CARY, N.C. — While Sonic Automotive leadership declined to comment further after announcing a strategic review of EchoPark Automotive, company president Jeff Dyke did share more details about Sonic’s investment in its standalone used-car program in an interview with Auto Remarketing on Thursday. The wide-ranging conversation included more details on the digital retailing platform in the works for EchoPark and plans to hire a chief marketing officer specifically for the pre-owned stores. Starting with digital retail Source Article

NAPA, Calif. –  With seven months of 2021 already completed, AUL Corp. senior vice president of strategic product development Jason Garner identified five key F&I tips to help dealerships and finance companies be even more successful during the remainder of the year. Garner collaborated with his team at AUL to compile these tips using feedback from agents, dealers and consumers. The five points include: 1. Ensure your technology-focused vehicle service contact or ancillary product includes an unlimited mileage provision. “Consumers understand that their vehicle’s technology systems are not subject to miles-driven… Read More »AUL uses dealer & consumer feedback to compile 5 tips to help make F&I better

ST. LOUIS and SOUTHFIELD, Mich. –  Credit Acceptance Corp. and Wise F&I each have received accolades for how great their workplaces are. For Credit Acceptance, the finance company that specializes in subprime auto financing now has claimed six accolades so far this year, with the most recent accomplishment being named by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the Detroit area. “We’re honored to receive Crain’s ‘Fast 50’ award for the eighth year in a row,” company officials said in a news release. Fast 50 is based… Read More »Credit Acceptance, Wise F&I honored for great workplaces

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. –  For Toyota and Lexus dealerships in southern California with overwhelmed service drives and recon shops, help literally is on the way. On Friday, Universal Technical Institute announced the first local cohort of students have begun their accelerated 12-week training to complete eight Toyota and five Lexus class credentials preparing them to join one of the largest dealer networks in California. Officials highlighted the Toyota Professional Automotive Technician (TPAT) program delivers specialized training on both Toyota equipment and vehicles and helps students prepare to complete certification testing by… Read More »UTI, Toyota & Lexus collaborate to train more technicians in southern California

Sunday, Aug. 01, 2021, 08:47 PM CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. –  SoCal Penske Dealer Group closed July with some excitement by opening a trio of luxury showrooms on Friday. The company began retailing at Jaguar Puente Hills, Land Rover Puente Hills and Penske Volvo Cars in the Puente Hills Auto Center. These new dealerships serve the greater Los Angeles Area, including the Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley and Orange County. “We are absolutely thrilled to open the doors of Jaguar Puente Hills, Land Rover Puente Hills, and Penske Volvo Cars and… Read More »SoCal Penske Dealer Group rolls out 3 luxury brand showrooms

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –  Acquisitions aren’t just happening among dealerships. Auctions and other automotive service providers are in the mix, too, with the latest move involving the rarest of vehicles. On Thursday, Barrett-Jackson Holdings, the parent company of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., announced the acquisition of the Phoenix-based Collector Car Network, including ClassicCars.com, AutoHunter, The ClassicCars.com Journal and the Future Collector Car Show. The company said through a news release that the acquisition furthers Barrett-Jackson’s mission to grow the collector car market through strategic alignment of best-in-class brands and world-class customer service. “Barrett-Jackson… Read More »Barrett-Jackson broadens collector-car reach via acquisition

ST. LOUIS –  Enterprise Holdings is making quite a financial commitment to addressing social and racial equity gaps facing youth and families in communities across the globe. Through the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the company that operates the Enterprise, National and Alamo rental car brands is awarding its inaugural local Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward grants to nearly 700 nonprofit organizations. According to a news release, the grants total more than $7 million. The company highlighted that this announcement is another step in the ROAD Forward initiative to allocate $35 million over five… Read More »Enterprise Holdings supporting nearly 700 nonprofits working to advance social and racial equity

RICHMOND, Va. –  Since the early stages of my career, I have strongly disliked being called or thought of as a “female leader.” Those two words used together reminded me that the word “leader” was still thought of as implicitly male. Instead, I prefer to be thought of as a “great leader,” or just a “leader.” As a female executive in the male-dominated auto industry, there has been no shortage of challenging experiences, especially regarding gender bias. While this behavior is unacceptable, it is the reality of the world we live… Read More »COMMENTARY: Overcoming gender-bias in male-dominated industry & becoming a better, stronger leader

HANOVER, Md. –  This week, Hudson Cook reinforced its stable of legal experts with the hiring of new partner Megan Nicholls along with new associates Laura Bacon and Robert Tilley. “We are thrilled to welcome Meg, Laura and Rob to the Hudson Cook team, supplementing our core consumer financial services compliance, privacy and litigation practice areas,” Hudson Cook managing partner Lisa DeLessio said in a news release. “As we prepare to celebrate the firm’s 25th anniversary, Meg, Laura and Rob’s diverse experiences will help us to continue to provide our clients… Read More »3 attorneys join Hudson Cook offices in Texas, Maryland & Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Earlier this year, compliance expert Randy Henrick dissected the complex new law in Illinois that’s creating challenges for dealerships, finance companies and service providers. Now some members of the U.S. Senate want to use a similar path to create nationwide policy with lawmakers examining the issue during a hearing on Thursday. American Financial Services Association president and chief executive officer Bill Himpler cautioned Senators from making that choice when he testified before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in a hearing titled, “Protecting Americans from Debt… Read More »AFSA & CBA caution Senators about expanded use of MLA to create rate cap