Dealer CRM provider DealerSocket released two additional tools to the MobileCRM platform —  PhoneTracking and SocketTalk. The company explained on Tuesday that SocketTalk can allow users to instant message from within the CRM to internal DealerSocket users. Officials contend SocketTalk is also a “true” texting tool that can allow instant, two-way communication between the dealership […] [Read More]

With results that prompted orchestrators to classify the auto industry as “notably lagging other sectors in the eyes of the consumer,” a new global survey by Accenture showed potential buyers are bouncing from site to site and turning to a variety of online and offline services to help them decide on which vehicle to purchase. […] [Read More]

Dealers who are working to boost their online reputations and increase their review feed from third-party sites now have a new tool to help leverage those reviews.   On Monday, DealerRater announced the release of an enhanced feature for its Certified Dealer Program that the company says will enable dealers to better leverage positive online […] [Read More]

TrueCar partnered with AAA Carolinas Thursday not only to help vehicle buyers in North and South Carolina, but also to increase the site’s possible connection to 50 percent of the entire organization’s membership nationwide. The newest deal means TrueCar will be powering AAA Carolina’s online auto buying program with a more comprehensive service that provides […] [Read More]

Dealers on the lookout for new customers will find that the competition just got more interesting with the launch of a new shopper-tracking mobile technology. Designed to target mobile shoppers based on their location, even when they’re at a competing dealership or service center, is the Location Targeting feature from AutoMotion Dealer App. It was […] [Read More]

Dominion Dealer Solutions and Microsoft are teaming up to build a dealer management system designed to help dealers and OEMs boost profits and revenue, improve customer experience and foster operational efficiencies. Microsoft Dynamics AX will be the foundation of the new tool, which will also blend in the “extensive automotive retail expertise and assets” from […] [Read More]

Given the massive impact of Superstorm Sandy, which is believed to have flooded thousands of vehicles, CarProof Vehicle History Reports is providing a free Flood Damage Check. Available on the company's website, this tool can alert users if their respective vehicles have ever been water-damaged in the U.S. and if the car has been registered […] [Read More]

As part of a branding initiative announced today, vAuto’s used-vehicle inventory management product suite has a new name, and the company has also rolled out a new product line of stand-alone solutions designed to help dealers tackle specific used-car tasks. [Read More]

GE has taken a big step in its alternative-fuel vehicle goals. In a collaboration announced Tuesday, GE is buying 2,000 new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids for its fleet, which would put GE a fifth of the way toward its alt-fuel target. With the 2,000 C-MAX Energi units coming into the fleet, GE will have […] [Read More]

Naked Lime Marketing has announced that its digital reputation management service for dealers has been approved by General Motors for the 2013 Standards for Excellence program. Moreover, dealers using its marketing services may be eligible for reimbursement for these services under the GM iMR (In-Market Retail) Turnkey Program in which GM reimburses dealerships for a […] [Read More]