Even with Hurricane Sandy, which cut short vehicle sales on the East Coast in October, automakers largely posted increases last month.

Volkswagen sales were up 22% last month ― the automaker’s best October in nearly 40 years ― even though a quarter of its U.S. dealerships were affected by the storm. Toyota’s sales rose 16%, while Chrysler sales were up 10%.

General Motors sales increased 5%, to 195,764 ― the best October since 2007. About half of GM’s New Jersey dealerships are…

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Used-car prices have sped up since 2009, accounting for nearly half of retail car and light-truck sales. Now, it seems like the brakes have been applied, as Automotive Lease Guide reported that those prices are dropping following a peak earlier this year.

ALG makes predictions that are used by finance companies and auto manufacturers to design lease deals. The company’s used-car price index dropped to 95 points in 2008’s economic crisis from 118 points in 2007; ALG scales used-car…

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As if competition weren't already pressuring margins, Mojo Motors has snared $3 million in series A financing to help expand its vehicle discount site.

Boston-based Mojo Motors operates a free website that guarantees the lowest prices on the internet, granting members access to exclusive discounts on thousands of vehicles and sending personalized alerts when dealers drop prices. When a consumer is ready to buy, he prints a…

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Since the collapse of the new-car market in 2008, industry participants have talked about a “new normal” for car sales. The argument was that the prior 17-million-unit sales pace was inflated, and 14 million units was a more appropriate rate based on population figures and driving habits. Manufacturers have since recalculated production volumes and reduced headcount accordingly.

While adjustments were made on the new-car side, the used-car market has been strengthening. Limited…

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For the second time this year, used-car prices according to Manheim have hit a record high: 126.6 in April.



On the used-car side, lower wholesale supply and higher retail demand are driving demand. Among new cars, tighter inventory and higher transaction prices are to blame.



Take a look at these facts: Manheim’s Used Vehicle Value Index has exceeded 120 in 10 of the past 13 months. Taken a step further, the Manheim Index has surpassed 100 in all but six months since it… Continue

Manheim’s Used Vehicle Value Index hit its highest level ever in January: 124.9.



Used-car values have exceeded 100 on the Manheim Index since the start of 2009, surpassing 120 six times last year.



Strong auction prices have lowered lenders’ loss severity and have enabled lessors to offer vehicles with higher residual values. The key, though, is trying to…

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After plunging in July 2009, Porsche sales are on the upswing again.



Last month, car buyers bought 2,703 Porsches, a 75% year-over-year increase and Porsche’s best month in two years. Meanwhile, total U.S. light-vehicle sales rose only 5%, to 1.05 million units.



Here’s a chart tracking Porsche sales versus overall vehicle sales for the past five Julys:

Sure, even single-digit growth in the new-car market is… Continue

Used cars will be in short supply for the next few years, pushing up auction values and mitigating lenders’ loss levels.



Used-car supply is on track to shrink through 2015, according to ALG. For 2010 through 2013, supply will likely decline about 4% per year. It’s on pace to drop 2% in 2014 and 9% in 2015. By 2016, supply should reverse course, shooting up 10%, according to ALG.



The dip stems from the steady contraction of the new-vehicle market, where volume has plunged… Continue

ORLANDO, Fla. — Used-car prices, strong throughout 2009, will likely maintain their momentum for the next couple years, industry experts said at AFSA’s Vehicle Finance Conference yesterday.



Low sales volume has translated to fewer trade-ins. Plus, as manufacturers keep production levels in line with demand and consumers shy away from big-ticket purchases, the supply of used cars will drop even further.



Combine that scenario with the fact that leasing is picking up — for… Continue

Lenders have been benefitting from strong used-vehicle prices all year. Higher-than-expected prices at auction have muted losses on repossessions and off-lease vehicles. GMAC and Ford Credit, among others, cited strong used-car values as part of the reason for their improved third-quarter earnings.



But in its Used-Vehicle Value Index released today, Manheim Consulting noted a slight decline in wholesale pricing. The October reading inched down to 117.4, from a record 118.5 in… Continue

Here’s an interesting article from CUNA, the credit union trade group.



The story in a nutshell: The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles shut down an informal car sale site that happened to be located at a local credit union. The reason: Used-car dealers in the area complained that they were losing business.



Apparently, the sale had been happening for years. Every weekend, people would slap contact… Continue