PORTLAND – Nearly 25 percent of consumers with Internet-enabled cell phones or mobile devices have recently used their device to research or shop for a car, almost double last year’s rate, according to a recent survey conducted by Chrome Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings. The Chrome survey, conducted by IBOPE Zogby International, also … Read More »

DETROIT — Auto sales defied a downcast economy in September, climbing 9.9 percent to their highest level in five months as new models arrived at dealerships and inventory shortages eased. All three of the Detroit automakers reported gains, led by a 27.2 percent year-over-year increase for Chrysler, which outsold Toyota for the fourth time this … Read More »

Automakers, while beating estimates for industry sales, reduced spending on incentives for U.S. customers in September by 3.5 percent to an average of $2,653 per vehicle, according to Autodata Corp. Ford Motor Co., the second-largest U.S. automaker, cut spending on discounts and promotions by 6.6 percent from a year earlier to an estimated $2,845 per … Read More »

Early in 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave up trying to force Honda to recall defective liftgates on its 2005 minivans. That hasn’t prevented the agency from opening a new investigation into a similar problem on 20,000 Odysseys from the 2009 model year. After receiving seven complaints, the agency began investigating struts failing … Read More »

General Motors Co. will introduce an all-new air bag, mounted to the right side of the driver’s seat to help keep the driver and the front passenger safer during severe side collisions, reported The Detroit News. The air bag will debut on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, the automaker said Thursday. … Read More »

HERNDON – VW Credit Inc. has appointed Andrew Stuart president and CEO. The move will become effective in January 2012. Stuart will report to Frank Witter, chairman of the board of directors for VCI, and will succeed Kevin Kelly, current president and CEO. He will retire in January, reported F&I and Showroom magazine. Stuart has … Read More »