In what consignment-to-retail company CarLotz coined in a news release as an “expansion into the Gateway into the West,” was its move to open a hub to serve the St. Louis metro area. The will open up the company’s unique approach to service, value and inventory to the St. Louis market.  CarLotz also revealed this week its […] [Read More]

Customer interaction software company myKaarma has bought PocketExpert — a dealership communication, online payments, and multi-point inspection platform that is gaining interest in the auto community. This serves to increase myKaarma's dealership customer count by 550 rooftops.  As a result of the purchase, the companies said, PocketExpert’s customers will join the myKaarma customer family. This shift […] [Read More]

LotLinx, known for its inventory marketing technology, is now participating in supporting the U CAN-CER VIVE foundation — a dealer group cancer research non-profit — through a recent donation.  It was founded by siblings Ryan and Kelley LaFontaine of the Michigan-based LaFontaine Automotive Group, in February of 2016. Since then, in just over five years, the organization has […] [Read More]

Along with delving into some data showing average credit scores, Experian’s Q1 2021 State of the Automotive Finance Market report also revealed the top 10 new models leased during the first quarter as well as the top 10 states where leasing originated. Perhaps one day coming back into the market as potential certified pre-owned units, Experian […] [Read More]

OpenRoad Auto Group is expanding from the highway to the neighborhood. British Columbia's largest auto dealer group announced last week that it has a launched a residential real estate division: OpenForm Properties. The company’s new residential development division has also unveiled its first multi-family project, called E15 Just off Main, which will be a development of 49 […] [Read More]

Chuck Bonnano is the vice president of dealer development at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Brent Carmichael is the 20 group moderator, consultant and instructor with NCM Associates. As engaging as both Bonnano and Carmichael are, a Zoom meeting just could not be the conduit for successful 20 group gatherings each dealership training and […] [Read More]

Along with highlighting how total outstanding balances are approaching $1.3 trillion, Experian’s Q1 2021 State of the Automotive Finance Market report also delved into some metrics based on geography. Experian pinpointed the average credit score of used-vehicle paper bought in Q1 by state. The top 10 lowest averages where perhaps the most subprime financing took […] [Read More]

Copart welcomed a new addition to its board of directors in a move that was effective Wednesday. Joining the leadership group for the online salvage auction company is Cherylyn Harley LeBon, who currently serves as a partner with the law firm of Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig based in Washington, D.C.  She is a member of […] [Read More]

Even as vehicle supply remains short and prices hit record highs, demand continues to surge in the used-car market. TrueCar was forecasting that May’s retail used-vehicle would end up beating year-ago figures by 13% and besting April’s by 4%. The firm is projecting that once final numbers are tallied …  [Read More]

Probably no one would have begrudged Sara Edgington if she exclaimed an extra loud “Yee-haw” during the 2021 Texas Auctioneers Association Senior Bid Calling Championship. The general manager for Texas Lone Star Auto Auction became the first woman to win the competition, which culminated on Saturday at the Kalahari Resort & Conference Center in Round […] [Read More]