In the News

Auto Dealers may see record sales in 2012; surviving dealers are stronger and more profitable

Mary Conway | WXYZ | February 15, 2012

Auto dealers may be racing toward a record number of sales. A consulting firm is predicting that the dealers that survived the economic crisis may deliver more vehicles in 2012 than ever before.

Detroit firm's survey: Region lost 1 auto dealership; sales could reach new high

Sherri Welch | Crain's Detroit Business | February 15, 2012

With the addition of four automotive dealerships last year, Michigan was on par with the national dealership growth rate of 0.6 percent.

Metro Detroit reported a net loss of one dealership last year, reflecting a 0.4 percent decrease that left 229 dealerships.

Dealers must exercise caution in expanding as per-store sales rise

Automotive News | February 14, 2012

A projected rise in U.S. auto sales per dealership to record highs this year will test dealers' ability to continue the practices that helped them survive the recession.

Urban Science Annual Franchise Activity Report: U.S. Dealership Network Stabilized, Healthier

The Sacramento Bee | February 14, 2012

Urban Science released statistics and insights from its 2011 Automotive Franchise Activity Report (FAR), which shows a slight uptick in the number of dealerships nationwide after two years of significant attrition. As of Dec. 31, 2011, there were 17,767 dealerships in the U.S., a 0.6 percent increase from 17,659 in 2010. In a "normal" year, there is a 2 percent decline in the number of dealerships, making the rise quite significant.

Ranks of auto dealers rose last year

Chicago Tribune | February 14, 2012

The number of U.S. auto dealerships rose in 2011 for the first time in 11 years, and the per-dealership sales average is expected to set a record high in 2012, dealer consultant Urban Science said on Tuesday.

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