GURNEE, Ill. — A Chicago-area Ford dealership's recent Drive-a-Thon, which let high school students test drive new Ford models, raised "significant" funds for the sports boosters club at a local high school. Last month, Gurnee Ford Lincoln Mercury's three-day event allowed high-school students to take one of nine new models from Ford for 10-minute spin. For […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — This week, executives from Kelley Blue Book marked the official launch of its free application for the iPhone, an app that's actually been live on the Apple iTunes Store since late April. However, they wanted to highlight the capabilities of the application as well as the automaker that plans to serve as a platform […] [Read More]

DALLAS — SuperMedia recently entered into a partnership with the Oodle Network to boost the online presence of its dealer-provided listing Web site EveryCarListed.com. Executives explained the new agreement means dealer clients who push their inventory listings out through EveryCarListed.com can receive priority placement on the Oodle Network. They indicated that Oodle's connections reach social media […] [Read More]

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Penske Automotive Group this week announced the opening of two more luxury brand dealerships to expand its market presence in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. The group rolled out two dealerships in Chantilly, Va., an Audi store and a Mercedes-Benz rooftop. Executives pointed out that these new operations are located about 16 […] [Read More]

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Carfax has rolled out the second installment of its national "Show Me the Carfax" TV ad campaign to help steer shoppers to stores that provide Carfax Vehicle History Reports.  And playing a major role in the advertising efforts will be a furry, four-legged friend: Car Fox.    The fox character first appeared as a puppet […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — CDMdata has rolled out a new Pre-Owned Classified Package on Kbb.com's The Trusted Marketplace that can help CDM dealer customers increase the exposure of their used-vehicle inventory and connect with potential buyers. The program allows dealers to generate phone and e-mail leads directly from in-market shoppers and also provides dealers with a customizable "Storefront" on […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — Saab is officially back in the Canadian market and, apparently, dealers are already looking to join the automaker's network. Saab Cars North America and International Fleet Sales revealed earlier this week that they are working together to determine how vehicles will be brought into Canada and delivered to dealers. This import and delivery process […] [Read More]

EDMONTON, Alberta — AutoCanada Inc. continued the momentum it started late last year and finished the first quarter of 2010 with net earnings that were up more than 27 percent from the year-ago period.  The company also resumed payment of quarterly dividends. Specifically, AutoCanada's first-quarter net earnings totaled $1.4 million, a 27.2-percent upswing from $1.1 million […] [Read More]

EDMONTON, Alberta — Carfinco Income Fund got 2010 off to a strong start, posting record net earnings for the fourth consecutive quarter. The company's $3.6 million in first-quarter net earnings beat the previous record — which was set in the fourth quarter of 2009 — by 37.1 percent. Not to mention, it marked a 365.1-percent rise in net […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Debate over creation of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection intensified as the U.S. Senate neared a vote to consider an amendment many argue is paramount to sustaining current dealer operations nationwide. Late Wednesday, the White House joined the fray, releasing a statement that did not sit particularly well with the National Automobile Dealers Association. President Obama declared […] [Read More]