MT. VERNON, Iowa — Plaza Auto Auction recently revealed it's the only operation in Iowa to offer sales on the OVE.com platform. Dealers now can choose Plaza AA to facilitate OVE.com dealer-to-dealer transactions. Furthermore, institutional accounts can have their vehicles posted for sale seven days a week. Plaza AA has been in operation for more than […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — As part of reaching its 100th anniversary, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association received a special honor from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The mayor made the proclamation that Feb. 24 is now to be recognized as Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association Day during a ceremony in the Blue Room at City Hall.  […] [Read More]

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. — Finance Express, a provider of Web-based financial services and technology for independent dealerships, announced recently it has added Wachovia Dealer Services to its platform. Company officials stressed that the addition is a response to hundreds of requests they received from independent dealers. They also contend that Wachovia Dealer Services provides a […] [Read More]

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Thanks to a new offering from Mercedes-Benz Financial, its customers can now access personalized account management features using smartphones like BlackBerry, Droid and other mobile devices with Internet capability. This is an expansion of what the company already offers via mobile devices. It rolled out an application for the iPhone last fall.  […] [Read More]

ORLANDO, Fla. — Due in large part to the troubled capital markets, Experian Automotive reported that captives lost a relatively large share of outstanding loan balances in the third quarter of last year, compared with the third quarter of 2008. In fact, captives were down 5.4 percent or about $12 billion. Meanwhile, outstanding balances in the […] [Read More]

LOS ANGELES — Westlake Financial Services announced this week that it now has a new revolving securitization from Wells Fargo Preferred Capital. The facility, which will be funded through a Westlake subsidiary, Westlake Funding III, is for $100 million and will mature over three years. The new facility is in addition to Westlake's existing $240 million […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — In an effort to boost sales after the recent turmoil over recalls, Toyota rolled out what it calls the "most far-reaching sales program in its history" on Tuesday. Basically, the March Sales Event — a national marketing campaign that runs through April 5 — will feature financing, leasing and customer loyalty offers.   This includes zero-percent […] [Read More]

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Nissan said Wednesday morning that it is recalling close to 540,000 trucks and minivans throughout the world — a substantial portion of which are in the U.S. — to inspect and, if necessary, fix brake pedal pins and fuel-gauge components on the vehicles. The automaker emphasized that there have been no reports of accidents or […] [Read More]

GENEVA — The three finalists for each category in the World Car of the Year program were announced Tuesday at the Geneva International Motor Show. These final contenders for the World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year awards will vie for their respective honors, which […] [Read More]

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — R. L. Polk & Co. rolled out a new Web-based system on Wednesday meant to aid dealers and direct marketing agencies when ordering lists for use in vehicle sales and service campaigns. Company officials hailed Automotive Lists Online as a system that can identify consumers that are most likely to own a particular […] [Read More]