U.S. Energy Department Finalizes Loan for GM Battery Venture

The U.S. Energy Department finalized a $2.5 billion loan to a joint venture of General Motors Co. and LG Energy Solution for three lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facilities.

AutoNation Picks Up Mobile Repair Service

RepairSmith acquisition boosts its offerings and opens up new customer opportunities.

DriveItAway Partnership Launches Subscriptions in Canada

Partners with Legacy Auto Credit in Ontario for app-based subscription-to-ownership program.

Why “Penny- Perfect” Payments Simply Don’t Cut It

The technology of today has far surpassed “penny-perfect,” and those competitors who understand this are cleaning up.

Desking in a Rising Rate Environment

If a dealership is still buying Sharpies to complete paper Four Squares, you will probably find a higher percentage of packed payments or potentially discriminatory pricing.

Redwood Materials to Build S.C. Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Facility

The new facility will employ 1,500 people and produce enough cathode and anodes components to supply 1 million EVs annually.

Stellantis Finance Unit Ramps Up

More and more dealers signing onto captive service.

F&I Tip of the Week: Sharing New Information to Show Value

Join Brown and Brown Dealer Services' John Tabar, with this F&I Tip of the Week!

The Path of People: The Power of Empathy

If we provide the path through the process that our customers enjoy, expect, and hope for, they will trust us and listen to the insight we offer.

New Index Shows EVs Have Gained Ground

But multiple obstacles stand in the way of widespread adoption.

EV Tax Credit Guidance Delayed

Controversial rules on battery component sourcing anticipated by carmakers.

USPS to Electrify Much of Delivery Fleet

It will buy at least 66K EVs by 2028.

Compliance Offering for Dealerships Released

Reynolds and Reynolds/Proton Dealership IT offer tools for compliance, security ahead of FTC Safeguards Rule deadline.

Security Ops Center Planned at Reynolds HQ

State-of-the art facility to enhance Proton Dealership IT’s cyber threat monitoring and response services.

Audi to Abandon ICE Vehicles

Joins growing list of carmakers embracing electrification.

CarMax’s Bad Q3 Results Drag Down Industry

Used-car retailer grapples with waning demand in face of economic challenges.

Car Prices to Ease in 2023

Report shows used models in particular to fall as new-car inventory improves.

Impacts of a Down Economy

It is not clear how current economic conditions will affect vehicle sales, auto lending and remarketing over the next 12 months.

F&I Tip of the Week: Primary Responsibility

Join Brown & Brown Dealer Services' John Tabar, here with this F&I Tip of the Week.

Dealers Get December Gift of Good Business

Forecast shows rising sales, inventory, and good 2023 outlook.

Bloomberg Names Hyundai World’s 3rd-Biggest Carmaker

Data analysis puts South Korean brand’s volume above GM, other big players.

Black Book: Weekly Market Report

With the holidays approaching, auction lanes are following the trend of past weeks of being slow.

Auto Dealership Buy/Sell Stays Hot with Yet Another Record in 2022

According to Third Quarter 2022 Blue Sky Report® by Kerrigan Advisors, dealership buy/sells increase 25% YoY as auto retailers overcome economic headwinds to achieve a 205% increase in earnings compared to pre-pandemic averages.

Honda Accord Touring Model to Include Android Automotive

The automaker’s top of the line Touring model Accord will come with “Google built-in” in 2023.

Automaker Favors Varied Auto Lineup to All EVs

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda says there is a silent majority who question whether automakers should pursue electric vehicles exclusively.

N.C. Stores Bought From One of Top U.S. Groups

Hudson Automotive buys nine from Asbury.

CPO Sales Up Year-Over-Year

The interest rate factor actually buoys them, Cox says.

VW CFO Foresees Tighter New Year

Economic pressures expected to make 2023 even more challenging.

KBB Announces Winners of 2023 Best Buy Awards

NASCAR Driver Toni Breidinger teams up with Kelley Blue Book to test top award winner.

Lawmakers Seek Help to Prevent Crashes

Implore transportation secretary to work with carmakers to deploy connected-car technology.

Texas Discretionary Allocation Suit Decided

Court rules that Hyundai’s discretionary allocations weren’t unreasonable.

ZeroSum Dealers’ Market First Report: 2022 Automotive Inventory Trends That Matter in 2023

From inventory and pricing trends to future predictions, this report provides everything auto dealers need to know to prepare for a successful year in 2023.

State of the Automotive Finance Market: Q3 2022

New Experian report finds average loan terms extend for new and used vehicle loans as interest rates rise.

Used Vehicle Prices Drop as Other Costs Remain High

The most recent Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a slight but promising decline in used car prices.

New Mazda SUV Part of Industry Electrification Trend

Details of CX-90 to be fully revealed in January.

F-150 Lightning MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year

Magazine cites in part the model’s appeal to existing truck owners.

Black Book: Weekly Market Report

Sales rates continue to be less than ideal, with many buyers exercising caution for fear of loading up on inventory that does not turn quickly, especially when values are experiencing heavy declines week after week.

Inventory Rises Again in November

Most reporting carmakers have supply days in the double digits.

Toyota to Adjust EV Strategy

The automaker plans to adjust its electric vehicle strategy and provide it to key suppliers early next year, report people close to the project.

Baltimore-Area Dealerships Settle Discrimination Suit

EEOC alleged they fired female dispatcher over equal-pay complaint.

Survey of Dealers Ranks Brands on Sentiment

Top five are familiar, especially with Honda’s return.

More Auto Dealers See Market as Weak

U.S. auto dealers cite a poor economy, higher interest rates and low inventory as the reason why, finds the Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index.

Toyota Sets Sights on Carbon Neutrality in Europe by 2040

Toyota maintains operations in Europe will be carbon neutral by 2040, at Toyota Motor Europe’s annual Kenshiki presentation in Brussels.

Trade Dispute Decision Could Move More Auto Manufacturing to Canada, Mexico

Preliminary ruling would give countries more leeway in meeting duty-free threshold.

Ease-of-Purchase Survey Shows November Upticks

CDK score reflects progress as inventories rise, but still room for improvement.

Reinsurance Check Up: What Are You Really Paying For?

Dealers need to protect themselves by understanding their statements, what they are paying out, and the services they are receiving.

8 F&I Trends to Keep an Eye On

Industry veteran identifies trends that will spur F&I growth now and in the future.

Carvana’s Stock Plummets Amid Bankruptcy Fears

Creditors join together to negotiate with used-car retailer.

NHTSA Probes Honda, Jeep and Ram Models

Involves reports of loss of power and braking.

75% of Gen Z View Their Vehicle as a Third Space

Safety, comfort, and radio/audio rank highest as vehicle third space design priorities.

Black Book: Market Insights Report

After the slowdown in depreciation during the week of Thanksgiving, the depreciation picked up the pace once again last week, but the overall market did not experience the level of declines seen before the holiday.

Safeguards Deadline Extension

The FTC’s Safeguard Rule Deadline Has Been Extended…Now What?

Nissan-Renault Talks Linger

Carmakers trying to work out matters of importance to each.

6 Signs Your Marketing Is Holding You Back

Marketing moves fast. The tools, tactics, and technologies that were effective just a few years ago have given way to new approaches that prioritize personalization. It’s no longer all about the business—it’s about what your business can do for your shoppers.

November U.S. Sales Up at Most Asian Brands

Kia breaks its November record, Subaru leads pack with 52% jump.

Used Vehicle Values Keep Trending Down

But analysts predict used vehicle prices will remain higher than pre-pandemic prices for years to come.

Mazda Stockpiles Parts to Maintain Production Amid Chinese Supplier Lockdowns

Mazda Motor Corp. reports sufficient parts inventories will keep production status quo despite COVID lockdowns at Chinese suppliers.

F&I training: Tips and Strategies for a Successful Implementation

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CarMax to Pay $1M to Settle Multistate Recall-Disclosure Probe

36 states alleged the used-car retailer sold cars with open safety recalls without letting buyers know.

Ford’s November Sales Down

Its EV lineup, though, surges, positioning it just behind Tesla, brand says.

Fleet Sales on Track for November Bump

Helped by improved inventories, they could help make up for retail sales slowed by larger economic conditions.

The Bell Curve

In this video, David McKellar from the Automotive Training Academy by Assurant describes the correlation of a bell curve and your customers.

Nissan, Renault Near Potential New Deal

Automakers meanwhile negotiating terms.