NEW YORK – Data through April 2012, released today by S&P Indices and Experian for the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices, a comprehensive measure of changes in consumer credit defaults showed that, with the exception of bank cards, all loan types saw a decrease in default rates for the fourth consecutive month. In addition, the four [...]

Thirty-four dealerships selected as WomenCertified Top Dealerships for Outstanding Customer Experience for 2011 were honored at the 12th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition held in Orlando in April. This Top Dealership list, which is the first in an annual series, identifies the country’s top auto dealerships based on female customer satisfaction and women’s reported preferences [...]

The local segment of U.S. social media ad spending will reach $3.1 billion in 2016 CHANTILLY, Va.. -– Social media advertising revenues will grow from $3.8 billion in 2011 to $9.8 billion in 2016, representing a compound annual growth rate of 21 percent, according to BIA/Kelsey’s U.S. Local Media Forecast (2011-2016). BIA/Kelsey, adviser to companies [...]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group LLC is playing matchmaker in Southern California this week as it brings together 40 Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, and FIAT dealers with 67 minority-owned suppliers from across the state. Program brings together 40 dealers with 67 minority-owned suppliers Designed to foster more dealer purchasing from minority suppliers Concept fashioned [...]

SMYRNA, Tenn. – It has been 20 years since the first Nissan Altima rolled off the line in Smyrna. Today, more than 4.4 million Altimas later, Nissan celebrates another milestone: production of the top-selling vehicle’s fifth generation. The all-new 2013 Nissan Altima, which has been produced at Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant since the first generation [...]

DETROIT – The real story in this year’s rankings of automakers by their suppliers in the 12th annual study of OEM working relations is not their overall rankings, but rather the dramatic and continuing slide of Toyota and Honda, and the continuing improvement of Chrysler Group, General Motors and Ford since 2005. While still in first [...]

ATLANTA — As gas prices remain high, now is a good time to buy a large SUV, according to the recent Shoppers Insights report from the AutoTrader.com Trend Engine. In a tracking study conducted by AutoTrader.com, 66 percent of new-car shoppers indicated that they are more likely to consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle due to [...]

Study shows 69% of car buyers use social media in their dealership selection process yet many dealerships are not effectively engaging with social media-savvy consumers Sunnyvale, CA – Digital Air Strike™, the nation’s leading full-service automotive social media and online reputation management company, today announced the publication of the industry’s first 2012 Automotive Dealership Social [...]

DealerOn and Dataium will dive into Website Conversion Rate Optimization best practices used by dealers like Ideal Nissan (the 2012 Digital Dealer Website Excellence Overall Award Winner).  The typical dealer implementing the full spectrum of these best practices, if they are not already using them, can expect to more than double their website lead volumes [...]

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — GENERAL MOTORS FINANCIAL COMPANY, INC. (“GM Financial” or the “Company”) announced net income of $112 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $77 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Earnings of $112 million Loan and lease originations of $1.8 billion Available liquidity of $1.9 billion Annualized [...]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Millions of drivers could be endangered by operating vehicles that have been recalled but have not been repaired, reports Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. In fact, one study says that there were “at least” 2.7 million vehicles listed for sale last year that still were subject to unfulfilled recalls. “The current [...]

TULSA, Okla. — Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG) reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.  Net income for the 2012 first quarter was $40.4 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, compared to net income of $16.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2011.  The Company [...]