Social media, third-party online car buying sites, dealership websites, YouTube — all examples of Web-based outlets an increasing number of consumers are turning to when in the market for a new vehicle. And automakers are responding to these changing consumer shopping dynamics. According to PwC’s Autofacts Analyst Note for August, automakers are investing more time, […] [Read More]

Ask a dealer or general manager where most of their leads come from. “Newspaper,” some will say, and still others, “Radio.” Occasionally, a dealer cites their own website or credits an online classified site like AutoTrader or Kijiji Autos. Most likely, no one will say “a pediatrician’s office” or, “minivans at the stop light by […] [Read More]

With more and more consumers taking to their computers to find their next ride, which automaker is causing the most buzz? According to the July Social Buzz Report from Phoenix Marketing International’s Automotive Practice, consumers were talking about Ford the most as they participated in online conversation during the car search process. In fact, Phoenix […] [Read More]

Reynolds and Reynolds has purchased digital marketing company IMN, a firm that provides that provides branded newsletters and content for the auto industry and other vertical markets. With the acquisition, Reynolds now has the services of IMN as part of its digital marketing and ad services for the auto industry —  which gives Reynolds the chance […] [Read More]

More shoppers than ever visited AutoTrader.com from a smartphone in July, setting a new record in the company's history. On Monday, site executives reported that more than 2.1 million unique visitors interacted with AutoTrader.com from a smartphone during the month, a figure that represents a 60-percent increase year-over-year. AutoTrader.com's mobile properties include a robust mobile […] [Read More]

Professional, personalized price quotes in minutes — that’s the goal of a new dealer solution just announced by Digital Air Strike. Dubbed Response Logix Smart Quote 3.0, the new online quoting system can help auto dealers ensure that each potential customer receives a personalized price quote within minutes, the company said. Features of Smart Quote […] [Read More]

A new tool announced this week aims to unify the gap between offline and Web-based showrooms. Online sales software firm SaleMove has launched its Inbound Sales platform, which the company says will allow dealership sales consultants to communicate directly and instantly with online car shoppers using SaleMove live video chat and collaborative search features. At […] [Read More]

In an effort to enhance subscribing dealers' inventory listings, transportation company Montway has teamed up with Auction123. Now, through the new partnership, Auction123 customers have access to instant vehicle shipping quotes within their dealer’s inventory detail pages and eBay Motors listings. “Dealers marketing their vehicles via Auction123’s solutions can seamlessly integrate Montway's price quote calculator […] [Read More]

Dealertrack Technologies proposed a simple question on Tuesday, asking principals and managers how healthy their store website is. To gauge the status, the company launched a free Website Health Check Quiz while also giving dealers the chance to win an iPad Mini. “By taking the quiz, dealers will learn if their website is optimized to […] [Read More]

Vehicle transportation company MetroGistics has announced the hiring of a new director of technology, responsible for the continued expansion of the company’s technology infrastructure and more. Named to the position is Craig Clayton, who will also lead the design of new Web and mobile applications to support clients for the company, and lead innovations within […] [Read More]