Dealers Report Monthly U.S. Sales Figures

Alexandria, VA (November 2) – The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today released October sales figures for the international nameplate auto industry. Brands sold by America's 9,600 international nameplate franchises accounted for 55.3 percent of all new vehicles sold in the United States last month, up from 54.5 percent a year ago.

AutoData Corp. reports that the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for October was 18.09 million units versus 17.87 million units a year ago. Total industry unit deliveries, including domestic brands and unadjusted for business days, decreased 1.3 percent compared to last October. International brands bucked that trend by rising 0.08 percent as a group. Sales for all brands were down 1.7 percent year to date. Industrywide, 1,354,875 vehicles were sold in October compared to 1,372,320 units sold a year ago.

"October's steady sales rate is a testament to the quality of light vehicles being sold today and the American consumers' confidence in the health of our economy," said AIADA President Cody Lusk. "Last month's SAAR, the second highest of 2018, gives dealers every reason to believe we will close out the year on a high note."

International brands sold just 634 more light vehicles from a year ago, with sales down year to date 0.36 percent. Brands like Honda (up 1.2 percent from last October), Nissan (up 10.2 percent), and Toyota (up 2.5 percent – thanks to a 19 percent jump in light truck sales) were responsible for the month's solid results. Most sales improvements were driven by light truck purchases, which rose 3.6 percent as a segment from last October, while cars continued to lag, down 9.1 percent from a year ago.

International auto sales in the U.S. totaled 748,614 in October, down from 848,906 in September and 822,952 vehicles in August. Asian brands occupied 45.6 percent of the October auto market, down from 46.5 in September. Overall, Asian nameplate dealers sold 618,443 vehicles in October, a half a percent dip from October 2016.

European brands sold 130,171 in October, down from 140,857 vehicles in September, and held 9.6 percent of the October U.S. auto market, up from 9.2 percent in September. Overall sales for European brands were up three percent from last October and 2.1 percent for the year. 

To read AIADA's complete coverage of October's international nameplate auto sales, click here. 

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About AIADA: Established in 1970, AIADA is and continues to be the only association whose sole purpose is to represent America's international nameplate automobile franchises that sell and service the following brands: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. These retailers have a positive economic impact both nationally and in the local communities they serve, providing more than 500,000 American jobs. Visit AIADA online at www.aiada.org.

PRESS RELEASE - Fastlane Chooses F&I Express to incorporate VIN-Specific Vehicle Service Contract and Aftermarket Pricing in its Dealer-focused Online Car Buying Platform

Fastlane, the developer of an increasingly popular e-commerce platform for car dealers, has chosen F&I Express to provide VIN-specific vehicle service contract and aftermarket pricing. Fastlane offers dealers an Amazon-like checkout process for consumers who wish to buy their car online. Savvy dealers are gravitating toward Fastlane because of its flexibility, customizability and ease of use.

“From the car dealers’ perspective, providing accurate service contract and aftermarket pricing is imperative when offering an online buying option,” said David Luce, Fastlane’s Vice President of Sales. “Partnering with F&I Express lets car dealers using our platform incorporate F&I Express’s superior vehicle service contract and aftermarket product information into their car buying process. Having accurate VIN-specific pricing online creates a better customer experience when the consumer takes delivery of their vehicle.”

“F&I Express provides a digital connection with more than 140 automotive aftermarket product providers,” said Brian Reed, CEO of F&I Express. “Our partnership with Fastlane is enabling dealers to shift the education of F&I products forward in the car-buying process. The consumers want to have complete transparency of F&I products, so we provide the tools they need to take control of the process and drive their research.”

Fastlane’s platform enables car buyers to purchase a vehicle directly from the car dealer’s website and gives them an easy and complete checkout experience. The platform handles nearly all the tasks associated with the purchase process: Year, make, model, specifications and price information on each vehicle, warranty and service contract options, aftermarket product options, trade-in evaluations and accurate retail and lease payment information.

Dealers have been very pleased that Fastlane is much more than a cookie-cutter solution. The car-buying experience is customized to meet each dealer’s unique branding, messaging and sales needs. “We built Fastlane knowing that the online car-buying process typically differs from dealer to dealer and from region to region,” said Brandon Hall, Fastlane’s CEO. “Our technical teams work closely with each dealer to determine how their online car buying experience should work. Then we configure it to their satisfaction. It’s a win-win that makes online purchasing easy for dealers and their customers. Because of our partnership with F&I Express, dealers can be assured that vehicle, service contract and aftermarket pricing information will be spot on.”

“The F&I Express team is very pleased to partner with Fastlane,” said Reed. “This new company is clearly—and quickly—going to have a significant impact on the way car dealers bring their inventory to the online car-buying world and we’re proud that Fastlane considers us to be a valuable part of their growing success.”

About Fastlane

Fastlane, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas, is a developer of innovative e-commerce and showroom technologies for automotive dealerships. Fastlane creates value for dealers by providing them with an online checkout experience and enhancing dealer’s in-store purchase experience, giving them the power to sell more cars, be more profitable and increase overall customer satisfaction. By offering Fastlane’s turnkey purchasing solution, dealers give customers a convenient way to complete the purchase transaction while the sales team focuses on engaging with customers and building long-term relationships that last well after the car is purchased.

Fastlane’s technical integration team, based in Dallas, Texas, customizes the Fastlane e-commerce platform to meet the specific and unique needs of individual dealerships and dealer groups.

For more information about Fastlane, please visit their website, www.fastlane.car and their online newsroom, www.newsline360.com/fastlane. Contact Fastlane at sales@fastlane.car.

About F&I Express

Since 2008, F&I Express has been dedicated to leading the aftermarket industry into the digital age with innovative technology solutions. With solutions that cut costs, educate consumers, improve compliance and increase efficiency for dealers, agents, providers and lenders, F&I Express offers eRating, eContracting, eRegistering and eCancellations for aftermarket products on one platform. The Express Recoveries solution is an optimized eCancellation solution for lenders, providers and dealers to streamline the cancellation and recoveries process in an efficient and compliant manner. Express Digital Media gives digital retailers the power to educate car shoppers online with accurate and dynamic aftermarket rates and content. For more information about our innovative solutions, please visit www.fandiexpress.com or follow us on Twitter @fandiexpress.

TYSONS, Va. (Oct. 19, 2017) – Employment and payroll at U.S. new-car dealerships continued to rise through the first six months of 2017, according to a new midyear report released today by the National Automobile Dealers Association. 

New-car dealerships directly employed 1,134,200 workers through the second quarter of 2017, up from a record 1,131,900 in 2016, according to NADA Data 2017: Midyear Report, which provides a biannual financial profile of new-car dealerships, as well as data on employment, payroll and more. 

"We expect to see employment at new-car dealerships reach an all-time high at the end of 2017," said Patrick Manzi, NADA senior economist. "In addition to the direct employment provided by dealerships, more than another million other jobs in local communities are dependent on dealerships." 

Payroll at new-car dealerships reached nearly $33 billion in June 2017 year-to-date, up more than 11 percent compared to the same six months in 2016. 

The average compensation for employees at new-car dealerships was $69,784 per year in 2016. 

"For the past several years, dealership employees have seen steady increases in their incomes as well as in their total compensation," Manzi added. "Dealership jobs offer significantly higher compensation than other retail sectors." 

To download the midyear report, click here: https://www.nada.org/nadadatamidyear2017/

Nenni will use his three decades of auto tech experience with Dealer Specialties and Dominion Dealer Solutions to enhance vendor and dealer operations. 

Maitland, Fla.(October 18, 2017) - T3 Consulting Group, an automotive consulting firm that advises automotive vendors on business structure, growth plans, and marketing strategies to increase profitability, announced today the addition of George Nenni, former Vice President of Dominion Dealer Solutions, to their roster of influential advisors. 

 

With more than three decades of automotive technology expertise, Nenni will focus on providing B2B consulting for T3 clients in the automotive dealer service provider (DSP) marketplace.  He will leverage his technology, M&A, and senior leadership experience to bring about success for DSPs and dealerships of any size.  

“George has built an exceptional reputation for himself in the industry due to his work ethic, rock solid business advice, and results-oriented attitude. We are thrilled to welcome him to T3 and know that he brings tremendous value to our clients both today and well into the future,” said Stan Thomas, Managing Partner of T3. 

Nenni will use his extensive experience to provide T3 clients objective insight, troubleshooting advice and perhaps most importantly, will fill specific knowledge gaps that in-house teams can’t provide in order to fuel growth, efficiency, and potentially position firms for acquisition.  Specifically, he will help auto technology providers analyze, develop, and implement actionable strategies in the areas of management, business development, marketing, operations, and product development for maximum growth. 

 “I’ve known the principals at T3 for a long time and have always been impressed with the level of care and skill they bring to each client,” said Nenni. “I am honored to join their team and look forward to helping tech companies in the space initiate change to increase bottom line profits.” 

 

Nenni began his automotive career with Dealer Specialties in 1993, and remained with the company after acquisition by Dominion Dealer Solutions.  He grew to not only oversee Dealer Specialties sales and operations, but overall automotive operations at Dominion.  He has spoken at numerous automotive conferences including Digital Dealer, JD Power Roundtable, and Internet Battleplan, among others, and is a regular contributor to major automotive publications.

Both Nenni and Thomas will be available and taking appointments during the DrivingSales Executive Summit, October 22-24 in Las Vegas. To book an appointment during the show, please contact Tara Dobbin at tara.dobbin@t3.auto.

To find out more about T3 Consulting Group, please visit www.t3consultinggroup.com. 

 

About T3 Consulting Group: 

 

T3 Consulting Group advises automotive vendors on business structure, growth plans, and marketing strategies and helps facilitate distribution partnerships for their clients. Working across the spectrum of small startups, to medium-sized companies, to large enterprises, T3 helps grow products, management teams and revenue for their clients. Their executive team are seasoned professionals with experience in all aspects of what it takes to grow, mature, and develop the traits of successful entrepreneurs. Find our more by visiting www.t3consultinggroup.com”.

ATLANTA, October 16, 2017 – Car shopping has come a long way over the last 20 years, from the days of fliers and circulars, to today’s connected experience seamlessly blending the online to in-store shopping journey. As the first nationwide online car shopping site, Autotrader has been at the forefront of digital automotive retail innovation since it was established in 1997.



“Autotrader invented online car shopping and constantly strives to re-imagine the category,” said Brian Geitner, president of Cox Automotive Media Solutions. “The transformation of our brand and the car shopping experience go hand-in-hand, and we’ll continue to adapt and enhance Autotrader as consumer behaviors and appetites change.”

Autotrader’s beginning coincides with the rise of the Internet era and its impact on how consumers received information. Paper-based vehicle listings were steadily eclipsed by a more convenient and up-to-date online inventory experience for both the buyer and the seller. Video and editorial content, along with user-generated reviews and the introduction of Autotrader’s mobile app soon followed, helping better educate consumers looking to find and buy their next car.

“We’ve always tried to stay ahead of the curve”, said Chuck Nasiadka, Director of Pre-Owned Operations, Baglier Automotive in Butler, Pennsylvania. “We went online with Autotrader using a laptop and dial up service somewhere between 2000 and 2001. I’ve placed my faith in the fact they were there first, they have the most knowledge in the space and shoppers still mention Autotrader the most.”

Fulfilling its mission to be the leading resource of automotive consumer insights, Autotrader unveiled its annual Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey study in 2016, designed to inform dealers on consumer car-shopping behavior and preferences. The study also provides perspective on the overall perception of the dealer experience and the importance of having a best-in-class online presence.

Over the last 20 years, Autotrader has hosted more than 2 billion car shoppers and featured over 350 million vehicle listings on Autotrader.com.  The 10 Most-Searched Cars on Autotrader include:

1. Ford F-Series
2. Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
3. Jeep Wrangler
4. RAM 1500/2500
5. Chevrolet Camaro
6. Toyota Tacoma
7. Ford Mustang
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee
9. Chevrolet Tahoe
10. Toyota Tundra

Note: Based on search history on Autotrader from July 2009 to July 2017.

According to Autodata Corp., three of the five most searched cars on Autotrader also have been top sellers in the U.S. – Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500.

For more information and news from Autotrader, view our What A Ride Anniversary video, or visit www.autotrader.com, or follow us on Twitter (@autotrader), Instagram (@autotrader_com), Facebook (Autotrader) and Snapchat (Autotrader_com).

About Autotrader
Autotrader connects with more actual car buyers than any other third-party listing site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience.

Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, financial, retail and wholesale solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, vAuto®, Xtime® and a host of other brands. The global company has 32,000-plus team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises’ other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.

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Despite rising price tags, large trucks on pace to become second-best selling vehicle segment of 2017                                                                                                    

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — October 12, 2017 — Large trucks are becoming just as common in the school drop-off line as they are at the jobsite, according to new data from Edmunds, the leading car shopping and information platform. Full-size trucks are on pace to become the second-best selling vehicle segment in the U.S. in 2017 and achieve the segment’s highest market share since 2007.

Edmunds analysts say this increase in popularity is due in part to the fact that it’s now easier to use a truck as a daily driver. So far in 2017, crew cabs (trucks that offer four full-size doors and a full back seat), now comprise 74.4 percent of all retail truck registrations, up from 63.7 percent five years ago.

“Shoppers used to just see trucks as a either a work vehicle or a second vehicle used primarily for towing and chores,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds senior manager of industry analysis. “But trucks now have many of the same creature comforts as SUVs, but with added utility. For a growing family looking for a single vehicle that can serve all of their needs, a full-size truck has now become an attractive choice.”

However, the all-in-one amenities of a full-size truck don’t come cheap; so far in 2017 the average transaction price of a full-size truck is $47,250, up 24.5 percent from just five years ago. To help ease the strain on their wallets, truck buyers are now turning to a familiar solution for shoppers who want more car for their money - leasing. While still far below the industry average, the lease penetration rate for full-size trucks is 16.7 percent so far in 2017 - nearly three times the rate it was just five years ago (5.6 percent).

“While it remains to be seen how much demand there will be for a truck that pushes six figures, there’s no question truck buyers are ready and willing to spend more to get what they want. And for automakers who have strong truck offerings in their portfolios, this shift in consumer preference is a great opportunity, since truck buyers are the most loyal in the industry,” Drury said. “More than 55 percent of large truck buyers trade their vehicle in for another vehicle from the same brand, which is more than 17 percentage points higher than industry average.”

Edmunds can shopping experts say October is one of the best times of year to find a bargain on a new truck, as many automakers offer special deals on outgoing 2017 models as part of larger “truck month” promotions. Chevrolet, GMC, Nissan and RAM are all advertising zero-percent financing offers on select models, along with varying amounts of bonus cash.

More insight into recent auto industry trends can be found in the Edmunds Industry Center at http://www.edmunds.com/industry-center/.

About Edmunds
Edmunds is the leading car information and shopping platform, helping millions of visitors each month find their perfect car. With products such as Edmunds Your Price, Your Lease and Used+, shoppers can buy smarter with instant, upfront prices for cars and trucks currently for sale at more than 13,000 dealer franchises across the U.S. Edmunds’ in-house team of unbiased car-shopping experts provide industry-leading vehicle reviews and shopping tips, as well as welcome all car-shopping questions to the free Shopper Advice line at 1-855-782-4711, via email at help@edmunds.com, via text at ED411 and on Twitter and Facebook. The company is regarded as one of America's best workplaces by Fortune and Great Place to Work. Edmunds is based in Santa Monica, California, and has a satellite office in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

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According to a press release from J.D. Power today, Finbarr O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer and President at J.D. Power, has informed the company’s board of directors of his intention to retire, effective March 2018.

Read the full press release from J.D. Power.

Fastlane, the Dallas-based startup e-commerce platform for automotive dealers, will be exhibiting at the DrivingSales Executive Summit, October 22-24 at Bellagio in Las Vegas.  Driving innovation and excellence in the auto industry, the Executive Summit gathers the most progressive dealers in the country to collaborate on innovative trends and formulate business plans for the following year.  Experts from inside and outside the industry will challenge attendees to think outside the box to create value in new, exciting ways and teach tactical strategies used at dealerships across the country.

Much like the conference itself, Fastlane utilizes innovation and excellence to improve online car buying. The platform offers dealerships the ability to showcase their inventory, help customers pick out the car they want and choose other purchase components such as financing, service contracts and insurance for a seamless start-to-finish buying experience.

Though Fastlane is reinventing car buying, the platform is not eliminating the need for a middleman. “Our goal is to supplement current dealer operations by adding a unique customer experience through our online checkout. We are here to make online car buying advantageous for car dealers and customers alike by fostering new ways of engagement and creating a dynamic shopping experience for all parties. It’s the best of both worlds,” says Brandon Hall, Fastlane’s CEO.

About the conference

DrivingSales Executive Summit  keynote speakers include Jared Hamilton, CEO and Founder of DrivingSales; Kristin Hadeed, Founder of Student Maid; David Bell, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School; Dr. Heidi Grant, Associate Director of the Motivation Science Center; and Jay Acunzo, Host of award-winning podcast Unthinkable.

Join Fastlane and be part of the industry shifting conversation. Save your seats and register for the summit today at http://www.drivingsales.com/dses/registration/ and visit Fastlane at their booth.

About Fastlane

Fastlane, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas, is a developer of innovative e-commerce and showroom technologies for automotive dealerships. Fastlane creates value for dealers by providing them with an online checkout experience and enhancing dealer’s in-store purchase experience, giving them the power to sell more cars, be more profitable and increase overall customer satisfaction. By offering Fastlane’s turnkey purchasing solution, dealers give customers a convenient way to complete the purchase transaction while the sales team focuses on engaging with customers and building long-term relationships that last well after the car is purchased.

Fastlane’s technical integration team, based in Dallas, Texas, customizes the Fastlane e-commerce platform to meet the specific and unique needs of individual dealerships and dealer groups.

For more information about Fastlane, please visit their website,  www.fastlane.car and the

NIADA National Corporate Partner Makes Major Financial Commitment to Assist the Dealer Community Affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Oct. 10, 2017—Spireon Inc., a Diamond-level NIADA National Corporate Partner and leading provider of GPS solutions with GoldStar and other connected vehicle products, will contribute $100,000 to the NIADA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund to assist members of the automotive community in their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Spireon, a longtime NIADA partner, said it selected the NIADA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund for its commitment to directly contribute to its customers and the communities they serve because it was the quickest way to help in the recovery.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the folks whose lives have been impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma,” Spireon CEO Kevin Weiss said. “We know the road has not been easy over the past few weeks and we know the recovery efforts will continue for months to come.

“We are incredibly thankful for the support our customers have shown us over the years and feel very fortunate to be in a position to give back to these impacted communities.”

In addition, Weiss said Spireon will use its NSpire platform to provide the data its customers need to help get their businesses up and running, creating reports to help identify assets potentially at risk from the storms and assist dealers in assessing the next steps for their business.

“When Spireon heard the NIADA Foundation had created the Emergency Relief Fund, it quickly rallied and offered a major financial commitment to help those affected by the catastrophic storms,” said Steve Jordan, NIADA’s CEO and president of the NIADA Foundation board of trustees.

“We appreciate that Spireon understands recovery doesn’t happen overnight and we are looking forward to working with Kevin Weiss and his entire team to advance our shared goals of helping all members of the independent dealer community get back on their feet again.”

The Disaster Relief fund was established by the NIADA Foundation to provide a venue for members of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association and its industry partners to assist fellow dealers and others in the automotive community affected by the recent storms.

The NIADA Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves as the focal point of NIADA’s charitable efforts and coordinates the association’s charitable giving.

The NIADA Foundation will continue to fund hurricane relief efforts in the coming months. It is not too late to donate. For more information or to contribute, visitwww.niadafoundation.org.

About Spireon

Spireon, Inc. is North America’s leading connected vehicle intelligence company, providing businesses and consumers with powerful insights to track, manage and protect their most valuable mobile assets. The award-winning Spireon NSpire platform supports nearly 4 million active subscribers across the company’s growing suite of products for new and used car dealers, lenders and financial institutions, rental car agencies, commercial and local fleet operators, and consumers. Learn more at www.spireon.com.