REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Canadian auction prices showed improvement in April, and it appears the massive drops-off from the winter have stopped, according to the latest OPENLANE Market Index Report. More specifically, auction prices climbed 4 percentage points month-over-month. "Canadian prices showed upward trend in April, ending the month 4 percentage points above March levels," officials […] [Read More]

OTTAWA, Ontario — Toyota Canada is sponsoring a museum exhibit making its debut next month that highlights the country's auto industry history. "In Search of the Canadian Car" is an exhibition that will be featured for the next five years at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa. It delves into the nation's achievements in […] [Read More]

AVOCA, Pa. — Guardian Warranty Corp., a provider of service contracts to independent and franchise dealerships nationwide, recently broadened its warranty coverage offerings. Executives contend dealers can gain significant return through GWC's new Ultra and Ultra Wrap Exclusionary Programs. They insist dealers now can offer powertrain all the way to true "bumper-to-bumper" extended coverage on new […] [Read More]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently revealed that it picked two new Toyota vehicles as Top Safety Pick award winners. The two units are the all-new Sienna minivan and redesigned 2011 Avalon full-size sedan. Toyota executives believe the Sienna is the first and currently the only minivan to earn an IIHS Top […] [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American International Automobile Dealers Association and Carfax are offering dealers a free online seminar next week that can help dealers improve how they go about stocking their inventories. The "Consider Your Buyers Before You Even Stock the Car," which will be held at noon (EST) on June 4, will hone in on […] [Read More]

ATLANTA and NORCROSS, Ga. — Two additional stores have earned designation as Motor Trend Certified Advantage dealerships, according to EasyCare.  Selected for the program — which Motor Trend created and EasyCare powers — was Sam Linder Cadillac Honda in Salinas, Calif. and Napa Ford Lincoln Mercury in Napa Valley, Calif. Both stores are among the first […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — A longtime veteran of Toyota and a pioneer of the automaker's certified pre-owned vehicle program is retiring next month. Norm Olson, who began what ended up being nearly four decades with Toyota in January 1972, is stepping down on June 11. Toyota has not yet appointment a replacement for Olson, who is the sales […] [Read More]

OAK BROOK, Ill. — vAuto's used-vehicle management system can now be utilized as a mobile application for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch products, allowing dealers to tap into market information while they're on the go. "We recognize that our dealers need the ability to access our real-time market information wherever they are," explained Keith Jezek, president […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — A Mazda store in Orangeville, Ontario, charged last month with conducting unfair business practices has been cut off by the automaker and had its dealer license frozen by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. OMVIC levied charges of "engaging in unfair practice by making an unconscionable representation" against Mazda of Orangeville and two of […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — J.D. Power and Associates rolled out its 2010 Canadian Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study today and found that the brand ranking the highest for customer satisfaction when it comes to automaker Web sites is Lexus. However, it appears the industry has a ways to go in terms of improving Web site functionality, which is […] [Read More]