This dealer news roundup begins with AutoNation appointing a top technology executive whose background includes time with companies such as Tesla, Avis Budget Group, and Google. Effective Thursday, Ravi Simhambhatla became the chief technology and AI officer for AutoNation to lead the dealer group’s technology, data science, and artificial intelligence agenda. “Over decades, we have […] [Read More]

The recent Carfax investigation highlights a problem the automotive industry has struggled with for decades. It’s time to make it easier to identify dealers that are truly “fleet-minded.” Back in the mid 1990s, I helped create the original dealer-focused commercial sales training programs for Ford and General Motors. These were off-premises, three-day live, comprehensive programs […] [Read More]

Discrepancies over document fees have landed an Alaska independent dealer into a $500,000 settlement with the state’s attorney general. Acting Alaska attorney general Cori Mills announced a settlement last week with Payless Used Car Sales over document fees that the store did not include in prices it advertised online. Under Alaska law, dealers must include […] [Read More]

General Motors is rolling out another way to praise one of the most important professionals at dealerships. Last week, the automaker launched its inaugural GM Automotive Service Technicians 30 Under 30 program, a new initiative recognizing the next generation of automotive service technicians. GM said the program aims to address the severe shortage of service […] [Read More]

CarMax rebounded in multiple operational and performance ways during the second quarter of its 2027 fiscal year; a span that also included a workforce reduction of almost 150 employees. The used-car retailer on Tuesday also promoted an executive and announced the hiring of another one previously with a captive finance company to go with plans […] [Read More]

Auto Remarketing and Cherokee Media Group have announced the addition of the Independent Automobile Dealers Association of California and the Washington State Independent Auto Dealers Association as partners for the Used Car Week conference, set for Nov. 16-19 in San Diego. UCW brings together leaders from across the used-vehicle ecosystem for education, collaboration, networking, and […] [Read More]

Independent dealers landed in the nation’s capital on Monday, as the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association is hosting its 12th annual National Policy Conference. There’s a two-part plan for these dealers coming to Washington, D.C.: Sharpen their advocacy skills and then carry their messages directly to Capitol Hill. The conference opened with a general session […] [Read More]

Cherokee Media Group president and Used Car Week chair Bill Zadeits was a guest on Friday’s CBT Live to elaborate about the company’s new media and content partnership with CBT News involving the industry-leading conference. Earlier in the week, CBT News and Cherokee Media Group rolled out their partnership that brings together one of the […] [Read More]

How passionate are Los Angeles Dodgers fans? Consider this head-scratcher. The price of regular unleaded gas in the LA metro area is $6.3361 per gallon as of Friday, according to AAA. And according to … well, anyone even remotely following baseball, the Dodgers are currently the most successful MLB franchise, having won two straight World […] [Read More]