Kia Motors America has added augmented reality technology to its digital assistant for Facebook Messenger. The automaker introduced its newly enhanced digital assistant at Facebook's annual F8 developer conference earlier this week. With the addition of new AR technology, Kia’s Facebook page and Kia.com website can now provide a more immersive experience in conjunction with Kia's second-generation digital assistant, according […] [Read More]

Several automakers joined a blockchain project this week that has truly a global footprint and objectives. MOBI — the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative — announced its formation to explore blockchain for use in a new digital mobility ecosystem that could make transportation safer, more affordable and more widely accessible. Officials from MOBI said they are actively […] [Read More]

FordDirect announced that it named former Ford Motor Co. director of U.S. sales Dianne Craig to serve as its new chief executive officer, a move that was effective Tuesday. Craig brings more than brings 30 years of experience in automotive sales and marketing, as well as deep relationships with Ford and Lincoln dealers across the U.S. and […] [Read More]

Add this to the blossoming list of providers in the car subscription market: one of the nation’s largest luxury car dealer groups. Park Place Dealerships launched a subscription service Tuesday, saying it is the first dealer group in Texas to do so. Park Place Select will include three tiers of subscriptions, based on the needs […] [Read More]

As several pieces of its inventory sit inside Manheim San Diego, Shift Technologies' has plans to utilize additional Manheim facilities in other West Coast markets by year-end. Just weeks after announcing that it will use Manheim facilities services to avoid the sizable overhead costs associated with retailing vehicles, Shift is looking forward to entering more markets with Manheim operations. […] [Read More]

Cars.com has brought aboard a new senior vice president of technology to oversee company data engineering, platform engineering and mobile applications. Chosen for the position is Fred Lee, who most recently served as chief technology officer at Gamut.com, the company announced Tuesday. In addition to developing Gamut’s enterprise resource planning, order fulfillment and CRM, Lee […] [Read More]

AutoAlert has promoted an executive who has been essential to the development of the new consumer experience management (CXM) platform that the company unveiled last month. Julian Johnston has transitioned from senior director of product consulting and sales to serve as new AutoAlert vice president of innovation and platform philosophy, company chief executive officer Mike Dullea announced in a […] [Read More]

MBonDemand.com, the online private store from Mercedes-Benz USA, now includes cars from a third party. U.S. off-rental Mercedes-Benz vehicles from Sixt Rent-a-Car are available on the site, a portal powered by RMS Automotive. The luxury car rental service is the first partner to have its Mercedes inventory integrated on the MBonDemand platform. These cars will […] [Read More]

Access to key vehicle information from iSeeCars to help in car-buying decisions has gotten a bit easier with the help of a new app from the company. iSeeCars.com recently announced the launch of its free VIN Report for Used Cars app. The new app enables shoppers to easily scan a vehicle’s VIN barcode with their phones and […] [Read More]

DriveTime retails a lot of metal to consumers through its nationwide footprint of dealerships. Now the company wants to help its inventory buyers acquire necessary units from the wholesale space. Earlier this week, DriveTime announced what it’s dubbed the “Genius Way to Buy a Car” at auctions with the launch of Buyonic. Available on either desktop or […] [Read More]