IRVINE, Calif. — Toyota has apparently been knocked off the top of Kelley Blue Book's Automotive Brand Indicator, which gauges brand strength based on a number of consumer perception- and behavior-related factors. Coming in at No. 1 for the first quarter of 2010 is Ford, the "darling of the industry," as a KBB executive put it.  Toyota has […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The "Jeep Tiki Hunt" contest — which wrapped up this week after giving away three 2010 Jeep Wrangler Islanders — apparently did wonders for the brand's social-networking presence, along with another related promotion the brand held earlier this year. Jeep has held two social-media contests since March, and the brand's traffic in that arena has […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Whether or not they were from a franchise store for that domestic automaker, readers went to AutoRemarketing.com to learn the latest about Chrysler dealer arbitration. News about dealer litigation in Canada also drew plenty of interest this past week. The top five stories from AutoRemarketing.com this week are: 1. Chrysler Says It's Successful in […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Manheim's The Wholesale Institute recently commemorated a significant milestone in Chicago during National Dealer Automotive Career Month. The traveling workshop series held its 100th session in early April. The company looked back on the success TWI has had in helping dealers meet their profit goals via online wholesaling. "From mobile apps to advanced vehicle […] [Read More]

MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz USA opened the doors earlier this week to a more than 100,000-square-foot Vehicle Preparation Center in coastal Georgia that will process vehicles on their way to the automaker's Southern region, Texas and Oklahoma dealerships. Mercedes-Benz USA chief executive officer Ernst Lieb hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at the VPC in Brunswick, Ga., with […] [Read More]

HERNDON, Va. — Audi recognized its U.S. dealers that had the best performances last year on Thursday as it unveiled its 2009 Magna Society honors. Fifty-eight of Audi's 270 U.S. stores received this distinction, which is given to dealers that provide "superlative customer service" and post strong overall business performances. In essence, these stores are exceptionally […] [Read More]

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Experian Automotive attempted to look beyond the major industry headlines of 2009 such as automaker bankruptcies and Cash for Clunkers and share other intriguing trends coming to the forefront. A topic that kept returning by Webinar presenter Jeffrey Anderson was how much CUVs have taken hold in the market. Anderson indicated that the […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The cost to own a vehicle can vary greatly from state to state, sometimes by more than $10,000 over five years for the exact same vehicle, according to Edmunds.com, which recently investigated how expensive it is to own vehicles in specific states. Edmunds.com research indicated that the state with the highest average five-year […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The parade of recalls coming through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defect Investigations continues. This time, one involves General Motors and the Hummer H3. Officials indicated on Wednesday that GM is recalling this Hummer unit from the 2006 to 2010 model-years to rectify a condition involving clip-tabs on the hood […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently reiterated his praise for the success of last year's Cash for Clunkers program. This time, LaHood's comments came as a reaction to positive reports from the DOT Office of Inspector General and the General Accounting Office. Federal officials believe Cash for Clunkers successfully completed its top objectives set […] [Read More]