Simply by the way they sound, the words “artificial intelligence” and “machine learning” can sound impersonal, even robotic. Ironically though, the technology itself can drive more a personalized experience in retail, especially in car shopping. Much of the discussion about the implications of AI and machine learning in automotive retail involves comparisons to other retail […] [Read More]

The retail used-vehicle market is likely benefitting — at the moment, at least — from pulling over and pulling ahead. That is to say, a value proposition that is pulling would-be buyers of traditional cars in the new market over to the used market; and the specter of proposed automotive tariffs that may be leading […] [Read More]

RVI Analytics, which is part of RVI Group, has partnered with Automotive Intelligence Council member Maryann Keller & Associates to roll out a new used-car price analytical subscription portal for the U.S. and Canada. The subscription product is developed around the RVI Used Vehicle Price Index. RVI Analytics has upgraded the analyses and reports provided […] [Read More]

OK, writing this column in retirement is much more difficult than it would be if I were still employed.  Content, content, content.  As many of you know, all of my earlier articles focused on data that I had access to through my work at NADA and Manheim.  I wasn’t purposely promoting the brand (or the […] [Read More]

Along with Genesis being the overall highest ranked brand for the first time, J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study has also seen the largest ever year-over-year consumer satisfaction improvement this year. As for what is responsible for a sizable increase in overall satisfaction from 2017, J.D. power points to how the […] [Read More]

Used-vehicle sales this past month were strong — as were prices, perhaps easing tight margins in the dealership a bit. These stats and more painted a rosy picture for the used industry, even while many are waiting for the shoe to drop in terms of consequences from rising interest rates and an expected wave of off-lease supply. That’s […] [Read More]

When it comes to which consumers are continually gravitating to sport utility vehicles over sedans, household income levels and a vehicle owner's age can determine both consumer preferences and defection rates, according to IHS Markit's latest analysis on loyalty and defection. At a time when consumer preferences for SUVs are steadily increasing, the business information provider […] [Read More]

A semiannual study conducted on how much car shoppers enjoy their online experiences while visiting luxury and mass-market brand websites recently found that Land Rover websites are favored the most among luxury brand shoppers and that Ram is the highest-ranked mass-market brand. Findings from the newly released J.D. Power Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study Cross-Device for summer 2018 are […] [Read More]

Eric Werab, vice president of product management at PointPredictive, revisits two of the most discussed subjects of the year — synthetic ID fraud and auto financing. Learn more about how clever criminals are creating complicated ways to secure vehicles and defraud dealerships and finance companies. The full discussion can be found below. Download and subscribe to […] [Read More]

Lease penetration in the first half of 2018 was relatively steady with year-ago figures, according to data released Monday by Edmunds. Through six months, average lease penetration was at 31.3 percent, compared to 31.2 percent in the first half of 2017. The first-quarter levels were at 31.7 percent in both 2017 and 2018, while second-quarter […] [Read More]