WESTLAKE VILLAGE – New-vehicle retail sales in April are expected to continue the year-over-year growth trend from the first quarter, as the market heads into the spring selling season, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates’ Power Information Network® (PIN) and LMC Automotive. April new-vehicle retail sales are projected to … Read More »

BANDON – Based on the first 19 days of April, the auto industry is on track to sell 1.25 million units, 7.8 percent increase vs. a year ago, according to CNW Research. That would put the True Delivery Rate at 14.68 million units for the year. The market research firm also noted a 13 percent … Read More »

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – Finance Express has a new name for its suite of software tools for independent dealers. Called the FEX DMS, the rebranding is based on terminology the company’s clients and employees have used for years to describe its product line. The rebranding also represents the company’s efforts over the last few years … Read More »

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – American Auto Guardian, Inc. (“AAGI”) announced its partnership with United Development Systems, Inc. (“UDS”). This strategic affiliation will provide a more local presence of the seven-year winner of Top F&I Trainer in the nation. As part of its corporate evolution, AAGI’s Performance Services department has been created. This department will encompass the … Read More »

Audi AG, the business division of the German luxury brand, announced Wednesday its intention to acquire Ducati, the Italian sportbike manufacturer, from its majority owner, the Investindustrial Group. The announcement ended a month of speculation dating to a report from the web site of Car, the British automotive magazine, in which unidentified sources told the … Read More »

One of the auto industry’s most closely guarded secrets—the enormous cost of batteries for electric cars—has spilled out. Speaking at a forum on green technology on Monday, Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Alan Mulally indicated battery packs for the company’s Focus electric car costs between $12,000 and $15,000 apiece, reported The Wall Street Journal. “When … Read More »