SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com is prepared to give $1 million to whoever can crack the mystery of unintended acceleration in recalled Toyota vehicles. The site announced preliminary plans this week to reward researchers who can accurately address the situation that's confounded automaker executives and government experts alike. Officials are challenging participants to demonstrate in a […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — The VehicleGateway.com online used-vehicle marketplace for Canada recently made its debut and can help provide dealers and private sellers with an efficient avenue to showcase vehicles for sale and reach out to potential buyers. It also provides consumers with pertinent information needed to make used-car shopping decisions, such as vehicle histories and current conditions of used […] [Read More]

RICHMOND HILL, Ontario — Canada's new-vehicle sales were up more than 6 percent year-over-year in January and it appears that trends from 2009 have continued this year, as the market is gravitating toward trucks and larger vehicles, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. Specifically, new-vehicle sales totaled 81,581 units in January, up 6.2 percent from the 76,850 […] [Read More]

CALGARY, Alberta — Quorum Information Technologies announced this week that its XSELLERATOR dealership and customer management system has gained Chrysler manufacturer integration certification, and the product is now available to Canada's Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers. As part of Chrysler's certification, there is approval of a full suite of integration between XSELLERATOR and Chrysler systems for […] [Read More]

ANKENY, Iowa — General Motors honored its best-selling GM Certified Used Vehicles dealers on Thursday, and receiving this distinction for the fourth straight year was Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, Iowa. The store sold 1,418 CPO units last year, which topped more than 3,433 GM certified dealerships in the U.S.  "I truly believe in the strength of […] [Read More]

BANDON, Ore. — When explaining the softness in the used-vehicle market thus far in February, CNW Research pointed to the issues surrounding Toyota, suggesting that used sales and transaction prices seemed to "slip on Toyota's banana peel." Specifically, used-vehicle sales for February are expected to drop 1.8 percent from last year and used prices have dipped 1.3 compared to January. […] [Read More]

BOSTON — As Toyota owners see the value of their vehicles drop in connection with the automaker's recent recalls, many have sought legal action. Many are turning to Attorneys Toyota Action Consortium, which is a federation of consumer law firms filing lawsuits against the automaker. The group has already grown to 22 law firms, covering 16 […] [Read More]

ARLINGTON, Texas — Scott Lilja is taking his industry experience and background with the National Automobile Dealers Association to the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. The NIADA has named Lilja as its new vice president of member services. He takes on this role as of March 1. NIADA is tasking Lilja with creating special programs for the association's […] [Read More]

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Dealers who have lost their franchises have the opportunity to keep their businesses and facilities running through a new automotive program from Sears. Basically, through the Independent Sears Auto Center franchise program, dealers can run their own licensed Sears Auto Center, where they can center their operations on parts and services, over-the-counter […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario – A new board of directors for the Automotive Industries Association of Canada was elected by members at the recent 69th AIA Annual General Meeting in Toronto. The 14-member board is comprised of nine directors at large and the five members of the executive committee. The 2010 AIA Board of Directors includes the following: —President: […] [Read More]