Recent Stories
Battery complicates EV service contracts

The hard part for extended-service contract providers is that automakers already put extra-long factory warranties on EV batteries as a way to reduce consumer worries and to promote sales.
Limited range of early EVs, such as the Nissan Leaf, led to low demand that hurt resale values.
EV residual values concern lenders

Captives fear losses as the number of electric vehicles on the road increases.
Mitsubishi ready to bring its digital marketing game

The Mitsubishi brand is getting a makeover in the United States, including the first new dealership facility appearance package in 16 years and a new product lineup.
Porsche is a strong brand, but captive, ad support are weak spots

Porsche's 192 U.S. dealerships have a lot of reasons to be satisfied with the brand, and vice versa. An area for improvement would be captive Porsche Financial Services, which offers retail and lease incentives but not floorplan or capital improvement financing.
Strong products and strong support from Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz USA is coming off a year in which the brand reversed a two-year sales slide. And retailers have more reasons to be upbeat
Mini dealers pin affordability hopes on EV

What Mini dealers want: a car with a price that matches consumer expectations. Help is coming in the 2020 Mini Cooper SE.
Porsche sales zoom, but dealers face roadblocks

Retailers delivered another record year for the make. Going forward, they wish their finance arm could do more.
Due in March: Electric Mini Cooper SE
Mini dealers expect a boost from new EV

The fully electric 2020 Mini Cooper SE is due out in March, and dealers expect a boost in sales.
EQC: Delayed in U.S. to meet European demand
Mercedes dealers await flow of EVs, hybrids

Jeff Swickard, chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board, says West Coast dealers, where demand is high for EVs and hybrids, are particularly excited about the new product this year.
Mitsubishi’s facility makeover program is its first in 16 years.
Mitsubishi's dealers focus on new models

The company is looking forward to a new generation of products with its alliance partners, Nissan and Renault.
NYC dealership's valet program attracts thousands of service customers

Paragon launched its valet service in 2017. The service's customers now use an app on their mobile phones to arrange more than 3,000 valet trips a month.
Fighting fraud is a cat and mouse game

Here's why the growth of synthetic identity fraud in auto loans is leveling off in 2019 after six years of steep increases — and what scammers are trying now.
In fraud fight, lenders go after dealerships

Auto lenders are taking an increasingly hard-nosed approach to identity theft fraud, and dealerships that don't properly screen for fraud are feeling the heat.
Auto loan, lease originations grow in Q3

Loans to customers with subprime credit scores dropped noticeably, offset by an increase for customers at the high end of the credit-score range.
Data battle moves to statehouses

Disputes in Massachusetts and California highlight a growing controversy over the data that Internet-connected cars can produce and process.