Dealership Buy/Sell Activity on Pace For Blockbuster Year, Firm Reports

By: Automotive News FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Auto dealers are enjoying some of the best operating conditions in over a decade, according to a report released this week by Haig Partners. The Blue Sky Report found that record profits from higher new-vehicle sales and improving fixed operations, combined with a stable economy, are creating a robust buy-sell market for both public and private dealer groups looking to acquire additional franchises. “The number and value of deals accelerated in the first quarter,” said Alan Haig, president of the firm....

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Aluminum Ford F-150 remains on track, Hinrichs says

By: Automotive News DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- In response to Morgan Stanley’s concerns about potential delays, Ford Americas chief Joe Hinrichs said the new aluminum-bodied F-150 truck remains on track for its introduction later this year. Ford is retooling two factories to make the pickup, part of a plan this year to add 16 new models in North America. The company says its new F-150 is about 700 pounds lighter than the steel version it will replace. “Everything is on schedule and everything is going as planned” with the F-150 introduction, Hinrichs...

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Hail on wheels? No problem as shoppers clamor for deals on damaged cars

By: Kathleen Burke, Automotive News Woodhouse Auto Family in Blair, Neb., has been weathering a flood of new customers in the wake of a hailstorm that damaged nearly 4,400 vehicles last week at its three stores, including its “Truck Mountain” Ford truck dealership. To clear the lots of the struck vehicles, Woodhouse declared a “hail sale” the day after the storm, marking stickers down by anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000. Lisa Cole, Woodhouse Family Auto marketing director, said in an e-mail that by Saturday, more than 150 customers were...

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Consumers Believe Honda, Mercedes Provide Highest Quality

By: ALG SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Consumers feel that Honda and Mercedes-Benz deliver the highest quality vehicles, according to a report from ALG, the analytics division of TrueCar. Honda received the highest ratings among mainstream brands, followed by Toyota and Volkswagen, according to ALG’s Brand Perception of Quality (BPQ) study. Mercedes-Benz received the highest ratings among premium brands, followed by Lexus and BMW. European automakers netted six of the Top 7 premium brand spots. The mix was a bit more varied among mainstream brands....

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May Depreciation Levels Reveal Signs of Summer Slowdown, Black Book Reports

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The average price of a used vehicle for model years 2008-2012 dipped slightly during May, according to Black Book. The firm noted that depreciation levels are typically higher at the beginning of the summer selling season vs. typical spring levels. Average segment prices saw -0.4% depreciation in May compared with the previous month (+0.9% in April). Domestic cars changed -0.5%; import cars changed -0.9%; domestic trucks gained +0.5%; and import trucks changed -0.4%. Average pre-recession depreciation is historically between...

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