IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book found three automakers enjoying a position that analysts described as "bucking the trend" when it comes to vehicle depreciation. While Kbb.com cited overall depreciation levels coming in at 5.6 percent during the last four weeks, a trio of OEMs — Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru — came in with percentages much lower. Subaru […] [Read More]

McLEAN, Va. — At the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo next month in Orlando, Fla., NADA and American Truck Dealers are introducing an online education and technology resource for NADA members that can help boost dealers' performances. The launch of NADA University will feature free training and services for dealer members, who will be […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com officials said Monday that Bill Visnic, who has been a senior contributing editor for the AutoObserver publication the past two years, has become full-time senior editor for AutoObserver.com. In his new role, he will report to Michelle Krebs, who is the senior analyst and editor-at-large for AutoObserver.com. He has been a freelance […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler executives contend that they listened to the wishes from dealers when they launched their latest marketing strategy on New Year's Day. Basically, the automaker leveraged the audience watching some of college football's most anticipated bowl games to roll out its advertising campaign, which was intended to do more than just sell vehicles. […] [Read More]

RICHMOND, Va. — CarMax is looking to boost sales prospects in 140-character, tweet-size chunks by launching a new promotion using the social networking Web site Twitter. Company officials are planning to give one consumer $25,000 toward the purchase of a used vehicle from their nationwide inventory. The award is the grand prize in the promotion CarMax […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — A key macroeconomic element factored greatly into TransUnion's projection that auto loan delinquencies — or borrowers 60 or more days past due — will climb in 2010. Officials explained that if the borrower doesn't have or loses a steady job or source of income, the likelihood of an account falling into this category grows tremendously. And with […] [Read More]

DAYTON, Ohio — Reynolds and Reynolds recently revealed that one of its financial contract solutions now will be utilized by Hyundai Capital America. Almost 1,500 dealerships nationwide that sell and service Hyundai and Kia vehicles and finance them through Hyundai Capital have adopted the Reynolds LAW 553 Universal Retail Sale Contract for use in their vehicle […] [Read More]

DES MOINES, Iowa — Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Co., closed out 2009 by providing a large revolving credit facility to 1st Franklin Financial Corp. The total amount of the facility was $100 million. "We look forward to many years of a mutually beneficial association with Wells Fargo," said Ben Cheek, […] [Read More]

AUSTIN, Texas — Innovative Funding Services recently named a new chief operating officer. Appointed to the post was Robert McKie, who was previously the vice president of sales at Wells Fargo Financial in Eden Prairie, Minn. "With the incredible growth we have experienced over the last year, we needed an industry expert to guide our next […] [Read More]

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — LeasePlan USA announced Monday that it has appointed a new senior vice president of operations. Filling the role is Tim Martin, who has been with the company for more than four years. Most recently, he served as vice president of Atlanta operations for LeasePlan. In his new position — which became effective Friday — Martin […] [Read More]