GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Santa Fe Ford, a dealership that's operated in this northern Florida city for 22 years, just posted its best January used-vehicle sales total. Dealership executives described January as traditionally soft month; however, they went on to note that the sales team was able to move more than 80 used units this year. Santa Fe Ford attributed […] [Read More]

OAKBROOK, Ill. — At the upcoming National Automobile Dealers Association Conference and Expo, Dale Pollak, chairman and founder of vAuto and author of Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels and Profitability, will be presenting the "Used Car Dominance/Lower Costs in the New SAAR Era" seminar.   Officials said Pollak's seminar will offer "breakthrough paradigms" for the variable department. […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — Cars.com is looking for the success of an ad campaign attached to last year's Super Bowl to continue when the Web site rolls out its latest strategy during this Sunday's game. The newest spot connected with Cars.com's "Confidence" campaign will be shown during Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday. Executives explained that the 60-second spot, […] [Read More]

DETROIT — After it came to light that General Motors' Pontiac Vibe was also impacted by Toyota's recall and included in the National Auto Auction Association's recommendation to cease selling at auction, the automaker performed some tests and has now declared this model as safe. The 2009-10 Vibe is a sister vehicle of the Toyota Matrix. Toyota […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — According to Kelley Blue Book's director of vehicle valuation, vehicles that directly compete with the models impacted by Toyota's recall and sales stoppage could benefit from the automaker's troubles. Juan Flores said that some consumers who previously considered buying a Toyota may instead look to competitors. If this occurs, these competing vehicles could […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Dealers in Orlando and Tampa are gearing up to be a part of the Pre-Owned Road Shows, free events that will provide dealers with the latest information, tools and skills for selling more pre-owned units and profiting more in their pre-owned operations.  These special training events, sponsored by the Pre-Owned Auto Dealers Alliance, […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — DealerTrack Canada reported earlier this week that it has purchased Trade Tracker — which provides Canadian dealers with systematic online process for appraising vehicles — for $1.2 million (CAD). Trade Tracker's online approval tool is used by roughly 300 Canadian dealers and is designed to help them more efficiently and accurately review, appraise and track […] [Read More]

TORONTO, Ontario — In another crackdown by Ontario authorities on curbsiding, Eric Stiles was given a one-year prison sentence and his company was fined $375,000. This decision came after he plead guilty to 30 counts of trading in a vehicle without the benefit of registration, the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council announced. OMVIC explained that because Stiles' […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Credit Canada Limited gained immediately available proceeds of $28 million (CAD) this week after completing a sale of subordinate notes, which were sponsored by Ford Credit Canada Limited, Ford Auto Securitization Trust (FAST). They are backed by a pool of retained conditional sale contracts from Ford Credit Canada, which bought these notes […] [Read More]

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — NCM Associates today officially launches its NCM Institute Center for Automotive Retail Excellence today, offering dealers a wide variety of programs, including introductory and advanced courses in used-vehicle management, general management, service management, sales management, financial management and e-commerce management. All of the courses are designed to provide comprehensive, real-world strategies tailored to […] [Read More]