BETHESDA, Md. — The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association recently released some preliminary data from its annual Aftermarket Factbook. Among some of the findings was a jump expected this year in U.S. motor vehicle aftermarket sales. How big is the jump? 3.8 percent. Association analysts attributed the increase partly to anticipated pent-up demand for vehicle maintenance and […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Three Manheim facilities have been honored with Wells Fargo Auto Finance Auction of the Year Awards. The three winning locations include Manheim Ohio, Manheim Orlando and Manheim Southern California. Manheim officials highlighted that each auction site is being recognized by Wells Fargo Auto Finance for offering customers the highest and most consistent levels of […] [Read More]

CHERRY HILL, N.J. —  In a month where it saw especially strong increases in 2010 model-year Legacy and Outback sales, Subaru of America's Dallas region kept its perch as the best-selling region in March and enjoyed its ninth straight month of record sales, as well as its 11th straight month of year-over-year improvements. Specifically, the region's sales for March […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — Edmunds.com recently unveiled its first-ever Marketing Breakthrough Award at the New York International Auto Show and honored Ford, praising the automaker for its skillful marketing that backed up strong new products and helped to significantly bolster the brand's image. "Ford's image has improved by leaps and bounds in the past year because the company […] [Read More]

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — Chase and Mazda North American Operations on Wednesday broadened their working relationship by agreeing to a multi-year private-label contract. The agreement means Chase will be the exclusive U.S. auto finance provider for Mazda, operating under the brand name Mazda Capital Services. Officials indicated that the Mazda Capital Services brand will roll out […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Bankers Association's Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin shared more positive news about the recovering economy this week. Direct and indirect auto loan delinquencies were among nine of the 11 categories that dropped or remained flat during the fourth quarter of 2009. The ABA said that direct auto loan delinquencies fell 10 basis […] [Read More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — On Wednesday, Nicholas Financial announced it has opened two new branch offices located in Nashville, Tenn., and Grand Rapids, Mich. The new offices expand Nicholas Financial's branch network to 52 locations. The company expects to open a fifth branch in the greater Atlanta metro area during the current quarter, bringing the total […] [Read More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wells Fargo Securities' managing director and senior economist indicated this week that the recovery is real and that his company is not anticipating a double-dip recession, which bodes well for the auto industry. In fact, Mark Vitner said credit availability has improved and is continuing to become better. More specifically, Vitner explained to […] [Read More]

MONTVALE, N.J.  — Certified pre-owned sales during March showed a year-over-year increase for the first time since January 2009, and several automakers posted record sales. Specifically, there were 145,157 certified units sold, a 7.3-percent increase over March 2009, according to Autodata Corp. statistics. This upswing ended a string of 13 consecutive months of year-over-year sales declines. […] [Read More]

DETROIT — In the latest part of its rebuilding process, General Motors said this morning that it has finished fresh-start accounting. The automaker revealed it was filing its 2009 Form 10-Q and 2009 Form 10-K with the SEC today, as well. "We are building the foundation that will allow us to return to public ownership," stated […] [Read More]