AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In a special initiative, the Dodge brand announced Tuesday that it is launching a Dealer Exclusive Program that allows dealers to cater to their customers' desires. Basically, the Dodge brand is unveiling three new unique 2010 Viper SRT10 vehicles as part of its Dealer Exclusive Program. According to the automaker, dealers who sold sufficient […] [Read More]

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — As smart USA prepares to introduce the smart fortwo electric drive to the United States this week, its distributor named a new dealer for the Hawaiian islands. USA Distributor, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, appointed the smart dealer, expanding smart USA's retail footprint into its 37th state. The new dealership, to […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Values of used units in the lower- and middle-priced tier played a big role in pushing the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index to a third straight record reading and sixth consecutive monthly increase for May, Values of late-model units were healthy, as well, according to Tom Webb, chief economist at Manheim. Specifically, the index read 121 […] [Read More]

CARMEL, Ind. — Dealer Services Corp. of Indiana announced late last week that it has named a new chief operations officer to replace Brian Geitner, who became chief executive officer on Jan. 1. Appointed to the COO post was Shane O'Dell, a founding member of DSC who came aboard in 2005. His roles with the company […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors dealers will now have another selling point at their disposal to move certain certified pre-owned units. On Monday, GM Certified Used Vehicles rolled out a financing package via GMAC Financial Services for Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac G6 models. Specifically, there is 1.9-percent, 2.9-percent or 3.9-percent financing available through GMAC on model-year 2005 through 2010 […] [Read More]

SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. — DCH Auto Group, which operates more than 25 franchise dealerships, revealed changes to its executive team on Monday, including the appointment of a new president. The company announced that taking over as president of DCH Auto Operations for Susan Scarola will be George Liang. Meanwhile, Scarola will assume new responsibilities as vice […] [Read More]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — AutoNation recently boasted that its new-vehicle sales for May showed a 22-percent jump year over year. Sales, as reported to the respective automakers, came in at 19,283. More specifically, the auto group said domestic sales were up 28 percent, coming in at 5,852. Import sales grew by 21 percent over last year, […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Automobile Dealers Association continues to urge House and Senate conferees to keep finance options for car buyers affordable and accessible when considering legislation to overhaul the nation's financial system.   "The House and Senate sent a very clear and bipartisan message that Main Street auto dealerships should not be in a Wall […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — About a year after the automakers respectively filed for bankruptcy, there is still a large chunk of shoppers who are put off about the bailout money given to General Motors and Chrysler, but for most consumers, those bailouts don't appear to play a role in whether they would buy from either of these two […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Continuing the downward push seen throughout the quarter, the Federal Reserve indicated the average interest rate on new-car loans at auto finance companies slipped again in April. Federal officials pinpointed the average at 4.13 percent. The April rate is slightly less than what the Federal Reserve tallied for February and March. Officials determined […] [Read More]