WESTCHESTER, Ill. — Insurance Auto Auctions announced that its I-bid Live online bidding program and the IAA Auction Center buyer-facing technology are now compatible with Apple-based mobile technology. Essentially, this means buyers can utilize this technology from any Apple-based Web-capable phone or device, like the iPhone or iPad. This, of course, allows for greater flexibility for […] [Read More]

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Ford announced Tuesday that at the end of this month it will kick off an initiative to bring the best performance possible for both current and past buyers of its 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup. For customers who already purchased this vehicle earlier this year, they will be sent a letter […] [Read More]

DETROIT and ANDERSON, Ind. — Tuesday marked the first funding action by the newly formed General Motors Ventures, a strategic relationship between Bright Automotive and General Motors. The agreement with the Indiana automaker is intended to help accelerate Bright's production of the IDEA, a plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle. Executives explained the companies signed a memorandum of […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Delivering one of the keynote addresses at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Expo in February will be Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales USA. Lentz will offer the industry message during the formal opening of the 94th Annual NADA Show. The conference is slated for Feb. 5-7 in […] [Read More]

PARK RIDGE, N.J. — Hertz Global Holdings just moved a step closer to acquiring Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. Hertz is hoping to grab DTAG, while Avis Budget Group waits in the wings and hopes DTAG will select its offer instead. Less than a week after rival Avis Budget Group turned in a bid to buy Dollar Thrifty, […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Volvo Car Corp. is now officially under new ownership. The sale of the Swedish car brand from Ford to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has wrapped up, and the Chinese company now owns 100 percent of Volvo Cars. It was also revealed that taking the reigns atop Volvo Cars as president and chief executive officer will be Stefan […] [Read More]

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The auction market was as stable last week as it has been in three months, according to Black Book's Ricky Beggs, who in his weekly analysis pointed out that late-model units have been slow selling, particularly the 2010 variety. "The toughest models to get high percentage sales conversions on the auction block continues to be […] [Read More]

BREA, Calif. — In  a trend that is becoming  extremely popular among automakers, American Suzuki Motor Corp. is launching a reward points and sweepstakes program to be run through its website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.   The Suzuki AllPoints program — where almost 250 prizes will be handed out — consists primarily of the "Live Large" video contest […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — As the Toyota Prius celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the automaker is asking Prius fans to join in the fun via Facebook. In essence, the automaker is looking for the most passionate Prius fan in the U.S. to host its official 10 Years of Toyota Prius Anniversary Celebration in the winner's hometown. Toyota is […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — AutoTrader.com is using its site to help garner more support for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. How is the company doing this? It announced that visitors to the site will see special display ads with "donate now" throughout the site that highlight the work of St. Jude. Also, people who purchase advertisements to sell […] [Read More]