OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Just like the energy generated by basketball during March, Dealers Auto Auction of Oklahoma City said lane activity was buzzing during sales at the auction this month, including a "March Madness City" event that created quite a bit of dealer interest. The auction tipped off March with a Chrysler Financial sale on […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Apparently, Chrysler Group has already sent 36 letters of intent or sales and service agreements for reinstatement to dealers whose contracts were rejected under the bankruptcy proceedings last year. And now, the automaker is looking to reinstate 50 additional dealers and is in the process of sending out another round of letters […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — Late Friday, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. announced that, working in cooperation with Attorneys General across the country, the automaker will be extending on a nationwide basis the additional services being provided to Toyota and Lexus customers in New York affected by the company's recent recalls. [Read More]

DETROIT — Ed Whitacre, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors, said late last week that his company plans to make its second quarterly loan payment to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada on Wednesday, ahead of schedule. More specifically, Whitacre said, "In keeping with our commitments to the U.S. and Canadian and Ontario taxpayers, […] [Read More]

YONKERS, N.Y. — A follow-up to the Consumer Reports 2010 Car Brand Perception Survey revealed that Toyota loyalty is slipping in light of ongoing recalls and deteriorating public perception of the automaker. Officials indicated that among consumers who drive a Toyota regularly, 60 percent said they would most likely purchase a Toyota the next time they […] [Read More]

CHARLESTON, S.C. — American Auto Auction Group recently announced a new partnership to aid its quest to acquire independent auctions throughout the country. The group's newest agreement is with Baird Capital Partners, the U.S.-based private equity group within Baird Private Equity that manages more than $2 billion in assets. "As a 20-year industry veteran, I am […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — Cars.com officials cited ongoing negative publicity surrounding Toyota recalls as the primary reason the automaker's units are dropping in popularity on the Web site. In fact, the site found that the Toyota Camry — which once owned its largest share of consumer contacts to dealers among midsize sedans during the height of Cash for Clunkers — […] [Read More]

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Overall, dealers seemed to be easing their bidding aggression in the auction lanes last week as Black Book spotted fewer bidders on each vehicle. Ricky Beggs, managing editor of Black Book, indicated that situation resulted in more stable market values and significantly fewer necessary adjustments. In fact, Beggs said editors adjusted less than 2,650 vehicles […] [Read More]

SAN FRANCISCO — State Treasurer Bill Lockyer brought together a panel of fellow California leaders last week in San Francisco for a public hearing to investigate the potential impact of Toyota's plans to shut down its New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. vehicle plant in Freemont, Calif. The panel collected information and heard testimony from a variety […] [Read More]

OAK BROOK, Ill. — The perception of not being able to source hot vehicles for the right money is understandable but wrong. The reason that it's understandable is that we never knew how good we had it. When the market delivered 17 million new cars, dealers stood on their lots and people threw trade-ins at them. […] [Read More]