IRVINE, Calif. — Toyota has apparently been knocked off the top of Kelley Blue Book's Automotive Brand Indicator, which gauges brand strength based on a number of consumer perception- and behavior-related factors. Coming in at No. 1 for the first quarter of 2010 is Ford, the "darling of the industry," as a KBB executive put it.  Toyota has […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Whether or not they were from a franchise store for that domestic automaker, readers went to AutoRemarketing.com to learn the latest about Chrysler dealer arbitration. News about dealer litigation in Canada also drew plenty of interest this past week. The top five stories from AutoRemarketing.com this week are: 1. Chrysler Says It's Successful in […] [Read More]

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Experian Automotive attempted to look beyond the major industry headlines of 2009 such as automaker bankruptcies and Cash for Clunkers and share other intriguing trends coming to the forefront. A topic that kept returning by Webinar presenter Jeffrey Anderson was how much CUVs have taken hold in the market. Anderson indicated that the […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The cost to own a vehicle can vary greatly from state to state, sometimes by more than $10,000 over five years for the exact same vehicle, according to Edmunds.com, which recently investigated how expensive it is to own vehicles in specific states. Edmunds.com research indicated that the state with the highest average five-year […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently reiterated his praise for the success of last year's Cash for Clunkers program. This time, LaHood's comments came as a reaction to positive reports from the DOT Office of Inspector General and the General Accounting Office. Federal officials believe Cash for Clunkers successfully completed its top objectives set […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — In a round of lending announced Tuesday, AutoTrader.com can tap into a new set of funds thanks to a financing arrangement it made with Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association that provides the company with senior secured revolving credit and term loan facilities in an aggregate principal amount of […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — To give its dealer body another selling point in the spring season, Chrysler rolled out is May incentives on Tuesday, announcing that zero-percent financing through GMAC Financial Services is now available on most of its 2010 lineup. Breaking it down, on Chrysler brand vehicles, shoppers can choose from zero-percent financing for up […] [Read More]

TULSA, Okla. — In late-breaking news Tuesday, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group issued a public letter to Avis Budget saying that its board is ready to entertain a substantially higher offer to acquire the company. More specifically, the company stated, "Consistent with its obligations under the Hertz merger agreement and with its fiduciary obligations to shareholders, the […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Providing an update on Perceived Quality Scores in its most recent Residual Value Report, ALG said the two brands showing the most improvement from the fall are Ford and Kia, respectively, while Toyota, had the heaviest drop-off by far. So, how does this affect residual values? "ALG's residual values for the May-June […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Many great tools exist for repossession agencies and their clients to increase communication, keep costs down and manage the repo-to-remarketing processes efficiently. Oftentimes agencies and clients fail to partner closely and over-communicate early in their relationship or when new processes are rolled out, leading to underused or misused technology and missed expectations. As AutoIMS […] [Read More]