FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Hyundai Motor America on Wednesday rolled out the first of a three-phase program aimed at helping customers plan and schedule vehicle servicing at franchise dealerships. Beyond making it easier for the consumer, automaker officials believe the dealer benefits of the Hyundai Online Service Scheduling Program include improved scheduling and resource utilization, resulting […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota officials applauded a decision by the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California that's involving their multidistrict litigation stemming from vehicle recalls and safety concerns. The automaker agreed with the court's choice to approve a joint Phase I discovery plan it previously submitted. "We are pleased that the court has […] [Read More]

McKINNEY, Texas — The owner of two franchise dealerships in McKinney, which is north of Dallas, is out to prove he can take the heat — literally. Beginning Monday, Chris Godwin, who owns Nissan of McKinney and recently acquired McKinney Buick GMC, will spend six days on the roof of his Nissan dealership. The campaign is meant […] [Read More]

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. —  The Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing has rolled out a new program designed to help dealers make the best decisions when it comes to hiring employees. ADP'S Hiring Services is an online tool that allows for: —Ordering and managing candidate background, which includes candidate assessment tools such as job fit assessment […] [Read More]

HERNDON, Va. — Audi of America recently reached 2 million vehicles sold in the U.S. This milestone came in late June with the sale of an Audi A3 TDI — the reigning 2010 Green Car of the Year. The vehicle went to a customer at Keyes Audi in Van Nuys, Calif. Brand executives noted this transaction involved a […] [Read More]

TOKYO — In assessing the company's global strategy moving forward on Tuesday, one point that Honda Motor Co.'s president and chief executive officer hammered home was that the automaker is enhancing the environmental technologies offered in its vehicles. And this approach certainly looks like it will make an impact on Honda's lineup in the U.S.  Specifically, Honda is currently building a […] [Read More]

MEDFORD, Ore. — Lithia Motors expanded the company's presence in its home state as three Bend, Ore., stores will become part of the dealership network. Honda of Bend has been purchased by Lithia, which also agreed to have the Cadillac and Chevrolet brands from Bob Thomas Chevrolet Cadillac transferred into the network. Officials estimated that the […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Treasury's decision-making process regarding the dealership network reductions at General Motors and Chrysler has come under fire in an audit released Sunday by the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. And the automakers themselves were not spared from critique, either. The report from SIGTARP — titled […] [Read More]

KENSINGTON, Md. — Fitzgerald Auto Malls recently received a mixed bag of resolutions concerning the future of its franchise operations tied to Chrysler and General Motors. First, the company learned Chrysler had reinstated its Chrysler and Jeep franchises in Florida. According to the company, the Florida arbitrator described owner Jack Fitzgerald as a consumer advocate. Fitzgerald […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford said the order pace for the 2011 Shelby GT500 is quickly approaching the cap. The automaker indicated that more than 3,300 orders have been placed for the Shelby GT500. To ensure exclusivity, Ford mandated U.S. sales of this vehicle be limited to 5,500 units. "We are pleased with the pace of retail orders for […] [Read More]