AutoTrader.com thinks its April traffic data backs up why the majority of potential buyers are likely looking closely at the fuel-efficient segment of dealers’ inventories. Furthermore, a study conducted by AutoTrader.com in March and April showed that 62 percent of shoppers are considering purchasing a vehicle that is more fuel efficient than the unit they […] [Read More]

TrueCar.com announced Tuesday its April Performance Scorecard results, ranking manufacturers and brands on various criteria, including sales and customer loyalty. Though luxury brands were in the mix at the top,  a couple of non-luxury automakers found themselves on equal footing.   Porsche recieved the highest grade by manufacturer with an A+, with Hyundai and BMW […] [Read More]

Dealers might need to keep a deep pool of fuel-efficient models in inventory no matter how much gas prices climb or fall. The Consumer Federation of America said Monday that its recent survey reinforced the belief that consumers are growing more aware that higher fuel economy offsets higher vehicle costs. CFA’s assertions showed that based […] [Read More]

Even though production for several automakers remains below full steam due to the Japanese quake effect, new-vehicle sales essentially picked up right where they left off at the end of April and are continuing to gain ground, Edmunds.com pointed out Friday. The company also spotted a $350 increase in the average new-car price during the […] [Read More]

When it comes to voicing their most pressing concerns, the issue cited more often by fleet managers than any other is the rising and often topsy-turvy gas prices, according to GE Capital Fleet Services. The company surveyed 105 fleet managers at the recent 2011 NAFA Institute & Expo in Charlotte, N.C. After collecting this data, […] [Read More]

For the second month in a row, the Kelley Blue Book Market Report recommended dealers remain cautious about going overboard in terms of stocking their inventory with fuel-efficient models. Granted, consumer demand has sent wholesale prices for these units soaring higher, but this surge won’t last forever, KBB stressed. Alec Gutierrez, KBB’s manager of vehicle […] [Read More]

Late last week, vehicle research and shopping site CarGurus.com doled out a list of the most ideal used vehicles for a group of shoppers whose budgets are often tight, especially given today’s economy: recent graduates. On its list, two brands in particular — Volkswagen and Ford — led the way. In determining the group of […] [Read More]

Mimicking philanthropic efforts by automakers, the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation has mobilized its emergency relief fund to aid dealership employees recovering from the tornadoes that devastated parts of Iowa and Alabama last week. NADA indicated that six people already have received grants from the foundation to help them get back on their feet after […] [Read More]

It shouldn’t be surprising one of the first considerations shoppers coming into your showroom will mention is fuel economy. The latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Survey concerning consumer sentiment and gas prices revealed the current economic situation, coupled with concern over the rise in fuel prices, has further caused an increasing number of new- and […] [Read More]

The NADAguides Car of the Month for May was announced this week and taking the honors is the 2011 Ford Fiesta. NADAguides lauded the car for high-quality engineering throughout the vehicle, its driving comfort, fuel-efficiency and overall values. The company also found the vehicle’s features to be “above and beyond what is expected in its class.” […] [Read More]