ROCHESTER, Mich. — Foresight Research, a firm near Detroit specializing in the auto industry, found a strong connection between vehicle buyers and attendees at auto shows, especially in the Midwest. Its research study determined 70 percent of show attendees who said they were influenced to purchase a new vehicle recalled spending 30 minutes or more at the […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — GOSO, a Web and social media marketing suite, shared research it conducted about how many dealers use Facebook and Twitter. Company executives believe 25.5 percent of all dealerships have a page on Facebook. They calculated the exact figure at 5,155 dealerships. GOSO also contends that 10.9 percent of dealers, or 2,195, have a […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Thursday marks the first of two Pre-Owned Road Shows to be held in Florida in the coming weeks — in Tampa on Feb. 11 and in Orlando on Feb. 16. These free training events will provide dealers with the latest information, tools and skills for selling more pre-owned units and profiting more in their […] [Read More]

CARMEL, Ind. — ADESA announced Monday that it has promoted Jeff Bescher to the role of senior vice president of commercial sales and operations. In this position, he will report to Bob Rauschenberg, executive vice president of sales and marketing for ADESA. His responsibilities in this post include overseeing the company's commercial sales and operations as […] [Read More]

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Dealer.com recently named a new chief financial officer. Bringing more than 20 years of senior management experience in finance and investment banking to the role is David Stetson. Most recently, Stetson served as senior managing director and head of the investment banking department for Caris & Co., a San Diego-based investment bank focused […] [Read More]

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. — DealerTrack on Monday rolled out comprehensive service price guides designed to aid in offering quick, accurate and consistent estimates. The guides are connected through DealerTrack's current dealership management system for its roster of dealer clients. The guides are available for all major manufacturers. The company indicated that DealerTrack DMS clients can purchase the guides for subscription […] [Read More]

CINCINNATI — Automobile Consumer Services recently unveiled the top 10 diesel-vehicle leases on LeaseCompare.com, and discovered that all of them were models from German manufacturers. Among the 10 units the site listed, three were made by Volkswagen and another three were from Mercedes-Benz. Two vehicles apiece from Audi and BMW appeared on this list, too. Site officials cited […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — FirstLook is rolling out an upgrade to its Market Smart Inventory Management System that can help dealers spot the best-selling models in their respective markets while also providing information about scarce or over-supplied units, as well. The Market Velocity Stocking Guide will be introduced at the upcoming 2010 National Automobile Dealers Association Conference and […] [Read More]

DALLAS — Liquid Motors recently launched customized Web sites that make it easier for consumers to scan inventories and more on their mobile devices, which can help dealers connect with these shoppers more effectively. Company executives contend that a dealer's traditional Web site can be difficult to navigate on a mobile device. Liquid Motors explained that […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — In its analysis of how 2010 is likely to unfold, Fitch Ratings suggested that credit quality for domestic vehicle suppliers should improve. Fitch also suggested in its analysis that global auto sales likely bottomed out last year, but noted that the auto industry's "weakened condition" should become healthier this year. Officials said there should be a strengthening in […] [Read More]