BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — For the second time in just over a month, Penske Automotive Group has opened a new Mini store in the group's Western region, as it unveiled a 17,500-square-foot facility in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday. Mini of Austin's debut comes just five weeks after Penske opened Mini of Tempe to serve the Phoenix […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Ford, which said Tuesday it earned $2.1 billion in first-quarter net profit, is on pace to move ahead of Toyota and climb back into the No. 2 spot for yearly U.S. auto sales for the first time since 2006, according to Edmunds.com. Ford has finished third in full-year U.S. auto sales in […] [Read More]

HOUSTON — Thanks largely to improvements in its business structure as well as a healthier auto environment, Group 1 made what its president and chief executive officer called a "strong start" to the year. Adjusted net income for the first quarter came in at $10.4 million, up from $4.7 million in the year-ago period. The most […] [Read More]

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]