Perhaps dealers aren’t expecting an immediate lift from the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates for the third time this year. But overall credit availability already appears to be as good as it’s been in about three years. Cox Automotive reported two days before policymakers revealed their rate decision that the Dealertrack Credit Availability Index reached […] [Read More]

The Federal Trade Commission said this week it is now sending checks totaling more than $9.6 million to eligible consumers impacted by CarShield’s misleading claims about its vehicle service contracts. The regulator recapped that last July, CarShield, a seller of vehicle service contracts, and American Auto Shield (AAS), the administrator of those contracts, agreed to […] [Read More]

Walk into any major hospital administrator’s office, and you will hear them talk about one critical metric: bed occupancy rate. An empty hospital bed is a fixed cost that generates zero revenue. It is a wasted asset. Now, walk into your service department and look at your lifts. Every service bay in your dealership is […] [Read More]

Set for purchase and shipping to users this month, PassTime on Monday announced the launch of Encore 5, the fifth generation of the company’s platform for location solutions specializing in asset tracking. PassTime described Encore 5 as its “boldest upgrade yet” with enhancements to the device hardware and feature set. Launched more than six years […] [Read More]

This wasn’t the first year Jim Ellis Automotive Group has held its annual CPO Product Presentation Walk-Around competition. However, it was one of the best attended. In its ninth year, the event, held on Nov. 6, was dedicated to veterans, a cause that organizers said drew a sizeable crowd. What began as a walk-around competition […] [Read More]

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate for the third time this year, reducing the range to 3.5% to 3.75%. The latest Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index showed the economy remains the top factor holding back business, increasing significantly in the fourth quarter, with 51% of dealers citing it, up from 44% […] [Read More]

RPM Freight Systems announced an acquisition that expands the company into such corporate fleet services as driveaway, vehicle storage and titling and registration. RPM, a non-asset-based logistics and supply chain solutions company, said Tuesday it has purchased Professional Automotive Relocation Services. “We are thrilled to have the support of Trive Capital and BlueJay Capital in […] [Read More]

Wednesday also meant there were exactly three weeks left in 2025. And what Black Book noticed in the wholesale market last week reflected what auctions, consignors and dealers typically experience when there’s only that much time left on the calendar. According to the newest installment of Market Insights, wholesale prices retreated by 0.78% as the […] [Read More]

Kia’s EasyBuy digital retailing system is ready to grow. During the automaker’s national dealer meeting last month in Las Vegas, CarNow, the digital retail software provider that powers EasyBuy, announced the expansion of the program to include Dealer.com dealerships, and said more digital retail providers will be added in 2026. In a news release, CarNow […] [Read More]

Auction Academy president Penny Wanna is leaving 2025 feeling energized about the executive development program. The academy’s 14th year included the culmination of one class and the beginning of the next, as well as new sponsors and industry awards, all of which Auction Academy said reflects its “commitment to leadership development, innovation and collaboration” in […] [Read More]