FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — More and more dealers are utilizing leads beyond just looking at them as potential buyers of used or new vehicles. In fact, an AutoUSA study released Wednesday found that almost half (47.6 percent) share service marketing messages with these potential prospects. "In the past, dealers may have believed that the value of […] [Read More]

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. —  The Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing has rolled out a new program designed to help dealers make the best decisions when it comes to hiring employees. ADP'S Hiring Services is an online tool that allows for: —Ordering and managing candidate background, which includes candidate assessment tools such as job fit assessment […] [Read More]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — OPENLANE and HomeNet Automotive entered into a partnership Wednesday with short-term incentives geared to help dealers list and move their aged inventory on the wholesale market. Dealers using HomeNet's flagship product — the Inventory Online Internet Marketing Suite — can publish used-vehicle inventory on OPENLANE's Open Auction. Officials contend the listings can assist these […] [Read More]

HERNDON, Va. — Audi of America recently reached 2 million vehicles sold in the U.S. This milestone came in late June with the sale of an Audi A3 TDI — the reigning 2010 Green Car of the Year. The vehicle went to a customer at Keyes Audi in Van Nuys, Calif. Brand executives noted this transaction involved a […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The overall picture of the new-vehicle market's health may not actually be as rosy as it seems, analysts with Edmunds.com said Tuesday.  The site indicated that the seasonally adjusted annualized rate for new-vehicle sales is close to 12 million units through this point of July, but that doesn't mean the industry is […] [Read More]

TOKYO — In assessing the company's global strategy moving forward on Tuesday, one point that Honda Motor Co.'s president and chief executive officer hammered home was that the automaker is enhancing the environmental technologies offered in its vehicles. And this approach certainly looks like it will make an impact on Honda's lineup in the U.S.  Specifically, Honda is currently building a […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Dealers and used-car managers who missed the chance to listen in and ask questions to a trio of wholesale market experts about how new-vehicle conditions are spilling over into the pre-owned space should not be frustrated. An archived copy of Tuesday's Pre-Owned LIVE, a monthly series hosted by the Pre-Owned Automobile Dealers Alliance, is […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar revealed Tuesday that it has gained access to new financing that can help push its growth and acquisitions further. More specifically, included in the $35.5 million round of funding is a $21.1 million credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank as well as financing from USAA, Capricorn Investment Group and GRP Partners. […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — FordDirect has teamed up with OneCommand to deliver a database marketing service specifically tailored and built for the automaker's dealer body.  This new tool, Targeted Marketing, can help lead dealers to increased sales and service business by helping to foster, improve and maintain relationships with customers. Targeted Marketing is an automated service that helps Ford dealers […] [Read More]

HARTFORD, Conn. — Executive Auto Group offered an update on Tuesday about its latest performance as a part of AutoTrader's Trade-In Marketplace. The program results in guaranteed value offers for customers looking to unload a vehicle through trade or outright sale. Executives explained now they either can cut a check to the customer for a predetermined […] [Read More]