Local automobile dealers enjoy big month of sales
New car sales nationally rose about 13 percent last month as consumers replaced aging vehicles and took advantage of cheap financing. Sales were way up for many Indianapolis auto dealers.
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Lockhart Automotive moves Cadillac dealership to Fishers
The car retailer, rebounding from the discontinuation of some of its brands, is repurposing its former Hummer dealership.
Indiana legislators OK lifting Sunday cycle sales ban
Indiana's motorcycle dealers will be allowed to buy and sell their bikes on Sundays under a change in state law that legislators have approved.
Lockhart Automotive co-owner recovering from losing Saturn
Lynn Kimmel, president of Lockhart Automotive Group, is helping her family business recover from losing three Saturn dealerships and a Hummer dealership when General Motors Corp. folded both those lines.
Black Friday boosts car sales to best rate since ‘Clunkers’
U.S. consumers, who set records for retail purchases during Thanksgiving weekend, helped boost U.S. auto sales in November to what is likely to be their fastest pace in more than two years.
Startup aims to make online car shopping easier
The horrible experience John Kohlmeyer’s mother had trying to shop for a car online inspired him to create DriveVelocity, a company that not only overhauls dealer websites but also packages all their Web-based customer-relationship tools.
J.D. Byrider sold to private equity firm
The Indianapolis-based used-car chain has been acquired by Altamont Capital Partners near San Francisco, in a deal Byrider executives say will give the franchisor the necessary capital to grow.
Dreyer & Reinbold expanding racing operations
Carmel-based team is building a 12,000-square-foot addition at its headquarters that will house a state-of-the-art machine shop outfitted with high-tech milling machines manufactured by Indianapolis-based Hurco Cos.
Indiana lawmaker pushes Sunday sales of alcohol, cars
Indiana shoppers would be able to buy a six-pack of beer or a new car on Sundays if state Sen. Phil Boots is successful in rolling back two of the few remaining blue laws still in effect in Indiana.
Tight supply of used vehicles drives up values
Used-car prices are on the rise. Last month, the average used-car transaction was for $19,345 vs. $16,586 a year earlier, according to Edmunds.com. Last year, used-vehicle prices generally were 10 percent to 15 percent higher than in 2009.
Longtime local Cadillac dealer loses fight to sell car
Tutwiler Cadillac, which has sold Cadillacs in the Indianapolis area for almost five decades, has lost its franchise despite a long battle with General Motors.
Fiat dealerships rolling back to metro area
After a three-decade absence from the market, Fiat is coming back to the Indianapolis area with new dealerships in Carmel and Greenwood.
Longtime car retailer closes on west side
National Car Sales, for years known for its commercials featuring basketball coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, closed last week after more than 20 years in the market.
Ex-manager accuses Butler Kia of keeping violent employee
A former sales manager at Butler Kia alleges a co-worker pulled a gun on employees—yet was kept on the job for several months afterward.
Ford dealer celebrates 50-year milestone
This month, Pearson Ford, 10650 N. Michigan Road, is celebrating a rare thing among car dealers: its 50th birthday.
New-car dealers hit hard in 2009
Indiana lost 49 new-car dealers last year, the biggest thinning of the herd in at least a decade, according to data released
last month by the National Automobile Dealers Association.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Burd Ford flies after tragedy
Richard Burd's suicide led to shrewd cost-cutting at the family auto dealership. For Christine Burd, returning to profitability is both heartening and heartbreaking.
Widowed car dealer Christine Burd becomes mental health advocate
Burd, who is president of Burd Ford, a mother of four, and a fixture on television commercials for the dealership, has become
an advocate for mental health following her husband’s suicide.
Gavel flies on muscle car auction
"My Name is Earl" and "Charlie's Angels" cars are among the more peculiar offerings
at the 1,750-vehicle
Mecum Auction Co. collector car sale that runs through Sunday at Indiana State Fairgrounds.
All Things Automotive aims for national reach, 20 stores by year-end
GM’s axing of its Saturn brand may fuel the nationwide emergence of an Indianapolis-based used-car franchisor. The first All
Things Automotive franchise will open this month in Fishers, at the former Saturn store owned by Lockhart Automotive Group.