand are out and Goodby, Silverstein and Partners is in. Officials said the change was […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — AutoTrader.com received quite a 12th anniversary present a day early when the site posted the highest amount of unique visitors in a single day. Site executives highlighted they recorded 1.02 million unique visitors on May 18. It's the first time the site has surpassed that single-day threshold. Meanwhile, May 19 marked 12 years since […] [Read More]

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. — Finance Express has launched a new lead management tool in its online dealer management system that it says can help dealers more effectively determine where their customers are coming from and allow them to monitor leads as they go through the sales cycle. Dealers can use this tool to figure out the […] [Read More]

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed two bills late last week promoting advanced vehicle propulsion technology and giving consumers incentives to buy electric vehicles. One of the incentives will allow plug-in electric vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes no matter how many passengers are along for the ride. This becomes effective Oct. 1 and remains […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate approved the financial reform bill late Thursday without the Brownback amendment coming up for a vote. However, the dealer protection provision is expected to be addressed in a House and Senate conference committee that is designed to work out the differences between the two chambers. This means it's not too late […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — A Mazda store in Orangeville, Ontario, charged last month with conducting unfair business practices has been cut off by the automaker and had its dealer license frozen by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. OMVIC levied charges of "engaging in unfair practice by making an unconscionable representation" against Mazda of Orangeville and two of […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — J.D. Power and Associates rolled out its 2010 Canadian Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study today and found that the brand ranking the highest for customer satisfaction when it comes to automaker Web sites is Lexus. However, it appears the industry has a ways to go in terms of improving Web site functionality, which is […] [Read More]

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The ADESA Canada Used Vehicle Price Index continued to soften during April, as once again, auction prices showed an uncharacteristic slowdown. More specifically, ADESA's data — powered by ALG Canada — indicates that there was a 0.6-percentage-point dip, seasonally adjusted, in the index in April as compared to March.  The index has shown month-over-month declines […] [Read More]