FORT WORTH, Texas — Dan Berce, AmeriCredit chief executive officer and president, explained Wednesday that now is the optimal period of time to produce new-loan originations since the economic conditions have begun to stabilize and improve. And as such, the company originated $624 million in loans for its third-fiscal quarter, compared with $379 million for the period […] [Read More]

AUBURN HLLS, Mich. — Though controlling stakeholder Fiat is slated to release its five-year plan later today, early details about Chrysler's financial results have already come out. The automaker is still on track to meet its goals for 2010, which include at least breaking even for the year, chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne said as the company released its […] [Read More]

PARK RIDGE, N.J. — Hertz Rent2Buy has teamed up with Kelley Blue Book for a partnership designed to enhance the online car-buying program. Basically, it allows Hertz Rent2Buy customers to compare Hertz's used-vehicle prices with the KBB Suggested Retail Value. The partnership also extends Hertz's reach, as its inventory can now be accessed on Kbb.com's The Trusted […] [Read More]

MINNEAPOLIS and REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — AutoUpLinkUSA and OPENLANE entered into a new partnership this week to benefit dealers who use the AutoUpLinkUSA Internet Inventory Management System. The agreement means dealers now can utilize the IIMS tool to upload and list their wholesale inventory to OPENLANE's Online Open Auction. Executives emphasized this partnership represents an integrated […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — With Earth Day 2010 coming on Thursday, the editors from Kelley Blue Book decided to reveal their selections of this year's Top 10 Green Cars. The newest version includes a mix of domestic and foreign brands with some vehicles using either hybrid or clean-diesel technology. Two vehicles on the list struck site editors most. […] [Read More]

SAN FRANCISCO — When Ford officially rolls out the highly promoted 2011 Fiesta to dealers, the automaker revealed the vehicle also will have SYNC AppLink, a downloadable software program that allows for hands-free control of smartphone applications. The program can allow for access and control of Android and BlackBerry smartphone applications with voice commands and vehicle […] [Read More]

BANDON, Ore. — In the midst of used-vehicle inventories hitting their lowest levels in almost five years, used pricing remained on an incline, particularly for trucks and SUVs, according to CNW Research. More specifically, used-vehicle days' supply was at 53.3 days in March, which was 24 percent lower than the year-ago period. It marked shortest inventory […] [Read More]

TURIN, Italy — Fiat chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is resigning from his post at the Italian automaker that owns a 20-percent stake in Chrysler Group, he announced at a press conference Tuesday. Taking his place is John Elkann, heir to the Agnelli family and the vice chairman of Fiat. Montezemolo will stay on Fiat's board […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — IntelliChoice.com rolled out its "Best Deals of the Month" for April recently, and despite the automaker's off-the-lot turmoil, several different Toyota models were the choice in a host of segments. Site editors conceded that competitors knocked a Toyota unit from a couple of segments, but many of the automaker's mainstays remained. All told, […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford tops the industry when it comes to customer satisfaction with its lineup's quality, and this has helped the automaker achieve resale value increases above the industry's average rate of improvement, according to the first quarter Global Quality Research System study. The GQRS study — conducted by RDA Group on behalf of Ford — is done […] [Read More]