If car-sharing, ride-hailing and car-subscription services were as widely available as traditional car ownership through purchases and leases, consumers would rely “significantly less” on traditional car ownership and new-vehicle retail sales could tumble much as 29 percent. Conversely, fleet sales would increase. So predicts Phase 3 of Cox Automotive’s Evolution of Mobility Study, outlined Sunday […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Values are now integrated into the Contact At Once! Automotive messaging platform, CAO! Connect. The integration helps create what CAO says are satisfying connections, and it builds relationships between auto shoppers and dealers by making it easier for consumers to ask questions and get information in the “micro-moments” when they shop […] [Read More]

Gubagoo describes itself as a provider of “conversational commerce” products for automotive dealerships and OEMs. Now, its customers can use Apple Business Chat, which Gubagoo says is a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses using the native Messages app on iPhone and iPad. The company notes the product helps consumers instantly connect […] [Read More]

Elcometer, an inspection equipment design, manufacturing and supply company for the automotive and protective coatings markets, has moved into its new North American headquarters and training facility. Based in Warren, Mich., Elcometer’s new 22,000-square-foot North American headquarters at 6900 Miller Drive provides office space for sales and technical support teams and accommodates its ISO 17025 test […] [Read More]

Technology and auction software services company Xcira has received several patents that it says will safeguard technologies currently being applied in the pursuit of what it describes as “evolutionary changes within the auction industry.” The protected intellectual property includes areas involving artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and adaptive modeling that power dozens of use cases that […] [Read More]

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems, a dealership management system software company, will open a new office in Chandler, Ariz., late in the second quarter. Auto/Mate said its expansion to the West Coast is in response to the rapid growth it has experienced since a planned acquisition by CDK Global fell through in March 2018. Since that announcement, […] [Read More]

The Cox Automotive Mobility Group launched a new brand on Sunday called Pivet that will provide a network of end-to-end mobility fleet services. The Pivet network will include both physical locations and mobile vehicle management solutions. The initial flagship hub location will be Manheim Metro Atlanta, which was previously an auto auction. The initial mobile […] [Read More]

Agero Inc., a provider of software-enabled driver assistance services for automotive manufacturers and insurance providers, appointed Bill Gerraughty as chief financial officer, responsible for all finance and facilities functions. Gerraughty’s addition follows the December announcement of new chief operations officer George Horvat. Reporting to chief executive officer Dave Ferrick, Gerraughty will oversee Agero’s financial strategy. As […] [Read More]

According to a HomeNet Automotive research study, 83 percent of dealers believe they can increase turns if they improve online merchandising, but only 10 percent thought their online presence was highly differentiated. In response, the newest inventory merchandising tool from HomeNet is designed to respond to how much dealerships — and their potential customers — […] [Read More]

New technology will provide an enhanced music experience for Lincoln drivers, including the ability to tap into more than 60 million songs and curated playlists at their fingertips. Lincoln owners with SYNC 3 with AppLink compatible vehicles and an iOS device can now access the TIDAL app via the in-car console. That is because of a new collaboration […] [Read More]