The Hertz Corp. and its car rental units revealed expansion plans earlier this week for their franchise network, as the company aims to bolster its footprint in the airport and off-airport car rental segments. “Hertz is expanding its franchisee network to accelerate growth in certain key U.S. car rental markets, which, we believe, can happen […] [Read More]

In less than one month, the CarMark Certified Pre-Owned program has added four new dealerships and one three-location dealer group to the growing list of dealerships offering CarMark vehicles. The seven new locations are: —Belle Mead Garage in Belle Mead, N.J. —Bert Ogden Edinburg Mazda in Edinburg, Texas —Davis Automotive Group in Solon, Ohio —BMW […] [Read More]

Mercedes-Benz USA unveiled a few shifts in its leadership on Wednesday, as it appointed five general manager positions spread throughout corporate headquarters and its Northeast region. Beginning with the new general manager of the Northeast region, filling this role is Andrew Gillman, whose most recent post with Mercedes-Benz was as general manager of vehicle logistics […] [Read More]

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group offered a revised guidance for full-year Corporate Adjusted EBITDA and fleet costs projections on Tuesday, while also giving its preliminary expectations for its first quarter 2011 performance. More specifically, Dollar Thrifty believes that its Corporate Adjusted EBITDA will come in between $235 million and $260 million, when merger-related costs are taken […] [Read More]

An automotive group based out of the Southwest has expanded upon its footprint in Arizona, bringing Five Star Ford dealership in Scottsdale, Ariz., into its network. With the latest addition, Chapman Automotive Group, based out of Chandler, Ariz., now includes 19 dealerships in Arizona along with its pair of stores in Nevada. Chapman chief executive […] [Read More]

Hyundai is recalling a multitude of Elantra models for two separate issues related to sensors for air bag deployment in the vehicle’s front seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, the recall includes 188,697 Elantra units from 2007 through to 2009 to fix an air bag condition on the passenger side. Meanwhile, […] [Read More]

A veteran communications executive who has held roles with a pair of domestic automakers was named as Volkswagen Group of America’s executive vice president of group communications Monday. Taking the position effective immediately is Tony Cervone,  who will report to Jonathan Browning, president and chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group of America, and will be […] [Read More]

The National Automobile Dealers Association’s online education and training resource launched a new supportive website on Monday containing videos designed to help things run a bit smoother at dealerships. Connected with NADA University, the association explained that the videos on the new site can help dealers resolve business challenges and create new opportunities for success. […] [Read More]

With growing concern about parts and vehicle supplies — even radioactivity — analysts and automakers are still trying to get a handle on the magnitude of problems Japan’s earthquake and tsunami disasters are leaving on the industry now 10 days later. Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation at Kelley Blue Book, didn’t hesitate to state, […] [Read More]

With gas-price concerns returning, NADAguides.com identified what it believes are the top five non-hybrid fuel-efficient vehicles that cost less than $30,000. The site contends these five vehicles — two domestic models and three foreign units — go beyond the basic with desired options for realistic, everyday lifestyles. The selections include the Chevrolet Aveo, GMC Terrain, […] [Read More]