It doesn’t appear the used-car retail market closed 2022 on a particularly high note. According to a forecast released Thursday by TrueCar, December was expected to wrap up with less than 2.5 million used-car sales. That would be a … [Read More]

SmartGroups and Automotive Reinsurance Concepts founder and chief executive officer Justin Osburn started 2023 with two major announcements aimed directly at helping independent dealers, which are facing some significant headwinds based on Cox Automotive’s latest research. First, Automotive Reinsurance Concepts introduced Independent Dealer University, a subscription-based online education platform designed to put “next-level” training easily […] [Read More]

Tonkin Automotive Group has sold its Acura of Reno dealership in Nevada to New England-based Key Auto Group, according to Performance Brokerage Services. In a news release, Performance Brokerage Services co-founder Jason Stopnitzky said: “We have been friends with the Tonkin family and their multi-generational dealer group for many years. They are a very special […] [Read More]

During this holiday week, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) announced a move that marked the first time its 75-year history that the organization will be led by a woman. Late on Monday, NIADA said its board of directors unanimously selected chief financial officer Melanie Wilson as interim chief executive officer, handling day-to-day operations, […] [Read More]

Ken Garff Automotive Group has purchased two dealerships in Arizona from Earnhardt Auto Centers, according to a news release from Kerrigan Advisors, which represented Earnhardt in the transaction. Ken Garff bought Earnhardt Volkswagen in Gilbert-Chandler and Rodeo Kia in Avondale. “It was a sincere pleasure and honor to once again represent the Earnhardt family in […] [Read More]

Last month marked the first year-over-year rise in certified pre-owned sales since September 2021, according to a Cox Automotive Data Point report Tuesday and month-by-month data the company previously sent Auto Remarketing. Beyond snapping a 14-month streak of year-over-year declines, the CPO market also has this positive sign as year-end draws near: annual sales are […] [Read More]

Swickard Auto Group in Gladstone, Ore., has purchased five dealerships representing seven franchises from Anderson Autos in Thousand Oaks, Calif., according to a news release from The Presidio Group, which advised Anderson in the deal. Included in the deal are Acura, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Commercial Van dealerships. Swickard plans to purchase […] [Read More]

The charitable work in auto retail during the holidays continues, this time with a food drive and efforts to provide those in need with winter coats. Starting with the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the group kicked off its campaign to help the Operation Warm organization last week and anticipates raising more than $100,000 […] [Read More]

Lithia & Driveway has expanded to Kentucky with its latest purchase. The dealer group announced Tuesday it has purchased Glenn’s Freedom CJDR in Lexington, the 33rd store Lithia has acquired in 2022. Lithia anticipates the dealerships will generate annualized revenues of more than $140 million. The near three dozen stores Lithia has purchased this year […] [Read More]

Another example of the racing and retailing worlds connecting surfaced on Monday. Zeigler Auto Group will serve as primary sponsor onboard Josh Bilicki’s new No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports during the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season. As the youngest team in NASCAR according to a news release, Live Fast Motorsports welcomes Bilicki […] [Read More]