BRUSSELS — The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG have teamed up for a wide-ranging partnership that will include the companies cooperating on a number of projects and sharing best practices. Furthermore, the Renault-Nissan Alliance will take a 3.1-percent stake in Daimler. Meanwhile, Daimler will receive a 3.1-percent stake in Nissan and a 3.1-percent stake in Renault […] [Read More]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Roughly seven months after announcing that Clive Kinross would be stepping down from his post as president of the company, OPENLANE officially named his replacement. Appointed on Tuesday as president, effective immediately, was Peter Kelly, the company's chief financial officer and one of its founders. Kelly will remain CFO, as well as […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — The complimentary two-year premium maintenance program for returning Toyota customers in March was apparently such a hit that the automaker has decided to expand this offering to all customers through May 3, in addition to extending other incentives. More specifically, the free maintenance program is available to all customers who purchase or lease […] [Read More]

DAYTON, Ohio — Reynolds and Reynolds on Tuesday rolled out a new marketing feature so dealers can highlight their new- and used-vehicle inventories on Facebook. Company officials touted several capabilities of MyShowroom as a progressive extension of the Reynolds Web Solutions Mobile Pro for WebMakerX 2.0. They believe this new Facebook application further enhances the visibility […] [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Hefty incentives helped drive March sales for import nameplates to a year-over-year increase of more than 27 percent, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association.  Specifically, import brands combined to sell 607,383 vehicles during March, a 27.1-percent upswing compared to the same period of 2009. So far this year, import automakers' sales have […] [Read More]

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — NCM Associates recently launched a redesigned version of its public Web site that highlights best practices for buy-here, pay-here and other retail dealerships. The site now has a new home page, videos, calendar of events, news and information updates and a featured promotion available from NCM. Visitors also now can sign up […] [Read More]

CARMEL, Ind. — ADESA Birmingham picked up an honor from Remarketing Services of America on Tuesday. RSA tapped the operation as the company's National Quality Award Premier Partner for 2009. Executives highlighted that ADESA Birmingham won this award based on criteria evaluated in RSA's yearly auction performance report. They indicated that the report included service, sales […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — In an interesting approach to spur sales, three of Acura's five largest U.S. dealerships — all of which are located in proximity of New York and typically compete with one another — have teamed up for a joint promotion. Rallye Acura (located in Roslyn, N.Y.), Paragon Acura (Woodside, N.Y.) and Acura of Westchester (Larchmont, N.Y.) have […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C., and TORRANCE, Calif.  — The turmoil surrounding accelerators in recalled Toyota vehicles took another dramatic turn on Monday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made known plans to level a steep fine against the automaker. LaHood indicated that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking the maximum civil penalty of $16.375 million against […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C., and BANDON, Ore. — Although used-vehicle prices maintained their hike during March and high values seem likely to stick around, a few factors on the new-car side could change things, according to NADA Used Car Guide. "Used-vehicle prices continued to follow an upward trend during March. Most indicators suggest the used market will continue […] [Read More]