CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sonic Automotive's used-vehicle operations ended 2009 on quite a high note as executives highlighted volume and gross profit gains during the fourth quarter. Sonic revealed overall used-vehicle unit volume climbed 18 percent and total used-vehicle revenue jumped almost 23 percent for the fourth quarter of last year as compared to the same quarter […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — Deloitte has moved one of its longtime executives Craig Giffi into a new position. Giffi now will be the leader of the company's U.S. automotive practice, effective immediately. Company officials indicated that Giffi succeeds Michelle Collins, who leads Deloitte's audit practice in Michigan. In his new role, Deloitte explained that Giffi will be […] [Read More]

BOSTON — As Toyota owners see the value of their vehicles drop in connection with the automaker's recent recalls, many have sought legal action. Many are turning to Attorneys Toyota Action Consortium, which is a federation of consumer law firms filing lawsuits against the automaker. The group has already grown to 22 law firms, covering 16 […] [Read More]

ARLINGTON, Texas — Scott Lilja is taking his industry experience and background with the National Automobile Dealers Association to the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. The NIADA has named Lilja as its new vice president of member services. He takes on this role as of March 1. NIADA is tasking Lilja with creating special programs for the association's […] [Read More]

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Mercedes-Benz Financial has upgraded its First Class Finish lease vehicle turn-in process by providing the automaker's dealers with new software on their hand-held Dynamic PDA devices. The goal quite simply is to make the turn in process run quicker and more efficiently. These PDA devices were provided to Mercedes-Benz dealers by the OEM […] [Read More]

McLEAN, Va. — Thanks largely to a trio of economic and market influences, NADA Used Car Guide is projecting continued strength and greater stability in the used-vehicle market. Jonathan Banks, executive automotive analyst for NADA Used Car Guide, said these predictions were based on fuel prices leveling off at less than $3 per gallon, healthier economic indicators and an overall […] [Read More]

PLANO, Texas — Capital One Auto Finance honored three ADESA operations, two Manheim sites and a ServNet auction among the six regional winners of its 2009 Auction of the Year Awards. The honorees announced during Capital One's annual remarketing conference were: —Manheim Georgia in the Southeast Region. —ADESA Los Angeles in the Southwest Region. —ADESA Colorado […] [Read More]

ANDERSON, S.C. — Only about a week after Carolina Auto Auction received a top honor from CitiFinancial Auto, the operation now has been named the 2009 BB&T Auction of the Year. Carolina AA beat out 10 other auctions to win the honor for the fourth consecutive year — each time BB&T has given out the award. BB&T […] [Read More]

MINNEAPOLIS — AVAbahn, a provider of Microsoft-based solutions and services for dealers, recently announced it is incorporating Wolters Kluwer Financial Services' vehicle retail installment contracts and DocOne printing engine into the dealer management system for Microsoft Dynamics AX. AVAbahn highlighted that integration can help franchise dealers simplify many business operations from the sales process to service […] [Read More]

PHOENIX — NowAuto Group executives recently shared the reasons why their charge-offs and defaults improved significantly during the fiscal second quarter over the prior quarter and prior year. NowAuto found that charge-offs and defaults in the quarter that ended on Dec. 31 dropped because of increased credit criteria, improved contract management and system upgrades. As a result of […] [Read More]