RICHMOND HILL, Ontario — While Canada's new-vehicle sales climbed 0.6 percent year-over-year in May, a better indicator of the market's health is the seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.   And judging by the company's data, May perhaps wasn't as solid as the raw sales data comparisons might suggest. Overall, 154,927 new-vehicles were sold […] [Read More]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — There was some softening in wholesale prices in Canada during May, with some segments showing declines from April and others remaining static, according to the latest Canadian Market Index from OPENLANE. Specifically, month-average prices were down 3 percentage points month-over-month and showed a 6-percentage-point drop from May 2009. "Canadian prices showed downward […] [Read More]

MONTREAL, Quebec — The Montreal Automobile Dealers Corp. recently welcomed a new president at its Annual General Meeting at Hotel de I'Institut. Named as president was Pascal Dandurand, of Champlain Dodge Chrysler in Verdun. The term is one year. Meanwhile, Jacques Tardif, of Longueuil Suzuki, becomes vice president. "All the efforts will be maintained to provide […] [Read More]

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Hyundai Motor America vice president of sales Dave Zuchowski recently changed up some members of the division's management team, including the executive who will oversee the automaker's certified pre-owned program. Sliding over to the role of executive director of retail operations, which includes responsibility for national incentives, CPO programs, extended service plans […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — A pair of dealership management executives plan to share their success stories in raising online inventory visibility during the next DealerADvantage Live Webinar organized by Cars.com. The free workshop titled "Beyond Listings: Drive Sales with a Comprehensive Online Presence," is set to begin at noon EDT on Friday. Jack Simmons, a Cars.com dealer training manager, […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — In the midst of the third straight month of the industry's certified pre-owned sales showing year-over-year improvement, best-ever CPO numbers were achieved for the second consecutive time for one brand. During May — the final full month before Norm Olson, who is the sales operations manager for Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, was set to […] [Read More]

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. and MARINA DEL REY, Calif. — R. L. Polk & Co. believes a major shift is taking place in how dealers generate and utilize leads. The company contends the greatest importance no longer should be placed on traditional lead scoring. Instead, Polk executives emphasized that the priority should be moved over to lead marketing. […] [Read More]

DALLAS — Liquid Motors on Wednesday launched a new mobile portal service as a part of its comprehensive dealer inventory management and marketing solution. Executives explained this new tool can provide dealers with access to the Liquid Motors' AccuData Inventory Management System and SalesDriver Lead Management System. This access can be from any mobile Internet-enabled device. […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Certified pre-owned and used-vehicle prices gained ground once again in May, reflecting the movement seen over the last few months in the midst of tight supply and a healthier auto market, according to AutoTrader.com. In fact, the asking prices of all of the 20 most-viewed used vehicles on the site climbed year-over-year in May, while 18 […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors dealers will now have another selling point at their disposal to move certain certified pre-owned units. On Monday, GM Certified Used Vehicles rolled out a financing package via GMAC Financial Services for Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac G6 models. Specifically, there is 1.9-percent, 2.9-percent or 3.9-percent financing available through GMAC on model-year 2005 through 2010 […] [Read More]