Analysis

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Though some rival automakers offered special incentives in January to try and lure away "unsettled" Toyota owners and shoppers, these deals only made a "small dent," as overall incentive spending was down 12 percent from a year ago. Specifically, automakers spent an average of $2,382 per vehicle sold on incentives, compared with $2,708 in January […] [Read More]

McLEAN, Va. — Auto industry entities are continuing to push initiatives intended to provide aid to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, including a new project endorsed by the National Automobile Dealers Association. The program, dubbed "100 Trucks for Haiti," already has the support of NADA and Starling Chevrolet in St. Cloud, Fla., as a way to benefit the Clinton-Bush […] [Read More]

BANDON, Ore. — While Wednesday's news that Toyota was temporarily halting production and sales of eight models in U.S. and Canada dominated the headlines, something that began as a "small problem" has led to Toyota dropping in quality perception down to No. 7 among mass market brands, according to CNW Research's latest Purchase Path study. Toyota usually […] [Read More]

CARY, N.C. — Possibly signaling an industry turnaround, readers of AutoRemarketing.com were drawn to news this past week about CarMax gearing up to hire for about 600 store positions. CarMax indicated the majority of those spot would be in sales. Meanwhile, plenty of readers went to Auto Remarketing to learn about Toyota's decision to halt sales in […] [Read More]

PARK RIDGE, N.J. — Like a fellow rental company, Hertz has elected to stop offering eight models temporarily that Toyota has stopped sales on. Hertz executives added that they're working closely with the automaker to make necessary repairs as quickly as possible. However, they stressed that that several Toyota models in their rental fleet are not included […] [Read More]

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Following the news about Toyota's recall and suspended production and sales of eight models, Avis Budget Group said in a statement Wednesday that, as a precautionary measure, it will be taking all of automaker's recalled units out of its U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican fleets. "The safety and peace of mind of our […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Chevrolet Corvette sales showed significant erosion in 2009 and fell to their lowest level in almost 50 years, leading analysts with Edmunds.com's AutoObserver.com to speculate whether this decline means consumers are becoming less interested in sports cars, in general. While acknowledging the soft economy's impact, analysts with the site say they are curious […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — During the fourth quarter, new-vehicle shoppers' interest in truck, CUV and SUV segments was the highest it had been in almost three years, according to Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence's latest Brand Watch Study, which also indicated that domestic brands are gaining more attention from shoppers. The 4Q 2009 Brand Watch Study indicates that during […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — In what could be considered an upset, the Toyota Prius did not lead the way when Edmunds.com released the results of its Consumers' Favorites Hybrid Vehicle Survey. Instead the honor went to the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the vehicle that received 26 percent of the votes according to Edmunds.com. The Toyota Prius earned […] [Read More]

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Offering a helping hand to secondary education in the state, Toyota and its Minnesota Toyota Dealers are sponsoring the Drive for Education competition, which will provide $50,000 in cash grants in recognition of the automaker's 21st year of working with Minnesota high school students. Basically, Toyota will help pick 14 high schools […] [Read More]