Merchants Leasing announced it has acquired ALD Automotive USA, which is the North American arm of ALD Automotive. ALD Automotive will continue to manage large operations on the American market through a partnership with Wheels Inc.
Jim Stickford interviewed auction executives to find out that while green vehicles are becoming popular with dealers and the public, this hasn't yet translated into initiatives for major auctions. Reduced gas prices have softened the demand, and dealers have coveted used hybrid vehicles to sell themselves. New technology in upcoming electric cars raises questions on how to prep and promote them.
University of Michigan researcher John DeCicco estimates federal CAFÉ standards could reach 74 mpg by 2035. Whether or not fuel economy triples by that time, technology innovation is heading in that direction, he says. Improvements in turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engines, efficient diesels, improved hybrid drives, lightweight steel and other materials will increase efficiency.
Charging that Avis Budget poses a higher anti-trust risk, Hertz officials say a merger with Dollar Thrifty would be a better balance for the industry. Hertz showed pricing data to support its position and noted other regulatory hurdles facing Avis Budget. Hertz says it's already won regulatory approval in Canada.
There is more computing power in the average new car than there was in the Apollo moon flights. Computers now control most functions in the modern automobile and the systems interact. Yet little effort has gone into the security of these computer systems, making them a prime target for hackers.