CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — Executives from Auto/Mate Dealership Systems highlighted on Tuesday they completed two crucial integration points intended to help several dealership departments at Mazda franchise stores. The integration connects their Automotive Management Productivity Suite and Mazda North American Operations dealership communication system. The first advancement involved the Mazda Vehicle Invoice Integration, a function the company […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — To give its dealer body another selling point in the spring season, Chrysler rolled out is May incentives on Tuesday, announcing that zero-percent financing through GMAC Financial Services is now available on most of its 2010 lineup. Breaking it down, on Chrysler brand vehicles, shoppers can choose from zero-percent financing for up […] [Read More]

DETROIT — GM Certified Used Vehicles has given its dealers another online tool to help them drive showroom traffic and move CPO units. Executives announced Tuesday that eligible dealers can use free video streaming for their certified vehicles on GMCertified.com and select GM Certified partner sites. "Simply by providing a minimum of six photos, our certified […] [Read More]

TULSA, Okla. — In late-breaking news Tuesday, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group issued a public letter to Avis Budget saying that its board is ready to entertain a substantially higher offer to acquire the company. More specifically, the company stated, "Consistent with its obligations under the Hertz merger agreement and with its fiduciary obligations to shareholders, the […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Providing an update on Perceived Quality Scores in its most recent Residual Value Report, ALG said the two brands showing the most improvement from the fall are Ford and Kia, respectively, while Toyota, had the heaviest drop-off by far. So, how does this affect residual values? "ALG's residual values for the May-June […] [Read More]

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Nissan North America rolled out a voluntary recall on Tuesday of approximately 134,000 Infiniti G35 models to address a possible passenger air bag harness connector issue. The automaker said the campaign involves model-year 2005 to 2006 G35 sedans and model-year 2005 to 2007 G35 coupes. The company insisted that only on a small […] [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Import automakers continued to see their sales climb upward during April, as they now have shown year-over-year growth for each month of 2010, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association. More specifically, international nameplates combined to sell 540,077 units in the U.S. during April, marking an 11.1-percent decrease from March, but an […] [Read More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barrett-Jackson announced its preliminary schedule for its first collector car auction to be held in southern California. The company indicated it already is accepting consignment and bidder applications for its inaugural Barrett-Jackson Orange County Collector Car Auction. The sale is set for June 25 to 27 at the Orange County Fair & Event […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In the first arbitration case involving Chrysler and one of its rejected dealers, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the automaker, Chrysler announced late last week. The arbitration — which happened April 14 in Cleveland — was between Chrysler and Joe Kidd Dodge, a dealership in the Cincinnati area that was cut in the automaker's bankruptcy […] [Read More]

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Carfax recently rolled out a new tool the company believes can leverage the value of its Vehicle History Reports even further. Executives explained the concept behind the Carfax History Impact is to give dealers a unique look at a vehicle's value. They detailed that by analyzing market pricing and millions of used-vehicle transactions, […] [Read More]