WASHINGTON, D.C. – A "human-like" robot that General Motors helped NASA build will take flight later this year and permanently join the International Space Station. Robonaut — R2, perhaps so named in a nod to the iconic Star Wars movie — was designed to be a "robotic assistant" and to work side-by-side with humans. It is quite versatile, as it was created to lend […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com analysts discovered that the average automobile finance rate in March dropped to the lowest level since they began tracking records back in 2002. The site indicated that the average rate last month dropped to 4.4 percent. Meanwhile in March 2009, the average rate stood at 5.8 percent. Edmunds.com delved deeper into the […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Financial Services Association launched a revamped Web site this week, that in addition to a new look, also includes a number of new features. "I'd like to point out some of the most useful features. The site's search function has been enhanced by implementing a Google search. You'll also be able […] [Read More]

BATON ROUGE, La. — Wolters Kluwer Financial Services and First Advantage CREDCO recently expanded their relationship to reach more dealers in the non-automobile market segment. Executives highlighted that marine, recreational vehicle, motorcycle and powersports dealerships now can acquire credit reports through the AppOne platform. First Advantage CREDCO pointed out that its credit reports had previously been […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — In reporting its first-earnings, Chase announced that auto originations are up both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter. According to officials, the "increase is driven by market share gains in prime segments and new manufacturing relationships." More specifically, auto originations are up 13 percent on a year-over-year basis and up 7 percent quarter over quarter. The […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com analysts completed a study on Wednesday that made the correlation between new-vehicle sales and major macroeconomic indicators of a strong or weak economy. According to the study, some automakers are more dependent on a strong economy. TrueCar.com determined that General Motors and Chrysler are consistently dependent on a solid economy for strong […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — After news surfaced that Consumer Reports had slapped the automaker's 2010 GX 460 model with a "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" warning for allegedly having potential roll-over issues, Lexus has temporarily halted sales of the SUV in the U.S. and Canada and is offering loaner cars to concerned owners of the model until the […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — Dealers and automakers now can obtain a better sense of what customers are saying about brands and vehicles through social networking Web sites. J.D. Power and Associates launched a new tool on Wednesday — the J.D. Power Auto Intelligence Monitor — that executives believe is the first industry-specific social media listening platform. Company officials explained […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors made a new appointment to its board of directors earlier this week. The automaker added Dr. Cynthia Telles, who has been on the faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry since 1986 and is currently the director of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute Spanish-Speaking Psychosocial Clinic. […] [Read More]

OAK BROOK, Ill. — vAuto is offering a Stocking and Sourcing Strategies online seminar next week that is free for vAuto customers. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (CST) on Monday, and will delve into three specific areas: 1. Discussion of market trends, new processes and philosophies for sourcing vehicles. 2. How to […] [Read More]