CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sonic Automotive said it compiled strong first-quarter results with its retail used-vehicle operation leading the way.  Executives said Tuesday that during the first quarter, the company recorded net income of $4.15 million, up from $1.68 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $0.14 per share, compared to $0.10 per share last year.  Sonic explained […] [Read More]

HERNDON, Va. — Audi of America is looking to further leverage the exposure one of its vehicles is receiving in the film Iron Man 2. The automaker on Tuesday announced an online social-media contest called "The Tony Stark Innovation Challenge" that stems from the movie character's use of the Audi R8 and other technological advances. Starting Wednesday, […] [Read More]

PARK RIDGE, N.J. — Hertz Global Holdings has signed an agreement to buy Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group in a move officials said will help Hertz grow its global footprint and become the second largest vehicle-rental company in the U.S., among other benefits. Hertz is paying approximately $1.2 billion in cash and stock to acquire Dollar Thrifty. […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Executives with General Motors Certified Used Vehicles broke out their calculators to create their new "Built-In Value" advertising campaign. They put an approximate dollar amount for the features their CPO units have, which include a 12-month/12,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 117-point inspection, vehicle reconditioning, free Carfax Vehicle History Report, 24-hour roadside assistance and a three-month trial […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — Diverse manufacturer promotion efforts seem to be paying dividends for two of the leading vehicles in the latest Hot Car Report from Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com. Enjoying the most weekly shopping activity growth on the site among new models was the 2011 Toyota Avalon. Site officials indicated the vehicle posted a 62-percent growth […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Want to know how some of the big dealership groups are driving up their bottom lines and what they expect in terms of future sales? AutoNation just reported first-quarter results this week and attributed much of its revenue growth to both new- and used-vehicle sales. Overall, the company witnessed a 19-percent increase in […] [Read More]

CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru of America is reaching out to help provide abandoned and neglected animals with loving families to care for them. The automaker is sponsoring Pilots N Paws, a charitable group of general aviation pilots who team with rescue volunteers and shelters, and fly these in-need animals to homes where they can find […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The auto market has reached what TrueCar.com calls a "full-blown recovery," with April's seasonally adjusted annualized rate for new-car sales likely to hit 11.5 million units before surging into 12 million-plus unit SAAR range during the summer. TrueCar.com anticipates there will be 1,010,059 new vehicles (including fleet) sold during April, which would […] [Read More]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Enjoying the second straight quarter of growth throughout all its regions — including Florida, its largest state — AutoNation's used- and new-vehicle revenue gains helped push close to a 19-percent increase in overall revenue in the first quarter, a period that saw the company's net income from continuing operations climb $5 million. More specifically, AutoNation's […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — A lift in shopper traffic early in the month as well as the incentives rolled out by automakers are likely to bode well for the new-vehicle retail sales pace for April, which should show a modest uptick, according to J.D. Power and Associates,  The company said the seasonally adjusted annualized rate for new-vehicle retail sales will likely continue to […] [Read More]