Retail

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sonic Automotive's used-vehicle operations ended 2009 on quite a high note as executives highlighted volume and gross profit gains during the fourth quarter. Sonic revealed overall used-vehicle unit volume climbed 18 percent and total used-vehicle revenue jumped almost 23 percent for the fourth quarter of last year as compared to the same quarter […] [Read More]

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Mercedes-Benz Financial has upgraded its First Class Finish lease vehicle turn-in process by providing the automaker's dealers with new software on their hand-held Dynamic PDA devices. The goal quite simply is to make the turn in process run quicker and more efficiently. These PDA devices were provided to Mercedes-Benz dealers by the OEM […] [Read More]

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Penske Automotive Group noted strong gains during the fourth quarter in several areas, including income, total revenue and total retail units sold, when executives shared their most recent financials late last week. Penske revealed that its 2009 fourth quarter income from continuing operations was $19.3 million, which compares to an adjusted loss […] [Read More]

HOUSTON — Group 1 Automotive said it got back to "growth mode" in the final quarter of 2009, as the company reported a significant upswing in adjusted net income from continuing operations. Specifically, the company's adjusted net income from continuing operations was $10.3 million in the fourth quarter, versus the adjusted $500,000 in the year-ago period. […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — J.D. Power and Associates recently shared some details stemming from their Franchise Assessment which summarizes all the information they collect from consumers, PIN and its forecasting group. Brands such as Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai and Lexus all received ratings that fell into J.D. Power's "excellent" category. Meanwhile brands such as Chrysler and Infiniti struggled […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a new development in what seems to be an ever growing saga surrounding Toyota, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration came out Tuesday saying that it is launching a probe to discover if the automaker launched three of its recent recalls in a timely fashion. The NHTSA said it is calling upon […] [Read More]

ORLANDO, Fla. — The American International Automobile Dealers Association named its new chairman while honoring a former holder of the post with the organization's lifetime achievement award. Receiving the honor as the David F. Mungenast Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Tim Smith of Calabasas, Calif., a longtime AIADA member and past chairman. Smith was bestowed […] [Read More]

DAYTON, Ohio — With reports of security breaches and data swipes making headlines in various business sectors throughout the U.S., the importance of ensuring a secure dealership management system has never been larger. The result of a data breach is not pretty, possibility leading to legal and compliance entanglements. To ensure that its dealer clients have a secure system, Reynolds […] [Read More]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a fourth quarter that saw that company's adjusted net income rise substantially, AutoNation said its new-vehicle sales performance sparked an 8-percent increase in quarterly revenue.  Specifically, quarterly GAAP net income from continuing operations was $62 million, down from $73 million a year ago.  However, officials explained that the fourth quarter of 2009 included […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — In light of the significant deals being offered as part of Presidents' Day Weekend, TrueCar.com listed 17 different new vehicles it spotted as having potential MSRP discounts anywhere from 10 percent to 21 percent.  Leading the way as the most heavily discounted vehicle was the 2010 Nissan Titan, whose price TrueCar.com predicted would […] [Read More]