Jay Maxwell, general manager of strategic operations of the Costco Auto Program, joins the show to discuss how the program and its partner dealers have adapted to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, keeping customer, vendor and employee communication lines open and more. Plus, Maxwell shares some automotive success stories. To listen to this episode, click on the […] [Read More]

To support its dealer partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, TrueCar announced an extension for May invoices of the previously announced 50% automatic reduction to the April invoices of dealer partners in states where its pay-per-sale or performance-based billing arrangements are not currently available.  In a letter to dealers that are on TrueCar’s subscription billing model, […] [Read More]

And now we turn to digital retail.  After launching the series earlier this month, Cherokee Media Group has released Part II of a whitepaper series on "A New Age of Digital Buying & Selling" to share trends and best practices for a used-car industry that’s increasingly digital — and even more so in recent weeks. Part II […] [Read More]

The second top-level executive move involving AutoNation this month happened on Wednesday morning as the dealer group said executive vice president and chief operating officer Jim Bender has been appointed as president and chief operating officer. The action arrived 10 days after the AutoNation’s board of directors granted the request of Cheryl Miller, chief executive […] [Read More]

Predictive analytics and marketing automation company automotiveMastermind has partnered with a video communication company to implement a video feature that Mastermind says will help dealership sales teams personalize their communications with consumers. automotiveMastermind, part of IHS Markit, has partnered with Covideo to create a new product feature that helps dealerships connect with customers during coronavirus […] [Read More]

Jasen Rice, founder and chief executive officer for the used-car marketing and inventory analysis company Lotpop, is taking a contrarian position about certified pre-owned sales as the auto industry comes out of its COVID-19 mandated slumber. "CPO is going to be the winner out of this," he said. If, that is, the OEMs sufficiently incentivize […] [Read More]

With Flick Fusion’s new live-streaming video communications application, dealership personnel can connect with vehicle shoppers and current customers, regardless of which operating platform the callers are on. The application is called StreaMe, and Flick Fusion is offering auto dealerships a free, no-obligation 60-day trial for a limited time. The company said it is offering the application […] [Read More]

Autotrader has debuted a new commercial spot highlighting various home services that dealers now offer to bring convenience and comfort to in-market shoppers while also minimizing in-person contact. The ad, titled, “Still Moving,” is meant to alleviate consumers’ car-buying concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Autotrader, sourcing the Cox Automotive COVID-19 Digital Shopping Study, said the […] [Read More]

Asbury Automotive Group has named Patrick (PJ) Guido as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Guido joins the company effective May 11. Since April 2018, Guido has served as chief financial officer for lululemon athletica inc., a NASDAQ-listed multinational designer, distributor, and retailer of healthy lifestyle-inspired athletic apparel and accessories. He previously served as […] [Read More]

Predictive analytics and marketing automation company automotiveMastermind is re-deploying sales and business development managers to prospect on behalf of dealer partners. The company said the move demonstrates its support and commitment to dealerships during the COVID-19 crisis. automotiveMastermind said the virtual business development center program is currently piloting with 215 U.S. stores. The company announced […] [Read More]