SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com analysts believe automakers are attempting to keep any economic recovery momentum going by continuing to offer generous incentive packages and discounts from MSRP on 2010 vehicles. According to the site's TrueTrends Report for April that aggregates this data, the average discount off of a new vehicle is projected to be at […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Saab Cars North America and OnStar reached an agreement late last week to continue to offer OnStar subscription service to brand customers under the automaker's new owner, Spyker Cars NV. Officials said the agreement begins with model year 2010 vehicles and applies to Saab vehicles sold in the United States. OnStar service is a […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — The New York Acura Association, a cluster of three franchise dealers, is partnering with an auto-focused advertising agency on a new technology strategy intended to connect print and online marketing efforts more effectively. The technology called QR, which is an abbreviation for quick response, is based on putting a small bar code within […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is ramping up its effort to gather consumer feedback about vehicle design and more with a new online initiative the automaker rolled out this week. The OEM has created what it calls the "Your Ideas" section of The Ford Story, the brand's interactive consumer Web site at http://www.thefordstory.com/. Executives want visitors to […] [Read More]

HOUSTON — Group 1 Automotive added another franchise dealership to its stable earlier this week. Executives announced the acquisition of Harrelson Toyota/Scion in Rock Hill, S.C., which is in the greater Charlotte, N.C., market area. Group 1 indicated that this dealership now will operate as Toyota/Scion of Rock Hill. Executives expected the store to generate approximately […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — After news surfaced that Consumer Reports had slapped the automaker's 2010 GX 460 model with a "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" warning for allegedly having potential roll-over issues, Lexus has temporarily halted sales of the SUV in the U.S. and Canada and is offering loaner cars to concerned owners of the model until the […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Automobile Dealers Association repeated its warning on Monday about the possibility of dealer-assisted financing coming to an end if proposed legislation passes completely through Congress. NADA officials indicated that broad reform to the nation's financial system soon will be considered by the Senate. They stressed that President Barack Obama already has […] [Read More]

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Toyota will be staying close to home for its impending legal processes, which saw a major development late last week. The plethora of acceleration-related lawsuits against the automaker will be rolled into one piece of litigation to be heard by a California federal judge in a city not too far from where Toyota […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors executives on Monday chose a former Cadillac and Saab USA executive to fill the role as product marketing director for Buick. John Schwegman, U.S. marketing vice president for Buick GMC, appointed Roger McCormack to the role effective immediately. Most recently, McCormack had been U.S. vehicle marketing director for Cadillac. He had held […] [Read More]

TULSA, Okla. — Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group has seen a swell in franchising activity lately, as the company continues to expand both in the U.S. and abroad. Specifically, Dollar Thrifty reported Monday that in the past two quarters, it has granted 15 new franchises. Moreover, it has signed contracts with 13 additional franchises, and expects that […] [Read More]