Ford Motor Co. has gone Hollywood with its dealer training. Last week, the automaker launched Ford University, a fully digital, video-based training platform that takes a “cinematic” and “storytelling” tactic to dealer training in a format designed to be personalized for each user. Sort of like a streaming video platform ... [Read More]

Auto industry attorney Steve Levine, owner and chief legal and compliance officer of Ignite Consulting Partners, is not a scary guy. But he told a chilling tale in his session at the 2024 BHPH United Summit in Las Vegas, frightening the dealers in attendance with the gory details of the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed CARS […] [Read More]

Car Pros Automotive Group again got a double dose of good news this week as two of its locations were selected among Kia America’s top 50 U.S. dealerships. Car Pros Kia Glendale and Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley have been named to Kia’s President’s Club, honoring the 50 dealerships among the brand’s network of 775 […] [Read More]

Group 1 Automotive’s first quarter used-vehicle sales were not bad given used-car price volatility in recent times. Its executives credited using technology in part for the results. “Given the speed and depth that the industry used car valuations declined in the U.S., during the latter half of 2023, we are pleased with ... [Read More]

Some things never change. One of those, it seems, is Napleton Auto Group’s position as the dealership group most responsive to internet leads. Pied Piper’s 2024 PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness Study, which measures responsiveness to internet leads coming though dealer websites, shows Napleton at the top of the list for the third consecutive year by […] [Read More]

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Automotive has received an $827 million incentive package from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which the company said will allow it expand operations at its plant in Normal, Ill. Rivian said the funds will also go toward improvements in public infrastructure and job training programs for Rivian’s workforce […] [Read More]

Huffines Auto Dealerships is taking to the streets to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The dealership group, which operates 10 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was founded May 5, 1924, when J.L. Huffines Sr. first opened Huffines Motor Company in Denton, Texas, selling Willys-Knight and Overland automobiles. In honor of that event, the family-owned and […] [Read More]

While the service departments at franchised dealership appear to still be more trustworthy, the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Study showed how the competition for business is getting even more intense. J.D. Power pointed out that customers are finding it easier to do business with aftermarket service providers due to no-appointment drive-in […] [Read More]

Fisker’s drive toward a dealership model in the U.S. continues. The electric vehicle manufacturer said it has signed agreements with six new dealer partners for dealerships in California, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and a distributorship in the U.S. territory of Guam. Three of the new stores — LA Fisker and West Covina Fisker in Los Angeles […] [Read More]

Group 1 Automotive has completed a $500 million increase in its revolving syndicated credit facility. The giant dealer group, which owns and operates 203 dealerships in the U.S. and U.K., now has a total credit facility of $2.5 billion with 20 financial institutions that will expire in March 2027 and can be expanded to $3 […] [Read More]