Oftentimes when a federal regulator charges after a subprime auto finance company, it’s the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission doing the investigations and handing out enforcement actions. Last week, it was the Securities and Exchange Commission getting involved in auto-finance oversight. The SEC announced fraud charges against two former executives of […] [Read More]

In two pieces of news to come out of CDK early this week, the company is launching the inaugural CDK Connect Conference next week, and a new company in the auto tech space has joined its CDK Global Partner Program, as well.  Automotive Innovations (Ai), which goes by the same acronym as artificial intelligence, launched its suite […] [Read More]

Lithia & Driveway, which operates more than 180 auto dealerships in the U.S. and Canada, is teaming up with its hometown in a five-year partnership for naming-rights opportunities for the multi-sports complex. The complex is currently known as U.S. Cellular Community Park.  If the partnership is approved by the Medford city council, the new sponsorship will result in […] [Read More]

ARI recently announced updates designed to streamline the used experience for its fleet stakeholders and mobile app users and continue to "align with the future of mobility."  The ongoing evolution of the company's tech platforms includes that of the mobile app, ARI Driver Insights.  “ARI is — and always will be — a customer-centric organization. Providing […] [Read More]

Experts see electric vehicles eventually having a significant impact in the fleet space. With that thinking in mind, behavior and analytics advisory firm Escalent recently released the latest findings from its Fleet Advisory Hub, a platform designed to explore the needs, expectations and emotions of commercial and fleet vehicle decisionmakers. The newest report examined fleet […] [Read More]

Santander Consumer USA Holdings recently announced that Chrysler Capital will serve as the title sponsor for the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association (CMDA). The five-year annual sponsorship will include several initiatives aimed at outlining and supporting minority dealer trends and building a conduit for the next generation of minority dealers. Bruce Jackson, SC president of Chrysler Capital and auto relationships, […] [Read More]

This week, global consulting firm AlixPartners put dollar and unit figures pinpointing just how much the ongoing semiconductor shortage is costing the worldwide automotive industry. Meanwhile, the White House and the U.S. Commerce Department said they’re bolstering efforts to get chip production back in full motion, so vehicles can make their way to dealer lots […] [Read More]

As consumers repair their credit profiles, many individuals are looking to improve the terms of their retail installment contract for their vehicle. RateGenius is looking to help those particular people and other contract holders looking to see if they can make adjustments via a new tool launched this week. This week, the company announced a […] [Read More]

Automatic is trying to modernize what the fintech startup is calling an “outdated, fragmented independent dealer financing ecosystem.” And it’s leveraging an equity crowdfunding campaign to continue on its path. On Friday, Automatic announced the effort to generate resources for its platform that is designed to connect independent dealers with finance companies and F&I vendors. […] [Read More]

Step One Automotive Group recently held a night of appreciation and fellowship in honor of the special operations team known as the "horse soldiers," which rose to well-deserved fame after feats shortly following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American soil.  The dealer group recently hosted perhaps its most inspirational  "Whiskey & War Stories" night yet, presented by Will Summers […] [Read More]